WICOR Lesson Plan – Performance Task:
Compare and Contrast essay - introduction
Course: English
Date:
Instructor: Xu
Aim/Instructional Outcome: (The student will be able to):
How do we write a strong introduction?
SWABT: include a solid these statement
Write a well-organized essay
As evidenced by the strong introduction
Common Core Learning Standards: w 9-10. 2a,2b,2c,2d
Vocabulary (for active Word Wall): Common Core Standards
Instructional Materials/Resources:
Performance Task, computer in the library, Chart sheet, informational texts
Do Now/Quick-Write: What is the most challenging part of the essay
writing? Elaborate on your answer.
Time
Instructional Grouping:
Differentiation Strategies:
5 mins
1.Group arrangements:
1. Team work
Mini-Lesson with Modeling: (“I do)
1.
A strong introduction includes:
Background information
These statement
Student Work Period/Learning Activity: Guided Practice (“We do)
and Independent Practice (“You do”)
Time
2.Rational:
Heterogeneous/
Based on interest and
abilities
10 mins
3. computer
3. Groups will be readjusted when
necessary.
Time
2.One-on-one teacher
assistance
4. Rubrics
Higher Order Questions: (Bloom/Webb)
See “Aim”.
20 mins
Teamwork:
Gather information for your performance task essay
2. Exit Slip: Answer the “Aim”.
3.
- Class share: Voluntary and involuntary students will be called
to share insights and answers.
5 mins
Summary: online research
Assessment
Students will be assessed based on participation and
information obtained online
Homework
Performance Task: Speaking activity: discussion
Research one folk tale involving three wishes. Discuss
similarities and differences. Write one paragraph and then
share with the class.
Time
5 mins
Reflection on Lesson
How will you change this lesson in the future?
How will your evaluation of today’s assessment inform
future instruction?
THE FELISA RINCON DE GAUTIER INSTITUTE FOR LAW AND PUBLIC POLICY
English Department
Teacher: M. Xu
English 9/10 Performance Task: Compare and Contrast Paper
Your Task:
“What, of This Goldfish, Would You Wish?” provides a modern twist on the
“three wishes” structure used in many folk tales. Research one folk tale
involving three wishes. Then write a compare and contrast paper. In your
paper, be sure to:
1. Retell your folk tale. Discuss the similarities and differences between
the folk tale you obtained online and “What, of This Goldfish, Would You
Wish?” by Etgar Keret. What happens to the characters, and why?
2. Discuss how Keret’s story fits in with the others. What elements are
similar? What makes it unique?
Guidelines:
1. Establish, in the introduction, a strong and analytical thesis statement,
a sentence that explains what your essay is about. You may use key
phrases from the writing topic if necessary.
2. Cite sufficient and relevant evidence from the tales to support your
statements in your body paragraphs
3. Document the source of the citations
4. Draw a forceful and logical conclusions
5. Follow conventions of standard English
Common Core Learning Standards:
LI. 11-12. 1-6
W. 11-12. 2a,2b,2c,2d,2f
Compare and Contrast Essay Template
Introduction

Present the subjects that is to be compared and contrasted

Ends with a thesis statement that indicates how the two tales
are different or similar
Body Paragraph 1

Include a clear topic sentence about the similarities

Supporting details from the two tales
Body Paragraph 2

State how the two tales are different

Supporting details from the two tales
Conclusion

Summarize what is said earlier

Discuss how you feel about the tales or morals embedded in the
tales
Criteria for Essay
100 points
Excellent
(N/A)
Introduction/Thesis
Statement
20pts
Body Paragraphs
Topic Sentences & Supporting
Details
20pts
Conclusion
10pts
Overall Organization
Unity & Coherence
15pts
Style: sentence flow, tone,
and
20pts
Mechanics
15pts
Good
(N/A)
Excellent
Fair
(N/A)
Poor
(N/A)
Good
Fair
Poor
Introduction and thesis
statement create interest and are
fairly well developed. But while
they cover both subjects,
they are not very engaging.
Introduction and thesis
statement introduce the subjects
for comparison or contrast, but
they either do not give accurate
and complete information, or
they do not emphasize the
author's point for the
comparison or contrast.
Introduction and thesis
statement do not introduce both
subjects for comparison or
contrast, or they may not be a
complete sentence. No
controlling point about the
subjects is evident.
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Each paragraph contains a
clearly focused topic sentence
that relates to the thesis
statement.
Details in the paragraphs are
clear and specific, and there are
enough details to create vivid
images for a thorough
comparison or contrast. The
details clearly support the
author's point for the
comparison/contrast.
Each paragraph contains a topic
sentence that relates to the thesis
statement.
Details are clear and specific,
but they do not vividly support
the author's point for the
comparison/contrast.
At least one topic sentence is not
clear nor does it relate to the
thesis statement.
There are details, but they are
not clear, specific, and vivid, or
both subjects are not given
roughly the same amount of
space.
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
The concluding paragraph
effectively unifies the essay
around the subjects and the point
used for comparison or contrast.
It contains an engaging and
interesting point about the
comparison or contrast of the
subjects.
The concluding paragraph
unifies the essay around the
subjects and the point used for
comparison or contrast, but it is
not very engaging or
interesting.
The concluding paragraph
makes a point about the subjects
for comparison or contrast, but it
does not unify or "wrap-up" the
essay effectively.
There is no conclusion evident
in the essay, or the conclusion is
not related to the remainder of
the essay.
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
The details are in a discernible
order, but the author does not
stick to one pattern in the essay,
or the details do not adequately
support the author's controlling
point.
No discernible organization.
Details are either missing or not
in any discernible order.
Good
Fair
Poor
Writing is clear and sentences
have varied structure. There is
consistent tone and word choice
is appropriate with fairly good
use of transitions to guide the
reader.
Writing is clear, but sentences
may lack variety. The tone is
inconsistent and word choice,
while adequate, could be better.
While transitions are present
they do not add to the overall
effectiveness of the essay.
Writing is confusing and hard to
follow. Contains fragments
and/or run-on sentences. The
tone and purpose is inconsistent
and difficult to determine.
Transitions are either missing or
inappropriate.
Good
Fair
Poor
Very well developed
introduction and thesis
statement. They engage the
reader and create interest. They
cover both subjects and the
author's point for the
comparison or the contrast.
The details are in a clear
effective order and the author
sticks to one pattern: subject-bysubject or point-by point. Both
subjects are covered vividly and
given about the same amount of
space.
Excellent
Writing is smooth, skillful, and
coherent. Sentences are strong
and expressive with varied
structure. Consistent and
appropriate tone and word
choice is used throughout the
essay. Transitions are
appropriate and add to the
effectiveness of the essay.
Excellent
No errors in punctuation,
spelling, grammar, or
capitalization.
The details are in a clear order
and the author sticks to one
pattern. Both subjects are given
roughly the same space.
A few minor errors in
punctuation, spelling, grammar,
or capitalization, but they do not
detract from the overall meaning
and effectiveness of the essay.
A few errors in punctuation,
grammar, spelling, and
capitalization that. while
distracting, the meaning and
intent of the essay can still be
discerned.
There are no apparent topic
sentences for each paragraph.
Details are either wrong or
lacking. No vivid sense
language is used. Or the details
do not fit the author's point for
the comparison/contrast.
Distracting and major errors in
grammar, punctuation, spelling,
and capitalization.