Sure, here is a detailed lesson plan for a 5th Grade Language Arts class focusing on Reading Comprehension using both classic and contemporary texts.
**Lesson Plan: Reading Comprehension (Classic and Contemporary Texts)**
**Grade:** 5
**Subject:** Language Arts
**Duration:** 60 minutes
### Objectives
- Students will compare and contrast classic and contemporary texts.
- Students will practice reading comprehension strategies, such as summarizing, questioning, predicting, and making connections.
- Students will demonstrate understanding through group discussions and written reflections.
### Materials
- Copies of a classic text (e.g., an excerpt from "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White)
- Copies of a contemporary text (e.g., an excerpt from "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio)
- Highlighters, sticky notes, and notebooks
- Graphic organizers for comparison (Venn Diagrams)
- Whiteboard and markers
### Standards
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.1: Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.9: Compare and contrast stories in the same genre on their approaches to similar themes and topics.
### Introduction (10 minutes)
1. **Hook:** Begin with a brief class discussion asking students to share what they know about "classic" and "contemporary" texts. List examples they provide on the whiteboard.
2. **Objective Overview:** Share with the class today’s objectives and explain that they will be exploring both a classic and a contemporary text, focusing on how to understand and analyze what they read.
### Direct Instruction (15 minutes)
1. **Introduce the Classic Text:** Hand out copies of the excerpt from "Charlotte's Web." Provide a brief background about the book and its historical context.
2. **Introduce the Contemporary Text:** Hand out copies of the excerpt from "Wonder." Provide a brief background about the book and its relevance to modern-day themes.
3. **Reading Comprehension Strategies:** Introduce or review key strategies like summarizing, questioning, predicting, and making connections. Explain how these strategies can be used to enhance understanding of both texts.
### Guided Practice (20 minutes)
1. **Reading the Classic Text:**
- Read the excerpt aloud or have students read in pairs/groups.
- Instruct students to use highlighters and sticky notes to mark important passages, questions, or predictions.
- After reading, facilitate a brief discussion on the main ideas and any questions students have.
2. **Reading the Contemporary Text:**
- Have students switch to the excerpt from "Wonder" and repeat the process.
- Pair students up to compare their notes and discuss similarities and differences with the classic text.
- Use a Venn Diagram on the whiteboard to collaboratively map out the comparisons.
### Independent Practice (10 minutes)
1. **Comparison and Reflection:**
- Provide students with individual copies of a Venn Diagram template for them to fill out, comparing "Charlotte's Web" and "Wonder."
- Ask students to write a paragraph reflecting on their personal preferences and insights gained from comparing the two texts.
### Closing (5 minutes)
1. **Share Out:** Invite a few students to share their Venn Diagrams and reflections with the class.
2. **Wrap-Up:** Summarize the main points of the lesson and reinforce the importance of using comprehension strategies to understand various texts.
### Assessment
- Formative: Participation in discussions, completion of graphic organizers, and reflections in notebooks.
- Summative: Collect and review the Venn Diagrams and written reflections to assess understanding and analytical skills.
### Homework
- Assign a short independent reading task from a chosen text and ask students to apply the reading comprehension strategies discussed in class.
- Students should write a brief summary and a personal response to the reading.
### Differentiation
- **For Advanced Students:** Offer them more challenging classic and contemporary excerpts.
- **For Struggling Students:** Provide additional support with guided reading, simpler text options, or one-on-one assistance.
By the end of the lesson, students should have a better understanding of how to analyze and appreciate both classic and contemporary literature, utilizing key strategies to enhance their reading comprehension skills.