**Lesson Plan: Reading Comprehension (Literature and Non-Fiction)**
**Grade Level: Year 8**
**Duration: 60 minutes**
**Objective:**
Students will develop their reading comprehension skills by analyzing both literature and non-fiction texts. They will practice identifying key themes, main ideas, supporting details, and making inferences.
**Materials Needed:**
- Copies of a selected literary text (short story or an excerpt from a novel)
- Copies of a selected non-fiction text (article, biography, or informational text)
- Highlighters and sticky notes
- Reading comprehension worksheets
- Whiteboard and markers
- Projector and screen (optional)
- Vocabulary list related to the texts
**Lesson Outline:**
**Introduction (10 minutes)**
1. **Warm-Up Activity:**
- Begin with a short discussion on the difference between literature and non-fiction. Ask students to provide examples of each and write them on the board.
2. **Objective Review:**
- Explain what students should achieve by the end of the lesson: enhanced reading comprehension skills, the ability to identify key themes and details, and improved inference-making skills.
**Direct Instruction (15 minutes)**
1. **Introduce Literary Text:**
- Provide a brief background on the selected literary text. Discuss the author, setting, and any relevant historical or cultural context.
2. **Read Aloud:**
- Read a portion of the literary text aloud to the class. Encourage students to follow along and highlight or underline important parts.
3. **Introduce Non-Fiction Text:**
- Provide a brief background on the selected non-fiction text. Discuss the source, purpose, and key points to look for while reading.
4. **Read Aloud:**
- Read a portion of the non-fiction text aloud to the class. Encourage students to follow along and highlight or underline important parts.
**Guided Practice (20 minutes)**
1. **Literature Analysis:**
- Divide students into small groups. Provide each group with questions related to the literary text, focusing on themes, main ideas, character motives, and any figurative language used.
- Each group will discuss and record their answers. After 10 minutes, groups will share their insights with the class.
2. **Non-Fiction Analysis:**
- Repeat the process with the non-fiction text. Provide questions focusing on the main ideas, supporting details, author's purpose, and any notable facts or arguments.
- Each group will discuss and record their answers. After 10 minutes, groups will share their insights with the class.
**Independent Practice (10 minutes)**
1. **Comprehension Worksheet:**
- Distribute reading comprehension worksheets that contain questions and activities related to both texts. Students will work independently to complete these worksheets, using their annotations and the discussions to guide their answers.
**Closure (5 minutes)**
1. **Class Discussion:**
- Reconvene as a whole class and ask a few students to share their answers from the worksheet.
- Discuss the similarities and differences in analyzing literary and non-fiction texts.
2. **Review:**
- Summarize key points from the lesson. Reinforce the importance of understanding the context, identifying main ideas, and making inferences in both literature and non-fiction.
**Homework/Extension (Optional):**
- Assign students a short non-fiction article and a literary excerpt to read at home. Provide a set of questions for each text to further practice their comprehension skills.
- Encourage students to write a brief comparison of the texts, focusing on their personal engagement and understanding.
**Assessment:**
- Monitor group discussions and participation during guided practice activities.
- Collect and review comprehension worksheets to assess individual understanding.
- Use the class discussion and homework assignments as additional assessment tools.