**Grade 5 English Lesson Plan: Reading Comprehension (Classic and Contemporary Texts)**
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**Grade Level:** 5
**Lesson Topic:** Reading Comprehension (Classic and Contemporary Texts)
**Duration:** 90 minutes
**Objective:** Students will improve their reading comprehension skills through the exploration of classic and contemporary texts, analyzing themes, characters, settings, and plot structures.
**Materials:**
- Copies of selected classic and contemporary texts (short stories, excerpts from novels, etc.)
- Chart paper, markers
- Sticky notes
- Worksheets (including comprehension questions)
- Digital projector
- Whiteboard and markers
- Notebook and pencils for students
**Standards:**
- Common Core State 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.5.2: Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic.
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**Lesson Activities:**
### Introduction (15 minutes)
1. **Warm-Up Activity:**
- Begin with a brief discussion about favorite books or stories. Ask students to share a title and a quick summary of their favorite story—why they like it, who the main characters are, etc.
- Explain that today's lesson will involve reading excerpts from both classic and contemporary texts and exploring their similarities and differences.
2. **Objective Overview:**
- Clearly state the objectives of the lesson, emphasizing the importance of understanding and comparing texts from different periods.
### Direct Instruction (20 minutes)
1. **Introduction to Texts:**
- Present short excerpts from two texts: one classic (e.g., "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett) and one contemporary (e.g., "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio).
- Provide a brief context for each excerpt to frame the reading.
2. **Reading Aloud:**
- Read the excerpts aloud to the students, ensuring to emphasize tone, expression, and pacing to aid comprehension.
### Guided Practice (30 minutes)
1. **Text Annotation:**
- Distribute printed copies of the excerpts to students.
- As a class, go through each text, highlighting key elements such as setting, characters, and initial plot points.
- Encourage students to jot down their thoughts or questions on sticky notes and attach them to specific parts of the texts.
2. **Comparing Texts:**
- Use a Venn diagram on chart paper to compare and contrast elements of the two texts: themes, character development, settings, conflicts.
- Discuss how the time period, writing style, and cultural context can influence these elements.
### Independent Practice (15 minutes)
1. **Comprehension Questions:**
- Hand out a worksheet with comprehension questions related to both texts. Questions should focus on drawing inferences, identifying main ideas, and comparing and contrasting elements.
- Allow students to work individually or in pairs to answer the questions.
### Group Activity (10 minutes)
1. **Group Discussion:**
- Divide students into small groups and ask them to discuss their answers to the comprehension questions.
- Each group will pick one question to share with the class and provide their rationale.
### Closing (10 minutes)
1. **Reflection:**
- Ask students to reflect on what they learned about classic and contemporary texts. What were the most noticeable differences? Did they find one type of text easier to understand than the other? Why?
2. **Exit Ticket:**
- Provide students with an exit ticket where they write one thing they learned today and one question they still have about reading comprehension of different text types.
### Assessment:
- Formative assessment during the guided practice and group discussions.
- Summative assessment based on the comprehension question worksheet and the exit ticket reflections.
### Extensions:
- Assign additional excerpts for homework, followed by a brief comparative essay.
- Encourage independent reading of a full classic or contemporary novel and a book report focusing on comprehension and thematic analysis.
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**Reflection for Teacher:**
- Note which areas students found most challenging and consider additional support or practice in future lessons.
- Reflect on the effectiveness of the activities and whether they met the lesson objectives. Adjust future plans as necessary.