### Year 8 Language Arts Lesson Plan: Reading Comprehension (Fiction and Non-Fiction)
#### **Objective:**
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
1. Identify key elements of fiction and non-fiction texts.
2. Demonstrate comprehension by answering questions about the texts.
3. Compare and contrast fiction and non-fiction texts.
4. Summarise the main ideas from both types of texts.
#### **Materials Needed:**
- Excerpts from a fiction text (e.g., a chapter from a novel)
- Excerpts from a non-fiction text (e.g., an article or an essay)
- Worksheets with comprehension questions
- Whiteboard and markers
- Highlighters and pens for students
#### **Lesson Structure:**
**1. Introduction (10 minutes)**
- Start with a brief discussion about the differences between fiction and non-fiction.
- Ask students to give examples of each and write these on the whiteboard.
- Explain the objectives of the lesson.
**2. Reading Exercise - Fiction (20 minutes)**
- Hand out copies of the excerpt from the fiction text.
- Give students 10 minutes to read the excerpt independently.
- After reading, hand out the worksheet with comprehension questions related to the fiction text.
- Allow students 10 minutes to complete the worksheet individually.
**3. Reading Exercise - Non-Fiction (20 minutes)**
- Hand out copies of the excerpt from the non-fiction text.
- Give students 10 minutes to read the excerpt independently.
- After reading, hand out the worksheet with comprehension questions related to the non-fiction text.
- Allow students 10 minutes to complete the worksheet individually.
**4. Group Discussion (15 minutes)**
- Divide the class into small groups and ask them to compare the two texts they have read.
- Prompt them to consider the following questions:
- What are the key differences in style and structure between fiction and non-fiction?
- How does the purpose of each text type affect the way it is written?
- Ask each group to share their thoughts with the class.
**5. Summarisation Activity (10 minutes)**
- Ask students to summarise the main ideas of each text type in their own words.
- Encourage them to highlight the different techniques used by the authors to engage their audience.
- Collect summaries for assessment.
**6. Conclusion (5 minutes)**
- Recap the main points of the lesson.
- Highlight the importance of understanding different text types for improving overall reading comprehension.
- Assign a short homework task where students find an example of both a fiction and a non-fiction text at home and write a brief summary of each.
#### **Assessment:**
- Evaluate students' comprehension worksheets for understanding and accuracy.
- Review group discussion contributions for engagement and depth of understanding.
- Assess summarisation activity for clarity and grasp of the main ideas.
This lesson plan provides a structured approach to exploring reading comprehension in both fiction and non-fiction, fostering critical thinking and comparative skills in Year 8 students.