Lesson Plan for Year 8 - Language Arts - Reading Comprehension (fiction and non-fiction)

### 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.