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**Year 7 Language Arts: Reading Comprehension (Literature and Non-Fiction)**
**Lesson Plan**
**Lesson Duration:** 60 minutes
**Objective:**
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
1. Identify the main idea and key details in both literary and non-fiction texts.
2. Use contextual clues to infer meaning.
3. Compare and contrast information from two different texts.
4. Develop their ability to critically analyze and reflect on the text.
**Materials:**
- Copies of a short story (Literature)
- Copies of a non-fiction article
- Whiteboard and markers
- Highlighters
- Worksheets with comprehension questions
- Venn diagram template
- Dictionary
**Lesson Structure:**
**1. Introduction (10 minutes)**
- Begin by discussing the importance of reading comprehension and how it helps in understanding, analyzing, and enjoying texts.
- Briefly explain the difference between literary and non-fiction texts.
- Introduce the objectives of the lesson.
**2. Reading Activity (25 minutes)**
- Distribute copies of the short story. Ask the students to read it individually (10 minutes).
- After they have finished reading, discuss the main idea and key details as a class. Ask guiding questions such as:
- What is the main theme of the story?
- Who are the main characters?
- What conflict or problem do they face?
- How is the conflict resolved?
- Distribute the non-fiction article and ask the students to read it individually (10 minutes).
- Supply dictionaries for students to look up unfamiliar words.
- After reading, discuss the article's main points, structure, and key details. Ask guiding questions such as:
- What is the main topic or issue in the article?
- What facts or information support the main idea?
- Are there any opinions, and how are they presented?
**3. Comparative Analysis (15 minutes)**
- Explain that students will compare and contrast the two texts.
- Hand out the Venn diagram template.
- Ask students to work in pairs to fill out the diagram, identifying similarities and differences between the short story and the non-fiction article.
- Similarities may include themes such as overcoming challenges, while differences will likely include the format and textual features.
**4. Comprehension Questions (10 minutes)**
- Distribute the worksheets with specific comprehension questions about each text.
- Allow students to work individually to answer these questions.
- To challenge more able students, include questions that require them to infer meaning based on context and to reflect on the author's purpose and viewpoint.
**5. Plenary/Review (5 minutes)**
- Review the main ideas discussed in the lesson.
- Ask a few students to share something interesting they learned from either text.
- Summarize key points and the importance of being able to comprehend different types of texts.
- Set a follow-up activity: Ask students to choose a book or article at home to practice these comprehension strategies and be ready to share their understanding during the next lesson.
**Assessment:**
- Informal assessment based on participation in discussion and group activities.
- Worksheets will be collected and reviewed to assess individual comprehension.
**Differentiation:**
- Provide additional scaffolding and vocabulary support for English Language Learners.
- Offer extension tasks such as writing a brief summary or personal reflection for advanced students.
**Homework:**
- Students should select a short non-fiction article or a literary text and write a summary of the main ideas and key details, identifying any unfamiliar vocabulary and defining it.
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This lesson plan aims to develop reading comprehension skills in Year 7 students through interactive and engaging activities that involve both literary and non-fiction texts.