LESSON PLAN FORMAT

CSL 570
SUMMER 2015
NAME: Michelle Rocco
LESSON TOPIC: Comparing two nonfiction texts using RAFT
GRADE LEVEL: 3rd grade
RATIONALE: In the past, students have learned how to determine important
information from nonfiction texts. Currently, students are learning how to compare facts
from two different nonfiction texts on the same topic. This will apply to students in the
future because they can apply the strategy of using RAFT to several content areas in
order to assess their knowledge of a topic.
COMMON CORE STANDARD (S):
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1
Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and
information clearly.
OBJECTIVE:
The students will be able to read two nonfiction texts, pulling out key details.
The students will be able to compare facts from the two nonfiction texts.
The students will be able to conduct a RAFT activity in which they will compare
the two texts to synthesize what they have learned in writing.
ACADEMIC LANGUAGE: moon, astronaut, landing, experiment, Cold War, mission,
module, satellite, Soviet Union, lunar module, NASA, Apollo 11, atmosphere, Capcom,
command module, docking, drogues, gravity, heat shield, laboratory, landing craft,
mission control, orbit, spacecraft
MOTIVATION OR ANTICIPATORY SET: As the students begin to enter the
classroom, all of the lights will be off and on the SmartBoard there will be a video of the
first moon landing. The teacher will walk in dressed as an astronaut and ask the students
if they are ready for takeoff. The teacher will play the short video, which can be found
on YouTube, of the first moon landing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=RMINSD7MmT4
BRIEF PROCEDURE:
After viewing the video, the teacher will lead a brief discussion about the video.
The teacher will ask, What did you notice? What was happening? What do
you know about the first moon landing?

Once the discussion is complete, the teacher will explain to the students that today
they will be examining two different nonfiction texts and just like scientists, they
need to pay close attention to the really important details. Both of the texts have
been previously read to the class and vocabulary has been taught to the students.
The teacher will tell the students that as a class they will be going through both
texts, stopping on each page to write down an important fact on a graphic
organizer. The graphic organizer will on the SmartBoard. This will help to
organize their thoughts for when they choose a text for their RAFT activity.
Once both texts have been closely examined and the graphic organizer is
complete, the teacher will print out a copy of the organizer for each student.
The teacher will explain to the students that they need to pick a text they either
liked better or felt had better information about the first moon landing. Once the
students choose their texts, they will be responsible for completing a RAFT
activity. RAFT has already been taught to the students.
Students will assume the role of the author from the book that they choose. Their
audience will be the students peers. The format will be a persuasive letter that
compares facts from both of the books. Students will be required to compare at
least four facts from the two books. The topic will be the first moon landing.
The teacher will tell the students that they will be responsible for writing a
persuasive letter to their peers in which they demonstrate their knowledge of how
well they have comprehended the text. Students will be required to persuade their
fellow classmates by comparing the two texts in order to say which text is more
informative and gives a better description of the first moon landing. The teacher
will model an example on the SmartBoard for the students.
The teacher will tell the students that this activity will be completed
independently and at the end, students will have the opportunity to present their
writing to the class.
Once students have completed the activity and presented their writing, the teacher
will wrap up the lesson by asking students recall facts from the first moon
landing. The students will be given an Exit Ticket to complete. Students will have
to write one interesting or new fact that they have learned.

MATERIALS USED:
Wilkinson, P. (1998). Spacebusters: The Race to The Moon. New York, NY: DK
Publishing Inc.
Kortenkamp, S. (2008). The First Moon Landing. Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.
SmartBoard
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMINSD7MmT4
Graphic Organizer
RAFT worksheet
Exit Ticket
Pencils
TECHNOLOGY COMPONENT:

YouTube to watch the video of the first moon landing

SmartBoard to complete the graphic organizer

ASSESSMENT OF COMMON CORE STANDARD (S)

Formal- The teacher will use the students RAFT activity to assess their
knowledge of the first moon landing as well as their writing abilities. Students
will also be given an exit ticket in which they will write down something that they
have learned from the lesson.
Informal- The teacher will be circulating the classroom as the students are
completing their RAFT activity. The teacher will be assessing students by
carrying around a clipboard, taking notes on each student as they are working.
ADAPTATIONS:
Student with special needs (Visually Impaired): Student will be sitting in the front
of the classroom. Student will be given adapted worksheets that are magnified as
well as magnified text.
English Language Learner: Students have been pre-read the text and pre-taught
vocabulary. Students have been provided background knowledge to help them
better understand the two texts.
Struggling Reader- A student that has a difficulty with retaining the meaning of
vocabulary words will be pre-taught vocabulary words. Concept cards will also
be made in which the student can write the word, the definition, a sentence using
the word and draw a picture.

Graphic Organizer

RAFT
ROLE
Choose an author
from the two
texts.

AUDIENCE
Your fellow
classmates

FORMAT
TOPIC
A persuasive
The first moon
letter that
landing.
compares facts
from each book.
Persuade your
classmates by
comparing the
two texts to say
which text is
more informative.
Please compare
at least 4 facts
from the two
books.
The Writing Task:

Exit Ticket

Exit Ticket
Please write one interesting fact
or one new fact that you have learned today.
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