Lesson Plan Form

Name: Lainie Esber

Lesson #: 2

Lesson Title: Unfolding Events and Unraveling Characters

Date: 4/27/16

Day of Week: Wednesday

Time (Class Period): 2nd period/ 9 am

Central Focus
Students will understand how events throughout a story can impact how a character responds
and transforms over time.
How does this lesson connect with and build on the previous lesson(s)?
This lesson builds from the background knowledge of a story. The students are moving from a
pre-reading activity into a during- reading activity that engages the students and causes them to
think critically.
Standards Addressed
Common Core/Georgia Performance Standards
oELAGSE6RL3: Describe how a particular storys or dramas plot unfolds in a series of episodes
(events) as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves towards a
resolution.
Learning Objectives/Learning Targets
Objective/Target
Assessment
o Students will be able to invent a story that shows how a series of Community Story
events can transform the character.
o Students will be able to explain how a characters (Esperanzas)
Character Graphic
response to events changes over time.
Organizer
o Students will be able to conclude how events can change a
Community Group
characters perspective.
Discussion and
Class Discussion
Academic Language/Language Function Objectives
o Language Function: invent, explain, conclude
Language Demand: Students will invent a Community Story to show how a series of events
can help transform a character. By using a Character Graphic Organizer students will be able to
use the character Esperanza to explain how the events in the story molded her into a new
person. Community Group and Class Discussions will be used to conclude students findings on
Esperanzas change and how characters in general can be impacted due to a series of events
Assessments
o Community Story, Character Graphic Organizer, Community Group and Class Discussion.
Instruction Strategies and Learning Tasks (Procedures & Timelines)
Time
Instructional Strategies/Learning Tasks
Purpose
10 min
Minilesson: Character Development- teacher will
This is to introduce the
explain how different events may impact how a
main concept of character
character develops. Personal examples of how a life
development throughout a
event has molded you as a person would be
series of events.
appropriate.
20 min
Community Story- Students will conduct this activity
This activity is used for
within community groups.
students to witness how
characters respond and
transform due to different
events. This gives the
students a sense of
ownership because they

are able to contribute a

story they are creating.
15 min
(througho
ut the
novel
Esperanza
Rising)

Character Graphic Organizer: Students will work on a

graphic organizer throughout Esperanza Rising.

15 min

Community and Class Discussion: Students will first

conduct a discussion about character development
within their community groups (tables) and then bring
their main talking points into the class discussion.

As students read Esperanza

Rising they will keep track
of how Esperanza responds
and changes throughout
the novel. Once their
graphic organizer is
complete they will be able
to compare how each main
and minor event impacted
her.
This will allow students to
discuss their thoughts on
how events impact
characters. They will also
be able to discuss how they
have witnessed Esperanza
developing throughout the
novel.

Student Supports
o List what you are using to support student learning/organization.
-Minilesson will build background knowledge of characters transforming due to different events
within the novel.
-Community Story will allow students to create their own story that shows character
development throughout a novel. This allows students to own their own education and help guide
their own learning.
-Character Graphic Organizer is used for students to compare how Esperanza has changed
from the beginning of the novel to the end of the novel. This will allow students to see how
characters change due to different events.
-Community and Class Discussions are used for students to voice their own thoughts and
opinions within their community table group and then bring those ideas to the class discussion.
Students will be able to compare and contrast their thoughts with their peers.
Materials and Resources
Handouts & PowerPoints
o Community Story, Character Graphic Organizer, Discussion Questions
Materials needed in class
o Community Story, Character Graphic Organizer, pen/pencil, Discussion Questions

Names:_____________________________________________________Date:___________ Period:________

Community Story
Directions:
One paper for each community group.
One person will pick a setting and character for the story.
Each person in the group will contribute 2 sentences to the story (using the specific
setting and character).
After each person has contributed two sentences the group will pass the story to
the next group going clockwise.
Now you have a new story and will continue their story using THEIR character.
At the end of this activity we will have five different stories (depending on the
number of community groups).

Name:____________________________________ Date:____________ Period:_____

Character Development
-Esperanza Rising-

Event in Novel

Quote from Event with

pg. #

How Character is
Impacted

Discussion Questions:
How do events impact characters?
What was Esperanza like at the beginning of the story?
Which event do you feel had the biggest impact on Esperanza?
What is Esperanza like at the end of story?
How would these events change you?