Sample Lesson Plan Format

Class: AP Language Arts

Grade Level: 11th
Unit: Poetry
Teacher: Mr. Soer
Objectives
-Students should be able to analyze the poem XIV by Derek Walcott in terms of
how Walcott uses poetic devices to convey the significance of the poem
-Students should be able to differentiate between Italian (Petrarchan) Sonnets
and English (Shakespearean) Sonnets as well as being able to identify the
characteristics of sonnets.
-Students should be able to create both an Italian sonnet and English sonnet
based on what they learn about each
Common Core State Standard(s)-CCSS
Key Ideas and Details #1, #2, #3 for 11th and 12th grade students in reading
Craft and Structure #4 for 11th and 12th grade students
Iowa Core Curriculum-Subject Area Standard
Key Ideas and Details #1, #2, #3, and IA 1 and IA 2 for 11th and 12th grade
students
21st Century Skill(s)
Communication and Collaboration
Essential Question
What are the key differences between an Italian sonnet and an English sonnet?
Anticipatory Set Journal: In your opinion, why is poetry important? What is its
purpose?
Teaching: Activities
Lecture notes
(From Kelli McBride
http://kellimcbride.com/pdf/2543_characteristics_sonnet.pdf)
After listening to the lecture about sonnets
-Hand out XIV by Derek Walcott (Explain that the speaker of the poem is
discussing a childhood experience about visiting an elderly women storyteller)
-In groups of 2-3 read through the poem and determine the rhyme scheme
of the poem,
-Then answer this question-Based on what you have learned about Italian
sonnets and English sonnets, which form of sonnet does this poem align with
more? Why?

-Discuss as a class
After discussion, students will create their own 2 poems to demonstrate that they
understand the two different forms of sonnets
-Students choose their topics for the poems
-Alone, they will create an Italian sonnet and an English sonnet
-Then do a peer review to determine if their sonnets are under the
guidelines of the Italian and English sonnets
-Share with class and turn in
Closure
Billboard on a notecard- what are the key differences between an English sonnet
and an Italian sonnet?
Independent Practice-none
Assessment-Students will be writing a sample AP essay on the poem
XIV by Derek Walcott. They will need to in a well-developed essay
discuss how the speakers recollection and analyze how Walcott uses
rhyme scheme to convey his experience.
Materials
XIV poem
lecture notes: http://kellimcbride.com/pdf/2543_characteristics_sonnet.pdf
Notecards
Duration
Bell work: 5 min
Lecture: 30 min
XIV poem/partner work: 25 min
Creation of own poems: 30 min
Closure: 5 min
Modified from Madeline Hunters Lesson Plan Design

Sample Lesson Plan Format

Class: English 3-4
Grade Level: 10th
Unit: American Non-Fiction (MLK)
Teacher: Mr. Soer
Objectives
-Students can compare and contrast Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X in
regards to the messages that both men shared in their speeches using a web 2.0
tool such as prezi or using a PowerPoint
-Students can explain the importance of the different speeches and writings that
both MLK and Malcom X gave
Common Core State Standard(s)-CCSS
Key Ideas and Details #1, #2, #3 for 11th and 12th grade students in reading
Craft and Structure #4 for 11th and 12th grade students
Iowa Core Curriculum-Subject Area Standard
Key Ideas and Details #1, #2, #3, and IA 1 and IA 2 for 11th and 12th grade
students
21st Century Skill(s)
Communication and Collaboration
Critical Thinking and Problem solving
Information, media and technology skills
Essential Question
What is the key difference between the way MLK and Malcom X share their
messages?
Anticipatory Set journal- what makes an effective speaker?
Teaching: Activities
Construction of Knowledge
In groups of 2, research and find background information on MLK and Malcom X
-Look for basic information
-Look for philosophy, ideals, etc.
-share with class
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhg6LxyTnY8 (Malcom X) (Handout w/
speech on it)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vDWWy4CMhE (MLK) (handout w/
speech on it)

After watching these 2 videos

- with a partner create a Venn Diagram that compares and contrast the
message that each speaker gives
- Then with your Venn Diagram, pair up with another group and discuss
your findings
Disciplined Inquiry
Class discussion/ debate
-Count off by 2
-1s to the left of the room 2s to the right
-1s are in support of MLK being the more effective speaker, 2s in support
that Malcom X was the more effective speaker
-using whatever resource you want (internet) come up with an argument
that supports your side. Look at literary critics online (google scholar is a good
place to start) in support of your speaker
Discussion as a class, I will only interject if there is no discussion.
1s present their evidence first, then 2s
Both sides get to counter
Ill decide who had the more convincing argument
Closure
Value beyond school
Large group discussion questions:
-Why are these 2 men important?
- How important is the delivery of your message when speaking in front of a
group of people?
-How were both of these speechs/speaker effective?

Independent Practice- outline for essay

Assessment
In an essay- compare and contrast MLK and Malcom X and the
speeches we listened to in class, then determine whose more effective
and why? (3-4 pages)
Materials
Laptops
Speeches on paper
Venn diagram on paper
Duration
Bell work- 5 min
Construction of knowledge- 40 min
Disciplined inquiry- 40 min
Closure- 5 min