MR.

ADRIAN DUARTE’S ENGLISH 7 LESSON PLAN 1

7th Grade Diversity Lesson Plan

Teacher: Mr. Adrian Duarte

Subject: English Language Arts 7

Book: The Distance Between Us (Young Readers Edition)

Author: Reyna Grande
Publication Date: September 6th, 2016
Grade Level: Middle Level (6-8)
MR. ADRIAN DUARTE’S ENGLISH 7 LESSON PLAN 2

Book Title / Author / Grade Level

The Distance Between Us, Reyna Grande, 2016

Grade Level Appropriateness: Secondary Grades 6 - 8

Multicultural Theme

Poverty, Immigration, Combating Family Separation and Deportation

Education Standard(s):

Nevada Academic Content Standards for ELA (English Language Arts):

Writing Standards 6-12: Grade 7

WS4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

WS8. Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms
effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and quote or paraphrase the data
and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.

WS9. Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and
research.

Objective:

ü   Students will be able to describe character traits and attain at least 90% accuracy, while
identifying key points/themes in The Distance Between Us, and completing a reflection
synthesis.

ü   Students will also be able to explain and give examples of how social structures discussed
in the text cause people to have troubles, as it relates to the multicultural themes of
diversity, poverty, immigration, and combating family separation and deportation.
MR. ADRIAN DUARTE’S ENGLISH 7 LESSON PLAN 3

Materials Needed to Facilitate the Lesson:

Needed:
1.   The book The Distance Between Us by Reyna Grande
2.   “Analyzing One Character” Worksheets
3.   Computers/Laptops (Full computer classroom; Check out laptop cart; scheduled
day(s) in school computer lab). For students who did not sign Acceptable Use Policy
(in accordance with CCSD Regulation 3991), or prohibited of technology privileges
(based on disciplinary action) will need to use hard-copy text (from school library).
4.   Internet access with installed web browsers (Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.)
5.   Storable Active Directory Account / USB Flash Drive (Used to save documents)
6.   Word Processing software (Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages, etc.)
7.   In the event that no technological devices are available, if a computer lab is
unavailable, or if student(s) has not signed AUP, the assignment must be completed
using loose-leaf paper and writing utensils (Ensure availability of tools).

Procedure:

Suggested group size: Assignment will be conducted individually (unless otherwise noted
through Individualized Education Program (IEP) or other accommodation).

Who: Mr. Adrian E. Duarte; OR, English Department Staff/Substitute.

Assignment Completion Time-Frame: Reading on book 4-5+ class days. Written reflection =
In-class 2-5 days. Students can also work on written section of the assignment as homework.

Instruction (Teacher Activity) / Closure (Student Activity):

Introduce:
1. Teacher(s) will present the book The Distance Between Us, provide a brief background about
the piece, and explain to the students what will be required of them to complete after the reading
is completed (i.e. engage in discussion, complete worksheets, begin synthesis, etc.).
2. Worksheets/Handout(s) will be distributed following the introduction of assignments and
requirements, but prior to reading so students will have an idea of what will need to be answered.
This requirement to write a synthesis response will be an expansion of a previous curricular
activity; thus, questions/refreshers on how to write a synthesis and evaluation to the published
piece will be addressed.
MR. ADRIAN DUARTE’S ENGLISH 7 LESSON PLAN 4

Read:
1. Priority is to have the class read the book while listening to an audio edition of the book. If the
audiobook is not available or is inaccessible (due to already being checked out, unavailable due
to budgeting, etc.), teacher will read book aloud, with occasionally having student interject to
carry on reading.
Discuss:
1. At the end of chapter, students will discuss their discoveries and perspective of the story,
while furthering discussion on possible resolutions of conflicting/foreshadows. As a class, the
instructor will present short answer study guide questions that will engage class discussion
reflecting on a chapter’s context.
Sample Questions:
1. Why did Reyna have to cut her hair short? How do we know Carlos is suffering
too? What do you think would be most difficult about this experience?
2. Describe Reyna’s school and her first day as a student. Why was it disappointing
compared to her hopes? Please formulate ideas to the conflict in this instance.
3. Summarize the scorpion incident. What do you think would be the worst part—
the scorpion, or being left behind?
4. When Reyna won a writing competition, why was it both exciting and
disappointing?
5. When Mago comes to pick up Reyna from school, how does Papi react? Why
doesn’t Mago help?

Activity:
1. Students will complete “Analyzing One Character” worksheets individually or in pairs (2).
2. Students will be allotted time to ask any questions about the text, assignments, or directions
to the teacher.
3. Students will complete a synthesis independently about the nonfictional text, reflecting about
the chapters. Focus will be emphasized on the student’s ability to referencing in-text resources,
creating a Microsoft Word document/file that satisfies the requirements of the lesson, and the
ability to follow assignment requirements.

Evaluation:
Students must show meeting or exceeding level mastery of skill in conventions of standard
English, knowledge of language/rhetoric, vocabulary acquisition, and technology skills.
“Analyzing One Character” worksheets will be reviewed for accuracy and graded. Participation
in discussions will be evaluated by the instructor taking into account the amount of engagement
that will be applied to the students’ grades and quarter/semester participation scoring.
MR. ADRIAN DUARTE’S ENGLISH 7 LESSON PLAN 5
MR. ADRIAN DUARTE’S ENGLISH 7 LESSON PLAN 6