Lesson Plan: Drafting and Editing an Explanation Text about The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

General Information

- Subject: English
- Year Level: 7
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Class Size: 30 students
- Curriculum Area: English, Level 4
- New Zealand Curriculum Link: English in the New Zealand Curriculum

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Define what an explanation text is and identify its key features.
2. Draft an explanation text focusing on The Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
3. Apply editing techniques to improve their drafts.

Learning Outcomes

Students will:
- Develop a structured draft that clearly explains why The Great Pacific Garbage Patch has formed and its impact on the environment.
- Utilise peer and self-editing strategies to enhance their text’s clarity and correctness.

Resources Required

- Interactive whiteboard or data projector
- Access to computers/laptops for each student with internet connectivity
- Fact sheets about The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (provided)
- Editing checklist handouts
- Example of explanation text (provided by teacher)

Lesson Structure

Introduction (10 minutes)

Explanation of Learning Objectives and Outcomes

- Briefly outline the goals for the lesson.
- Introduce the topic of The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, discussing its relevance and importance.

Discussion

- Initiate a short discussion on what the students know about explanation texts.
- Present key features of an effective explanation text (e.g., clear introduction, factual content, cause and effect relationships).

Main Activity (25 minutes)

Drafting

- Task 1: Each student will draft a short piece on their computers about why The Great Pacific Garbage Patch has formed and its impacts.
- Use the fact sheets and any online resources from reputable sites like New Zealand's Ministry for the Environment for gathering information.

Peer Review

- Task 2: Swap drafts with a peer and use the provided editing checklists to give each other feedback.
- Focus on clarity, fact accuracy, grammar, and the inclusion of explanation text features.

Conclusion (10 minutes)

Group Sharing

- Select a few students to share their edited drafts with the class. Discuss as a group how each piece has incorporated the essential features of an explanation text.

Recap and Reflect

- Recap the objectives and what was accomplished during the lesson.
- Quick reflective discussion: Ask students what they found challenging about drafting and editing their pieces and how they overcame these challenges.

Assessment

- Formative assessment through peer review and teacher observations during the drafting and editing activities.
- Collect final drafts at the end of the class as a summative assessment to evaluate understanding and application of the explanation text features.

Additional Notes

- Encourage students to include visuals or diagrams in their final drafts if extending this lesson.
- Consider using this draft for further lessons on refining and publishing written work.

Links for Further Learning

- TKI - Teaching and Learning Resources
- Ministry for the Environment - Resource on Environmental Impacts