Literacy Lesson Plan for Year 7-8 Students in New Zealand

Lesson Overview

Subject: Literacy
Topic: Using -ing Start Sentences
Year Levels: 7-8
Duration: 30 minutes
Class Size: 10 students
Curriculum Area: English, Level 4 of the New Zealand Curriculum
Learning Outcome: Students will be able to identify and create sentences beginning with -ing verb forms to enhance their writing skills.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
1. Identify -ing start sentences in text examples.
2. Understand the effect of using -ing start sentences on the reader.
3. Create their own sentences using -ing verb forms as sentence openers.

Resources Needed

- Whiteboard and markers
- Projector and screen (if available)
- Laptops or tablets for each student (if available)
- Handouts with examples of -ing start sentences
- NZ Curriculum Online - English reference materials

Lesson Plan

Introduction (5 minutes)

- Begin with a brief explanation of what an -ing start sentence is: a sentence that begins with a verb ending in -ing, which can create immediacy or add dynamic action to a narrative.
- Discuss why writers might use -ing start sentences (to engage readers, add variety, describe ongoing action).

Main Activity (20 minutes)

Activity 1: Identification (10 minutes)
- Distribute handouts with excerpts from literature and informative texts containing several types of sentence beginnings.
- Students will work in pairs to identify -ing start sentences.
- Discuss as a class why these sentences are effective and where they appear (e.g., action sequences, descriptions).

Activity 2: Creation (10 minutes)
- Challenge students to write their own -ing start sentences based on prompts related to current class subjects or interests.
- Prompts could include activities like "walking through a haunted house", "studying for an exam", or "playing a challenging game".
- Allow students to share their sentences with the class and get feedback.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

- Recap what was learned about -ing start sentences and why they can be a useful tool in writing.
- Ask students for verbal feedback: one thing they found interesting and one thing they would like to learn more in depth.

Assessment

- Observation of student discussions for understanding of the concept
- Review of student-created sentences for correct use of -ing forms and creativity

Extension Activities (Optional)

- Encourage students to use -ing start sentences in their next writing assignment or story project.
- Provide a digital forum (like a class blog) where students can publish their sentences and comment on each other’s work.

Further Reading and Resources

- NZ Curriculum - English
- Example texts from New Zealand literature with -ing sentence structures (available in school library or local bookstores).

This lesson plan aims to engage Year 7-8 students in understanding and creatively using -ing start sentences, aligning with Level 4 English standards in the New Zealand Curriculum, and enhancing their overall writing skills in a fun and interactive way.