SIOP LESSON: FREEDOM OF SPEECH Overview of Class

This lesson plan is designed for both native and non-native students in a 5 th grade Social Studies class in Colorado. The non-native students have all been learning English for at least two years. These students are currently studying civics, and are now beginning their unit on the foundations of citizenship in the United States, according to the Colorado Department of Education 5 th grade standard for civics. This lesson is the first in a series of lessons that will eventually cover the many individual rights which U.S. Citizens are entitled to. As students in this context would be focusing both on content and language, the SIOP model served as the basis for the design of this lesson plan. SIOP Features Standards Students will understand the foundations of citizenship in the United States. (Colorado Department of Education 5th Grade Standard in Civics) Individual Rights in the United States Freedom of Speech Students will be able to identify the importance of freedom of speech to citizens of the United States. By the end of the lesson, students will have read a short article describing the importance of free speech in America. By the end of the lesson, students will have watched a short video clip on freedom of speech. By the end of the lesson, students will be able to orally define "freedom of speech" and talk about its importance to American citizens. (For homework): By the end of the lesson, students will have the knowledge necessary to complete their homework (to define freedom of speech in writing and write a short paragraph about its importance in America).

Theme Lesson Topic Content Objectives Language Objectives Reading

Listening Speaking

Writing

SIOP LESSON: FREEDOM OF SPEECH Key Vocabulary Content Vocabulary Academic Vocabulary Supplementary Materials freedom, right, exercise, censorship, expression, protest affect, cornerstone a picture representing the absence of freedom of speech PSA regarding the importance of free speech Freedom of speech concept definition map Homework: worksheet on the importance of free speech

Motivation Building Background Inquiry questions: For non-native speakers: In the country you are from, can people say whatever they want? If they can't, what is the punishment for saying something other people do not agree with? For everyone: What are some of the activities you do every day? How would you feel if you could not do these? Discuss this in pairs for three minutes. Whole class: Ask students how they responded to this question. Linking to past concepts: We have already studied reasons many people came to America. Today we will look at one reason, freedom of expression, more closely and learn why it affects everyone. Language and content objectives will be written on the board using simple vocabulary and announced aloud to the class. I will continuously use slow speech, speak in phrases, and use frequent pauses. All materials have been written and/or adapted with a 5th grade audience of mixed English proficiency in mind, containing no new vocabulary other than what is being highlighted that day and reinforced with contextual definitions. Students experience a variety of different groupings: pairs, small groups, whole class, and individual.

Presentation Language and Content Objectives

Comprehensible Input

Interaction

SIOP LESSON: FREEDOM OF SPEECH Practice and Application Meaningful Activities Reading: Given a short article to read, students will work in small groups to identify the main reasons why Americans value freedom of speech (as evaluated by a series of True/False questions). Listening: Given a short video clip to watch and listen, students will be able to hear and identify the main idea of the lesson and list some characteristics which describe it. Speaking: Working in pairs, students will engage in a dialogue to complete a concept definition map. They will also pick 2-3 discussion questions given and talk about possible responses. Writing: Using their completed concept maps and short articles, students will be able to write individual response paragraphs regarding the importance of free speech in America. By working in groups or with a partner, students are using social learning strategies. By using a concept definition map, students are using the cognitive strategy of dividing a large body of information into smaller units.

Interaction Strategies

Review Objectives and Vocabulary

I will use whole class response techniques (such as Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down when we review the T/F questions) to check for comprehension throughout the class. The class will end with students orally completing Outcome Sentences for assessment purposes. To assess group learning and the accomplishment of the language and content objectives, I will collect the completed True/False questions and the concept definition map, which the students worked on together. I will also monitor their spoken answers and participation during work in pairs and in groups to check for both comprehension and learning. To assess individual learning and the accomplishment of their objectives, I will read and grade the short response paragraph the student wrote independently with a rubric so students can see specific feedback. For homework, students will define freedom of speech in writing and write a short paragraph (4-6 sentences) of its importance in America.

Extension