Direct Instruction Lesson Plan Template

Central Focus: Historical fiction- understand what historical fiction is and

focus on the setting and characters for this lesson.
Central Focus: Understanding the facts and events in World War 2

Grade Level/Subject: 4th

Grade/Reading/Social Studies
Essential Standard/Common Core Objective:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.3

Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing

on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions).

Date submitted:

Date taught:

Essential standard: 4.G.1.3

Exemplify the interactions of various peoples, places and cultures in terms of
adaptation and modification of the environment.
Daily Lesson Objective:
Students will use their prior knowledge from reading The Butterfly and historical fiction definitions to compare and
contrast two characters; then reflect on the characters emotions and how the student can relate to the character, text-to-self.
Also students will learn about WW2 and who and where was involved. Then test their knowledge with fill in the blank
assessment.
21st Century Skills:

Academic Language Demand (Language Function and Vocabulary):

Language function: Historical Fiction
Essential vocabulary- characters, setting, plot, conflict
Discourse: Students will use the components of historical fiction to help
describe and relate to the characters.
Academic Language Deman
Language Function: War
Essential Vocabulary-Hitler,, Jews, Nazi, Germany, USA, Europe, camps.
Discourse: Student will learn details about the war

Prior Knowledge: Students should be able to point out and describe characters. Understand a setting.
Students should be familiar with hearing about Europe, and military.

Activity

Description of Activities and Setting

Time

1. Focus and Last week we have been reading The Butterfly by Patricia Palacco. Can anyone tell me what
Review
has happened so far? Tell me about the setting and characters, what are they like?

1 min.

2. Statement Today we are going to talk more about The Butterfly. When were finished, you will be
of Objective given a worksheet where you will compare and contrast Monique and Servine, and then think
for
of a time where you can relate to these characters.
Student

1 min.

Description/Explanation:
Historical fiction is a story created by an author that imaginary but the setting and
many details are based on real historical facts. To do this we are using The Butterfly
book by Patricia Polacco. We should look at the characters from this story and step
into their shoes to understand how they feel. Good readers think about the characters
point of view.

3. Teacher
Input

Modeling:
Lets look back and refresh our memory about what historical fiction means. Make
anchor chart with class to refer back and relate to the text. Write
Historical fiction zooms in on one specific event, explores it from one
or more characters point of view or perspective.
Characters: some are invented and some are factual.
Setting: takes please in a real setting of a specific time period.
Plot: mixture of factual and fictional events
Conflict: main character included in a conflict that is real for that
time period.
While defining the words, ask students as a group to define the characters, setting, etc.
from The Butterfly.
Next, at the carpet Students and the teacher will make a circle map involving facts of
World War 2. These facts that are labeled in the map are Jews, Holocaust, Nazi,
Germany, Star of David, Swastika, Concentration camps, hide outs, Hitler, Star
of David, September 3, 1939, December 11, 1941, Europe, Japan, USA, USA wins
war. Show the book cover of the nazi solider and the swastika, the German symbol.
The teacher will explain briefly what each fact means in relation to the war and will
state the information to the students in simple terms for better comprehension. Ask
question: If you were not a Jew, would you help hide Jews in your home? If yes what
would you do?

10 min.

Now after going over the anchor chart, tell students that they will be answering four
questions based on their opinion from the situations in The Butterfly. Tell them you
will be working in a small group and present their work to the class. There will
already be a presenter and a writer assigned for each group, groups will already be
made as well. Tell students that you will have 10 minutes to complete this activity and
after the 10 minutes have been completed they will go to the front of the class and
present their work to their classmates.
4. Guided
Practice

Questions:
1. In the story explain in your own opinion what the butterfly may symbolize?
2. What did the characters learn?
3. Describe one character in the story
4. Describe some of the feelings and emotions that have happened in the story and
tell why the characters feel this way.

20 min.

By presenting these question to the class I will use this activity as a CFU to see how
well each group is understanding the story and the questions. These questions will also
help for the assessment as well.

5.
Independent
Practice

Give students a worksheet. On this worksheet students will answer two questions.
They will compare and contrast Monique and Servine and their experiences through
the Holocaust using a Venn Diagram. Then the next questions students will think
about the characters feelings and emotions. Students will describe why they are
feeling this way and then use a text-to-self connection by thinking of a time where
they have felt the same. Students should complete this question in paragraph form
with at least five sentences.
Give students World War 2 quiz. Students then will complete 10 questions based on
the information given in the teacher input from the circle map. Students will complete
the quiz by filling in the blanks for each question. Students should complete 8/10
question correctly for mastery.

15 min.

Criteria for Evaluating Students Worksheet:

Compare and Contrast:
Students should provide important detail for each character.
Provide the proper facts for each girl.
Provide appropriate 4th grade writing and vocabulary words.
6.
Assessment
Methods of
all
objectives/sk
ills:

Character Feelings and Emotion:

Using key details to describe the characters feelings.
Provide complete sentences.
Have at least 5 sentences.
Students will have to earn at least 23/30 points to complete for mastery.
Criteria for Evaluating Students Worksheet:
Students will need to fill in the blanks the correct answer for the right question. Students should
complete and earn at least 8/10 points for mastery.
Why do you think it is important for us to understand the characters in a story?

7. Closure

1 min.
Why do you think its important to remember WW2?

8.
Assessment
Results of
all
objectives/sk
ills:
Targeted Students
Modifications/Accommodations:

Student/Small Group Modifications/Accommodations:

Students how are below grade level offer more assistance for each group.
Provide an example for each question, if necessary. Allow more time, if
needed.
Student above grade level offer more questions and have more detail
required for the independent worksheet.
ADD/ADHD students will be able to have visuals from the anchor chart
and have them sit near teacher. Assign them a job if needed to help keep
focus.

Materials/Technology:

The Butterfly (1)

Anchor Chart for demonstration (1)
Four questions cut out and ready to pass out for each group (6 sets, depending on group)
Chart paper for each group to write on (6 papers, 1 for each group)
worksheet (25 per class/block)
circle map anchor chart (1)
WW2 worksheet (25, 1 for each student)

Reflection on lesson (if taught):