Direct Instruction Lesson Plan Template

th

Grade Level/Subject: 5 grade/Reading

Mini Lesson

Central Focus: comprehension identifying allusions within fictional

books
Essential Literacy Strategy: create allusions using book characters and
using textual evidence.

Essential Standard/Common Core Objective:

RL.5.1 Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says
explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
RL.5.3. Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events ins
a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters
interact).

Date submitted:

Date taught: 3/16/15

Daily Lesson Objective:

Students will learn how to identify and create allusions using book characters, themselves, and others. Students must
create 2 appropriate allusions out of 3 and include evidence to demonstrate mastery.
21st Century Skills:
Academic Language Demand (Language Function and Vocabulary):
Language Function: create
Vocabulary: allusion, metaphor, big idea
Discourse: use sentence frame
______is as _______ as _______________.
Prior Knowledge:
According to ELA CCSS Standard 1 for Reading Literature, students should be able to ask and answer questions about
the text, using key details and referring explicitly to the text. According to ELA CCSS Standard 5, students should be able
to explain major differences between books and use structure terminology to discuss books.
Activity
1. Focus and Review
2. Statement of Objective
for Student

3. Teacher Input

4. Guided Practice

Description of Activities and Setting

In this unit, I know you have learned a lot about historical fiction and how
you can grow as readers. I know that you have also learned about big ideas.
What is a big idea? How do you find the big idea? Do you have an example?
Today we will learn about allusions and how authors use allusions to express
big ideas. Later, you will practice making allusions of your own.
An allusion is a metaphor that that compares a character in a book with
another person. An author uses allusions to help us understand the big idea.
When a character is hard to explain, it helps us to better understand what the
character is like when the author compares them to another character or
person. To identify an allusion, look for when the author makes a comparison
in the book. You can create allusions in several ways and today we will use a
sentence frame to do so. ________ is as __________ as _________. Write the
sentence fram in your notebook to reference as we continue and practice.
In this sentence frame, you put a characters name or persons name in the
first blank, a character trait in the 2nd blank and another characters name or
persons name in the 3rd blank. While filling it out, ask yourself, who do I
know that is like this character from my book? Do I know any characters that
are also like this one? How are they alike?
Lets use characters from your book Number the Stars and your classmates.
Lets do one together.
________ is as ________ as Annemarie

Time
2 min.
> 1 min.

2-3 min.

5 min.

To make an allusion, I need to compare my character with someone. I know

that Annemarie is brave, shes helpful, and shes mature. Who do I know that
is helpful? Mrs. Skolaut is very helpful. She teaches and helps you all when
you need it and she has helped me here too. So Ill put that Mrs.Skolaut is as
helpful as Annemarie.
Lets do another one.
______ is as ______ as Uncle Henrik.
Think about who you know that is like Uncle Henrik and why and then turn to
someone next to you and share. Dont forget to ask yourself, what is this
character like? Who do I know that has those character traits?
Have one or two partnerships share. Make sure they include evidence.

Now its your turn. Create 1 allusion using a character from the book
(Number the Stars) to yourself and 1 allusion using a character from the book
5. Independent Practice
6 min.
(Number the Stars) and a friend of yours. Include WHY the characters are
alike. Use the sentence frame and write your allusions in your notebook.
Collect student allusions. Students must write at least 2 appropriate allusions and include
6. Assessment Methods of
evidence.
all objectives/skills:
1 allusion with explanation demonstrates understanding.
As you read your books, try to come up with allusions. Remember that good
7. Closure
readers express big ideas by making allusions to one character by basing it off
of another person or character.
23 students total
14 out of 23 gave 2 allusions with an explanation
8. Assessment Results of
6 out of 23 gave 2 allusions without an explanation
all objectives/skills:
2 out of 23 gave 1 allusion without an explanation
1 out of 23 didnt do an allusion or explanation
Targeted Students Modifications/Accommodations:
Student/Small Group Modifications/Accommodations:
Advanced Learners: students will be challenged to create an
allusion using a character from Number the Stars and a
character from any other book they have read.
Materials/Technology:
(Include any instructional materials (e.g., worksheets, assessments PowerPoint/SmartBoard slides, etc.) needed to implement the lesson at the end of the lesson plan.)

White board/markers
Notebooks and Pencils
References:
Debbi Skolaut
Number the Stars by Louis Lowry
Reflection on lesson (if taught):