LESSON EIGHT:  “What if…”

LESSON DESCRIPTION

Students connect expository reading to expository writing.

GRADE-LEVEL EXPECTATIONS

W3C   Write expository and persuasive paragraphs with a main idea or point to prove, three or more supporting details, and a concluding sentence.

R1H    Apply post-reading skills to comprehend text (question to clarify, reflect, analyze, draw conclusions, summarize, paraphrase).

LESSON MATERIALS

§         Sources of literature 

• The Lewis and Clark Expedition  by Susan Bursell
• Who Was Sacagawea? by Dennis and Judith Fradin, and Nancy Harrison
• Lewis and Clark: Explorers of the American West by Steven Kroll

§         Supplies 

o        Board

o        Formative assessment score guide

§         Handouts provided

o        Contributions to the Expedition T-Chart

§         Words to know

o        analyze

o        concluding sentence

o        draw conclusions

o        main idea

o        paraphrase

o        post-reading skills

o        persuasive

o        summarize

o        supporting details

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT 

Students write a persuasive essay to the prompt How Lewis, Clark and Sacagawea were important to the expedition. Use details from the T-Chart graphic organizer.  Score guide provided.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

1. Divide the class into three groups. Give one question to each group. (1) “What if President Thomas Jefferson had not sent either Lewis or Clark?” (2) “What if Sacagawea, a Native American had not been allowed to accompany Lewis and Clark?” (3) “How would the expedition have been different?” Discuss and record ideas.

2. Use the T-Chart graphic organizer and lead a discussion about how facts are listed on the left side of the T-chart and conclusions about the effect on the journey can be listed on the right side of the T-chart. Students choose one explorer and develop a T-chart. Discuss completed T-charts.