English I Lesson Plan

Authors: Jerid P. Woods

Lesson Title: How to write an essay!
Subject Area(s): English I
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Main Topics:
Students will gain understanding of a topic related to a current social,
political, environmental or economic issue found in A Letter From the
Birmingham Jail
Guided/Independent Research
Note Taking
Outlines
Synthesizing information and applying what theyve learned to their
contemporary experiences

Grade Level: 9th Grade

Time Needed: five 50 minute classes
Learning Standards: Common Core
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.1 Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support
analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.3 Analyze how the author unfolds an analysis or series of ideas
or events, including the order in which the points are made, how they are introduced and
developed, and the connections that are drawn between them.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.8 Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a
text, assessing whether the reasoning is valid and the evidence is relevant and sufficient;
identify false statements and fallacious reasoning.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey
complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective
selection, organization, and analysis of content.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.2a Introduce a topic; organize complex ideas, concepts, and
information to make important connections and distinctions; include formatting (e.g.,
headings), graphics (e.g., figures, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding
comprehension.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.2b Develop the topic with well-chosen, relevant, and sufficient

facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples
appropriate to the audiences knowledge of the topic.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.2c Use appropriate and varied transitions to link the major
sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships among complex ideas and
concepts.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.2d Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to
manage the complexity of the topic.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.2e Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone
while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.2f Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from
and supports the information or explanation presented (e.g., articulating implications or
the significance of the topic).

Learning Objectives (including cognitive and behavioral objectives)

Students will be able to formulate a thesis, gather facts, write an outline, and synthesize
information. They will be able to make and demonstrate correlations between the main text and
additional texts and relate them all to their contemporary experiences. Students will also become
familiar with Microsoft word, Power Point, and Google Docs.
Student Learning Resources at Home

Online Pdf Letter From the Birmingham Jail

https://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html
Teacher provided Power Point on schoology.com
Viewing The analysis and Interpretation video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=_E7lm3A71nE
Audio Reading of A Letter From the Birmingham Jail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=yHnKeajhoIw
How to write a Killer Thesis Statement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=8wxE8R_x5I0

Student Learning Activities at Home

Read assigned articles

Review Powerpoint slides
Complete homework assignments on schoology

Prepare questions for classroom discussion

Classroom Activities

Teacher led lecture/explanations

Group discussion
Peer review
Supplemental videos
Rough drafts of: thesis, outline, essay.

Assessment
Day

Objective

Monday

What is a
thesis?

Tuesday

How to create
an Outline?

Wednesday

What are the

major themes
that we have
already
explored and
those we look
to cover?
Reflection on
Letter from the
Birmingham
Jail

Thursday

Friday

Overall Review

Activity
Short 10-minute lecture. Be
able to create thesis
statements relative to topics
on worksheet. Supplemental
video.
Create an outline based on
one of the supplemental
texts: David and Goliath by
Malcolm Gladwell
Using previous document,
begin to analyze it alongside
Kings Letter From the
Birmingham Jail. Group
discussion and revision of
Outline and thesis to include
Kings work.
Students utilize their
homework to lead group
discussion on their
viewpoints regarding the
Letter.

Students will spend some

time peer reviewing their
work and getting it ready to
turn in.
Daily assessment of assignments

Video/Assessment
Watch How to write a
killer thesis statement

Outlines on the
introduction and how
the giants mentioned
correlate with what Dr.
King endured.
Take home
assignment. Students
are to come back to
school with a working
thesis statement and
outline.
Students will peer edit
their outlines and
thesis statements. They
will return tomorrow
with Rough drafts for
review.
Final Draft.

Written Drafts | Thesis | Outline | Analysis assignments * Final Draft