Ashley Allen

DIFF 598
Lesson Plan
Unit essential questions: How does theme develop throughout a literary text?
Lesson question: How is the theme Individuals are able to survive in challenging environments
in remarkable ways. Illustrated in the novel, A Long Walk to Water?
Lesson objective: Given the novel A Long Walk to Water, students will correctly select five
details that support the theme Individuals are able to survive in challenging environments in
remarkable ways.

NYS or other appropriate standard(s) addressed:

RL.7.2 Key Ideas and Details- Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its
development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
SL.7.1 Comprehension and Collaboration- Engage effectively in a range of collaborative
discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics,
texts, and issues, building on others ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Assessment:
T chart- The students will compete a T chart in which they will record five challenges Nya or
Salva faced, along with the corresponding survival factor used to overcome the challenge. This
will assess the students ability to use details from the text to support the novels theme. The
students' performance on this task will allow the teacher to see whether or not they are ready to
complete the next assignment, described below.
Individual Assignments- Students ability to examine the development of theme throughout a
novel will be assessed further through an assignment of students' choice (see tiered assignments
below). Students will demonstrate their ability to recall details from the story (challenges and
survival factors) that support the theme Individuals are able to survive in challenging
environments in remarkable ways." In this assessment students will be able to choose the way
in which they will demonstrate their abilities. The students will be able to write a journal entry
from Nya or Salva's point of view, create a Venn diagram that compares and contrasts the
challenges Nya and Salva faced and the survival factors that were used to overcome the said
challenges, or design a survival plan for Salva to follow as he continues his journey. In the
survival plan students will also provide words of encouragement to Salva in which they will
remind him of the previous challenges he has overcome.
**The teacher will allow the students to choose which of these 3 assignment they would like to
complete, however she will guide them in choosing an assignment that is most appropriate for
them, if needed.

Opening: The teacher will remind the students prior to this lesson the idea of theme was
discussed and a variety of themes for A Long Walk to Water were selected. The teacher will
explain that today the class will be focusing on the theme Individuals are able to survive in
challenging environments in remarkable ways. The students will then be asked to think about
and share a challenge one of the main character, Nya or Salva, faced and what they did to
overcome or survive the challenge.
Procedure:
1. The teacher will explain that this is what we are going to be thinking about in todays
lesson. She will tell the students they are going to find evidence in the text that
supports the theme Individuals are able to survive in challenging environments in
remarkable ways. The students will do this by recalling challenging events that arose in
the story and then recalling what survival factors the characters used in order to
overcome or survive the challenge.
2. The teacher will pass out the graphic organizer (a T chart) in which the students will
record their evidence. One side of the chart is for challenges faced, while the other side
is where survival factors will be recorded. She will explain that the first page gives a few
examples.
3. The teacher and students will read through the examples provided and discuss each
one. The last example gives only the survival factors and leaves the challenge section
blank. The teacher will ask the students to think about and discuss with a partner what
challenge the survival factor Salva makes a friend would help Salva to overcome. The
pairs will then share with the group.
4. The teacher will then direct the students to turn to the back of the page in which a blank
T chart is provided. The teacher will explain that the students will need to record five
challenges the characters faced along with the survival factors used to overcome these
challenges. Before beginning, the teacher and the students will complete one together.
5. The students will then complete the chart. They will have approximately 15 minutes to
do so.
6. As the students finish their charts, the teacher will travel around the room to observe
and discuss students work. The teacher will also discuss the next task individually with
each student as they are completing the chart. The students will be examining Nya and
Salva's experiences and survival tactics more closely. She will explain the choices they
have and guide them in choosing an activity most appropriate for them.
7. The students will begin their second activity. The teacher will travel around the room to
observe the student's work and answer any questions.

8. In the last few minutes, the teacher will instruct the students to share their work with
their partners.
9. The teacher will collect the students work and the students will line up at the door.

Tiered by: Challenge

Journal Entry (comprehension level): Students will complete a journal entry that is written in
Nya's or Salva's point of view. In this journal entry the students will recall challenges they
experienced and the survival factors used to overcome those challenges. The students can use
the information they recorded in their T chart as a guide to writing their journal.
Compare and Contrast Nya and Salva's Experiences (analysis level): Students will complete a
Venn diagram in which they will compare and contrast Nya and Salva's experiences (the
challenges they have faced and the survival factors they used to overcome these challenges).
The students will discuss which character they feel had to take greater measures to survive.
Design a Survival Plan (Evaluation and Synthesis Level): Students will predict other challenges
Salva may face throughout his journey. With these predictions, students will design a survival
plan for Salva to follow. This plan will assist him in safely returning to Sudan and reuniting with
his family. They will then write a short letter to send to Salva, along with the plan. In this letter
students will offer words of encouragement that remind Salva of the past challenges he was able
to overcome.
Closure: Students will share their work with a partner.
Materials:
6 copies of A Long Walk to Water
Graphic organizer (T charts)
Activity choices/ directions