September 22nd, 2016

McGill University
Student Teacher: Alessia Fasanella

Lesson Plan

Group: ENG 166-01

Date: September 22, 2016
Duration: 50 minutes
Time: 11:05-11:55 am

Location: A-308 (Wing A)

Number of Students: 30
Topic: Introduction to Eric Walters
novel Between Heaven and Earth
Subject-Specific
Competencies
Cross-Curricular
Competencies

Learning
Objectives
Major Goal(s) of
lesson

Self Directed
Teaching Goals

Classroom
Management &
Organization

Materials Needed

Course: ELA
Cycle/Year: Secondary Cycle I
(Grade 7)
Lesson Title: What Exists
Between Heaven & Earth?

Competency 1: Uses language/talk to communicate and learn

Competency 3: Reads and listens to written, spoken and media texts
Competency 4: Writes a variety of genres for social purposes
Competency 3: Uses critical judgment
Competency 4: Uses creativity
Competency 5: Adopts effective work methods
Competency 8: Cooperates with others
Competency 9: Communicates appropriately
This is an introductory lesson to Eric Walters novel Between Heaven and Earth.
Students should be able to brainstorm and discuss various facets of the novel, as well
as read a chapter of the novel aloud.
I wish to engage my students by introducing them to different real-life hiking trips
around the world, in order to spark interest in the subject matter of Between Heaven
and Earth. As this is an introductory lesson, I wish to captivate them, have them
discuss and share their opinions, and finally, engage them in the reading process. By
the end of the lesson, they should understand what a multi-day hike consists of, basic
geographical knowledge of where the novel takes place, and should have completed
reading the first chapter of the novel. This unit plan will take approximately three
weeks to complete, and will conclude with the students producing travel blogs,
prompted by real life hikes and scenarios that will be distributed to them in a future
class, as well as a literary response.
I have a variety of targeted teaching goals I wish to accomplish. I would like to make
sure I address each student by name during this activity, in order to cultivate a safe and
welcoming classroom environment. I also want to ensure that I speak clearly
throughout the activity, and manage the classroom effectively (i.e. ensure that
instructions are being followed by maintaining an on-task attitude). Finally, I want to
ENGAGE the students by maintaining high energy and enthusiasm throughout the
lesson.
This lesson does required internet access, however, if the latter fails, I can always
present the novel and hiking supplies visually, and have the students create their own
map in order to locate various geographical locations. In addition to this, I have
arranged the seating plan of the class in order to minimize distractions and maximize
student participation and focus. I have also stipulated my basic class rules, so the
students know to raise their hands before speaking, and respect one another and their
environment.
-Sufficient copies of the novel Between Heaven and Earth for each student
-Internet access
-Smart Board access
-Whiteboard sheets for every 4 students as well as whiteboard markers

Time

Plan

10 minutes

Opening: What Does A Hiker Pack?

My opening activity begins with an introduction to the various packing supplies
necessary for anyone partaking on a multi-day hiking journey.
-I will have a volunteer student type the class brainstorming on the board as we
discuss what we feel a hiker should pack.
-As I have recently completed El Camino De Santiago De Compostela (a hiking
pilgrimage across Spain), I will bring in a selection of packing supplies to show the
students. In a Show and Tell style, they will be able to pass various objects around
and try things on. This adds a kinesthetic element to my lesson. I try to get the students
moving, or doing something other than listening, during each of my lessons in order to
foster healthy communication and engagement.
Pre-Assessment #1: Have you ever felt like you could not finish something you
had started?
I will have the students engage in a THINK, PAIR, SHARE activity where they can
brainstorm, using their whiteboards, a time were they feared they could not accomplish
something.

5-7 minutes

7-10 minutes

Pre-Assessment #2: Where In The World Are We Going?

Following my introduction to hiking, I will have the students locate Africa on an
interactive map on the SmartBoard or their laptops. We will then discuss the current
knowledge the students possess concerning Africa.
http://mapmaker.nationalgeographic.org
-I will then proceed to ask the students if they have ever heard of Mount Kilimanjaro
(the subject of our novel).
-I will then play a 5 minute video clip of one persons journey to the top of Mount
Kilimanjaro. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-0QIOshjKw

Remainder of class
time

Learning Activity(ies): Examining Book Cover Art & Beginning The Reading
Process
I will first begin by asking the students what they think of the book cover art:
-What does the cover suggest the story is about?
-Who is pictured in the cover?
-Does it look like it will have a happy ending?
As a class, we will begin reading Eric Walters Between Heaven and Earth. I like to
begin the reading myself, as I believe that students need a model to imitate in terms of
tone and appropriate pauses. I will then ask for volunteers to continue the reading, as
this is an enriched English class with strong readers. Usually, I have the students who
wish to read raise their hands, and then mark their names on the board in the order
which they will read, as this gives everyone an opportunity to participate. I also like to
stop students during reading in order to explain a tricky vocabulary word or an
interesting concept.

1 minute before the

end of class

Closure:
One minute before class ends, I will ask the students a simple question: Are you
excited to know what happens next? If I have done a thorough and entertaining job of
introducing the novel to my students, they should have a desire to keep reading. I will
also have them open their agendas and write down their homework, which will be to
read the following chapter for homework.

McGill University
Student Teacher: Alessia Fasanella

September 22nd, 2016

Assessment:
As this is an introductory lesson, I am not formally assessing any competencies.
However, I am informally assessing my students abilities to communicate with each
other, participate in class discussions, ask questions, as well as read aloud. I feel it is
important to have students read aloud occasionally as it is something I have found the
students really enjoy, and it allows me to get a sense of their reading level, and what
types of reading material they can engage with.

References and
resources used

- Novel: Eric Walters Between Heaven and Earth

- Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-0QIOshjKw

Adaptations

There are no students with IEPs, learning difficulties or behavioral disorders in this
class.

Professional
TEACHING
Competencies

Competency 1. To act as a professional inheritor, critic, and interpreter of knowledge or

culture when teaching students
Competency 2. To communicate clearly in the language of instruction, both orally and in
writing, using correct grammar, in various contexts related to teaching.
Competency 4. To pilot teaching/learning situations that are appropriate to the students
concerned and the subject content with a view to developing the competencies targeted in the
programs of study.

Competency 6. To plan, organize and supervise a class in such a way as to promote

students learning and social development.
Competency 9. To cooperate with school staff, parents, partners in the community and
students in pursuing the educational objectives of the school.
Competency 10. To cooperate with members of the teaching team in carrying out tasks
involving the development and evaluation of the competencies targeted in the programs of
study, taking into account the students concerned.

Competency 11. To engage in professional development individually and with others.

Competency 12. To demonstrate ethical and responsible professional behavior in the
performance of his or her duties.

What to do if we
have extra time
What to do if we run
out of time

Lesson Feedback
(What to change for
next time)

Continue reading the novel. The goal is to finish chapter 1 in class, however, if we can
read more the students will have less to read for homework.
Have students complete the reading at home.

Students were very engaged throughout the entire lesson. Did not have enough time to
complete entire chapter, as these pre-assessments and learning objectives took longer
than expected (lost of students participation).