UNIT 5 LESSON 6

TWS LESSON PLAN 5

Research Paper: Synthesizing and Organizing

CCU Teacher Candidate: Emily Maddock

Student ID #: 0484495

Program Code: Secondary Licensure

Lesson Date: April 13, 2016

District: Mapleton

Mentor Teacher: Tracy Reynolds

School: Colorado Connections Academy

University Supervisor:

Content Area: Reading, Writing, and Communicating

Valerie Perciante

Grade Level: 11th

Grade Level Expectation: Self-designed research provides insightful information, conclusions,

and possible solutions

Desired Evidence Outcome(s): Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to
answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden
the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating
understanding of the subject under investigation. (CCSS: W.11-12.7)

Lesson Objective(s): Synthesize information from different sources. Compose a working thesis
for the research report.

Lesson Pre-Assessment: Students will have already completed Unit 5 Lesson 5: Using
Quotations and the Using Quotations Quick Check. If the students have not finished the Quick
Check before the lesson, during the Anticipatory Set (Andy Grammer Good To Be Alive & the
poll pod) I will give students a chance to finish the Lesson 5 Quick Check (it should not take
them more than 3-5 minutes). We will be using the last lesson, Using Quotations, as a jumping
off point for today. The poll pod will be used to see if the students have any questions regarding
the source cards, citations and/or plagiarism.

UNIT 5 LESSON 6

TWS LESSON PLAN 5

Materials Needed: Computer, Internet, Word Processing Program (such as Word or Pages),
Writing with Power online textbook, paper and pen (if desired)

Introduction: (Motivation/Anticipatory Set): While students are entering into our Live Lesson
virtual classroom I will have Andy Grammer Good To Be Alive playing with poll pods
asking the students have any questions regarding the source cards, citations and/or plagiarism.
We will review where we left off last class, creating note source cards with MLA citations, and
how it will work into todays topic.

Student Adjustment(s): This Unit will really be concentrated on individualized help, since each
student will have a different topic. I have some example topics for students who cant think of
something to write on or are not inspired by the prompts. I will also have Open Office Hours on
Fridays for students to ask for help. If Fridays dont work, I will also have scheduled meeting
times where we can work on the paper one-on-one in our Live Lesson virtual classroom. I have
research paper video recordings which give step by step instructions on the different components
of the research paper and written outlines on how to write a research paper. After our 30 minute
sessions I will keep the virtual room open for any students who wish to work on a particular
section, giving them their own break out room to work in (like a study room in a library) where I
can come in to see if they need help. Once they have topics selected, later in the Unit, they will
work in breakout rooms to work on their papers with classmates. I have also arranged for our
Special Education teacher to come and help with some lessons, to help explain confusing
concepts and to address any other needs for our special education students (April 19th- Unit 5
Lesson 12: Drafting).
Instructional Input: Instruction will mainly be using a PowerPoint within different breakout
rooms to help facilitate them through our independent practice. Students will be asked to create a
working thesis statement. If students have not either narrowed down a topic or created research
questions I will be able to give them one-on-one instruction in their individual breakout rooms.
This will also allow students to work at their own pace, and not be embarrassed if they dont
have a topic or questions to work with. But before working on our thesis we will first review, as
a group, how they can synthesize and evaluate their sources for importance (does your source
help you answer your research questions? Does it follow with your thesis statement?). We will
also review how they can organize their notes: by topic, thesis points, and/or body paragraphs.
Then we will go into the thesis statement and its parts.

UNIT 5 LESSON 6

TWS LESSON PLAN 5

Guided Practice:. For our guided practice we will go through the parts of the thesis statement
which they will be writing (using one of their topics as an example).

Independent Practice: Students will be put into individual breakout rooms where they will
work on their research paper working thesis. I will go from room to room checking on the
students. A few minutes before class ends I will pull them back into the main room to discuss
their statements and any difficulties they encountered.

Lesson Post Assessment: Students will complete the Unit 5 Lesson 6: Synthesizing and
Organizing and Thesis Statement Discussion post assessment in their course tree.

Closure: At the end of the lesson I will have a poll pod with a question asking what are three
things you will be taking from this lesson? as an exit ticket. (This will also serve partially for
the lesson post assessment)

Next Steps: Unit 5 Lesson 7: Documenting

Teacher Performance Standards Addressed in this Lesson:

Standard Five: Knowledge of Classroom and Instructional Management:
The teacher is knowledgeable about classroom practice in order to successfully manage time,
communications, and record keeping procedures that will support and enhance student learning.
The teacher has demonstrated the ability to:
5.1 Create a learning environment characterized by acceptable student behavior, efficient use of
time, and disciplined acquisition of knowledge, skills, and understanding.
5.3 Apply appropriate intervention strategies and practices to ensure a successful learning
environment.
5.5 Understand the cognitive processes associated with various kinds of learning (e.g. critical and
creative thinking, problem structuring and problem solving, invention, memorization and recall)
and ensure attention to these learning processes so that students can master content standards.

UNIT 5 LESSON 6

TWS LESSON PLAN 5

Post Lesson Reflection:

Today was a hard day. Not because of the lesson or student participation but just because
of that time old phrase from Murphys Law Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. My
class was extremely understanding that I was having some trouble working from home today.
First, testing took longer than usual (not getting on the road till 5:40) which landed me in Denver
traffic (coming from Thornton to Castle Rock), ending up at my house at 6:45 with our lesson at
7pm. Then trying to get some food in me, and getting my 9 month old to bed. Needless to say
everything fell apart about 15 minutes into the lesson. But credit goes to my supervisor and
students who were extremely understanding of my situation. And for that I cannot thank them
enough!
Other than these snafus I think the lesson went well, but a little rushed. I wanted to
spend more time going over the thesis statements and going through written examples as a group.
But I had lost time dealing with some problems and wanted to give the students time to work on
their thesis statements.
But as said in Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Even though it
wasnt then plan I choose, everything worked out in the end and my students all at least started a
thesis statement in some capacity (this I will put in the win column for my day). I knew one of
my students would excel in this task but I was happily surprised when the other two really took
advantage of my one-on-one in the breakout rooms and asked me plenty of questions. Its lucky
for me that God always has a plan---such as tonight---the one item I wish we had more time with
was the thesis statements, and tonights pre-made assessment was a class discussion on that very
topic. God had a plan, I just didnt see it till the end.

Lesson Recording: http://ww2.livelesson.com/p3g2cqcswc5/