Teacher Education Lesson Plan Template

Teacher: Mrs. Luna Date:03/23/2021

Title of Lesson: Analyzing Informational Cooperating Teacher: Mrs. Calicchio

Biographies

Core Components
Subject, Content Area, or Topic
-Language arts: Analyzing Informational Biographies
Student Population
21
Learning Objectives
“I can” statements

-I can use text features to preview text

- I can explain the author’s purpose for using examples from the text
ELA. 3.6.2
Identify the author’s purpose.

Materials/Resources
Biographies Google Folder 
(Note: Additional biographies are available on Kids InfoBits, accessible via Clever; teachers
should preview any additional options and consider content and Lexile)
Biography Text Analysis Slides (sample for direct instruction)

Optional lesson extension for ELA3.6.7 Summary Google Slides

Time
(min.) Process Components
*Anticipatory Set
Communicate the learning target to students. Activate prior knowledge or provide
background information. Review/introduce any skills, routines, procedures.

TTW: Revisit anchor chart from Lesson 7. Explain to students that one of the characteristics
listed under biography is that it can be written in narrative or informational form. Have students
reflect on Wilma Unlimited and how the text was written like a story or narrative. It contained
the story elements.

TSW: Discuss prior learning, thinking about the how Wilma Unlimited was written, focusing on
the story elements.

TTW: Introduce the “I Can” statements for today.

I can use text features to locate preview text.
I can explain the author’s purpose for using examples from the text.
*State the Objectives (grade-level terms)
- I can use text features to preview text
- I can explain the author’s purpose for using examples from the text

*Instructional Input or Procedure

TTW: Explain to students that today, they will read another biography. It is a short biography
about the singer Rihanna. Display the biography, Rihanna, for students to preview. Model
skimming and scanning the text, using the text features to preview. Ensure that the format of the
text is explicitly discussed. This is an informational biography that is written as an expository
nonfiction text. It does not contain the story elements, nor is it written in narrative form.

TSW: Follow along as the teacher models skimming and scanning the text, using the text
features to preview.

TTW: Read the text aloud. While reading, connect the features that were previewed (specifically
the headings) to the information that the author included in each section. Model this for students
using explicit think-aloud.

TSW: Listen to and read Rihanna, a biographical text.

TTW: After reading the text, model identifying the author’s purpose. Remind students that
authors write biographies to teach us about the subject of the text or person the biography is
written about. Use evidence from the text to explain the author’s purpose-The author wrote this
text to provide information about the life of a famous singer.

After reviewing the biography with students, model completing the biography text analysis
slides to further analyze the text. A sample can be found here.

*Modeling
-TTW model skimming/scanning the text for features and information
- TTW model identifying the authors purpose and using text evidence
-TTW model how to complete the biography text analysis slides
*Check for Understanding
- TSW complete the biography text analysis slides whole group, with shoulder partners,
then individually
-TTW view the PowerPoints to check individual understanding

*Guided Practice
TTW: Explain to students that they will be working with a partner to select a biography of
another musician to read. After reading the text, they will work together to complete the
biography text analysis slides.

TSW: Select a biography to read with a partner. After reading, complete the biography text
analysis

*Independent Practice
TSW: Select a biography from the athletes biographies. Complete the biography text analysis
slides independently.
Assessment
No whole group assessment given at this time.
 *Closure
TTW: Review the “I Can” statements with students. Review the characteristics of biographies
and autobiographies.

TSW: Reflect on both “I Can” statements and discuss the characteristics of biographies and
autobiographies. 

TTW: Now that a wide variety of genres have been explored under both the fiction and
nonfiction umbrella, engage students in a discussion of fiction vs. nonfiction. Consider creating
an anchor chart with students or having students develop one independently or with a partner.
Differentiation Strategies (enrichment, accommodations, remediation, or by learning style).

Reading:

Lower learners:
TSW work as shoulder partners instead of scaffolding from whole group, partners, and individual
work

Advanced learners:
TTW: Remind students about what they have learned about summarizing nonfiction texts.
Explain that sometimes students may want to discern between various summary options to
determine which best captures the main idea and supporting details of the text. 

TTW: Present the following three summaries to students (available in Google Slides). Guide
students to discuss what information is missing from two of the summaries and determine which
summary includes the most important information from all sections of the Rihanna text. 

TSW: Turn and talk to determine what information is missing from two of the summaries and
determine which summary includes the most important information.

Summary 1: Rihanna is an award-winning singer. Rihanna is originally from Barbados. She did
not have a happy home life. Music helped her escape from hardships at home. Rihanna began
becoming famous in 2005 when she got her first recording contract. By 2009, she had already
released three albums that were top hits.
Summary 2: Rihanna is an award-winning singer. She has gained fame by releasing numerous
top-hit albums. Rihanna has collaborated with other famous artists like Jay-Z, Eminem and
Kendrick Lamar. Some of her collaborations have even been awarded by a Grammy.
Summary 3: Rihanna is an award-winning singer. Her childhood in Barbados was not easy but
she used music to find happiness. She officially began her career in 2005 and has continued to
make award-winning music on her own and with other artists such as Jay-Z. Rihanna has also
worked as an actress by appearing in films and acting as the voice in an animated movie. Her
talent is wide and well-known.