Literacy Lesson Plan for Year 4 Students in New Zealand

Overview

This lesson plan is designed for Year 4 students in New Zealand, focusing on developing literacy skills specifically in reading for pleasure and character analysis. The lesson aligns with The New Zealand Curriculum's achievement objectives for English at Level 2, particularly in the areas of language features and ideas(NZ Curriculum - English).

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of characters in a story.
2. Express opinions and preferences about the characters from the story.
3. Use textual evidence to support their ideas about characters.

Materials Needed

• A selection of age-appropriate books (ensure a variety that appeals to diverse interests)
• Character profile worksheet for each student
• Whiteboard and markers
• Sticky notes

Lesson Duration

25 minutes

Class Size

8 students

Lesson Details

Warm-up Activity (5 minutes)

Activity: Book Pass

• Start with a Book Pass exercise to engage students with various books. Give each student a different book and set a timer for 1 minute. In that minute, students skim through the book to get an idea of the plot and characters.
• When the timer rings, students pass the book to the person on their right. Repeat 3-4 times.
• Ask each student to choose one book they would like to read more about after the passes.

Main Activity (15 minutes)

Activity: Character Exploration

1. Individual Reading (7 minutes)

   • Students spend 7 minutes reading a selected part of their chosen book that provides insight into the main characters.
   • Provide guidance to focus on parts where characters are introduced or central events that reveal key character traits.

2. Character Profile (8 minutes)

   • Distribute the character profile worksheets.
   • Each student fills out a profile for one character from the book they read, detailing the character's traits, motivations, and any changes they observe.
   • Encourage students to use specific examples from the text to support their views.

Wrap-up Activity (5 minutes)

Activity: Character Share Circle

• Students gather in a circle. Each student shares their character profile, explaining why they find the character appealing or unappealing.
• Encourage students to ask questions to each other about the characters to deepen understanding and engagement.

Follow-Up Activity

Reading Log for Pleasure

• As a follow-up, assign students to maintain a reading log for a week. In the log, students should record:

  • Titles and authors of books they read for pleasure.
  • Brief comments on what they enjoy about the books.
  • Character details or interesting traits they discover.

• Discuss the logs in the next literacy session to promote consistent reading habits and reinforcing character analysis skills.

Assessment

• Review completed character profiles to assess understanding and ability to use textual evidence.
• Observe participation during the Book Pass and Share Circle for engagement and comprehension.

This lesson plan utilizes interactive and student-centered activities to foster a love for reading and enhance comprehension skills related to understanding characters within a story. By engaging with different books and expressing their thoughts, students gain confidence in their literacy abilities and are encouraged to read more extensively.