Lesson Plan: Crafting Information Reports

Subject: English

Year Level: Year 7 (Ages 11-12)

Duration: 30 minutes

Class Size: 11 students

Curriculum Area: English - Writing

Curriculum Level: Level 4 - New Zealand Curriculum

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Lesson Overview:

In this lesson, Year 7 students will learn how to structure and write effective information reports with a focus on topics relevant to New Zealand’s natural environment and history. Students will engage in both group and individual activities designed to enhance their understanding and skills in writing precise and factual reports.

Learning Objectives:

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

1. Understand the structure and features of an information report.
2. Identify and gather accurate information on a given topic.
3. Construct a clear and coherent information report using appropriate headings and subheadings.
4. Reflect on and revise their writing focusing on accuracy and coherence.

Resources Needed:

• Internet access for research
• Writing materials (pens, pencils, paper)
• Example of an information report (provided)
• Projector or smart board for displaying examples
• TKI Resources on writing

Lesson Plan:

Introduction (5 minutes)

1. Warm-up Activity: Activate prior knowledge by asking students about the last information report they read. Discuss what they liked about the structure and content.

2. Introduction to Objective: Briefly introduce the concept of an information report, highlighting its purpose and structure (Introduction, Subheadings for paragraphs, Conclusion).

Main Activity (20 minutes)

1. Example Analysis (5 minutes):

   • Display an example of an information report on a New Zealand-specific topic (e.g., the Kiwi bird or the Treaty of Waitangi).
   • Discuss the structure and critical features of the report (title, introduction, subheadings, factual language).

2. Group Research and Writing (10 minutes):

   • Divide students into small groups and assign each group a New Zealand-focused topic.
   • Students use provided resources to gather key facts and details about their topic.
   • Each group outlines their report, using headings and subheadings correctly.

3. Individual Writing (5 minutes):

   • Students begin drafting their information reports individually based on the outline created in their groups.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

1. Sharing and Feedback:

   • Invite a few students to share their report's opening paragraph with the class.
   • Provide constructive feedback, focusing particularly on the use of factual language and the clarity of information.

2. Homework/Extension:

   • Students complete their reports as homework.
   • Encourage them to revise their draft after peer or teacher feedback.

Assessment:

• Informal assessment through group discussions and feedback during sharing.
• Evaluate the written reports against the structure and content features of information reports.

Reflection:

• Encourage students to reflect on what they learned about writing information reports and how they can apply these skills to other writing tasks.

Additional Notes:

• This lesson plan aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum's emphasis on developing students' abilities to convey ideas and information in coherent, structured, and detailed writing.
• For further support and resources on teaching writing, visit Te Kete Ipurangi (TKI) English Online.