Journey to Savana

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Overview

This 60-minute lesson is designed for Grade 5 bilingual students who are reading 90 Miles to Savana in English and Portuguese. The focus is on enhancing reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and cultural understanding while supporting bilingual learning through targeted strategies. The lesson aligns with the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY) and supports language acquisition by integrating Portuguese as an asset.

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Common Core Standards Addressed

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.1
  Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.2
  Determine a theme of a story from details in the text, including how characters respond to challenges.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.4
  Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1
  Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.6
  Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases.

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Learning Objectives

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

1. Comprehend and summarize the main events and themes in 90 Miles to Savana.
2. Explain new vocabulary words in English and Portuguese using visual aids and context.
3. Analyze characters and cultural settings, making connections between the story and real-life experiences.
4. Engage in bilingual discussions, answering questions and role-playing scenes to strengthen oral language skills.

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Materials Needed

• Copies of 90 Miles to Savana (chapters or excerpts) in English
• Word wall with key vocabulary in English and Portuguese
• Visual aids (pictures representing scenes, characters, and vocabulary)
• Graphic organizer for summarizing (story map or cause/effect chart)
• Notebooks or journals
• Whiteboard and markers

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Vocabulary to Pre-Teach (English / Portuguese)

English	Portuguese	Visual Aid Suggestion
Savana (Savannah)	Savana	Map of African Savanna with animals
Journey	Jornada	Footprints or a winding road
Horizon	Horizonte	Sun setting over landscape
Adventure	Aventura	Child with backpack
Tribal	Tribal	Traditional clothing or patterns
Courage	Coragem	Superhero symbol or shield

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Detailed Lesson Breakdown

1. Warm-up and Pre-Teaching Vocabulary (15 minutes)

• Greet the class and briefly introduce the story's setting and main character. Use visuals to show the Savanna landscape.
• Present the key vocabulary words with pictures on the word wall.
• Say each word aloud in English and Portuguese; have students repeat chorally.
• Use simple sentences modeling the words in both languages. For example:
  • “The journey (a jornada) to Savana is long and full of adventure (aventura).”
• Quick interactive game: Match the English word, Portuguese translation, and picture (in pairs).

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2. Reading and Comprehension (20 minutes)

• Read aloud a selected chapter or excerpt from 90 Miles to Savana, pausing at critical points.
• Use questioning to check for understanding (see examples below). Allow responses in English or Portuguese to encourage bilingual expression.
• Students follow along in their books or on a projected copy.

Sample Bilingual Questions (encourage students to answer in either language):

• Who is the main character? / Quem é o personagem principal?
• What challenges does the character face? / Que desafios o personagem enfrenta?
• What do you think the horizon (horizonte) symbolizes in the story? / O que você acha que o horizonte simboliza na história?
• Why is courage (coragem) important for the journey? / Por que a coragem é importante para a jornada?

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3. Collaborative Summary Activity (10 minutes)

• In small groups (3-4), students use a graphic organizer to summarize the chapter. Each group writes or draws:
  • Beginning (setting and characters)
  • Middle (problem or adventure)
  • End (resolution or key event)
• Groups share their summaries with the class, using bilingual language as they feel comfortable.

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4. Role-Playing Key Scenes (10 minutes)

• Select two or three key scenes from the chapter that involve dialogue and decision-making.
• Assign roles and encourage students to act out the scenes in English, Portuguese, or mixed language.
• Focus on expressing vocabulary words and emotions discussed earlier.
• Optionally, provide simple props or costume items to boost engagement.

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5. Wrap-Up and Exit Ticket (5 minutes)

• Review the new vocabulary quickly by showing visuals and asking students for the English or Portuguese term.
• Exit ticket prompt (students write or say aloud):
  • "What was your favorite part of the journey in the story?" / “Qual foi a sua parte favorita da jornada na história?”
• Collect responses to assess comprehension and expressive skills.

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Bilingual Teaching Strategies Summary

• Pre-teach vocabulary pairing English with Portuguese for better concept understanding.
• Use visuals extensively for language support and cultural connections.
• Provide flexible language use during discussions to build confidence in both languages.
• Collaborate in small groups to increase oral practice and peer learning.
• Role-play and movement activate authentic language use and comprehension.

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Additional Notes for Teachers

• Monitor student participation and scaffold language as needed, particularly for less confident English speakers.
• Encourage families to discuss the story at home in the home language and English.
• Consider recording key vocabulary and story excerpts for listening practice outside of class.

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This lesson plan strives to create a rich bilingual environment that meets Common Core standards in reading, speaking, listening, and language development while honoring students’ cultural backgrounds and language strengths.