Lesson Plan Title:
Grade R Additional Language Lesson Plan: Storytelling with Characters
Materials Needed:
– Storybooks (age-appropriate)
– Picture flashcards of characters (e.g., animals, people)
– Whiteboard and markers
– Drawing paper and crayons
– Audio player for storytelling (if using an audio story)
– Puppets or soft toys to represent characters (optional)
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, learners will be able to:
1. Identify and describe characters from a story.
2. Develop listening and comprehension skills through storytelling.
3. Express understanding of the story by drawing a character.
4. Use simple sentences to describe their favourite character.
Vocabulary:
1. Character – A person, animal, or figure in a story.
2. Story – A narrative or account of events.
3. Describe – To explain what something is like.
4. Listen – To pay attention to sounds or spoken words.
5. Draw – To make a picture using a pen, pencil, or crayon.
Previous Learning:
Learners have previously engaged with stories and understand key components such as beginning, middle, and end. They can recall main events and are familiar with basic vocabulary related to storytelling.
Anticipated Challenges and Solutions:
– Challenge: Some learners may struggle to articulate their thoughts about characters.
Solution: Provide sentence starters and model descriptions using visual aids.
– Challenge: A few learners may find it difficult to focus during the storytelling.
Solution: Incorporate interactive elements such as asking questions throughout the story.
Beginning Activities (4 minutes):
– Gather learners in a circle and introduce the lesson objectives.
– Show a few picture flashcards of different characters and ask learners to name them.
– Briefly discuss what makes a character memorable.
Middle Activities (32 minutes):
1. Storytelling (15 minutes):
– Read a selected story aloud, using expression to engage learners.
– Pause at important moments to ask questions about the characters and encourage predictions.
- Guided Discussion (7 minutes):
- After the story, discuss the characters with the class. Ask questions such as: “Who was your favourite character?” & “What did they do?”
- Encourage learners to use the vocabulary words during the discussion.
- Independent Practice (10 minutes):
- Provide learners with drawing paper and crayons.
- Ask them to draw their favourite character from the story and write one simple sentence to describe the character (using sentence starters if needed).
- Walk around and provide support where necessary.
End Activities (4 minutes):
– Invite a few learners to share their drawings and sentences with the class.
– Conclude by summarising the characters discussed and thanking the learners for their contributions.
Assessment and Checks for Understanding:
– Monitor learners during the storytelling for engagement and comprehension.
– Review drawings and sentences to assess their understanding of characters.
– Use questions during the discussion to check for understanding of key terminology.
Differentiation Strategies for Diverse Learners:
– For advanced learners: Encourage them to write a longer description or create an additional character.
– For learners needing support: Provide additional visuals and one-on-one assistance during the drawing and writing activities.
Teaching Notes:
– Ensure all story materials are accessible and engaging for young learners.
– Be mindful of learners with hearing impairments; consider using visual aids to enhance understanding during storytelling.
– Remember to use clear and simple language throughout the lesson to ensure comprehension.
This structured approach facilitates a focus on character recognition and promotes language development through interactive storytelling.