Lesson Plan: Grade 11 Additional Language – diary entry

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Lesson Plan Title: Grade 11 Additional Language: Writing a Diary Entry

Materials Needed:

  • Notebooks
  • Pens/pencils
  • Projector and computer (for displaying examples)
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Handouts with the structure of a diary entry and examples
  • Access to an online dictionary or thesaurus (if available)

Learning Objectives:

  1. Students will understand the structure and purpose of a diary entry.
  2. Students will be able to express personal thoughts and feelings in writing.
  3. Students will practice the use of past tenses, descriptive language, and reflective expressions.
  4. Students will improve their ability to convey emotions and individual experiences through coherent text.
  5. Students will develop the skills to write a structured and coherent diary entry of at least 150 words.

Vocabulary:

  1. Diary Entry – A personal record of experiences, thoughts, and feelings.
  2. Reflective – Thoughtful and considering events in the context of personal experience.
  3. Chronological – Arranged in the order of time.
  4. Expression – The process of conveying feelings, thoughts, or ideas.
  5. Descriptive – Detailed and vivid portrayal of an event or emotion.

Previous Learning:

Students have previously learned about different forms of creative writing, including personal letters and narrative essays. They have also been introduced to various descriptive writing techniques and the use of the past tense.

Anticipated Challenges and Solutions:

  • Challenge: Students may struggle with expressing their thoughts and feelings coherently.
    Solution: Provide a clear structure and exemplars.

  • Challenge: Students may have limited vocabulary.
    Solution: Encourage the use of a thesaurus and provide vocabulary lists.

  • Challenge: Students might be shy about sharing personal experiences.
    Solution: Ensure a supportive classroom environment and offer opportunities for anonymous sharing.

Beginning Activities (10% of time):

  • Introduction (6 minutes): Explain the lesson objectives and the importance of diary entries in personal writing. Introduce the key components: date, informal tone, personal reflection, and chronological order.

  • Activate Prior Knowledge (4 minutes): Ask students to recall and share their experiences of any personal writing (such as notes or letters).

Middle Activities (80% of time):

  • Direct Instruction (15 minutes): Illustrate a sample diary entry on the projector. Highlight and annotate its key parts: date, greeting, body, and closing, emphasizing the use of reflective language and descriptive details.

  • Guided Practice (20 minutes): Distribute examples of diary entries with missing elements. In pairs, have students fill in the blanks, focusing on using descriptive and reflective language.

  • Independent Practice (20 minutes): Ask students to write their own diary entry about a recent significant event or a memorable day. Provide prompts for those who struggle to start.

  • Peer Review (10 minutes): Students exchange their diary entries with a partner for constructive feedback, focusing on coherence, expression of thoughts and feelings, and the use of tenses.

End Activities (10% of time):

  • Consolidation (6 minutes): Have a few students volunteer to read excerpts from their diary entries (optionally, sharing can be anonymous). Discuss what makes these entries effective.

  • Exit Ticket (4 minutes): Students write down one thing they learned about writing a diary entry and one question they still have.

Assessment and Checks for Understanding:

  • Completion of the handout exercises and peer reviews (informal assessment).
  • Evaluation of independent diary entries written during class time.
  • Exit ticket responses to gauge individual understanding.

Differentiation Strategies:

  • For Struggling Learners: Provide sentence starters and additional vocabulary support.

  • For Advanced Learners: Encourage writing longer diary entries or incorporating more complex literary devices such as metaphors and similes.

Teaching Notes:

  • Encourage an open and non-judgmental atmosphere to make students feel comfortable sharing.
  • Use examples from various cultural backgrounds to ensure relevance and inclusivity.
  • Incorporate discussions on the importance of reflective writing for personal growth.
  • For students with learning difficulties, provide additional one-on-one support as needed.
  • Cross-curricular Connection: Encourage links to History or Life Orientation, where personal reflection can enhance learning.

Formative Assessment:

  • Frequent check-ins during guided and independent practice to provide timely feedback and support.

Overall Enhancement:

By focusing on these elements, students will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of diary writing, enhancing both their language skills and personal expression abilities.

Teaching Tips:

  • Use a visual organizer on the board to map out the structure of a diary entry, aiding visual learners.
  • Consider incorporating digital platforms (e.g., blogs) for students interested in exploring contemporary forms of diary writing.
  • Provide a diverse range of prompts to cater to students’ varied interests and experiences.