Using a Variety of Strategies to
Define Key Concepts
Implementation Date: 6/12/2014
Author: Genevie De Zayas
Common Core Standard(s):
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.4
Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.
Overall 30 Day Learning Goals:
Use a variety of strategies to define a new concept identified in a reading that is provided. 30 Day Summative Assessment Tools:
Performance assessment using a concept map created by students and evaluated based on a rubric (1 to 5). Multiple choice vocabulary test.
Plan Outline
Week One
Define natural disaster
2 Day(s)
Determine class definition of natural
2 Day(s)
disasters
Use a concept definition map to
2 Day(s)
define city.
Weekly Summative Assessment: Read an article on current science issue. Have students create a concept definition map for the word
"wetlands".
Week Two
Week Three
Week Four
Plan Details
Week One
Learning Target: Define natural disaster
Learning Task:
Class brainstorms a definition for natural disaster- Teacher models using a concept map to identify natural disasters. Natural disaster is in center of the concept map. Students brainstorm some natural disasters. The teacher says there are similarities and differences with all. Chooses
3 and places on concept map.
Number of Days:
1
Feedback Strategy:
Use of concept map to identify the natural disasters. Teacher will ask questions about similarities and differences. Choose students to place 3 on the concept map.
Learning Task:
Turn to your partner and talk about similarities in the three natural disasters listed.
Number of Days:
1
Feedback Strategy:
After a few minutes, focus students' attention back to the chart and ask for volunteers to share their ideas. List their responses on chart