In this lesson, students will read Chrysanthemum to introduce the topic of names. Students make Name Bingo cards by writing the name of each classmate in a different square of a blank Bingo board. Next, students brainstorm personal questions designed to get to know one another. To play the game, the teacher randomly calls out a name, and students cover that name on their board with a marker. In this twist of the traditional bingo game, after each name is chosen, the student responds by answering one of the questions designed to help students learn more about one another.

The protocols and resources in this appendix to Grades 6-8 EL Education Curriculum are referenced in the lessons and are related to checking for understanding, formative assessment, and building academic vocabulary.

Protocol descriptions include:
Final Word
Gallery Walk
Interactice Word Wall
Rank, Talk, Write
Say Something

In this lesson, students will read and analyze several examples of different texts, identifying the different genres represented in each. Students brainstorm alone and together what they need as readers to read and understand multigenre texts successfully. Students share findings and discuss strategies needed to comprehend, and by extension to write, these texts.

Literature circles are a way to engage students in reading by selecting texts to read and discuss with peers. Instead of traditional literature circle roles, use question stems as a way to spark discussion. These question stems build in the complexity of thinking required. Reflection questions are included for debriefing after the small group discussion.

Students need exposures to careers that interest them.  This activity provides them time to form their own concepts and ideas reguarding jobs that interest them.  They can be given help as needed, but the finished product will be all theirs.

In this lesson, students take a summative assessment, then begin researching and organizing information for an oral presentation on significant leaders in history.