Guest Journalist Lesson Plan

Guest Journalist– Emma Roller: Preteaching OBJECTIVES ● ● ●

SWBAT complete the “I notice, I wonder” thinking routine to access prior knowledge and generate ideas about a topic. SWBAT explain why journalists are important in a democracy. SWBAT write meaningful questions for our visiting guest journalist.

Lesson Cycle CONNECT (10 mins.)

MATERIALS

Students are seated on the rug.

SmartBoard, Projector, Appendix A - C, Document Camera, Paper, Pen

Teacher: “We are going to start today by looking at a website and trying out the “I notice, I wonder” thinking routine. Take a look at the image on the screen and in your mind keep track of all the things you are noticing and wondering.” **See Appendix A below for image projected on the screen. Teacher brings class together to share out noticings and wonderings, recording student responses and projecting a running list under the document camera. Teacher: “I can tell that you are starting to form some ideas about why I chose to show you this website. Let’s take a look at another part of the website. Keep keep track in your mind of the things you are noticing and wondering.” **See Appendix B below for image projected on the screen. Teacher brings class together to share out noticings and wonderings, recording student responses and projecting a running list under the document camera. Teacher: “We are going t look at one more part of the website. Again, keep keep track in your mind of the things you are noticing and wondering so we can talk about it as a class.” **See Appendix C below for image projected on the screen. Teacher brings class together to share out noticings and wonderings, recording student responses and projecting a running list under the document camera. TEACH/ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT (5 mins.)

MATERIALS

Compiled list of students’ noticings and wonderings is projecting onto the SmartBoard.

SmartBoard, Projector, Document Camera,

Teacher: “You figured it out! This week Emma Roller will be coming into our classroom as a guest! Ms. Roller and I are actually friends from college. We met when we were 18 years old and have stayed in touch ever since. She is visiting Madrid so I asked her if she would be willing to come into our class and talk about what it’s like to be a journalist, specifically an opinion writer. Ms. Roller has been a journalist for many years. During the 2016 presidential election in the United States she wrote articles and opinion essays for the New York Times. Turn to a partner and tell them what is going through your head right now.” Students share ideas with their partners. Teacher brings class back together.

Teacher: “I heard a lot of you talking about how exciting it would be to be a journalist. You’re right, it is exciting. It’s also an important job. Turn to your partner and tell them why you think journalists are important.” Students share ideas with their partners. Teacher brings class together to share a few ideas whole-group. LINK (2 mins.)

MATERIALS

Teacher: “As you mentioned, journalists are important because they write articles that tell all of us--the citizens of a country--important information about what is going on in the country. They help us to make informed opinions about topics that are backed up by the facts. And sometimes they even write opinion articles themselves, just like the article we looked at by Ms. Roller.

SmartBoard, Projector

Since we are working on opinion writing in class, I thought this would be a great opportunity for you to get some tips from an expert opinion writer. So today, to help you prepare for Ms. Roller’s visit, we will take some time to write down some questions for her. You could ask her about her career as a journalist, what the job is like, and what you could try in your own opinion writing. Before you move back to your seat, make a plan for yourself in your mind of what you will do as soon as you get there.”

Lesson Cycle INDEPENDENT PRACTICE (8 mins.)

MATERIALS

Students return to their desks and brainstorm questions. Teacher circulates as students work, prompting as necessary. Teacher collects student brainstorming worksheets.

SmartBoard, Projector, Brainstorming Worksheet, Pencils

CLOSING (1 min.)

MATERIALS

Teacher: “Turn to the person sitting next to you and tell them one thing you are excited to ask Ms. Roller about this week!

N/A

Students share ideas with each other.

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C