Danah Stoots ESL Lesson Plan

Title
Purpose/Rationale

SOLs

WIDA Standards

King Philip Lost His Marbles

Distinguish between the characteristics of the animal and plant
kingdoms of organisms.
LS.4b - The student will investigate and understand how
organisms can be classified.
Specific Language Level Objectives
WIDA level one students will be able to:
Match instructional language with visual representation
Answer yes/no and choice questions
Match content-related objects/pictures to words
Draw content-related pictures
WIDA level two students will be able to:
Classify/sort content-related visuals per oral description
Convey content through high frequency words/phrases
Sort/group pre-taught vocabulary to complete simple sentences
Respond to yes/no, choice, and some WH-questions
WIDA level three students will be able to:
Categorize content-based examples from oral directions
State big/main ideas with some supporting details
Identify multiple meanings of words in context
Contrast information
WIDA level four students will be able to:
Identify main ideas and details of oral discourse
Connect ideas with supporting details/evidence
Use an array of strategies
Use details/examples to support ideas
WIDA level five students will be able to:
Use oral information to accomplish grade-level tasks
Communicate with fluency in social and academic contexts
Differentiate and apply multiple meanings of words/phrases
Create expository text to explain [content-related idea]

Materials and
Resources

Writing utensil, craft supplies (pipe cleaners, puff balls, felt,

glue, construction paper, colored pencils/crayons/markers,clay)

Safety Issues

Running, rough housing, scissors (cutting and stabbing), do not

eat live organisms, wash hands after handling organisms

Procedures for Teaching

Engage

Have students look at and handle one organism from the plant
kingdom (small plant) and one organism from the animal
kingdom (earthworm). Answer simple questions about the two
organisms and their differences on activity sheet. (10 min)

Explore

Scavenger Hunt - students pick out a vocabulary term at random

from a cup and are directed to find the matching word with the
corresponding image. Images will be placed along the hallway
next to the classroom. Students will go to the corresponding
kingdom station (image with the kingdom taped to the wall)
where they think their organism belongs and tape it next to the
kingdom image. They will then discuss among themselves the
similarities and differences between their organisms. On the
activity sheet, students will be prompted to check descriptive
words about their organisms or write in their own descriptive
words. Guidance by the teacher will be available if needed. (10
min)

Explain (include key

vocabulary/concepts)

Students will explain the similarities and differences between

their organisms using the descriptive words they chose on the
activity sheet. As a class, we will then discuss how organisms
are categorized into different kingdoms depending on observed
characteristics and those found on the activity sheet. (5-10 min)

Key vocabulary: producer, consumer, kingdom, plant, animal,
organism
Concept: Organisms can be categorized into different kingdoms
based on characteristics.

Elaborate

Students will be given crafts to design their own plant or animal

based on their observations and characteristics from the activity
sheet. They will be asked to explain in a few words to complete
sentences what organism they chose and why. (20-25 min)

Evaluate

Formative

Pre-assessment vocabulary matching - participation grade.

Look over activity sheet for completeness and student
understanding.
Post-assessment vocabulary matching - participation grade.

Summative

Exit slip with two questions:

1. Name one of the kingdoms we talked about today.
2. Is it a consumer or producer? (circle one)
Answers will be graded for correctness and student
understanding.

Activity Sheet
(includes safety, data
recording,
open-ended questions)

(Attach to lesson plan)

Pre-Assessment
Name_______________________________
Draw a line from the vocabulary word to the correct definition.
1. producer

A. eats food for energy

2. consumer

B. category of living things

3. kingdom

C. makes own food and gets energy from the sun

4. plant

D. living thing that eats food for energy

5. animal

E. any living thing

6. organism

F. living thing that makes own food

Post-Assessment
Name_______________________________
Draw a line from the vocabulary word to the correct definition.
1. producer

A. eats food for energy

2. consumer

B. category of living things

3. kingdom

C. makes own food and gets energy from the sun

4. plant

D. living thing that eats food for energy

5. animal

E. any living thing

6. organism

F. living thing that makes own food

King Philip Lost His Marbles - Activity Sheet

Instructions: During the activities, please DO NOT run, push, or shove other
students, be careful with scissors (no cutting or stabbing other students or yourself),
do not eat live organisms, and wash hands after handling organisms. You will not be
allowed to participate any longer if you do not follow the safety instructions.

earthworm
flower
Draw one of the two organisms you got to touch. Label any parts of the organism that
you may be able to name.

1. Does your organism move?

yes
no
2. Does your organism eat? (yes or no)
yes
no
3. How does your organism get its energy?
sun
soil
4. What is the name of your organism?
earthworm
flower
5. Write a question (???) about the organisms you have looked at today.

Activity Sheet - Scavenger hunt:

Name:_______________________

1. What organism did you have?

Dog

Cow

Tree

Grapes

Squirrel
Flower

2. What characteristics did your organism have?

Leaves

Mouth

Legs

Eyes

Stem
Roots

3. Does your organism make its own food?

yes
no
4. Is your organism a consumer or producer?
consumer - eats food for energy
producer - makes own food and gets energy from the sun
5. What kingdom is your organism from?
Plant
Animal

Images and words used in Scavenger Hunt

(Images scaled down)

DOG

TREE

COW
ANIMAL KINGDOM

GRAPES

SQUIRREL

FLOWER
PLANT KINGDOM

King Philip Lost His Marbles - Activity Sheet

Name:_________________________
Instructions: During the activity, please do NOT run, push, or shove other students,
be careful with scissors (no cutting or stabbing other students or yourself), and
do not eat any of the craft materials. You will not be allowed to participate any longer
if you do not follow the safety instructions.
Using the craft supplies provided, please create your own organism from the plant or
animal kingdom. Please answer the following questions about your organism:
1. What kingdom does your organism belong in?
plant

animal

2.

Does your organism move?

yes
no

3.

How does your organism get its energy?

makes own food and gets energy from the sun
eats food for energy

4.

Is your organism a producer or consumer?

producer (makes own food)
consumer (eats food)

5.
Using characteristics we have discussed today, briefly describe your organism
and why you chose it. This can be done verbally or written in the space below.

Exit Slip
Name:_________________________
Please answer the following questions:
1. Name one of the kingdoms we talked about today.

2. Is it a consumer or producer? (circle one)