Katherine Dove

4/6/17
Cultural Lesson Plan

Established Goals/Outcomes/Standards/SOLs WIDA Levels represented in class

8.1: The student will use interviewing Level 2s and 3s
techniques to gain information.
a) Prepare and ask relevant questions for
the interview.

Content Objectives Language Objectives

SWBAT prepare a list of 5 interview
questions to ask a classmate about their
holiday celebrations.
SWBAT compare the differences &
similarities between their holiday
celebration and their classmates (at least
1 difference and 1 similarity)
SWBAT compose a holiday greeting card
that is 4-6 sentences in length using
proper punctuation.
In pairs, SWBAT verbally share with the
class 1 difference and 1 similarity of their
holiday celebrations.

Major Performance Task(s) Reflection/Self-assessment/Grades/Other

Compose greeting card SW receive grades for greeting cards,
Prepare and ask 5 interview questions to sharing about their interview, and their
a classmate interview questions.
Compare/contrast differences of holiday SW self-assess the effectiveness of their
celebrations interview questions at the end of class

New Vocabulary Materials

New: Greeting card, celebrations, Cardstock paper, colored pencils,
traditions greeting card examples, pencils & lined
Review: Christmas, interview, differences paper, interview worksheet.
and similarities

Did you consider?

Preparation Scaffolding Grouping Options

Adaptation of content Modeling Whole class
Links to background Guided practice Small groups
Links to past learning Independent practice Partners (face or shoulder)
Strategies incorporated Comprehensible input Independent

Integration of Processes Application Assessment

Reading Hands-on Pre-assessment
Writing Meaningful Ongoing assessment
Speaking Linked to objectives Individual (written & oral)
Listening Promotes engagement Group (written & oral)
Activating/Building Background Knowledge
TW show students a variety of different Christmas/holiday greeting cards.
TW ask students what these cards are used for. Who would we send them to? Have you ever
sent or received a card like this before? To who? How are they different from a letter? When
might you send a card like this?

Presentation/New Content
TW explain that in America and other countries, it is common to send greeting cards.
Greeting cards are short, decorative (pretty) cards sent to family and friends on certain
occasions, such as holidays.
TW pass around the examples for students to view.
TW ask students if they have this same tradition in their country.
A tradition is a custom or belief that a culture has, such as exchanging gifts on
Christmas.
TW hand out cardstock and colored pencils.
SW decorate their own greeting card and include a drawing of a tradition they celebrate during
the holiday season (eating grapes, putting up a tree, leaving cookies for Santa, etc.)
TW explain that the card should be 4-6 sentences and should include correct punctuation, which
students have been studying.
TW display a list of common holiday greetings: Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Peace
on Earth, Joy & Peace, Wishing you Joy, Happy New Year, Warm Wishes, etc.
SW sign their names and close their envelopes with a sticker given to them by the
teacher
SW place their finished greeting cards into envelopes and put them in a box.
TW pass the box around and SW choose a random greeting card.
SW open the greeting cards and read the message.
TW ask: are this persons traditions similar to yours? Are they different?
TW explain that many people have very different traditions and celebrations, or things they do
to to enjoy an event or special day.
TW explain that we are going to learn more about the differences and similarities of celebrations
in the classroom. SW interview each other about their traditions and celebrations to learn
more.

Practice and Review/Assessment

SW compose 5 interview questions to ask a classmate about their holiday celebrations. Some
examples would be: when do you celebrate the holidays? Do you celebrate with family or
friends? Do you cook or bake anything special for the holidays? Do you celebrate Christmas or
another holiday? What is your favorite holiday tradition? Etc.
SW find the person with the same envelope sticker as them and that will be their interview
partner.
 SW take turns asking each other questions and taking notes about their answers on an interview
worksheet.
When everyone is finished, each group will share 1 similarity and 1 difference between their
holiday celebrations (each student will report on one thing).
TW ask student if they think they asked good questions. Did they find out anything new about
their partner? Did they ask any questions they hadnt planned on asking? If you could do the
interview again, what different questions would you ask?
TW assign grades for students oral reporting, as well as for their greeting cards and interview
worksheets being filled out fully and accurately.

Closure
TW ask students if they completed all of the objectives. Did we ask 5 interview questions to a
classmate? Did we compare/contrast our holiday celebrations? Did we compose a greeting
card using proper punctuation? SW respond with thumbs-up or thumbs-down.

Possible Extension/Application Activities

TW ask: why do you think different countries have such different holiday traditions? Why do
you think families in the same country have different traditions?
If there is extra time, students could find their greeting card and address it to a friend or family
member and send it in the mail. Some students may need more practice addressing mail.