Global Citizenship

Lesson Plan for Grade 11, English

Prepared by Bethany Wangler

OVERVIEW & PURPOSE

The purpose of this lesson is to introduce a research project unit in which students
will explore either a current global issue or the regional issues in a different part of
the world than their own community. In today’s lesson, students will be introduced
to the assignment expectations and will conduct preliminary research to determine
project topics.

EDUCATION STANDARDS
1. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to
examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and
accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of
content.
2. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.7 Conduct short as well as more sustained
research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question)
or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate;
synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of
the subject under investigation.
3. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.8 Gather relevant information from multiple
authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively;
assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the task,
purpose, and audience; integrate information into the text selectively to
maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one
source and following a standard format for citation.

OBJECTIVES

1. Students will be able to write an informal explanation of their preliminary

research on a topic.
2. Students will be able to research in order to create a list of possible project

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 topics for themselves.
3. Students will be able to track their research information and sources to
facilitate later citations.

MATERIALS NEEDED

1. Research Project directions

2. Exit slip/homework form (question in learning management system)
3. Computer with internet access
4. Research note-taking sheets (Google Docs)

VERIFICATION
Steps to check for student understanding

1. After introducing directions, have student(s) ask 2 or more questions

2. Check in periodically with student(s) as they research
3. Student shares research notes with teacher (look for kinds of sources and
topics they are exploring)
4. Exit slip/homework: Student lists 5 topics they explored and identifies the 1
topic they want to pursue for the project

ACTIVITY

Opening:

● Ask students about places where they have traveled and if they got to
interact with the people who lived in those places. Did those people have
similar concerns or different concerns from the students?
● Introduce research project: Explain purpose, process for unit, and today’s
goal of finding and deciding on a topic
● Check for Understanding: “Ask me 2 or more questions about the project.”

Body:

● Using the note taking sheet, student(s) research ideas for the project. They
may talk with the teacher for more direction if needed. Look especially for
newspaper and social media sources to find more current information.
● Check for Understanding: Check in periodically with student(s) as they
research; student shares research notes with teacher (look for kinds of

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 sources and topics they are exploring)

Closing:

● Student tells teacher about what they have discovered in class so far.
Depending on whether the student wants more time to decide or not, have
student write 1-2 sentences listing the options they found for their project
topic and explaining the topic that they chose.