Lessons & Units :: Genre 4th Grade Unit

Lesson 2: Biography

Lesson Plan

A Picture Book of Anne Frank | AD800L

A Picture Book of Anne Frank
Learning Goal
Identify and describe evidence in a text, showing that it is a biography.
Duration
Approximately 50 minutes
Necessary Materials
Provided: Example Chart for Direct Teaching, Example Chart for Direct Teaching and Guided Practice, Independent Practice Worksheet
Not Provided: A Picture Book of Anne Frank by David A. Adler, chart paper, markers

  • Teacher Modeling

    will introduce the genre of biography and explain that a biography is a nonfiction account of a person’s life written by another person. I will explain and chart some common characteristics of biographies. (Direct Teaching Example Chart is provided below in Teacher and Student Materials). I will read the beginning of A Picture Book of Anne Frank by David A. Adler and chart significant events from the historical time period and from the main character’s life. (Example is provided below; see Direct Teaching and Guided Practice Example Chart.)

  • Think Check

    Ask: How did I determine that this text is an example of a biography? Students should respond that you looked at clues from the book (cover, title, synopsis, first few pages, etc.) to determine whether the book was a story about a real person who really existed. Then, you compared the characteristics of the text you were reading to the characteristics of biographies (describing a real person's accomplishments and obstacles they have faced, using direct quotations and photographs when available, written in story form, etc).

  • Guided Practice

    will identify, discuss, and chart significant events from the rest of the book. We will discuss how this book represents Anne’s life in chronological order, from birth to death. We will discuss the significant role that Anne Frank plays in history. (See Direct Teaching and Guided Practice Example Chart provided below.)

  • Independent Practice

    will answer comprehension questions about Anne Frank’s life, showing that the book is a biography. You will describe some of the obstacles or challenges Anne Frank had to overcome, the people and places that were significant in her life, and how you know this book is a biography. (Student Independent Practice is provided below.)

Build Student Vocabulary boycotted

Tier 2 Word: boycotted
Contextualize the word as it is used in the story When Hitler became chancellor of Germany the Jewish stores were boycotted.
Explain the meaning student-friendly definition) To boycott is to refuse to buy or use a service. When the Jewish stores were boycotted, people refused to buy things from them.
Students repeat the word Say the word boycotted with me: boycotted.
Teacher gives examples of the word in other contexts During the Civil Rights movement, people boycotted the buses because African Americans were forced to sit in the back. The bus companies lost money, because people did not ride them, and eventually they changed their seating policy.
Students provide examples Name a situation in which you might boycott something. Tell me about it by saying, “I might boycott ___________ if ___________________________.”
Students repeat the word again. What word are we talking about? boycotted
Additional Vocabulary Words refugees, conquered

Texts & Materials

Standards Alignment

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User Comments

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Submitted by immaryellen on 4/18/17

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Submitted by Dottie.Ervin on 3/17/16

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Submitted by qayka007_1365684 on 5/5/15

Thanks for the lesson. Just what I needed for my fourth graders.

Submitted by bettyestokes on 11/2/14