Unveiling the Writer’s Purpose: Mastering Reading Comprehension Skills
Lesson Plan: English Grammar, JSS 2, First Term, Week 9
Subject: English Grammar
Class: JSS 2
Term: First Term
Week: 9
Age: 12-13 years
Topic: Reading and Comprehension
Sub-topic: Reading to Understand the Writer’s Purpose
Duration: 40 minutes
Behavioral Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
- Read and understand a given comprehension passage.
- Explain the concept of the writer’s purpose.
- Develop skills to identify the writer’s purpose in a passage.
- Answer comprehension questions based on the passage.
Keywords:
- Writer’s purpose
- Comprehension
- Reading skills
- Author’s intent
Set Induction:
The teacher will start by asking the students why they think authors write different types of texts (e.g., stories, advertisements, news articles). The teacher will lead the students to understand that each text serves a purpose, whether to inform, persuade, or entertain.
Entry Behavior:
Students are expected to have experience in reading and answering comprehension questions from previous lessons.
Learning Resources and Materials:
- A comprehension passage for students to read
- Flashcards with key points on the writer’s purpose
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:
Students have learned how to read comprehension passages and answer questions based on those passages. This lesson builds on their understanding by helping them identify the writer’s purpose.
Embedded Core Skills:
- Critical thinking
- Reading comprehension
- Analytical skills
Reference Books:
- Lagos State Scheme of Work
- Standard English textbooks for JSS 2
Instructional Materials:
- Comprehension passage
- Flashcards with the purposes of writing (inform, entertain, persuade, describe)
Content:
Step 1: Revising Previous Topic
- Review the concept of reading comprehension by recalling previous lessons where students identified the main idea of a passage.
Step 2: Introducing the New Topic
- Writer’s Purpose: Explain that the writer’s purpose is the reason the author writes a passage. A writer may aim to:
- Inform: Present factual information or explain something.
- Entertain: Tell a story or make the reader enjoy the text.
- Persuade: Convince the reader to believe or do something.
- Describe: Give details about a person, place, or thing.
Step 3: Reading the Passage
- The teacher will give the students a comprehension passage and ask them to read it silently. The passage will have a clear purpose (e.g., to inform about a current event or persuade about an issue).
Step 4: Identifying the Writer’s Purpose
- After reading, the teacher will guide students through questions that help them identify the writer’s purpose. Ask:
- What is the author trying to achieve with this text?
- Does the passage provide facts, tell a story, or try to persuade?
Teacher’s Activities:
- The teacher will read a comprehension passage aloud.
- Ask leading questions to help students identify the purpose of the passage.
- Explain key vocabulary words that may be challenging for students.
Learners’ Activities:
- Students will read the passage and highlight key points.
- Discuss the writer’s purpose in small groups or pairs.
- Answer comprehension questions based on the passage.
Assessment:
- What is the writer’s purpose in the passage?
- Is the passage meant to inform, persuade, or entertain? Provide evidence from the text.
- Write down three main points that support the writer’s purpose.
Evaluation Questions:
- Define the term “writer’s purpose.”
- How can you determine the writer’s purpose in a passage?
- Give two examples of passages meant to inform and persuade.
- Why is it important to understand the writer’s purpose?
- Explain how understanding the writer’s purpose can improve your reading comprehension.
Conclusion:
The teacher will summarize the lesson by explaining how identifying the writer’s purpose can make reading comprehension easier. Students will be reminded to always ask themselves why the author wrote a passage while reading.