Grade: 10 Subject: English Language Arts

Lesson Plan: “From Swimming to Antarctica” by Lynne Cox - Comprehension and Author’s Perspective

Objective: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to demonstrate comprehension of the text “From Swimming to Antarctica” by Lynne Cox and analyze the author’s perspective through various literary skills.

Materials: - Copies of the book “From Swimming to Antarctica” by Lynne Cox - Whiteboard or blackboard - Markers or chalk - Handouts with comprehension questions - Graphic organizers - Internet access (optional)

Procedure:

1. Introduction (10 minutes):
   • Begin the lesson by asking students if they have ever heard of Lynne Cox or her book “From Swimming to Antarctica.” Allow students to share their prior knowledge.
   • Provide a brief overview of the book, explaining that it is a memoir about Lynne Cox’s incredible swimming adventures, including her swim in Antarctica.
   • Explain that today’s lesson will focus on comprehension and analyzing the author’s perspective.
2. Pre-Reading Activity (10 minutes):
   • Distribute graphic organizers to students and ask them to write down any questions they have about the book or the author.
   • Allow students to share their questions with the class, and briefly discuss any relevant background information.
3. Reading and Comprehension (30 minutes):
   • Instruct students to read a designated portion of the book independently or in small groups.
   • Provide handouts with comprehension questions related to the assigned reading.
   • After reading, allow students time to answer the questions individually or in pairs.
   • Discuss the answers as a class, encouraging students to provide evidence from the text to support their responses.
4. Analyzing the Author’s Perspective (20 minutes):
   • Explain to students that an author’s perspective refers to their point of view, beliefs, and opinions that shape their writing.
   • Discuss the concept of author’s perspective, providing examples from other texts if necessary.
   • Ask students to identify instances in the book where they can infer the author’s perspective. Encourage them to consider the author’s tone, word choice, and personal experiences.
   • Write down students’ observations on the board, creating a list of examples of the author’s perspective.
5. Group Activity: Author’s Perspective Analysis (20 minutes):
   • Divide students into small groups.
   • Assign each group a specific section of the book to analyze in terms of the author’s perspective.
   • Instruct students to identify and discuss the author’s perspective in their assigned section, using evidence from the text to support their analysis.
   • Each group should create a short presentation summarizing their findings and present it to the class.
6. Conclusion and Reflection (10 minutes):
   • Lead a class discussion on the importance of understanding an author’s perspective in analyzing a text.
   • Ask students to reflect on what they have learned about the author’s perspective in “From Swimming to Antarctica” and how it has enhanced their comprehension of the book.
   • Allow students to ask any remaining questions or share any additional insights.

Extension Activities (optional): - Have students research other books or articles written by Lynne Cox and compare her perspective across different works. - Ask students to write a short essay analyzing the author’s perspective in “From Swimming to Antarctica” and how it contributes to the overall meaning of the book. - Organize a class debate where students take on different perspectives related to the book, such as the author, a character, or a critic.