Lesson Plan: The Art of Henna

Subject: Languages (Reading) Level: Fourth Level Topic: The Art of Henna

Desired Outcome: To show my understanding across different areas of learning, I can: - Clearly state the purpose, main concerns, concepts, or arguments and use supporting detail. - Make inferences from key statements and state these accurately in my own words. - Compare and contrast different types of text.

Introduction: 1. Begin the lesson by asking students if they have ever heard of henna or seen henna designs. Allow students to share their prior knowledge and experiences with henna. 2. Explain that henna is a form of body art that has been practiced for centuries in various cultures, including Scotland. It involves applying a paste made from the henna plant to the skin, leaving behind temporary designs.

Main Activities:

Activity 1: Purpose, Main Concerns, Concepts, or Arguments 1. Provide students with a short informational text about the history and cultural significance of henna. 2. In pairs or small groups, ask students to read the text and identify the purpose, main concerns, concepts, or arguments presented in the text. 3. Students should use supporting details from the text to support their answers. 4. After discussing their findings, ask each group to share their conclusions with the class.

Activity 2: Making Inferences 1. Provide students with a set of statements related to henna and its cultural significance. 2. In pairs or individually, ask students to read each statement and make inferences based on the information provided. 3. Students should state these inferences accurately in their own words. 4. Allow students to share their inferences with the class, encouraging discussion and clarification.

Activity 3: Comparing and Contrasting Different Types of Text 1. Provide students with a variety of texts related to henna, such as an informational article, a personal narrative, and a step-by-step guide on creating henna designs. 2. In pairs or small groups, ask students to compare and contrast the different types of text. 3. Students should consider the purpose, tone, language, and structure of each text. 4. Encourage students to discuss the similarities and differences they find, using specific examples from the texts. 5. Ask each group to present their findings to the class, highlighting the unique features of each text type.

Conclusion: 1. Recap the main points discussed during the lesson, emphasizing the purpose, main concerns, concepts, or arguments related to henna. 2. Highlight the importance of making accurate inferences and being able to compare and contrast different types of text. 3. Allow students to ask any remaining questions or share any additional thoughts or experiences related to henna. 4. Provide students with additional resources or references if they wish to explore the topic further.

Assessment: - Observe students’ participation and engagement during class discussions and activities. - Review students’ written responses to the activities, ensuring they clearly state the purpose, main concerns, concepts, or arguments and use supporting detail. - Assess students’ ability to make accurate inferences from key statements and state these in their own words. - Evaluate students’ ability to compare and contrast different types of text, considering the purpose, tone, language, and structure.

Extension Activities: - Invite a guest speaker, such as a henna artist, to share their experiences and demonstrate the art of henna. - Encourage students to create their own henna designs using safe alternatives, such as temporary henna tattoos or drawing on paper. - Research and explore other forms of body art from different cultures, comparing and contrasting them with henna.