Lesson Plan: Reading and Note-taking Skills for Environmental Issues

Grade Level: Fourth Level (Scottish Curriculum)

Desired Outcome: I can make notes and organize them to develop my thinking, help retain and recall information, explore issues, and create new texts, using my own words as appropriate.

Subject: Languages (English)

Topic: Environmental Issues

Time: 60 minutes

Resources: - Environmental articles or texts related to issues such as climate change, pollution, deforestation, or endangered species - Note-taking templates or graphic organizers - Whiteboard or flipchart - Markers - Paper and pencils for students

Introduction (10 minutes): 1. Begin the lesson by engaging students in a discussion about environmental issues. Ask questions such as: - What are some environmental issues that you are aware of? - Why do you think it is important to learn about and understand these issues? - How can we make a positive impact on the environment?

1. Explain to students that today’s lesson will focus on reading and note-taking skills related to environmental issues. Emphasize the importance of being able to understand and communicate about these issues effectively.

Reading and Note-taking Activity (30 minutes): 1. Provide each student with a copy of an environmental article or text. Ensure that the texts are suitable for their reading level and cover a range of environmental issues.

1. Instruct students to read the text silently and independently. Encourage them to underline or highlight important information as they read.

2. Introduce different note-taking strategies to the students, such as using graphic organizers or creating bullet-point lists. Model how to use these strategies by selecting a paragraph from the text and demonstrating how to extract key information and organize it into notes.

3. Distribute note-taking templates or graphic organizers to the students. Explain how these tools can help them organize their thoughts and retain information.

4. Instruct students to use the note-taking strategies they have learned to create their own notes based on the environmental text they read. Encourage them to use their own words and focus on the main ideas and supporting details.

5. Circulate around the classroom, providing support and guidance to students as they work on their notes. Encourage them to ask questions and seek clarification if needed.

Discussion and Reflection (15 minutes): 1. Bring the class back together and facilitate a discussion about the environmental issues they read about and the notes they took.

1. Ask students to share their notes with a partner or in small groups. Encourage them to discuss the main ideas, supporting details, and any questions or thoughts that arose while reading.

2. Lead a whole-class discussion, allowing students to share their findings, thoughts, and questions. Use the whiteboard or flipchart to record key points and ideas.

3. Reflect on the note-taking process as a class. Ask students questions such as:

   • How did note-taking help you understand and retain information?
   • Did you find any challenges while taking notes? How did you overcome them?
   • How can you use your notes to create new texts or explore the environmental issues further?

Conclusion (5 minutes): 1. Summarize the main points discussed during the lesson, emphasizing the importance of effective note-taking skills in understanding and communicating about environmental issues.

1. Encourage students to continue exploring environmental issues and using their notes to create new texts or engage in further discussions.

2. Provide students with additional resources or reading materials related to environmental issues, if available.

Assessment: - Observe students’ engagement and participation during the reading and note-taking activity. - Review students’ notes to assess their ability to extract key information and organize it effectively. - Evaluate students’ contributions during the discussion and reflection phase, focusing on their understanding of the main ideas and their ability to express their thoughts and questions.