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Subject: ESL/ELL (English Language Learning)
Lesson Length: 30 - 45 mins
Topic: Answering “How” Questions
Grade Level: 4, 5, 6
Standards / Framework:
Brief Description: Students will explain a phenomenon by answering “how” or “why" questions.
Know Before You Start: This lesson is intended to help students respond to “how” questions by providing a clear explanation about a familiar topic.
Hook:
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Read and discuss the sample comic about the water cycle. How does the water cycle work?
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Tell students that when someone begins a question with “how” we need to provide a clear explanation. We need to explain the steps in order starting from the beginning to end so our listener will understand.
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Have students turn and talk and practice explaining their ideas. Walk around to support students.
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Learn more about the water cycle by watching a video, reading a book, or researching in class.
Activity: Using the sample comic as a guide, have students create a Pixton comic that answers one of the following questions:
- How does the water cycle work?
- How are clouds formed?
- How does water change state as it travels through the water cycle?
- Why is the water cycle important to our planet?
- How does energy from the sun affect the weather?
- How does the water cycle impact the environment?
Support student language structure and provide sentence starters as needed.
Closure: Have students share their comics with a partner or present to the whole class. Display student comics around the classroom to reinforce this lesson.
Differentiation: Allow students to use speech-to-text for additional oral language practice.
Resources:
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Comic to print or display: Comic.
- Adapt this lesson for your class by using a recent unit of study.
Suggested Content Packs:
Rainforest
Beach
The Ocean
Suggested Story Starters:
