Lesson 1 - Introduction to the Book

🕐 Lesson Overview

Bellringer
Introduce Book: A Long Walk to Water
Anticipation Guide
If South Sudan Were Your Home...

⭐ Objectives

I can form coherent sentences.
I can take a stance on a complex issue.
I can explain my reasoning.

📏 Standards

🗽 NYSNGSS

7L3:
Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
7SL1:
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners; express ideas clearly and persuasively, and build on those of others.
7SL1c:
Pose questions that elicit elaboration and respond to others' questions and comments with relevant observations and ideas that bring the discussion back on topic as needed.
7SL1d:
Acknowledge new information expressed by others and, when warranted, modify personal views.

💖 SEL

2A.3b:
Practice respectful curiosity to better understand others’ lived experiences.
2B.3a:
Exchange ideas and beliefs with individuals and social and cultural groups across lines of difference through open-minded communication.

🗒️ Lesson Plan

Anticipatory Set

Students will complete the following Sentence Scramble bellringer.

In your journal, rearrange the words into sentences, adding the correct capitalization and punctuation. The first word of the sentence is bolded.

main this has book characters two

on a journey a one dangerous character goes

other water to the walks miles get

based a book on the story true is

The teacher should model completing the first example. The teacher will allow students sufficient time to work then bring the class together to review. There may be more than one possible correct answer but anticipated solutions are below.

This book has two main characters.

One character goes on a dangerous journey.

The other walks miles to get water.

The book is based on a true story.

The teacher will then review the agenda and objectives with the class.

Developmental Activity

The teacher will begin the lesson by introducing some basic information about A Long Walk to Water, including where South Sudan is located geographically and its relative size compared to the US in order to emphasize the distance one of the main characters, Salva, will travel.

The teacher will direct students to open their journals to begin the Anticipation Guide activity. The teacher will read each of the following statements and note in their journals whether they agree or disagree.

People are basically good.
A leader is born, not made.
People must care for themselves before helping others.
The differences between right and wrong are clear.
People need to feel a sense of belonging.
Water is a precious resource.

The teacher will then direct students to stand up. Starting with the first statement, students will move to one side of the room to indicate that they agree or the other side if they disagree. Students will then debate their reasonings for agreeing or disagreeing; other students may question them to better understand their thinking or look for gaps in logical. If a student is persuaded to change their opinion, they should move to the other side of the room. The teacher should act as a moderator and move students to the next statement when discussion naturally concludes. After all statements have been discussed, students will return to their seats.

Closure

The teacher will review information about life in South Sudan, emphasizing that these facts are not shared to shock the students or make them feel that South Sudan is a terrible place but rather that there are tremendous difficulties facing its residents — difficulties that will be seen firsthand when reading A Long Walk to Water.

⚙️ Modifications

If space is limited, students may indicate their feelings during the Anticipation Guide while at their seats by raising their hands. Students should still be allowed to debate their stances.