University of Arkansas

College of Education
Lesson Plan Format
Unit Title: Life of Pi
Subject Area: English
Duration of Lesson: 2 days
Name: Amera Covert

Lesson Title: Life of Pi Chapters 120 Vocab

Grade Level:
8th
Date(s) December 2
COE Course: EDUC 3403

I. Standard(s) and Objective(s)

Standard(s)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.1
Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the
text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

Objective(s)
SWBAT:

Select and define 20 terms from chapters 1-20 of Life of Pi

Cite textual evidence (give page and paragraph numbers) of given vocabulary
words found in Life of Pi
Determine how the word is used in the context of the sentence it is found in

II. Assessment
Pre-assessment (before planning lesson)

Exit slip the day before explain how to use context clues to find the meaning of
a word you are unfamiliar with

Post-assessment

Formative assessment will be the completed word journals containing each

word, definition, chapter, and page number.

III. Planning

There a lot of challenging vocabulary words in Life of Pi that I would want my

students to understand as they read. To make the book manageable, I would break the 100
chapters up into 5 sections; chapters 1-20, chapters 21-42, chapters 43-57, chapters 58-80,
and chapters 81-100. Students will select their own vocabulary from each section.
In the first lesson, students will begin reading chapters 1-20 and will select 20
vocabulary words that they do not know the meaning of. Students will use textual evidence
to determine meaning, writing the word and definition in their word journals. Then, they
will record in their word journal the chapter, page, and sentence it is used in. Students will
also determine context, if applicable.
Students will do this with each section of the book.

IV. Engaging the Learner

Students will be accountable for their own word journals, and must read proactively
and attentively in order to complete the 20 word requirement in their journals
V. Methods, Activities and Resources
Methods

Day 1- students begin reading and recording in their journals (50 mins)
Students complete the rest as homework
Day 2- students meet in pre-assigned groups to discuss the words they found.
(20 mins) Present their words (30 mins)
Activities

Anticipatory Set- Show trailer for Life of Pi movie

As they begin reading, students will record 20 vocab words of their choosing
in their word journal, leaving room for each definition. They will use
contextual clues to figure out the meaning. Students will record in their word
journal the chapter, page, and sentence it is used in. Students will also
determine context, if applicable.
After students have completed reading their chapters and recording their
textual evidence, they will meet in groups of 3 to discuss their findings and
work out any kinks in the definitions (technology can be used). Groups will
select 3 words (1 from each person) and each group will be responsible for
presenting the words and their definitions to the rest of the class. They will
make a poster with the word, the definition, and the sentence it is used it.

Resources

Life of Pi book for each student

Word journal (notebook)
Poster paper
Markers

VI. Potential Adaptations to the Lesson {PAL}

If students need more time, an extra day or two will be given for reading and
group collaboration.

Accommodations

IEP- Students with physical disabilities will receive the necessary

accommodations according to their individual IEP
504- Students with learning disabilities will receive the necessary
accommodations according to their individual 504 plan
ADHD- all students will be allowed to read where is most comfortable for them
(floor, reading carpet, desk, etc.)
ELLs- depending on severity and need, students can read Life of Pi in their first
language

VII. Collaboration
I will collaborate with the other 8th grade teachers (all content areas) to coordinate
calendars, planning, activities, and assessments and create a smooth-flowing, thematic,
grade-wide unit.
VIII. Reflection and efficacy (to be completed after teaching this lesson)