Description

This is the first lesson of the Talk For Reading (T4R) unit of A Family is a Family is a Family. The lesson helps students activate prior knowledge and build background knowledge about the concept of family.

Lesson plan:

1. Hook

• Begin with a discussion using these questions:
  • Do you have a big family?
  • Who is in your family?
• Encourage students to respond using sentence starters.
• On the slide: Do families look the same for everyone in our class?
  • The teacher models their own family with simple illustrations (e.g., Mum, Dad, and me…).
  • Invite two students to share their family structures.
• Conclude that families may look different, but they are all based on love and care.

2. Cover Reveal

• Display the book cover A Family is a Family is a Family and ask:
  • What do you notice on the cover?
  • Have you heard the phrase “A family is a family is a family” before? What do you think it means?
• Record students’ predictions on a wonderings page or butcher’s paper.
• Explain that this book will help them explore different family structures over the next few lessons.
• Encourage curiosity by prompting students to ask questions using “I wonder…”
  • I wonder if all the children on the cover are brothers and sisters?
  • I wonder if the lady is holding her son?

3. My Family Tree

• Show an example of a completed family tree.
• Clearly explain expectations and steps for creating their own.

4. Wrap-up

• If time allows, invite a few students to share their family trees with the class.

For more details, view here: https://stevendegc.com.au/activity/t4r-a-family-is-a-family-is-a-family-l1-background-knowledge/