Snow Tires Lesson Plan: A Focus on Assessment and Digital Literacy TESL 0100 Date: November 12, 2018 Class levels: IELTS 4-5/CLB 5-6 Class Time: 3 Hours (30 min. break halfway through class) Skills: Integrated skills with a focus on Reading, Vocabulary, and Writing Communicative Language Goal: Students will identify the features and advantages of snow tires and use appropriate vocabulary to describe snow tires and winter driving. By the end of the lesson today, learners will be able to:

• Identify the main idea and details of an article by skimming and scanning • Define and use vocabulary words • Complete a Kahoot! Quiz on vocabulary from the article • Summarize the features and advantages of snow tires, using appropriate vocabulary on Google Docs and post to class Padlet

Technology used in the lesson:

• Teacher computer, projector and speakers • Smartphone or class laptop/tablet for student use • Kahoot! Website (to take vocabulary quiz) • Google Docs (to write summary/reflection) • Class Padlet (to share summary/reflection)

Lesson Procedure

Lesson activities and procedure

Language Focus

Anticipated problems & solutions

Purpose of the activity Interaction Technology Integration Time

1. Welcome/Questions

Listening, Speaking

To welcome students, warm-up

Small Groups, Class

5 min.

2. Topic Intro Discussion Listening, Speaking

Introduce/discuss topic, check background knowledge

Pairs, Class Discussion questions posted on screen (Teacher computer and projector)

10 min.

3. Pre-reading: Title and Vocabulary Discussion

Reading, Listening, Speaking

S’s may not be familiar with vocabulary – reassure them that we will learn them.

Introduce article/vocabulary, make predictions, check background knowledge

Small Groups, Class

Discussion questions posted on screen (Teacher computer and projector)

15 min.

4. Pre-reading: Vocabulary Instruction

Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking

S’s may not understand vocabulary – rephrase definition and provide examples.

Learn new vocabulary Class Vocabulary list posted on screen (Teacher computer and projector)

15 min.

5. During: Reading for Main Ideas – Skimming

Reading, Writing

S’s may have difficulty identifying main ideas – rephrase the question and encourage them to look for vocabulary words.

Determine the main ideas of the text

Individual, Class

Optional: Article can be projected on screen. Optional: Oral reading of article can be played on speakers (from Wonderopolis website).

10 min.

6. During: Reading for Details – Scanning

Reading, Writing

S’s may have difficulty identifying details – encourage them to look for the words from the questions.

Identify details from the text

Individual, Pairs, Class

10 min.

7. Post-Reading: Vocabulary in Context

Reading, Writing

S’s may have difficulty creating their own sentences – provide several examples.

Demonstrate meaning of vocabulary through context

Individual, Class

Optional: S’s can complete vocabulary notebook with smartphone or class laptop/tablet

15 min.

8. Post-Reading: Vocabulary Practice - Game

Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking

Practice/reinforce new vocabulary

Class S’s practice/review vocabulary in a Kahoot! Quiz: https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/35800a1a-0e02-4166-9d37-3af985c7eed8

10 min.

9. Post-Reading: Discussion

Listening, Speaking

S’s may be shy – encourage everyone to try to use new vocabulary in context.

Use new vocabulary in context, discuss topic

Small Groups

Discussion questions posted on screen (Teacher computer and projector)

20 min.

10. Assessment

Writing S’s may finish quickly. Encourage them to reread their paragraph to check for errors and to see where they can add details.

Write a summary/reflection on today’s article

Individual S’s write their summary/reflection on Google Docs and post it to the class Padlet.

30 min.

11. Assessment Debrief Listening, Speaking,

Check for submission, questions and comments

Class 5 min.

12. Wrap-Up/Goodbye

Listening, Speaking

Close the lesson and say goodbye

Class 5 min.

Procedure: 1. Welcome/Questions: Students ask and answer small talk questions such as, How are you? What’s new? What did you do today/on the weekend? in their table groups. Students ask the teacher any questions that they have. 2. Topic Discussion: The teacher introduces the topic, Driving in Winter and posts (on screen) the following questions for pairs to discuss: What was winter driving like in your home country?? What do you think winter driving is like in Manitoba? What do you already know about winter driving in Manitoba? The teacher circulates, listening to conversations to identify what background knowledge and/or misconceptions students have about driving in winter in Manitoba and makes notes. The teacher has a few volunteers share ideas from their discussion. 3. Pre-Reading: Title and Vocabulary Discussion: The teacher puts the title of the article, What’s So Special About Snow Tires? and the words all-season tires, snow tires, slip, slide, tread, and traction on the screen. In their table groups, students predict what they will learn about in the article and discuss what

they already know about any of the vocabulary words. The teacher circulates, listening and possibly joining in on some of the conversations. The teacher has a volunteer from each table group share their ideas and records them on the board. 4. Pre-Reading: Vocabulary Instruction The teacher introduces and explains the following vocabulary words: tread, traction, rubber, silica, extreme, conditions, unique, and features. This is done by asking what the students know about each word first, and then providing the Definition List and going over each word with the class. (Students receive copies of the list and it is posted on the screen.) The teacher will also provide example phrases and sentences, as needed. (All definitions are from www.learnersdictionary.com) 5. During: Reading for Main Ideas – Skimming Before reading, the teacher distributes the Reading for Main Ideas and Details handout and asks the students to focus on finding the main ideas of the article. The students skim the article in order to answer the questions, How are snow tires designed differently from all-season tires? How does this make them safer in the winter? After students have recorded their answers individually, the teacher goes over the two questions with the class, getting volunteers to share their ideas, and records their responses on the board. Optional: Article can be projected on screen. Optional: Oral reading of article can be played on speakers. (from Wonderopolis website) 6. During: Reading for Details – Scanning The teacher has the students re-read the article, scanning to find the answers to the Reading for Details questions on the handout. When complete, students turn and talk to a partner to discuss/check their answers. The teacher goes over the answers, calling on students to provide answers. The teacher answers any additional questions the students have about the article. 7. Post-Reading: Vocabulary in Context The students create and write their own sentences with each of the vocabulary words in their vocabulary notebook. They can also add a picture, if applicable. Students turn and talk and share their sentences with a partner. Optional: Students can complete vocabulary notebook on smartphone or class laptop/tablet.

8. Post-Reading: Vocabulary Practice Game Students practice some of the vocabulary from the article in a Kahoot! Quiz. Students use their smartphone or a class laptop/tablet to participate in the quiz. The teacher reviews and explains each question at the end. Link: https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/35800a1a-0e02-4166-9d37-3af985c7eed8 9. Post-Reading: Discussion The teacher posts (on screen) the following questions for students to discuss in their table groups and encourages them to use vocabulary from the Definition List and their Vocabulary Notebooks in the discussion: What kind of tires do you (or your family) have on your car? Do you have or plan to get snow tires? Why or Why not? What could happen if someone didn’t put snow tires on their car? Do you have any experience with driving in the winter in Manitoba? If so, tell us about it. The teacher circulates, listening to and possibly joining in on some of the conversations. The teacher provides corrective feedback on the appropriate use of vocabulary and grammar, as needed. 10. Assessment The teacher goes over the Summary/Reflection assignment and the rubric. See Assessment Task description below. 11. Assessment Debrief The teacher checks that all students are complete and have submitted their summary/reflection. The teacher asks if anyone has any questions or comments regarding the Assessment. 12. Wrap-Up/Goodbye The teacher concludes the lesson by thanking the students for attending, telling them to drive safe in the snow, and saying goodbye. Assessment Task: Task description Students write a 7-10 sentence summary/reflection based on the article from today’s lesson. Students are to answer the following questions. What are the features and advantages of snow tires? Would you get snow tires for your car? Why or why not? Students write their summary/reflection on Google Docs and post it to the class Padlet when complete.

Success criteria • The features and advantages of snow tires are described (2 for each) • A detailed explanation for whether student would get snow tires is included • Vocabulary from the article/lesson is incorporated (4 or more words) • Writing is clear, easy to understand and makes sense • Correct grammar, spelling and pronunciation is used

Assessment tool Rubric and Comments. Students will be assessed based on the success criteria listed and will be provided with comments on what to Stop, Start and Continue. See Rubric.

What’s So Special About Snow Tires?

Have you ever wondered…

• What’s so special about snow tires? • Are snow tires and all-season tires the same? • Do snow tires have special tread patterns?

Do you love it when it snows? Most kids do! There's nothing quite like waking up to an unexpected snow day. Of course, your parents — or anyone else who has to drive in the snow — might not be as excited as you are.

Why is that? If you've never driven a car, then you probably don't understand fully how difficult it can be to drive in ice and snow. When there's ice and snow on the ground, it's harder for your car's tires to grip the road. If you've ever gone for a car ride in the ice and snow, you may have felt the car slip and slide.

In many areas, highway workers will put salt or sand on the roads to help cars keep from slipping and sliding. There's something else that can help out a lot, too. What are we talking about? Snow tires, of course!

Snow tires — often called winter tires — are tires made with special rubber and unique features that make them safer for driving in icy or snowy conditions. If you live in an area that gets a lot of ice and snow in the winter, you may have heard your friends and family members talking about putting on snow tires when winter comes.

Many people use all- season tires on their cars throughout the year. All-season tires sound like they would be good in ALL seasons, right? But they're not the same as snow tires. They're designed to perform well in a variety of conditions, but not necessarily extreme winter conditions.

Snow tires are made especially for use in very cold temperatures and icy or snowy conditions. For example, they're made with a greater percentage of natural rubber and silica. This means that, when it gets really cold, snow tires won't get as hard as regular tires. The softness of the snow tires allows them to maintain better traction in cold or bad weather.

Snow tires also have unique tread patterns that help maintain better traction. For example, most snow tires have more small-tread areas. These small-tread areas increase traction on snow.

Small-tread areas also help water to escape from under the tire more easily in wet conditions. This reduces the risk of hydroplaning, which is what happens when the treads of your tires can't funnel enough water from under your tires. When this occurs, your tires may lose traction and slide along the top of the water like a water ski.

Reference:

What’s So Special About Snow Tires? Wonderopolis: Where the Wonders of Learning Never Cease. Retrieved from: https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/whats-so-special-about-snow-tires

Name ___________________________________ Date ________________________

What’s So Special About Snow Tires?

Vocabulary Rubber - a strong substance that stretches and that is made out of chemicals or from the juice of a tropical tree. Tires are often made from rubber. Silica - a chemical that contains silicon, that is found in sand and quartz, and that is used to make glass. Snow tires often contain silica. Tread - the part of a tire that touches the ground : the pattern of raised lines on the surface of a tire. Traction - the force that causes a moving thing to stick against the surface it is moving along. Extreme – very great in degree. Conditions - the state in which something exists : the physical state of something. Unique - used to say that something or someone is unlike anything or anyone else; very special or unusual. Features - an interesting or important part, quality, ability, etc. Definitions from: www.learnersdictionary.com

Name ___________________________________ Date ________________________

What’s So Special About Snow Tires?

Reading for Main Ideas: Skim the article to find the answers to the following questions. Write your answers in the spaces provided. 1. How are snow tires designed differently from all-season tires? ______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

2. How does this make them safer? ______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Reading For Details: Scan the article to find the answers to the following questions. Circle the letter of the correct answer. 1. What is it harder for your car’s tires to do when there’s ice and snow on the ground? A) slip and slide B) stay on the road C) grip the road 2. What do highway workers put on the roads to help keep cars from slipping and sliding? A) sugar B) salt or sand C) flour 3. Small tread areas can also help… A) water to escape from under the tire in wet conditions. B) your car to slide along the top of the water. C) when driving on a muddy road.

Answer Key

Name ___________________________________ Date ________________________

What’s So Special About Snow Tires?

Reading for Main Ideas: Skim the article to find the answers to the following questions. Write your answers in the spaces provided. 1. How are snow tires designed differently from all-season tires? Snow tires are made with a greater percentage of natural rubber and silica. They also have unique tread patterns. They have more small-tread areas. 2. How does this make them safer in the winter? The rubber and silica on snow tires do not get as hard as regular tires which makes them maintain better traction in cold weather. The small-tread areas increase traction on snow. Reading For Details: Scan the article to find the answers to the following questions. Circle the letter of the correct answer. 1. What is it harder for your car’s tires to do when there’s ice and snow on the ground? A) slip and slide B) stay on the road C) grip the road 2. What do highway workers put on the roads to help keep cars from slipping and sliding? A) sugar B) salt or sand C) flour 3. Small tread areas can also help… A) water to escape from under the tire in wet conditions. B) your car to slide along the top of the water. C) when driving on a muddy road.

What’s So Special About Snow Tires? Writing Summary/Reflection

Write a 7-10 sentence summary/reflection based on the article from today’s lesson. Answer the following questions:

What are the features and advantages of snow tires? Would you get snow tires for your car? Why or why not?

*Include two features and two advantages. Use four or more of the vocabulary words.

Name ______________________________ Date ________________________

Writing Summary/Reflection Rubric

Meets Expectations

3 Points

Approaching Expectations

2 Points

Developing Skills

1 Point

Features and Advantages

Features and advantages are described (2 for each)

Features and advantages are described (1 for each)

Features or advantages are not described (1 is missing)

Explanation

Detailed explanation is included

Basic explanation is included

Yes/No is provided without explanation

Vocabulary 4 or more vocabulary words are incorporated

2-3 vocabulary words are incorporated

0-1 vocabulary words are incorporated

Writing Writing is clear, easy to understand and makes sense

Writing is mostly clear and easy to understand

Writing is unclear and hard to follow which affects comprehension

Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation

No errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation

Limited errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation

Errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation interfere with comprehension

Comments

Stop:

Start:

Continue:

References:

What’s So Special About Snow Tires? (n.d.) Retrieved from: https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/whats-so-special-about-snow-tires