5-Day ESL Lesson Plan for Lower-Intermediate Level (Student-Centered and Engaging)

Day 1: Introduction to Narrative Elements

Objectives:
- Understand basic narrative elements such as characters, plot, setting, and theme.
- Develop familiarity with a narrative from another culture.

Materials:
- Short story from a different culture (e.g., "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant)
- Whiteboard
- Worksheet on narrative elements & Vocabulary list

Vocabulary Words: 3. setting 6. culture 9. motivation

1. character 4. theme 7. perspective 10. resolution
2. plot 5. conflict 8. symbolism

Activities:

1. Warm-up - Story Carousel (15 minutes)

Students work in small groups, sharing a favorite story from their culture. They write down key details
(characters, setting, plot) on chart paper. Groups rotate and add to each other's stories, contributing
ideas about conflicts or resolutions.

2. Vocabulary Introduction (15 minutes)

Introduce the vocabulary words using visuals and definitions. Students work in pairs to create
sentences using each word.

Play a vocabulary match game, where students match vocabulary words with definitions on flashcards.

3. Reading and Discussion (20 minutes)

Distribute copies of the short story. Conduct a shared reading, pausing to explain key details and
vocabulary.

Students discuss characters, setting, and plot in pairs and share their findings with the class.

4. Narrative Elements Worksheet (20 minutes)

In groups, students fill out a worksheet identifying narrative elements, such as characters, setting, plot,
and theme.

Each group presents one element of the story to the class.

5. Wrap-up (10 minutes)

Reflect on how they connect with the narrative from a different culture by writing a brief response in
their journals.

Homework:

Write a paragraph summarizing the story using at least three of the vocabulary words.
Day 2: Analyzing Themes and Character Development

Objectives:
- Determine the theme of a story and how it develops.
- Analyze character motivations and relationships.

Materials:
- "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant (continued)
- Character analysis worksheet
- Vocabulary cards

Vocabulary Words: 3. protagonist 6. dynamic 9. dialogue

1. characterization 4. relationship 7. static 10. empathy
2. antagonist 5. interaction 8. transformation

Activities:

1. Warm-up - Character Portraits (15 minutes)

Students draw a sketch of a character from the story and write three adjectives describing them.

Post the sketches around the room and have students walk around to add more adjectives or traits.

2. Character Development Activity (20 minutes)

Students work in pairs to choose a character and fill out a character analysis worksheet, focusing on
motivations, relationships, and changes throughout the story.

Use the vocabulary words to describe the characters.

3. Theme Analysis - Group Poster (25 minutes)

In groups, students create a poster showing the development of the story's theme using quotes from
the text as evidence. Each group presents their poster to the class.

4. Role-play (20 minutes)

Students pair up and role-play a conversation between two characters, exploring their feelings and
motivations. Encourage the use of vocabulary such as "interaction" and "dynamic."

5. Wrap-up (10 minutes)

Reflect on which is more influential in the story: characters or events. Write a short response and
discuss in pairs.

Homework:

Write a paragraph explaining how one character changes throughout the story using at least three
vocabulary words.
Day 3: Exploring the Author’s Craft

Objectives:
- Understand how an author develops ideas and structures a narrative.
- Cite textual evidence for analysis.

Materials:
- Story excerpts
- Author analysis worksheet
- Whiteboard

Vocabulary Words: 3. perspective 6. impact 9. structure

1. narrative 4. evidence 7. introduce 10. conclusion
2. sequence 5. analyze 8. develop

Activities:

1. Warm-up - Story Timeline (15 minutes)

Students create a timeline of the main events in the story, either individually or in pairs.

Compare timelines with a partner and discuss how the order of events impacts the story.

2. Author’s Structure Analysis (20 minutes)

Provide excerpts from the story that show significant moments. Have students highlight key phrases
and discuss how the author builds tension or introduces ideas.

Students fill out the author analysis worksheet, focusing on how events are introduced and developed.

3. Textual Evidence Scavenger Hunt (20 minutes)

Assign each group a question about the text. Students find textual evidence to answer their question,
using vocabulary such as "evidence" and "analyze."

Groups present their findings to the class.

4. Debate - Big Ideas vs. Details (25 minutes)

Divide the class in half for a debate: Are big ideas or details more important? Students use evidence
from the text and vocabulary words to argue their positions.

5. Wrap-up (10 minutes)

Write about what makes a story engaging to read.

Homework:

Find a detail in the story that significantly impacts the plot, and explain why it is important.

Day 4: Writing a Narrative

Objectives:
- Plan and write a narrative paragraph using learned elements.
- Develop a theme based on a personal or fictional experience.

Materials:
- Narrative planning worksheet
- Whiteboard
- Vocabulary list
2. rising action 5. resolution 8. dialogue
Vocabulary Words: 3. climax 6. imagery 9. conflict
1. introduction 4. falling action 7. foreshadowing 10. suspense

Activities:

1. Warm-up - Story Mapping (10 minutes)

Draw a story map on the board. Have students work in pairs to fill in parts of the story, such as
introduction and rising action.

2. Narrative Planning (20 minutes)

Introduce a scenario, such as a character discovering something unexpected. Students use a narrative
planning worksheet to outline their characters, setting, plot, and theme.

Identify where to use vocabulary such as "climax" and "conflict."

3. Writing the First Draft (30 minutes)

Students write a short narrative using their plan, including a clear beginning, middle, and end.

4. Peer Feedback Carousel (20 minutes)

Pass drafts around the class in a carousel-style feedback session. Each student provides feedback on
specific elements, such as conflict or character motivation.

5. Wrap-up (10 minutes)

Reflect on what makes a good introduction to a story.

Homework:

Revise the narrative based on peer feedback and add more descriptive details.
Day 5: Sharing and Reflection

Objectives:
- Share written narratives and reflect on their development.
- Connect learned elements to future writing tasks.
Materials:
- Student narratives
- Whiteboard
- Reflection worksheet
Vocabulary Words: 3. revision 6. critique 9. detail
1. feedback 4. publish 7. expression 10. voice
2. improvement 5. presentation 8. clarity

Activities:

1. Warm-up - Sharing Pairwise (10 minutes)

In pairs, students share their revised narratives and discuss how they incorporated vocabulary words.

2. Narrative Sharing and Feedback (30 minutes)

Volunteers present their narratives to the class. Provide positive feedback focusing on the use of
vocabulary words and narrative structure.

3. Group Analysis of Narratives (20 minutes)

Compare the themes of different student narratives. Discuss common themes and how characters or
events helped shape those themes.

4. Narrative Gallery Walk (20 minutes)

Display the narratives around the room for a gallery walk. Students walk around, read their classmates'
stories, and provide written feedback or questions on sticky notes.

5. Wrap-up (10 minutes)

Reflect on how understanding the elements of a narrative helps in writing better stories. Write a brief
paragraph in their journals.

Homework:

Write a final draft of their narrative, incorporating feedback from peers and the teacher.

Focus Standards:
- RL & I.9-10.1 - Cite strong textual evidence for analysis
- RL.9-10.2 - Determine themes and analyze their development
- RL.9-10.3 - Analyze character development and interaction
- RI.9-10.3 - Analyze author’s structuring of ideas or events
- L.9-10.4 - Determine the meaning of words using context
- W.9-10.3 - Write narratives using effective structure and details

Essential Questions:
- How can I connect with a narrative from a different culture?
- Which is more influential, people or events?
- Are the big ideas or details more important?
- Which author or narrative do I like to read best? Why? How can I use that information to guide my
writing?