Grade: Grade 3 Subject: English Language Arts Created by: Emma Noonan-pomada Lesson Length: 1 hour 45 minutes Keywords/Tags: Community meeting, alderman, community, ward, vote Lesson Description: Students will read and reread the passage called "Community Meeting". Students will learn correct meanings of vocabulary words including, Alderman, Community meeting, vote, and Ward. Through discussions and the writing content, students will explore the importance of voting and community issues.
Common Core Standards Covered with This Lesson
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.1: Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.4: Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 3 topic or subject area.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1a: Introduce the topic or text they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1b: Provide reasons that support the opinion.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.3: Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
Lesson Content: Reading
Instructions: Please read the following reading passage as many times as needed (aloud and silent) before starting to go through other lesson pages. Understanding the content of this passage is very important since the lesson activities will be all about this content. Feel free to print the passage if needed.
Community Meeting
At the meeting, one neighbor was shouting. “I’ve had enough,” he said. “This neighborhood has too many potholes.” Other people clapped. They agreed with the neighbor. There were potholes.
“We can’t fill in all the potholes until we know where they are,” said the Alderman. “Please tell me when you see one. Then I promise I will get it fixed. I need you to help me to help your community.”
“What about the snow plowing,” a woman asked. “No one came to plow our street. We had to do it ourselves. We voted for you. You need to help us.” The Alderman answered. He said, “There was so much snow, that we could not get to the side streets quickly. But they are going to try to do a better job next time. We know this is important. We will fix it.”
“Let’s talk about progress,” the local librarian said. “Are we going to get the new library building?”
“I think we need a new park, first,” said a parent.
“A library is more important than a park,” she answered.
“No, it’s not. You’re wrong. You’re thinking about yourself.”
“Wait, now,” said the Alderman. This ward belongs to everyone. And both will help. We need the park. We need the library. And we need more. I’m trying to get it all. But we’re starting with the library.We don’t have space for the books in the old one. We need a computer area, too.”
“I’m angry,” the parent said. “I wanted the park first. I’m going to vote for someone else to be alderman next time.”
“Let’s all work together,” a teacher said. “This is about what we all need and want. We have a great community. Let’s work together.” Everyone agreed. They clapped loudly. “That is what we need to do,” said the alderman.
Task 1: Vocabulary Activity
(40 points)
Instructions: Please complete the following vocabulary activity by choosing the correct meaning of each word selected from the passage and use of each word correctly in a sentence.
Vocabulary Questions
Word/Phrase: Alderman | Tier: 3 | Points: 10
Q1
In the passage we just read, the author mentions "the Alderman". What is an Alderman?
A. an old man
B. an official position in town, who is selected by an election *
C. the owner of the town hall
D. your dad
Which of the sentences below uses the word "Alderman" correctly?
A. The Alderman was elected by the townspeople and led the community meetings. *
B. Mary decided that she wanted to be the Alderman, so she was.
C. the Alderman is the oldest person in the town.
D. John beat up the old alderman, so now he is the Alderman.
Word/Phrase: Ward | Tier: 3 | Points: 10
Q2
The Alderman says, "this ward belongs to everyone." What does the Alderman mean by the word ward?
A. A divided area of a town or city, which votes and elects public officials for representation. *
B. A city.
C. The community building.
D. Your house.
Which of the sentences below correctly uses the term "ward"?
A. The ward was spread out over different areas of the city.
B. The ward was old.
C. The people who lived in the ward hosted a community meeting with thier Alderman to talk about local issues. *
D. The people were fighting a ward.
Word/Phrase: Community | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q3
This story i called "Community Meeting" and takes place at a meeting held by the community. What does community mean in this context?
A. My dog is a community.
B. A community is a group of people living in the same place, or having something in common. *
C. My bedroom is my community.
D. A community is me and my friend.
Which of the following sentences uses "community" correctly?
A. The local community held a party at the new neighborhood center to celebrate its opening. *
B. I am a community.
C. We went to the community.
D. A community is a group of people who do not knwo each other and have nothing in common.
Word/Phrase: Vote | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q4
Towards the end of the passage, one of the community members at the meeting says, "I'm going to vote for someone else to be Alderman next time" What does vote mean?
A. A choice which is usually shown by casting a vote in a ballot or by a show of hands. In an election, the person with the most votes wins. *
B. Getting hired for a job.
C. Telling someone what you think.
D. My opinion.
The word "vote" is used correctly in one of the following sentences. Pick the one in which it is used correctly.
A. When I yell about what I like I am voting.
B. I support Barack Obama so I will vote for him in the presidential election. *
C. By telling bobby I do not like him I vote against him.
D. Cheese snacks are not my favorite. I do not vote for them.
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.4,
Task 2: Discussion Activity
(30 points)
Instructions: This discussion forum will have questions for students to respond. Read the posted questions, and respond to each. Students are responsible for posting one initial and and two peer responses for each topic.
Topic Title
Replies
School Community
If we were to have a community meeting here at school, what issues would you bring up? Why are they important?
Sent on: Oct 10, 2013 by: Emma Noonan-pomada
0
Vote
Why do you think that communities need to vote for their Alderman (and other representatives)?
Sent on: Oct 10, 2013 by: Emma Noonan-pomada
0
Working Together
Why do you think that working together is better than arguing? Do you think that we can get more done by working together?
Sent on: Oct 10, 2013 by: Emma Noonan-pomada
0
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1a, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1b, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.3,
Task 3: Writing Activity
(30 points)
Instructions: You are to choose any of the community issues presented by your classmates in the discussion. Write a letter to your Alderman (I will provide you with their names according to the ward you live in) about your issue and why you think it is a problem and what possible solutions you can come up with. Give specific examples of why you think something is a problem.
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1b, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.2,
