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A Lesson on Chicago High Schools Export Lesson as PDF | Save As Favorite
A Lesson on Chicago High Schools Grade: Grade 4
Subject: English Language Arts
Created by: Natisha Walker
Lesson Length: 2 hours
Keywords/Tags: Reading, Writing, Chicago High Schools, Specialized Schools
Lesson Description: The goal of this lesson is to let students have the opportunity to use their reading and writing skills that they have previously learned and used to learn about different types of specialized schools that are available. By reading and reviewing the text, the student will be able to identify vocabulary and textual information through discussion and short answer questions. At the end of the lesson, the student should be able to identify ways to apply and succeed at specialized schools.
Common Core Standards Covered with This Lesson
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.1: Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.1: Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.4: Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.4.4a: Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1b: Provide reasons that are supported by facts and details.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.3a: Choose words and phrases to convey ideas precisely.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.4a: Use context (e.g., definitions, examples, or restatements in text) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
 
     
     
 
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.

Chicago High Schools

There are many different high schools in Chicago. They all have the same core curriculum. Everyone learns English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Every student does service learning. Every student helps the school and community with projects. Some students tutor after school. Some work in soup kitchens, helping people get food. Some students work to improve the environment. They learn science and make the community a better place. They feel better about themselves and learn more skills.

Some high schools are specialized. You can go to a high school that specializes in arts. That is a new Chicago high school. To get into that school, you need to audition. You might want to be an actor. You would go to the audition and show how well you act. You might want to be an artist. You would bring art you have done to your audition.

There are other schools that do not require auditions. They do require that you get good grades. Those are called magnet schools. You can go to a magnet school if you have good grades and do well on tests.

Many high schools have special programs even if they are not magnet schools. You can specialize in journalism at some high schools. Those are regular high schools that have special programs in journalism. You can find other programs at high schools. You can take culinary arts at some schools. One student who went to Richards High School in Chicago got a $10,000 scholarship to go to culinary college. He did well at Richards High School. He took culinary arts classes. He is on his way to a great career.

You can go to military high schools in Chicago. There are schools that emphasize the army. They have the standard high school curriculum. But they also have a lot of work on discipline and planning. Those are important to someone in the army. We even have a school that is an Air Force school. You take the usual subjects there. But you also learn about flying.

When you choose a high school, you should think about many things. Does it have the kinds of programs that I can use to help me prepare for a career? Does it have a good location? How can I get there?

Whatever high school you go to, how much it helps you is up to you.
 
     
     
 
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: Emphasize | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q1 "There are schools that emphasize the army." What does the word "emphasize" mean in this sentence?
A. give special importance *
B. underestimate
C. clearly defined
D. to make larger
Which one of the sentence below used the word "emphasize" correctly?
A. Susie didn't want to emphasize on her point of view.
B. The mechanical shop that emphasize finding the best tires, found four new tires for me. *
C. The teacher emphasize the picture for everyone to see.
D. Sam emphasize on how big his opponent was, so he lost his match.
Word/Phrase: Improve | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q2 The text says, "Some students work to improve the environment." What does the word "improve" mean in this sentence?
A. To achieve
B. To make worse
C. To increase
D. To make better *
Which one of the sentence below uses the word "improve" correctly?
A. To improve my speed, I stepped on the accelerator.
B. My job wants everyone to improve their performance. *
C. I improved the room so now it has more space.
D. The way to improve your memory is to learn more information.
Word/Phrase: Magnet Schools | Tier: 3 | Points: 10
Q3 The text reads, "Those are called magnet schools. You can go to a magnet school if..." What does the word "Magnet School" mean in this sentence?
A. A school full of magnets
B. A way to skip school
C. A school with specialized courses *
D. A way to learn about magnets
Which one of the sentence below uses the word "Magnet School" correctly?
A. I attended a magnet school because I have a high GPA. *
B. The grocery store sells magnet schools for your fridge.
C. I used a magnet school to find my favorite type of music.
D. The magnet school helps items stick together.
Word/Phrase: Soup Kitchens | Tier: 3 | Points: 10
Q4 The text says, "Some students tutor after school. Some work in soup kitchens.." What does the word "Soup Kitchen" mean in this sentence?
A. Place with free food for the homeless *
B. A kitchen full of soup
C. A place to learn how to cook soup
D. Type of homemade soup
Which one of the sentence below uses the word "Soup Kitchen" correctly?
A. While I was sick, my house turned into a soup kitchen
B. I volunteered at a soup kitchen during the holidays. *
C. The soup kitchen taught me how to make chicken noodle.
D. My mom makes excellent soup kitchen for the new neighbors.
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.4, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.4a,
 
     
     
 
Task 2: Discussion Activity (25 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
Message What does the text mean by core curriculum?
"There are different high schools in Chicago. They all have the same core curriculum." What does the text when by "core curriculum"?
Sent on: Feb 19, 2015 by: Natisha Walker		 0
Message Students and service learning
What are some examples of service learning that the students participate in?
Sent on: Feb 19, 2015 by: Natisha Walker		 0
Message Specialized Schools
What is required of a student to go to a specialized school of the arts?
Sent on: Feb 19, 2015 by: Natisha Walker		 0
Message Examples of Specialized Schools
Give examples of what schools can be specialized in. What should a person think about while choosing which school to attend?
Sent on: Feb 19, 2015 by: Natisha Walker		 0
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1b,
 
     
     
 
Task 3: Writing Activity (35 points)
Instructions: For your writing assignment, choose two examples of the types of specialized schools that are used in the text (arts, culinary, military, journalism). With 2-3 paragraphs (minimum of 250 words) explain what you, as a student, could do to help yourself succeed in the schools you choose. Use the box below to submit the assignment.
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.4.4a, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.3a,
 
     

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