The Literacy Project- Curriculum/Activity Description

Date: 4-18-03

Submitted by: Sharon Feeney

Subject: Reading and Writing; “The Right Words at the Right Time”

Level: Pre-GED/GED

Assessment/Evaluation: students self-evaluate their understanding of both the reading and writing exercise using rubric. Teacher also uses the same rubric.

Massachusetts ABE Curriculum Frameworks

Curriculum Framework(s): English Language Arts Reading and Writing

Strands and Standards addressed:

Strand: reading

Learning Standard: read strategically (to answer a general overview question)

Strand: writing

Learning Standard: evaluate own written work, respond in writing to written and oral questions, write responses to short text passages.

Duration: 45 minutes

Brief Description (for website index): Reading and Writing; “The Right Words at the Right Time”

Lesson Objective(s): to foster a higher interest in reading for pleasure, to assess students reading comprehension skills, and to develop writing a focused response to the reading and question.

Lesson Procedure: Students are asked if they had ever had someone say anything to them that was so important to them that it stayed with them for their life. The class had a brief discussion about what people have said to them that changed their lives. Students read passages from, "The Right Words at the Right Time" by Marlo Thomas and Friends (2002). Selected passages were written by: Muhammad Ali, Bill Cosby, Katie Couric, Whoopi Goldberg, Dave Matthews, Rosie O'Donnell, Oprah Winfrey, Amy Tan, Jay Leno, and Conan O'Brien. Prior to the readings, students are asked to read to tell others in class, "What were the right words at the right time for the person whom you read?" Next, students wrote to answer what words people have spoken to them that they have always remembered.

Materials Needed:

"The Right Words at the Right Time" by Marlo Thomas and Friends (2002)

paper and writing tools

Special Comments: All students demonstrated high interest in the readings, and several even read during their scheduled break time. Some students recalled more detailed facts from their reading. Writings were focused overall.

Other Related Links and Resources (including citations for original sources):

"The Right Words at the Right Time" by Marlo Thomas and Friends (2002)