Title: My Friend (Selected Two Essays) English Lesson Plan
Grade Level: Intermediate (B1-B2)
Duration: 4 Lessons (160 minutes total)
Aims:
1. Develop descriptive writing skills through analyzing and composing essays about friendship
2. Enhance vocabulary related to personal qualities and relationships
3. Practice critical thinking through comparative analysis of different writing styles
4. Improve oral presentation skills through peer discussions
Materials Needed:
- Two sample essays: "My Best Friend" (narrative style) and "The Friend Who Changed My Life" (reflective style)
- Vocabulary worksheets (adjectives describing personality)
- Whiteboard and markers
- Projector for essay display
- Student notebooks and pens
Lesson 1: Introduction and Vocabulary Building (40 minutes)
Warm-Up (10 minutes):
- Begin with a quick-write activity: "In three sentences, describe your best friend without using their name."
- Have students share responses in pairs, then volunteer to read aloud.
Vocabulary Introduction (20 minutes):
- Present vocabulary worksheet with adjectives grouped by categories:
Positive traits: loyal, compassionate, humorous, reliable, adventurous
Negative traits (for contrast): selfish, unreliable, bossy, pessimistic
Relationship verbs: support, encourage, understand, challenge
- Conduct a "memory chain" game where students create sentences using new words:
Student 1: "My friend is loyal because..."
Student 2: "My friend is loyal because she always supports me, and she is also compassionate when..."
Essay Preview (10 minutes):
- Distribute copies of both sample essays without titles.
- Ask students to skim and predict which essay describes a long-term friendship vs. a transformative relationship.
Lesson 2: Comparative Reading Analysis (40 minutes)
Reading Activity (15 minutes):
- Read both essays aloud as a class, pausing after each paragraph for comprehension checks.
- Highlight key phrases that reveal the author's purpose (e.g., "I'll never forget the day..." vs. "Over time, I realized...").
Group Analysis (20 minutes):
- Divide class into groups of 4. Assign each group one essay to analyze using this framework:
1. Main idea and supporting details
2. Tone (formal/informal, emotional/analytical)
3. Use of sensory details (sight, sound, touch)
4. Transition words between ideas
- Have groups present findings using the whiteboard to map essay structures.
Class Discussion (5 minutes):
- Compare how each author organizes their thoughts. Which structure feels more personal? More persuasive?
Lesson 3: Writing Workshop (40 minutes)
Pre-Writing (15 minutes):
- Brainstorming session: Students create mind maps about their chosen friend, including:
Physical description
Shared memories
Lessons learned from the relationship
Unique qualities that define the friendship
- Model how to convert mind map notes into an outline with introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
Drafting (20 minutes):
- Students write first drafts of their essays (300-400 words), choosing either narrative or reflective style.
- Circulate to provide individual feedback on organization and vocabulary use.
Peer Review Preparation (5 minutes):
- Distribute peer review checklist focusing on:
Clarity of main idea
Variety of descriptive words
Logical paragraph transitions
Emotional impact
Lesson 4: Peer Review and Presentation (40 minutes)
Peer Review Activity (20 minutes):
- Students exchange drafts in pairs, using checklist to provide constructive feedback.
- Model giving feedback: "I liked how you described your friend's laughter, but maybe add an example of when this trait helped you."
Revision Time (10 minutes):
- Students revise essays based on peer suggestions, focusing on 1-2 key improvements.
Presentations (10 minutes):
- Select 3-4 volunteers to read excerpts from their essays.
- Class votes on most vivid description, most surprising friendship lesson, and best use of new vocabulary.
Homework Assignment:
- Finalize essays with polished language and proper formatting.
- Optional: Create a "Friendship Collage" using images and quotes that represent their friend.
Assessment Criteria:
1. Content (40%): Clear focus on friendship qualities, specific examples, personal reflection
2. Organization (30%): Logical structure, effective transitions, balanced paragraphs
3. Language (30%): Appropriate vocabulary, varied sentence structure, minimal grammar errors
Extension Activities:
- Compare cultural differences in friendship values through international pen-pal exchanges
- Create digital storybooks using photos and voice recordings of friendship stories
- Role-play conflict resolution scenarios between friends to practice empathy
Keywords: Friendship essay、Descriptive writing、Vocabulary building、Comparative analysis、Peer review、Narrative style、Reflective style、Personal qualities、Relationship verbs、Oral presentation
Introduction: This four-lesson English plan guides intermediate students through analyzing and composing friendship essays. Students compare narrative and reflective writing styles, build descriptive vocabulary, and practice critical thinking through peer reviews. The unit culminates in personalized essays about meaningful friendships, enhanced by collaborative learning and multimedia presentation opportunities.
