SECOND LEVEL
LESSON PLAN 1
Theme: DINOSAURS A
LEARNING EXPERIENCES:
· Learners will understand what a ‘suffix’ means, and the use that knowledge to explore the meanings of dinosaur names.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
· I can tell you what a suffix is
· I can tell you the meaning of at least three dinosaur suffixes
NOTES FOR TEACHERS/SUGGESTED SEQUENCE
The following three lessons use the context of the subject of dinosaurs to introduce the grammatical term ‘suffix’; this should lead on naturally to an understanding of the different endings of Scots and English participles.
You could begin this lesson in a number of imaginative ways: for example, at the end of a previous lesson, you could ask the learners to find out the names of some dinosaurs on the internet, or from the library. However, since many learners will already have a few names in their repertoire, you could begin the lesson by asking learners to think together in small groups and come up with as many dinosaur names as they can.
Ask each group to write a name the way they think it is spelled on the board or on a flip-chart. With a bit of luck, they will come up with names with a variety of suffixes, but you can have some ready just in case the list needs to be augmented. Ideally, you will have a list where at least a few of the names have the same suffix.
Now introduce the term suffix and explain that it means the ending of a word, which tells you something special. Now highlight or underline the suffixes of the dinosaur names. If you have an interactive board, you could bring up some pictures of dinosaurs whose names have the same suffixes, and ask learners to collaborate to see if they can spot what they have in common; alternatively, ask each group to research the meaning of one suffix. If this is not possible, simply uncover a list of suffixes which will probably include the following:
saurus-lizard; dactyl-toe or finger; raptor-eater/grabber; don – tooth; pod- foot; tops- head
Now make the link to Scots. Ask the class if they know the names of any Scottish dinosaurs-someone will probably come up with ‘Nessie’. It would be good if you could have a picture available of what Nessie is reputed to look like. Ask the class to suggest a name for the type of dinosaur Nessie might be – can they use their knowledge of suffixes to suggest something appropriate?
Towards the end of the lesson, inform the group that they are going t collaborate in pairs or trios to create a new dinosaur, and that they will combine their knowledge of Scots words with their new understanding of suffixes to create this fabulous creature. You could allow learners to form their small groups and come up with initial ideas, which they can mull over before the next lesson. You might want to give them the following thought-prompts:
· What is your favourite kind of dinosaur-why?
· What might you want your dinosaur to look like?
· What suffix would be best for this?
When We Find The Gowd