Rationale

This lesson gives students an opportunity to explore what a civil issue is, by
definition, and then provide their own examples of social issues. Students will then
have the opportunity to explore a social issue of their choosing and create a
character that they will use later to further explore this issue.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective
technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3.A
Orient the reader by establishing a situation and introducing a narrator and/or
characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally.

Objective (what you want students to walk away knowing a little bit more of)
Students will be able to define and identify social issues.
Students will be able to create a character that reflects the social issue.
Procedures
1) When entering the classroom students will complete the Do Now:
a. Take a character sheet that has been printed or they will pull up the
sheet on their Chromebooks.
b. Open their notes
c. In their notes, write down what social issues were in The Lottery
Rose and explain what happened
d. Chose who their turn and talk partners will be
2) After the Do Now has been completed students will Turn and Talk with
their partners to answer the following questions:
a. Define a social issue.
b. What are some examples of social issues? Explain what makes
them a social issue.
3) After the turn and talk has been completed, students will return to their
assigned seats for a class discussion.
4) During the class discussion, students will:
a. Share what their definition of a social issue is
b. Share examples of social issues along with SHORT explanation as to
why it is a social issue.
5) Class discussion will Segway into a mini lesson. I will present PowerPoint
slides on what a social issue is, along with some examples of what one is
(the main example being bullying)

6) Students will then, using the character outline that was provided, imagine
a character that has been affected by a social issue (except bullying, since
that was used as an example).
7) Students will create their character using the character outline that was
provided
8) If students complete work early, they may go on to creating a new
document in orde to brainstorm ideas about what their stodry is going to
be about and to begin outlining what is going to happen
Materials
Character outline
Pen/Pencil

Assessment
Students will complete their character outline, which will show connection
between the character and the chosen social issue

Differentiation
Students can chose between working electronically or on paper

Technology connections
Students can use their Chromebooks in order to complete work

Future Application
Students will use these characters that they have created in order to write a
fiction piece about social issues