Understanding by Design Lesson Plan

Title of Unit MLA vs. APA Grade Level 12​th​ Grade

Curriculum Area English One 30-45 min. lesson
Time Frame
Developed By Emily Horan
Stage 1: Identify Desired Results
Content Standards
Georgia Standards of Excellence
● ELAGSE9-10W8: ​Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital
sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the usefulness of each source in
answering the research question; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain
the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
● ELAGSE9-10L3​: Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in
different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend
more fully when reading or listening, and to write and to edit so that it conforms to the
guidelines in a style manual (e.g., MLA Handbook, APA Handbook, Turabian’s Manual for
Writers) appropriate for the discipline and writing type.

Knowledge Skills
Students will know… Students will be able to…

● Similarities between MLA and APA ● Identify components of an APA citation

citations ● Create an APA citation
● Differences between MLA and APA
citation
● Components of an APA citation

Stage 2: Assessment Evidence

Performance Task Description
Goal Students will understand the differences between MLA and APA citation in
order to create a correct APA citation.
The media specialist will collaborate with classroom teacher and facilitate
Role
learning of APA citations.
Audience 12​th​ grade ELA students
Situation Students will work in media center with student computers.
Product/ (1) Students will practice identifying components of an APA citation. (2)
Performance Students will create an APA citation.

AASL Standards for the 21​st​-Century Learner

● 6.2.1 ​Ethically using and reproducing others’ work.
Standards ● 6.2.2 ​Acknowledging authorship and demonstrating respect for the
intellectual property of others.
●
Stage 3: Learning Plan
Where​ are your students
headed? Where have they
been? How will you make
sure the students know
where they are going?
How will you ​hook
students at the beginning
of the unit?
What events will help
students ​experience and
explore ​the big idea and
questions in the unit? How The “Psych Out” game will test the student’s ability to identify
will you equip them with
needed skills and
knowledge?
How will you cause
students to ​reflect and
rethink?​ How will you
guide them in rehearsing,
revising, and refining their
work?
How will you help students Students will participate in a class discussion to reflect on the
to ​exhibit and self-evaluate reasons why we cite work and why having a style guide matters
their growing skills,
knowledge, and
understanding throughout
the unit?
How will you ​tailor​ and
otherwise personalize the
learning plan to optimize
the engagement and
effectiveness of ALL
students, without
compromising the goals of
the unit?
How will you ​organize​ and
sequence the learning
activities to optimize the
engagement and
achievement of ALL
students?
Students have previously practiced creating MLA citations in 9th,
10th, and 11th Grade ELA classrooms. The 12th Grade ELA
teacher wants to ensure students know other styles of citations
as well, especially since so many students are interested in the
medical and research field. Students will learn about APA,
building off of their background in MLA citations.
Students will be hooked into the lesson by a brief discussion on
why writers must cite their work, especially when it comes to
taking ideas from others. An example of stealing someone’s
homework without giving them credit will be used. The discussion
will then lead into why there are specific styles of citations.
Students will explore the topic of APA citation techniques through
online tools and games. These tools and games are designed to
help students spot the differences in MLA versus APA citations.
components of APA citation. Students will be equipped with the
necessary skills of identifying APA citations through a guided
PowerPoint.
N/A
to share work universally.
Students who struggle on activities like the “Psych Out” game will
be given additional remediation on APA citation.
1. Lesson Hook: Why do we cite? Why does a style guide
matter?
2. Media Specialist reviews slides 1 - 10 of MLA vs. APA
PowerPoint.
3. Students work in pairs to spot the differences in Slide 11.
4. Media Specialist guides students through different citation
generators.
5. Students practice using previously saved Galileo and other
researched articles.
 6. Media Specialist and Classroom Teacher review citations
created, providing individual feedback.
7. Students complete the “Psych Out” game/assessment.
Results are sent to classroom teacher and media specialist
for review.

Adapted From: Wiggins, Grant and J. Mc Tighe. (1998). ​Understanding by Design​, Association for Supervision
and Curriculum Development.