Reyes 1

Lesson Plan: Friends from the Other Side

I. 3-5th grade
20+ students / 1 hearing disabled/ 2 2nd lang. speakers

II. Civics, Race & Ethnicity, Diversity

III. a) Students will be able to complete the book, Friends from the Other Side, by Gloria E.
Anzaldua within a specified period of time. This will be done through in-class group
reading and individual reading.
b) Students will be able to think critically in order to complete comprehensive questions
about main points, conflicts, and characters in the book.
c) Students will learn something new about what it means to be an immigrant.

IV. a) Introduce book and author. Discuss the topic of immigration with the students. See
what they know about the subject thus far. They will also be writing this down for the
before they read activity. Explain that there will be several words in Spanish and have the
words already printed to go over with the students. Conclude that there will be the
Agree/Disagree questions activity, take home reading, and a final assessment.
b) The purpose of the lesson is to open the students minds and eyes to a world that is
entirely different from their own, but one that millions of people live through every
day. Also, to further recognize the various cultures prevalent in America.
c) Students should feel free to raise their hands at any point of in-class reading to ask a
question or further implore on a detail or subject they don’t quite understand. Teacher
should also stop periodically in order to discuss important aspects of the content.
d) Student practice will consist of individual reading assigned by chapter. Summaries
will be required (1-2 paragraphs) detailing main points of chapter to ensure
understanding.

V. Book (20+ copies)

Audio Book With compatible device and headphones
Agree/Disagree questions
Final assessment

VI. In class reading (lead by teacher)

Individual reading (at home)
Conducted in classroom

VII. Audio book for students as well as a hard copy to follow along with. This particular
book is also written in Spanish for 2nd language English Speakers.
 Reyes 1

VIII. Agree/Disagree Questions (done before and after reading)

Final assessment consisting of questions relating to the book content. Multiple choice/
vocabulary/ & written questions will be included in assessment.
Summaries (1-2 paragraphs) describing main points in chapters.

*Agree/Disagree Questions
This exercise is designed to make students think critically about an important subject
or topic.
1. The teacher must read text and identify main ideas within it.
2. Create statements from these main ideas that the students can agree or disagree
with. (can be done on by student writing it down or as stand up activity, with an
“agree” sign on one side and a “disagree” sign on the other. Discuss the outcomes
with students.
3. Revisit the statements at the end of the book and re-discuss with students if their
outlook or opinion changed.