Objectives (5-10 minutes)
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Introduction to Connectors: The main objective of this lesson is to familiarize students with connectors in English, highlighting their importance and use. Students should be able to understand the function of connectors in sentences and how they help improve the fluency and cohesion of the text.
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Identification of Connectors: In addition, students should learn to identify different types of connectors, such as addition, contrast, Conclusion, etc. They should be able to recognize these connectors in given texts and also use them correctly in their own writing.
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Building Sentences with Connectors: Finally, students should be able to construct sentences using connectors appropriately and effectively. The goal is for them to express their ideas clearly and coherently, using connectors to connect ideas and structure the text.
Secondary Objectives:
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Reading Development: As part of the learning process, students should improve their reading skills in English. They will read texts containing connectors and, in doing so, enhance their overall understanding of the language.
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Writing Enhancement: Furthermore, practicing building sentences with connectors will help students improve their writing skills in English. They will learn to organize their ideas logically and cohesively, which is essential for effective writing.
Introduction (10-15 minutes)
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Content Review: The teacher should start the lesson by briefly reviewing the content that was previously taught and is necessary for the understanding of the current topic. This may include reviewing parts of speech, such as verbs, nouns, and adjectives, as well as the basic structure of a sentence in English. (3-5 minutes)
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Problem-Solving Scenarios: Next, the teacher should present two problem-solving scenarios that will serve as the basis for the theoretical and practical development of the lesson.
- The first scenario could be a text without connectors, where students must identify where connectors could be inserted to improve the fluency and cohesion of the text.
- The second scenario could be the opposite, a text with many connectors, where students must identify which connectors are unnecessary or inappropriate. (3-5 minutes)
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Contextualization: The teacher should then contextualize the importance of connectors in the English language. It can be explained that, just like in the students' native language, connectors are used to connect ideas and structure discourse, making it clearer and more coherent. Additionally, connectors can vary depending on the formality of the discourse, the type of text (narrative, descriptive, argumentative, etc.), and the purpose of communication. (3-5 minutes)
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Attention Gain: To capture the students' attention, the teacher can share some curiosities about connectors in the English language. For example, the word 'and' is one of the most used connectors in the English language, and there are more than one way to express the idea of 'and' in English, depending on the context. Furthermore, the teacher can mention that the proper use of connectors is one of the most effective ways to improve writing in English and impress readers, whether in exams, academic essays, professional emails, or even in everyday conversations. (3-5 minutes)
Development (20-25 minutes)
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Board Game Activity 'Connector Quest' (10-15 minutes)
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Preparation: The teacher should prepare the 'Connector Quest' board game in advance. The board should be divided into several squares, each with a question or challenge related to connectors in English. The game pieces should be prepared for each group of students.
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Game Rules: Students will be divided into groups of five. Each group will choose a game piece and place it at the beginning of the board. The groups will move their pieces according to the number they roll on the dice. When they land on a square, they will have to answer the question or complete the challenge related to connectors. The questions and challenges should include identifying connectors in a text, constructing a sentence with a specific connector, or replacing one connector with another in a text.
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Objective of the Game: The goal of the game is for the groups to reach the end of the board first, by correctly answering the questions and challenges and advancing their pieces.
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Creation of a Comic Strip with Connectors (10-15 minutes)
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Preparation: The teacher should provide each group of students with a large sheet of paper and various magazines, newspapers, colored pencils, pens, and glue.
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Instructions: Each group should create a comic strip of a short story using images and words cut out from the magazines and newspapers. However, instead of writing the characters' lines, they should use connectors to show the sequence of events.
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Modeling: The teacher should model an example on the board, showing how connectors can be used to connect the different parts of the story. For example, 'First, the cat woke up. Then, it stretched and yawned. After that, it walked to the kitchen and ate breakfast.'
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Comic Strip Construction: After understanding the task, the groups should start building their comic strips. They should make sure they are using a variety of connectors, such as 'first, then, after that, finally', to make the story clear and coherent.
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Presentation of the Comic Strips: At the end of the activity, each group should present their comic strip to the class, explaining how they used connectors to connect the different parts of the story. The teacher should provide positive feedback and corrective feedback, if necessary.
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These playful and practical activities will help students better understand the use and importance of connectors, as well as make the lesson more engaging and fun.
Feedback (10-15 minutes)
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Group Discussion (5-7 minutes)
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The teacher should initiate a group discussion, where each group shares the solutions or conclusions they reached during the practical activities. They should explain how they used connectors to improve the fluency and cohesion of the text in the 'Connector Quest' activity and how they used connectors to connect the different parts of the story in the 'Creation of a Comic Strip with Connectors' activity.
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During the discussion, the teacher should encourage students to ask each other questions and provide constructive feedback. This will not only help clarify any misunderstandings but also promote collaboration and critical thinking among students.
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The teacher should facilitate the discussion, reinforcing key ideas and reminding students of the rules and the purpose of using connectors. This will help consolidate learning and ensure that all students are on the same page.
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Connection to Theory (3-5 minutes)
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After the discussion, the teacher should make the connection between the practical activities and the theory. For example, the teacher can highlight how addition, contrast, Conclusion, etc., connectors were used in the activities and how they improved the fluency and cohesion of the text.
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The teacher should also review the different types of connectors and their functions, reinforcing the importance of using them correctly to express ideas clearly and coherently.
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Individual Reflection (2-3 minutes)
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To conclude the lesson, the teacher should propose a moment of individual reflection. Students should silently think for a minute about what they learned in today's lesson and what they still do not fully understand.
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Next, the teacher should ask reflection questions, such as: 'What was the most important concept you learned today?', 'What questions have not been answered yet?', 'How can you apply what you learned today in your English writing?'.
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Students should have the opportunity to share their answers with the class, if they wish. The teacher should listen attentively and provide feedback, encouraging students to continue practicing using connectors in their future writing tasks.
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This Feedback process is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of the lesson, clarifying any misunderstandings, and ensuring that students have a solid understanding of connectors in English. Additionally, it helps promote reflection and self-criticism, essential skills for autonomous learning and continuous improvement.
Conclusion (5-10 minutes)
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Content Summary: The teacher should start the Conclusion by summarizing the main points covered during the lesson, reinforcing the definition and function of connectors in English, the different types of connectors, and how they are used to improve the fluency and cohesion of the text. Additionally, the teacher should recall the practical activities carried out and the insights students gained from using connectors. (2-3 minutes)
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Theory-Practice Connection: Next, the teacher should emphasize how the lesson managed to connect theory, practice, and application of connectors. This can be done by reviewing the practical activities conducted and discussing how the theoretical knowledge about connectors was applied in constructing sentences and texts. The teacher should highlight that theoretical knowledge is fundamental for the correct and effective use of connectors, but that practice is equally important to consolidate this knowledge and develop the necessary skills. (2-3 minutes)
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Supplementary Materials: The teacher should then suggest supplementary materials for students who wish to deepen their understanding of connectors in English. These materials may include reference books, educational websites, explanatory videos, online exercises, among others. The teacher should emphasize that regular practice and review of these supplementary materials are essential for mastering connectors and for overall improvement in reading, writing, and comprehension skills in English. (1-2 minutes)
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Importance of Connectors: Finally, the teacher should reinforce the importance of connectors in everyday life, not only in an academic context but also in everyday communication. The teacher can mention that the proper use of connectors can help avoid misunderstandings, make writing clearer and more persuasive, and even impress readers. Additionally, the teacher can emphasize that mastering connectors is a skill that will be useful for students in many aspects of their lives, from writing essays and school reports to writing professional emails and engaging in English conversations. (1-2 minutes)
This Conclusion allows students to review and consolidate what they learned during the lesson, connect theory to practice, understand the importance of the topic, and gain confidence to continue learning and applying connectors in their English writing activities.