Lesson Plan | Traditional Methodology | Connectors

Objectives

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to establish a clear and common understanding of what connectors are, their relevance in textual construction, and how they can be correctly identified and used. This understanding will form the basis for the subsequent activities of the lesson, ensuring that all students are prepared to follow with explanations and practical exercises.

Main Objectives

1. Describe what connectors are in the English language and their importance for textual cohesion.

2. Identify the different types of connectors and their specific functions in sentences and paragraphs.

3. Apply the correct use of connectors when constructing coherent sentences and texts in English.

Introduction

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to establish a clear and common understanding of what connectors are, their relevance in textual construction, and how they can be correctly identified and used. This understanding will form the basis for the subsequent activities of the lesson, ensuring that all students are prepared to follow with explanations and practical exercises.

Context

Start the lesson by greeting the students and establishing a connection with the topic of the day. Explain that connectors are words or expressions that link ideas in sentences and paragraphs, creating a logical and cohesive sequence. Emphasize that, just like in Portuguese, connectors are essential in English to ensure the text makes sense and is understandable. Use simple examples of the use of connectors in Portuguese to facilitate initial understanding. For example, 'I like ice cream, but I do not like cake' and 'He studied a lot, therefore he passed the exam.'

Curiosities

Connectors are linguistic tools widely used in essays, speeches, and even in everyday conversations. They help to give fluency and clarity to our ideas. For example, in movies and series that students enjoy, dialogues often use connectors to maintain coherent narratives. Additionally, connectors are crucial for text interpretation in important exams, such as ENEM and entrance exams, as they help to identify relationships among the presented ideas.

Development

Duration: 60 - 65 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to deepen students' knowledge of connectors, allowing them to recognize and correctly apply these elements in texts. Through detailed explanations, practical examples, and exercises, students will develop the ability to identify different types of connectors and understand their specific functions, ensuring better cohesion and coherence in their written productions.

Covered Topics

1. ✨ Definition of Connectors: Explain what connectors are in the English language and why they are important for textual cohesion and coherence. Use simple examples to illustrate. 2.  Types of Connectors: Detail the different types of connectors, such as additive (and, also), adversative (but, however), causal (because, since), consecutive (therefore, thus), and temporal (when, while). Provide examples and explain the specific functions of each type. 3.  Correct Use of Connectors: Demonstrate how to use connectors correctly in sentences and paragraphs. Show examples of sentences with and without connectors to highlight the difference in clarity and fluency of the text. 4.  Identifying Connectors in Texts: Present excerpts of texts and ask students to identify the connectors used and explain their functions. Use varied texts, such as articles, stories, and dialogues.

Classroom Questions

1. Give an example of a sentence that uses an additive connector and another that uses an adversative connector. Explain the function of each connector in the sentences. 2. Read the following paragraph and underline the connectors present. Indicate the type of each connector and its function in the text. 3. Rewrite the following paragraph using appropriate connectors to improve cohesion and coherence. Explain why you chose each connector.

Questions Discussion

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to review and consolidate the knowledge acquired during the lesson, allowing students to verify their answers and reflect on the use of connectors in different contexts. By discussing the questions and engaging the students in reflections, the teacher ensures that everyone understands the importance of connectors and is able to apply them correctly in their written productions.

Discussion

• Example of a sentence with an additive connector: 'I like to read and I enjoy writing.' The connector 'and' adds complementary information, indicating that both activities are enjoyed. Example of a sentence with an adversative connector: 'She wanted to go to the party, but she had to study.' The connector 'but' introduces a contrasting idea, showing that the obligation to study prevents going to the party.

• Paragraph: 'I woke up early because I wanted to go for a run. However, it started raining, so I stayed home and read a book instead.' Identification of connectors: 'because' (causal connector), 'however' (adversative connector), 'so' (consecutive connector), 'and' (additive connector). Functions: 'because' explains the reason for waking up early, 'however' indicates an opposition to the previous idea, 'so' shows the consequence of it starting to rain, and 'and' adds the reading activity to the list of actions performed.

• Original paragraph: 'She studied hard. She didn't get the highest score. She felt proud of her progress.' Rewritten paragraph: 'She studied hard, but she didn't get the highest score. However, she felt proud of her progress.' Explanation: The connector 'but' is used to show contrast between effort and outcome, while 'however' adds a notion of opposition, indicating that despite the result, she still feels proud.

Student Engagement

1. How do connectors change the interpretation of a text? Give examples. 2. What is the importance of connectors in argumentative and narrative texts? 3. Think of a movie or series you like. Identify a scene where connectors are essential for understanding the dialogue. What connectors are used and what is their function? 4. How can the correct use of connectors impact the clarity and fluency of a text in exams such as ENEM and entrance exams?

Conclusion

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to review and consolidate the knowledge acquired during the lesson, ensuring that students understand the importance of connectors and are able to apply them correctly in their written productions. The conclusion also serves to recap the main points addressed, reinforcing learning and highlighting the practical relevance of the theme.

Summary

• Connectors are words or expressions that link ideas in sentences and paragraphs, creating a logical and cohesive sequence.
• The main types of connectors include additive (and, also), adversative (but, however), causal (because, since), consecutive (therefore, thus), and temporal (when, while).
• Each type of connector has a specific function, such as adding information, contrasting ideas, explaining causes, showing consequences, or indicating time.
• The correct use of connectors improves the clarity and fluency of texts, making them more understandable.
• Identifying connectors in texts is essential for correct interpretation and for producing well-structured texts.

The lesson connected theory with practice by thoroughly explaining the different types of connectors and their functions, using practical examples and identification and application exercises. This allowed students to see how connectors are used in constructing cohesive sentences and paragraphs, reinforcing the importance of their proper use.

The topic presented is of great importance to students' daily lives, as connectors are widely used in essays, speeches, and everyday conversations. They are essential for the clarity and cohesion of texts, which is especially relevant in exams such as ENEM and entrance exams, where correct text interpretation can make a difference in students' performance.