Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Aspects of Current Genres

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Objectives stage is fundamental to establish the focus of the lesson and ensure that both the teacher and the students have clarity on what will be explored. In this context, the objectives outline the skills that students need to develop to understand and apply knowledge about current genres in English, essential for their interaction in digital and everyday contexts. In addition, they guide the practical activities that will be conducted in the classroom, ensuring a direct connection between theory and practice.

Main Objectives:

1. Empower students to identify and understand the linguistic and cultural aspects present in current genres such as blogs, instant messages, and social networks.

2. Develop students' critical analysis skills on how these genres influence and reflect changes in contemporary communication.

Side Objectives:

1. Encourage active participation from students in classroom discussions, promoting a collaborative learning environment.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The Introduction stage serves to engage students and activate prior knowledge. Through problem-based situations, students are challenged to think critically about how to apply concepts of current genres in varied contexts, stimulating curiosity and preparing them for practical activities. The contextualization, in turn, demonstrates the relevance of current genres in real life, connecting learning with everyday situations and reinforcing the importance of understanding and adapting to different forms of digital communication.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine you are the editor of a very popular blog. How would you adapt your writing style for different themes, such as technology, fashion, and sports, without losing your identity?

2. Think of a situation where you need to send an important message to a friend, but space is limited and you need to be clear and concise. How would you adapt your message if you were using an instant messaging app versus a social network?

Contextualization

The influence of current genres like blogs, instant messages, and social networks goes far beyond everyday communication; these forms of expression shape opinions, behaviors, and even public policies. For example, the ability of digital influencers to direct attention and change purchasing decisions is a phenomenon studied by companies and academics. Furthermore, the use of slang and abbreviations in instant messages can be seen as a trademark for different social groups, reflecting the constantly evolving cultural dynamics.

Development

Duration: (65 - 75 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to provide students with the opportunity to practically and creatively apply the concepts studied about current genres in English, such as blogs, instant messages, and social networks. Through the proposed activities, students will be able to explore and experiment with these genres, developing writing skills, critical analysis, and linguistic adaptation in digital contexts. This stage is crucial to solidify learning through practice, allowing students an active and participatory immersion in the topics addressed.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Bloggers for a Day

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop creative and adaptive writing skills, as well as understand the application of different genres in the context of blogs.

- Description: In this activity, students will be divided into groups of up to five people and each group will act as a writing team for a fictional blog. They will receive a specific theme (technology, fashion, sports, etc.) and will have to create three original posts, utilizing distinctive features of current genres such as informality, interactivity, and multimedia use.

- Instructions:

• Form groups of up to five students.

• Distribute the themes to each group (technology, fashion, sports, etc.).

• Each group should create three blog posts, being a news article, a review, and an opinion piece.

• Students must use informal language, interact with the blog's target audience, and include multimedia elements, such as images or videos.

• At the end, each group will present their posts to the class, explaining the linguistic and content choices.

Activity 2 - Emoji Storytelling

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Enhance non-verbal communication skills and adapt to different writing styles present in instant messages.

- Description: Students, in groups, will create a complete story using only emojis, simulating a conversation in an instant messaging app. The story must contain a beginning, development, and conclusion, and students must be able to clearly convey the narrative and the emotions of the characters solely through the emojis used.

- Instructions:

• Organize students into groups of five.

• Explain that they must create a story that includes a beginning, middle, and end, using only emojis.

• Groups should use a large sheet of paper to arrange the emojis in sequence, simulating the interface of a messaging app.

• Each group will present their story to the class, which will try to guess the plot by looking only at the emojis.

• After the presentations, discuss the different interpretations of the stories and the use of emojis to express ideas and emotions.

Activity 3 - Social Media Focus

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Understand and apply successful strategies on social media, while developing analytical and presentation skills.

- Description: Students, in groups, will analyze the profile of a celebrity or influencer on a pre-selected social network, identifying language patterns, engagement strategies, and the most popular content. Based on this analysis, they should create a 'manual' for success on social media, highlighting best practices and why they work.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to five students.

• Assign each group a celebrity or influencer's profile on a specific social network.

• Groups should analyze the profile, focusing on the language used, types of posts, and interactions with followers.

• Based on the analysis, each group should prepare a 'manual' with tips for success on social networks.

• Each group will present their manual to the class, highlighting the most effective strategies and reasons for success.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The purpose of this stage of the lesson plan is to consolidate students' learning, allowing them to articulate what they have learned and how to apply this knowledge in real and varied contexts. The group discussion helps develop communication and argumentation skills, as well as providing an opportunity for students to receive direct feedback and learn from each other, enriching their understanding of current genres and their practical relevance.

Group Discussion

After the completion of the activities, organize the students into a large circle and start a group discussion. Begin by asking each group what surprised them the most during the activities and what challenges they faced. Encourage them to share insights on how the language and format of current genres adapt to or influence different contexts and audiences. Use this opportunity for students to reflect on the practical application of what they have learned and how this knowledge may be relevant in their everyday lives and future careers.

Key Questions

1. What were the main challenges in adapting your writing style to different genres during the activities?

2. How can the characteristics of current genres, such as informality and the use of emojis, influence the interpretation of the content?

3. In what ways can the knowledge acquired about blogs, social networks, and instant messages be applied in other communication or study situations?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of the Conclusion is to ensure that students have a clear and consolidated understanding of the topics discussed during the lesson, linking theoretical learning with the practices carried out and highlighting the applicability of the concepts in everyday life. This stage helps reinforce knowledge, value practical learning, and encourage the application of what has been learned in real contexts, essential for the continuous development of communication skills in English.

Summary

In the final stage of the lesson, the teacher should provide a comprehensive summary, recapping the content discussed regarding current genres, such as blogs, instant messages, and social networks. The main characteristics of each genre, the importance of language and content adaptation, and how these aspects reflect contemporary communication should be emphasized.

Theory Connection

It is essential for students to understand the connection between the theory studied and the practical activities conducted. The teacher should highlight how the analysis and application of current genres in simulated contexts during the lesson helped solidify theoretical understanding, preparing students to apply this knowledge in real and future situations.

Closing

Conclude the lesson by reinforcing the importance of current genres in students' daily lives, highlighting how the knowledge acquired can be applied in various situations, ranging from writing more effective messages to understanding content on digital platforms. This closing moment serves to consolidate the content's relevance and motivate students to continue exploring and practicing what they have learned.