Objective

By the end of this lesson, Ella will be able to write a comprehensive essay titled “How do service dogs help people with disabilities?” She will understand the roles of service dogs, the various disabilities they assist with, and the impact they have on people's lives.

Materials and Prep

• Notebook or paper for writing
• Pencil or pen
• Access to a quiet space for writing
• Time for discussion and brainstorming

Before the lesson, ensure that Ella has a comfortable writing area and is ready to engage in discussions about service dogs and disabilities.

Activities

• Discussion Time:

  Start with a conversation about what Ella already knows about service dogs. Ask her questions like, “What do you think a service dog does?” This will help her activate prior knowledge and set the stage for deeper exploration.

• Research Together:

  Spend some time looking up information about different types of service dogs and the disabilities they help with. Discuss the information found and highlight key points that can be included in the essay.

• Outline Creation:

  Guide Ella in creating an outline for her essay. Help her organize her thoughts into sections such as introduction, body paragraphs (each focusing on a different type of service dog), and conclusion.

• Drafting the Essay:

  Encourage Ella to write the first draft of her essay based on the outline. Remind her that it's okay if it’s not perfect; the goal is to get her ideas down on paper.

• Peer Review:

  Once the draft is complete, have a session where Ella reads her essay aloud. Provide constructive feedback and encourage her to make revisions based on your discussion.

Talking Points

• “Service dogs are specially trained to help people with disabilities, making their lives easier.”
• “There are many types of service dogs, like guide dogs for the blind or hearing dogs for the deaf.”
• “How do you think a service dog can help someone with a physical disability?”
• “Service dogs can provide emotional support too. They are great companions!”
• “What are some tasks you think a service dog might perform for someone?”
• “It’s important to respect service dogs; they are working and should not be distracted.”
• “Can you think of a story or example of someone whose life was changed by a service dog?”
• “Writing an essay is a great way to share what you’ve learned about service dogs!”
• “What do you think the biggest benefit of having a service dog is?”
• “Remember, your essay should have a clear beginning, middle, and end.”
• “After you write your essay, think about how you can share this information with others!”
• “It’s okay to ask for help if you’re unsure about something in your essay.”