Objective
By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to analyze and interpret a non-fiction article about the NFL, while improving reading comprehension and critical thinking skills.
Materials and Prep
- Computer or tablet with internet access
- Printed copy of an NFL-related non-fiction article
- Pen or pencil
Activities
-
Warm-up: Have the student brainstorm a list of NFL teams and their corresponding cities. Encourage them to think beyond the most popular teams.
-
Reading: Provide the student with the printed article and ask them to read it silently, underlining or highlighting any unfamiliar words or phrases.
-
Vocabulary Exploration: Together, go through the highlighted words and phrases. Look up their definitions and discuss their meanings in the context of the article.
-
Comprehension Questions: Create a list of questions related to the article's content. Ask the student to answer them in complete sentences, using evidence from the text to support their answers.
-
Critical Thinking: Encourage the student to form their own opinion about the topic discussed in the article. Have them write a short persuasive paragraph defending their stance.
Ninth Grade Talking Points
- "The NFL, or National Football League, is a professional American football league consisting of 32 teams."
- "The NFL was founded in 1920 and has since become one of the most popular sports leagues in the United States."
- "Teams in the NFL compete against each other to reach the playoffs and ultimately win the Super Bowl, which is the championship game."
- "NFL players are highly skilled athletes who undergo rigorous training and preparation to perform at their best on game days."
- "The NFL has a rich history and has been a platform for social and cultural movements, as well as a source of entertainment for millions of fans."