TYWLS Bronx ELA teacher Brianna Brown wanted students to close read and interpret euphemisms in The Giver. To move away from teacher-centered explanations of the text, Brianna set up her students into small groups to translate the euphemisms while also analyzing the purpose behind using that type of language. Students recalled the definition of euphemisms from a prior lesson to then consider why or when people use them.
While students went through the routine, Brianna circulated the room to listen and write stars on student's handouts with clear answers. Brianna learned about the "power of stars" as a tool for informal assessment. Check out Brianna's adapted lesson slides with student samples for Extractbelow.