People Power Lesson Planner UNCOMMON
Schools Camden Prep
K-12 ESL Daily Lesson Planner
2026–2027 School Year • 45-Minute Block
WIDA ALIGNED LESSON 1 OF 2
ESL/MLL Teacher Mr. Rossi
Lesson Date / Time 11/10/2026
Grade(s) & Group Grades 3–4 • ESL Small Group
Curriculum / Unit Describing Our Community
Instructional Objectives
Content Objective:
Students will be able to describe groups of people using plural subject pronouns (We vs. They) and descriptive character/emotion adjectives.
Language Objective:
Students will write and speak complete sentences using the frames "We are [adjective]" and "They are [adjective]" in collaborative and independent tasks.
Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1.A, L.4.1; WIDA ELD Standard 1 (Social/Instructional)
WIDA Framework
Key Language Uses (KLU):
☐ Narrate ☑ Inform ☑ Explain ☐ Argue
Language Domains:
LST ☑ SPK ☑ RED ☑ WRT ☑
ELD Standards:
1: Soc/Ins 2: ELA 3: Mth 4: Sci
Supports Quick-Check
Sensory ☑ Pictures/Visuals
Graphic ☑ Sentence Frames
Interactive ☑ Turn & Talk Pairs
Linguistic ☑ Cognates (creativo)
Target Vocab: We are, They are, helpful, energetic, creative, curious, brave, proud, friendly
Lesson Phase
Pacing
Core Activities & Teacher Steps (I Do, We Do, You Do)
Scaffolds & CFU Checks
Extension Support
1. DO NOW & HOOK Activate knowledge
7 min
Hook: Display Slide 2 with two group photos (our class pointing to selves vs. athletes on a field). Ask: "Who includes YOU?"
Do Now: Students circle whether photo A or B means "We" (includes speaker) vs. "They" (does not include speaker).
| TPR Gesture Scaffolds: Thumbs to chest for "We", pointing hands away for "They".
CFU: Cold call: "Why is photo A 'We'?"
| Add a second adjective: "We are happy and excited." |
| 2. MODEL ("I DO") Direct instruction | 10 min |
Grammar Formula: Subject + linking verb + adjective: They/We + are + [adjective].
Explicit Anchor: Teacher models reading visual trait cards (creative, helpful, energetic). Demonstrates contrast: "We are helpful students. They are energetic runners." Highlight Spanish cognate creativo = creative.
| Anchor Chart & Color Coding: Pronoun (Blue), Verb "are" (Orange), Adjective (Green).
CFU: Non-example check: Can I say "They is happy?" (Choral: No, "They ARE!")
| Identify why "are" is plural and contrast with singular "is" (he/she). |
| 3. PRACTICE ("WE/YOU") Guided / Solo application | 20 min |
We Do (8 min): Guided slides with picture scenarios (builders working together, artists painting). Choral sentence completion with cloze frames. Partner turn-and-talk.
You Do (12 min): Worksheet Part A (picture matching), Part B (sentence writing with word bank), and Part C (writing sentences about their own classroom team using "We are").
| Sentence Strips & Word Bank: Visual picture bank with word labels. Teacher circulates providing whisper prompts and verbal sentence starters.
CFU: 3-student sample board check.
| Write an expanded complex sentence using "because": "We are proud because we solved the problem." |
| 4. CLOSURE / CFU Exit Ticket check | 8 min |
Exit Ticket: Students complete 2 prompts independently on their worksheet: 1 sentence describing classmates (We are...) and 1 sentence describing people in a picture prompt (They are...).
Whip Around: Rapid choral chant: "We are... [scholars]! They are... [kind]!"
| Exit Ticket Rubric (2 pts):
1 pt = Correct pronoun/verb match ("We are" / "They are").
| Draw an illustration matching their sentences and label the subjects. |
Teacher Reflection
Monitor distinction between "They" and "He/She". Note whether students maintain the plural linking verb "are" or revert to "is".
Reteach & Small Group
Pull students confusing We/They for physical photo sorting (self included vs. self excluded) before Day 2.
School Events & Reminders
Prepare letter cards and decodable word hunt slips for Lesson 2 (nd/nt consonant blends/digraphs).
Camden Prep Multilingual Resources • Daily Planner Matrix Grades 3–4 ESL • Unit 3
People Power Presentation Slides Camden Prep ESL • Grades 3–4
Lesson 1 of 2 • 45 Minutes
Grammar & Speaking Power
People Power:
"We are" & "They are"
Learn how to describe awesome teams, classmates, and groups using strong adjectives and complete sentences!
Today's Goal: Speak and write complete descriptive sentences
Let's Get Started! 🚀
Do Now
Who Are We Talking About?
⏱️ 5 Minutes
🙋🏽♂️🙋🏻♀️🙋🏿 Team A
WE ARE
Includes YOU!
"Me + My friends in our room"
👉 Gesture: Point thumbs to your own chest!
🏃🏾♀️🏃🏼♂️⚽ Team B
THEY ARE
Does NOT include you!
"Other people over there"
👉 Gesture: Point hands outward toward them!
Turn & Tell Your Partner: "When I say WE, I am inside the group!"
Teacher Model
The Sentence Building Formula
Rule of Plural Subjects
1. Who? We / They
2. Verb are
3. Adjective kind .
Example A (Inside Group)
We are proud.
"We solved the tricky puzzle together!"
Example B (Outside Group)
They are helpful.
"The firefighters are protecting the city."
⚠️ Watch Out: Never say "They is" or "We is"!
Always use ARE!
Word Bank
Adjectives That Describe People
Words that tell WHO people are!
🎨
creative
Makes new, beautiful things.
Cognate: creativo
🤝
helpful
Lends a hand and supports others.
Action: helping others
⚡
energetic
Full of power, speed, and motion.
Cognate: enérgico
🔍
curious
Eager to ask questions and learn.
Cognate: curioso
🦁
brave
Faces hard challenges with courage.
Cognate: valiente / bravo
⭐
proud
Feeling great joy in your work.
Feeling: orgullose
💡 Sentence Challenge: Pick one word right now and say: "We are..."
We Do
Practice Scenario 1
Picture Clue Challenge
📚🧑🏾🤝🧑🏼✨
Our 3rd & 4th Grade Reading Club
You and your partner are in this club!
1. Are we IN the picture or OUTSIDE?
✓ INSIDE = Use "WE" OUTSIDE = "THEY"
Say the complete sentence together:
"We are curious readers."
Why curious? Because we read to find out new answers!
Thumbs check: Put your thumb UP if you hear the linking verb ARE!
We Do
Practice Scenario 2
Picture Clue Challenge
🏃🏽♀️🏃🏼♂️⚽🏆
The High School Soccer Champions
You are watching them from the bleachers!
2. Are we IN the group or OUTSIDE?
INSIDE = "WE" ✓ OUTSIDE = Use "THEY"
Complete the sentence:
"They are energetic and brave!"
Gestures Ready: Point your two hands outward toward the field!
Turn & Talk: Which adjective fits better: energetic or sleepy? Why?
You Do
Worksheet Time: People Power
⏱️ 15 Minutes
Part 1
Sort It Out
Look at 4 pictures. Circle whether the sentence starts with We are or They are.
Target: 4 of 4 correct
Part 2
Write Complete Sentences
Use the Word Bank to write 3 full sentences describing characters and community helpers.
Capital letter + Period!
Part 3
Partner Interview
Choose two words describing you and your partner. Write: "We are..."
Fast Finisher challenge included!
✨ Teacher Tip: Check your sentence frame: Subject (We / They) + are + Adjective .
Exit Ticket
Show What You Know!
⏱️ Last 8 Minutes
Question 1
Write one sentence describing our classroom:
"We are ________________________."
Question 2
Look at the dancers on stage. Write one sentence describing them:
"They are ________________________."
Remember: Plural verb = ARE ! Great job today, Language Champions! ⭐
People Power Practice Worksheet Uncommon Schools • Camden Prep ESL Grades 3–4 • Unit 3
People Power: "We are" & "They are"
Name:
Date:
The Sentence Rule
We / They + are + [Adjective].
We = includes ME 🙋 They = others 🏃
🌟 Adjective Word Bank (Words that describe people)
helpful creative energetic curious brave proud friendly kind
Part 1
Pronoun Detective: Circle the correct phrase (We are OR They are)
🏫
1. You and your classmates are inside your classroom reading together.
We are They are
⚽
2. You watch the soccer players across the park score a goal.
We are They are
🚒
3. Firefighters rush down the street in a big red fire truck.
We are They are
🎨
4. You and your partner are painting a colorful school banner.
We are They are
Part 2
Sentence Builder: Finish each complete sentence using an adjective
5. Look at the dancers on stage: Clue: Moving with lots of energy
They are because they dance so fast!
6. You and your table group finished your project together: Clue: Feeling happy about your hard work
We are of our colorful poster.
7. The student council cleans up the school garden: Clue: Always ready to lend a hand
They are helpers in our community.
👉 Turn to Page 2 to write your own sentences with your learning partner!
Camden Prep ESL • Describing People Page 1 of 2
Part 3 & Part 4: Writing & Application Name:
Part 3
Partner Spotlight: Describe Your Team ("We are...")
Talk with your partner. Choose two adjectives from the Word Bank that describe you and your partner as third/fourth grade scholars.
My Partner's Name:
Two Adjectives We Picked:
Sentence 1 (Use "We are"):
Sentence 2 (Tell why using "because"):
Part 4
Community Scene: Describe Others ("They are...")
🧑🔬👩🔬🔬
Scientists in the Lab
Discovering new medicines and asking big questions.
Write a complete sentence describing the scientists:
Checklist: Capital letter • Subject pronoun "They" • Verb "are" • Adjective • Period
Exit Ticket Show What You Know (Independent Check)
Score: ___ / 2 pts
A. Write one sentence describing you and your classmates in ESL class:
We are
B. Write one sentence describing the Camden Prep basketball team:
They are
⚡ Fast Finisher: Can you add two adjectives connected with "and"? (e.g., "We are creative and kind.")
Extra Star! ⭐
Camden Prep ESL • Describing People Page 2 of 2
Sound Hunters Lesson Planner UNCOMMON
Schools Camden Prep
K-12 ESL Daily Lesson Planner
2026–2027 School Year • 45-Minute Block
WIDA ALIGNED LESSON 2 OF 2
ESL/MLL Teacher Mr. Rossi
Lesson Date / Time 11/12/2026
Grade(s) & Group Grades 3–4 • ESL Small Group
Curriculum / Unit Foundational Literacy & Phonics
Instructional Objectives
Content Objective:
Students will decode, read, and distinguish words with final consonant patterns "-nd" (sand, hand, friend) and "-nt" (tent, plant, hunt) in connected text.
Language Objective:
Students will orally segment phonemes using finger-tapping routines, sort target words into a visual T-chart, and read a decodable passage with 80% accuracy.
Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.3, RF.4.3; WIDA ELD Standard 2 (Language for ELA)
WIDA Framework
Key Language Uses (KLU):
☑ Narrate ☑ Inform ☐ Explain ☐ Argue
Language Domains:
LST ☑ SPK ☑ RED ☑ WRT ☑
ELD Standards:
1: Soc/Ins 2: ELA 3: Mth 4: Sci
Supports Quick-Check
Sensory ☑ Finger Tapping (TPR)
Graphic ☑ Sound Sort T-Chart
Interactive ☑ Choral & Echo Reading
Linguistic ☑ Cognates (plant = planta)
Target Vocab: sand, hand, stand, land, blend, friend / ant, plant, tent, hunt, print, spent
Lesson Phase
Pacing
Core Activities & Teacher Steps (I Do, We Do, You Do)
Scaffolds & CFU Checks
Extension Support
1. DO NOW & HOOK Activate knowledge
7 min
Sound Detective Warm-Up: Teacher says two mystery words: "bend" vs "bent". Ask: "Where is the sound changing? At the start or at the end?"
Do Now: Finger-tapping phonemes on fingers: /h/-/æ/-/n/-/d/ (hand) vs /p/-/l/-/æ/-/n/-/t/ (plant). Students identify ending sounds.
| Kinesthetic Scaffold: Tap thumb to index, middle, ring, pinky for each individual sound.
CFU: Show fingers: How many sounds in "tent"? (4 sounds: /t/-/e/-/n/-/t/).
| Challenge students to brainstorm another word that rhymes with "sand" or "tent". |
| 2. MODEL ("I DO") Direct instruction | 10 min |
Explicit Phonics Modeling: Display "-nd" and "-nt" letter cards. Contrast voiced /d/ (vocal cords vibrate like a motor) with voiceless /t/ (puffs of air).
Blending Drill: Continuous blending: s-a-n-d = sand; t-e-n-t = tent. Teacher models sorting 4 cards into the anchor T-Chart.
| Throat Vibration Check: Hand on neck: feel buzzing on /d/ vs quiet air burst on /t/.
CFU: Cold call: "Is /nt/ voiced or unvoiced?"
| Analyze multisyllabic words with the pattern: "island" or "elephant". |
| 3. PRACTICE ("WE/YOU") Guided / Solo application | 20 min |
We Do (8 min): Choral and echo reading of the decodable text: "The Camp on Sand Land". Identify all -nd (blue) and -nt (orange) words on the slide.
You Do (12 min): Worksheet Part 1 (Word Hunt & T-Chart Sort), Part 2 (Decodable Reading with text evidence questions), Part 3 (Sentence Completion Cloze).
| Visual Highlighting: Use 2 highlighter colors (Blue = -nd, Orange = -nt). Partner whisper-reading protocol.
CFU: Circulate with oral reading accuracy checklist.
| Write an original decodable sentence using at least one -nd word and one -nt word (e.g., "The ant slept in the sand."). |
| 4. CLOSURE / CFU Exit Ticket check | 8 min |
Exit Ticket: Students complete the 2 Exit Ticket items on page 2: 1 sound discrimination question (match word to -nd or -nt) and 1 fill-in-the-blank decodable sentence.
Speed Chant: Quick call-and-response: "S-A-N-D spells... SAND! P-L-A-N-T spells... PLANT!"
| Exit Ticket Criteria:
100% accuracy on final consonant identification and reading comprehension item.
| Draw an illustration of the decodable story and label 3 target words. |
Teacher Reflection
Observe whether students omit the nasal /n/ before the final stop (/sed/ instead of /sand/). Reinforce continuous blending.
Reteach & Small Group
Provide magnetic letter tiles (s-a-n-d, t-e-n-t) to physically move the nasal and stop consonants together.
School Events & Reminders
Connect Lesson 1 adjectives ("curious friends") with Lesson 2 decodable story characters during tomorrow's review.
Camden Prep Multilingual Resources • Daily Planner Matrix Grades 3–4 ESL • Unit 3 Phonics
Sound Hunters Presentation Slides Camden Prep ESL • Grades 3–4
Lesson 2 of 2 • 45 Minutes
Literacy & Reading Lab
Sound Hunters:
Ending Blends "-nd" & "-nt"
Unlock new reading superpowers! Listen closely, tap out sounds, and read decodable stories like expert phonics detectives.
Today's Goal: Tap, blend, sort, and read -nd and -nt words in stories
Let's Hunt Sounds! 🔍
Do Now
Sound Detective: Tap Every Sound!
⏱️ 5 Minutes
Put your hand up! Tap your thumb to each finger for every sound you hear:
🏖️ Word 1
/s/ Thumb
/æ/ Index
/n/ Middle
/d/ Ring
s - a - n - d = SAND
⛺ Word 2
/t/ Thumb
/e/ Index
/n/ Middle
/t/ Ring
t - e - n - t = TENT
Listen to the very last sound: /d/ vs /t/!
Teacher Model
Mouth Check: How Do They Feel?
Phonics Secret
-nd Voiced Sound
Put your hand on your throat. Say /nd/!
🔊 Your voice box turns ON and vibrates!
🐝 It feels like a tiny buzzing bee in your neck!
Key Words:
hand sand friend stand
-nt Unvoiced Sound
Put your hand in front of your mouth. Say /nt/!
💨 Your voice box turns OFF .
🌬️ You feel a quick burst of air tap your fingers!
Key Words:
tent plant hunt ant
Minimal Pair Drill: bend (buzz) vs bent (air burst)!
We Do
Word Sort Challenge
Where Does Each Word Belong?
Read each word aloud with your teacher:
plant 🌱 stand 🧍 hunt 🏹 friend 🤝 ant 🐜 blend 🥣
Team "-nd" Voiced /d/
✓ stand (s - t - a - nd)
✓ friend (f - r - i - e - nd)
✓ blend (b - l - e - nd)
Team "-nt" Burst /t/
✓ plant (p - l - a - nt)
✓ hunt (h - u - nt)
✓ ant (a - nt)
Spanish Cognate Alert: plant = planta! Look at how closely they match!
Read Together
Story: "The Camp on Sand Land"
Choral & Echo Reading
Grandpa and his friend walk across the warm sand.
They pitch a big blue tent on high land.
Near the tent, they water a green plant and watch a tiny ant march by.
They hold hand in hand as the cool evening wind blows.
Detective Colors: Blue = -nd words (5 found) Orange = -nt words (3 found)
100% Decodable! ⭐
Partner Talk
Story Detective Questions
Turn & Talk
Question 1
Where do Grandpa and his friend pitch their blue tent?
Sentence Starter:
Question 2
What two living things are near the tent?
Sentence Starter:
Partner Routine: Partner A reads sentence 1, Partner B points to the target blend!
You Do
Worksheet Mission: Sound Hunters
⏱️ 15 Minutes
Section 1
Sound Sort Matrix
Sort 8 words from the word bank into the -nd column or the -nt column.
Whisper-tap each word!
Section 2
Story Detective
Read the story on page 2. Circle every -nd word and underline every -nt word. Answer the reading question!
Use text evidence!
Section 3
Cloze & Exit Ticket
Fill in the missing words to complete the sentences, then finish your 2 Exit Ticket questions.
Independent check!
🎯 Scholar Reminder: Read every word out loud quietly to yourself before you write!
Exit Ticket
Phonics Mastery Check!
⏱️ Last 8 Minutes
Question 1
Which word ends with the voiced blend "-nd"?
A. plant B. stand C. tent
Question 2
Read and fill in the missing word with "-nt":
"The green ________ grows in the warm sun." (plant / hand)
Two lessons completed: Grammar Power + Phonics Power! Incredible work this week, Camden Scholars! 🌟
Sound Hunters Phonics Worksheet Uncommon Schools • Camden Prep ESL Grades 3–4 • Unit 3 Phonics
Sound Hunters: Ending Blends "-nd" & "-nt"
Name:
Date:
-nd (Voiced Sound)
Your throat buzzes on the /d/! (hand, sand, stand, friend)
-nt (Burst Sound)
A puff of air taps your hand on /t/! (tent, plant, ant, hunt)
🔍 Detective Word Bank (Read each word aloud quietly):
sand plant tent hand ant stand hunt blend
Part 1
Sound Sort: Write each word from the bank into the correct column
Words ending in "-nd" (Voiced)
Words ending in "-nt" (Burst)
Part 2
Phoneme Tapping: Write one sound per box
Word: sand (4 sounds) 🏖️
Word: plant (5 sounds) 🌱
📖 Ready to read? Turn to Page 2 for our decodable story adventure!
Camden Prep ESL • Phonics & Literacy Page 1 of 2
Part 3, Part 4 & Exit Ticket Name:
Part 3
Decodable Reading: "The Camp on Sand Land"
Whisper-read 2 times
🖍️ Detective Instructions: Circle all -nd words • Underline all -nt words
Grandpa and his friend walk across the warm sand . They carry a big blue tent across the land .
"Let's stand right here," says his friend. Near the tent, they water a green plant and watch a tiny ant march along the path.
They hold hand in hand as the cool evening wind blows over the camp.
1. What do they pitch on the land?
2. Which tiny creature marches by the plant?
Part 4
Sentence Builder: Fill in the missing blend word
1. We sleep inside a warm when we go camping. (tent / sand)
2. Raise your when you want to answer a question. (hand / plant)
3. Water the green so its flowers can grow. (plant / stand)
Exit Ticket Sound Mastery Check
Score: ___ / 2 pts
A. Circle the word that ends in -nd :
plant stand tent
B. Circle the word that ends in -nt :
hand friend hunt
⚡ Super Detective Challenge: Write one sentence containing BOTH an -nd word and an -nt word!
Bonus Star! 🌟
Camden Prep ESL • Phonics & Literacy Page 2 of 2
