Describers Daily Lesson Planner Uncommon Schools
Camden Prep
WIDA Aligned Daily Overview 26-27 School Year
K-12 ESL Daily Lesson Planner
Lesson 1 of 2: Subject Pronouns & Adjectives
ESL/MLL Teacher
Mr. Rossi
Lesson Date / Period or Time
Tuesday • 45 Mins (9:00 - 9:45 AM)
Grade(s) & Group Type
Grades 2-3 • Small Group ESL (ELD 1-3)
Curriculum / Unit
Unit 5
Instructional Objectives
Content Objective:
Students will describe people and characters by combining subject pronouns (he, she, they, it) with the linking verbs is/are and descriptive adjectives.
Language Objective:
Students will produce oral and written sentences using the formula [Pronoun] + [is/are] + [Adjective] (e.g., "She is tall," "They are fast") in partner discourse and on a guided worksheet.
CCSS / State Standards Connection:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.1.F (Produce complete sentences), L.3.1.A (Functions of pronouns & adjectives), WIDA ELD Standard 1 & 2 (Language for Social & Instructional Purposes / ELA).
WIDA ELD Framework
Key Language Uses (KLU):
Narrate ✓ Inform ✓ Explain Argue
Language Domains:
LST ✓ SPK ✓ RED ✓ WRT ✓
ELD Standards (1-5):
1: Soc/Ins ✓ 2: ELA ✓ 3: Mth 4: Sci 5: SS
Supports Quick-Check
Sensory
✓ Visual Picture Cards ✓ Gestures / TPR (tall, small)
Graphic
✓ Color Sentence Frame ✓ Word Bank with Icons
Interactive
✓ Turn & Talk Pairs ✓ Choral Response / Chants
Linguistic
✓ L1 Cognates (rápido/fast) ✓ Target Pronoun Chart
Key Vocabulary Support:
Pronouns: he, she, they, it • Verbs: is, are • Adjectives: tall, short, happy, fast, strong, kind
Lesson Phase
Pacing
Core Activities & Teacher Steps (I Do, We Do, You Do)
Scaffolds & Checks for Understanding
Extension Support
1. Do Now & Hook Activate knowledge
7 min
Visual Mystery Guess: Project picture of a smiling athlete. Ask: "Who is this? What words can we use to tell about him?" Introduce anchor chart with subject pronouns (He / She / They / It) alongside body gestures (point to boy, girl, group, object).
Scaffold: Color-coded pronoun icons (Blue = He, Pink = She, Green = They).
CFU: Quick thumbs up/down pronoun match to images.
Pair two adjectives: "He is tall and fast."
2. Model ("I Do") Direct instruction
13 min
3-Part Sentence Formula: Teacher models sentence building formula: [Who] + [is / are] + [How they look/feel]. Teacher points to a giraffe: "Giraffe is an animal (it). It is tall." Teacher points to girl running: "She is fast." Contrast is (singular: he, she, it) vs are (plural: they).
Scaffold: Sentence block cards physically snapped together on whiteboard.
CFU: Choral call & response ("If I say 'He', you say 'is'!")
Challenge students to use contrast adjective: "She is tall, but he is short."
3. Practice ("We/You") Guided / Solo application
18 min
We Do (8 min): Display character slides. Partners Turn & Talk using frame: "[He/She/They] is/are [adjective]." Cold call pairs to share out.
You Do (10 min): Distribute "Describing Stars Worksheet". Students match characters to pronouns, fill in missing words in sentence frames, and write/draw one original sentence. Teacher pulls Level 1 MLLs to teacher table for guided oral practice.
Scaffold: Illustrated word bank on worksheet; tactile pronoun tiles for table group.
CFU: Teacher circulates with checklist targeting subject-verb agreement (is vs are).
Write 2 extra sentences describing a friend or family member on worksheet back.
4. Closure / CFU Exit ticket check
7 min
Exit Ticket Whip-Around: Flash final slide with image of happy children dancing. Each student speaks their sentence to the teacher before line-up: "They are happy!" or points to matching word card.
Scaffold: Sentence starter posted on slide with pointer support.
CFU: 100% verbal exit confirmation recorded on roster.
Peer buddy helps Level 1 peer with verbal repetition.
Teacher Reflection
What went well? Where did students struggle?
Monitor pronoun confusion between "he" and "she" (common L1 transfer from Spanish/Arabic). Celebrate correct linking verb usage ("They are", not "They is").
Reteach & Support
Who was absent or needs additional support?
Pull small group during breakfast or intervention block for students confusing singular/plural agreement ("They is" → "They are") with picture flashcards.
School Events & Reminders
Events affecting the lesson, schedule changes:
ELD Progress Monitoring cycle ends this Friday. Ensure vocabulary cards are displayed on classroom Word Wall for writing center reference.
Camden Prep Multilingual Resources • Daily Planner Matrix ESL / WIDA Grade 2-3 Core Curricular Framework
Describing Stars Slides ESL Grade 2 & 3 • Lesson 1
Camden Prep Multilingual
Grammar & Speaking Champions
People Describers!
Building superhero sentences with Pronouns and Adjectives!
Goal: I can say and write sentences like "She is tall" and "They are happy!"
45 Minutes
DO NOW
Look & Describe: Who is this?
Turn & Talk (2 min)
🏃🏽♀️
Maya the Runner
She is zooming past the finish line!
Question 1: Who is in the picture?
He? She! ✓
Question 2: What describing word fits her?
fast ⚡ happy 😊 strong 💪
Partner Sentence: "She is ________ and she is ________!"
THE SECRET FORMULA
How to Build a Describing Sentence
3 Color Blocks
1. Pronoun (Who?)
Takes the place of a noun:
He 1 boy 👦
She 1 girl 👧
They 2+ people 🧑🤝🧑
2. Linking Verb
Connects the sentence:
is for He , She , or It
are for They (plural)
3. Adjective (How?)
Describes the person:
tall 🦒
short 🦔
happy 😄
brave 🦸
kind 💖
fast ⚡
Pronoun + is / are + Adjective = Complete Sentence! ✨
TEACHER MODEL ("I DO")
Watch How Lenny Builds Sentences
Listen & Track
🏀
Notice: 1 tall basketball player (boy)
He is tall.
We say is because there is only one boy.
🧗♀️
Notice: 1 brave rock climber (girl)
She is brave.
We use She because she is a girl.
🎉
Notice: Many children celebrating (more than one!)
They are happy.
We use They and change "is" to are because there are many students!
💡 Tip: Remember! 1 person = is. Two or more people = are!
GUIDED PRACTICE ("WE DO")
Let's Build Together!
Turn & Talk Pairs
📚👦
Picture A: Leo is studying hard
Word: smart / calm
_______ is _______ .
Choose: He / She / They
🤝🧑🤝🧑
Picture B: Team sharing toys
Word: kind / helpful
_______ are _______ .
Choose: He / She / They
Sentence Stem: "In Picture A, He is smart because..."
Ready for Worksheet!
EXIT TICKET
Whip-Around Challenge!
100% Student Voice
🦸🏻♂️
Sentence 1
"He is strong."
👩🏽⚕️
Sentence 2
"She is kind."
💃🏼🕺🏾
Sentence 3
"They are joyful."
Before you line up: Say 1 complete sentence describing someone in our room!
Formula: [Pronoun] + [is/are] + [Adjective].
Describing Stars Worksheet ESL Grades 2-3 • Grammar & Writing
Describing Stars Worksheet
Name: ___________________________
Date: _________________ Score: _____/12
Sentence Helpers Word Bank
1. Pronoun (Who?)
He 👦 She 👧 They 🧑🤝🧑 It 🐾
2. Verb
is (one) are (many)
3. Adjectives (How?)
tall 🦒 fast ⚡ happy 😊 kind 💖 brave 🦸 strong 💪
1 Part 1: Circle the correct pronoun for each picture.
4 points
🏃🏻♂️
1 boy running
He She They
👧🏽
1 girl smiling
He She They
🧑🤝🧑
two friends laughing
He She They
🐶
one little dog
He It They
2 Part 2: Complete each sentence using words from the Word Bank.
4 points
🦒
(Girl giraffe)
is .
Clue: She / tall
🏃🏼
(Boy sprinter)
He .
Clue: is / fast
🥳
(Group party)
They .
Clue: are / happy
🦸🏽♀️
(Girl superhero)
is .
Clue: She / brave
3 Part 3: Draw a person or friend, then write 1 complete sentence about them!
4 points
Draw here
Write your sentence:
Checklist: Capital letter [ ] • Correct pronoun [ ] • is/are [ ] • Period . [ ]
Camden Prep ESL Literacy Network • Unit 3 Practice Sentence Structure: Pronoun + Linking Verb + Adjective
Sound Sleuths Lesson Planner Uncommon Schools
Camden Prep
WIDA Aligned Daily Overview 26-27 School Year
K-12 ESL Daily Lesson Planner
Lesson 2 of 2: Digraphs & Blends ('sk' & 'ft')
ESL/MLL Teacher
Mr. Rossi
Lesson Date / Period or Time
Thursday • 45 Mins (9:00 - 9:45 AM)
Grade(s) & Group Type
Grades 2-3 • Small Group ESL (ELD 1-3)
Curriculum / Unit
Unit 5
Instructional Objectives
Content Objective:
Students will isolate, blend, read, and write words containing the 'sk' consonant pattern (initial and final: skip, sky, desk, mask) and the 'ft' pattern (final: gift, soft, raft, lift, left).
Language Objective:
Students will orally articulate continuous sounds /s/-/k/ and /f/-/t/, tap out phonemes using finger-tapping cards, and read decodable sentences containing target words aloud with a partner.
CCSS / State Standards Connection:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3.A (Distinguish long/short vowels & regularly spelled two-letter consonant blends), RF.3.3, WIDA ELD Standard 1 & 2 (Language for Social & ELA purposes).
WIDA ELD Framework
Key Language Uses (KLU):
✓ Narrate ✓ Inform Explain Argue
Language Domains:
LST ✓ SPK ✓ RED ✓ WRT ✓
ELD Standards (1-5):
1: Soc/Ins ✓ 2: ELA ✓ 3: Mth 4: Sci 5: SS
Supports Quick-Check
Sensory
✓ Elkonin Sound Boxes ✓ Kinesthetic Finger Tapping
Graphic
✓ Color Sound Chunks (sk / ft) ✓ Visual Illustrated Word Bank
Interactive
✓ Choral Sound Blending ✓ Partner Word Sort Challenge
Linguistic
✓ Articulatory mouth cue cards ✓ L1 contrast (preventing /es-/ epenthesis)
Key Vocabulary Support:
sk: skip, sky, desk, mask, skate • ft: gift, soft, raft, lift, left • Verbs: blend, segment, sound out
Lesson Phase
Pacing
Core Activities & Teacher Steps (I Do, We Do, You Do)
Scaffolds & Checks for Understanding
Extension Support
1. Do Now & Hook Activate knowledge
7 min
Sound Detective Mystery: Play audio sound of jumping rope ("skip, skip, skip") and rustling wrapping paper ("a gift!"). Show picture cards. Ask: "What sounds do our mouths make at the start of skip? What sound do you hear at the end of gift?" Introduce mystery sound magnifying glasses.
Scaffold: Mouth shape mirror check (teeth together for /s/, back of tongue for /k/; lip to teeth for /f/, tongue tap for /t/).
CFU: Show fingers for sound count.
Identify whether /sk/ occurs at the start (skip) or end (desk).
2. Model ("I Do") Direct instruction
13 min
Explicit Sound Blending: Teacher isolates 'sk': "/s/... /k/... /sk/!" Note: Remind Spanish-speaking MLLs not to add an "e" sound before /sk/ (e.g. say /sk/ip, not /es-kip/). Model blending ladder: /s/-/k/-/i/-/p/ = skip. Model 'ft' at word endings: /g/-/i/-/f/-/t/ = gift, /s/-/o/-/f/-/t/ = soft. Teacher writes target words in Elkonin sound boxes.
Scaffold: Green slide arrow to visually drag sounds together continuously.
CFU: Choral blend with arm slide motion (shoulder to wrist).
Compare words with 'sk' at the beginning vs 'sk' at the end (skate vs mask).
3. Practice ("We/You") Guided / Solo application
18 min
We Do (8 min): Interactive Choral Read on Slides: "The cat is soft on the desk." Students read in pairs with whispered finger tracking. Sort words into 'sk' column and 'ft' column.
You Do (10 min): Distribute "Sound Sleuths Worksheet". Students categorize word cards into the 'sk' or 'ft' bank, complete fill-in-the-blank words under pictures (e.g., gi[ft], [sk]y), and decode 2 decodable sentences.
Scaffold: Color-coded letter tiles (Emerald for 'sk', Teal for 'ft') at small-group table.
CFU: Individual whisper reads as teacher listens in at student desks.
Use two target words in one sentence (e.g., "I left my gift on the desk.").
4. Closure / CFU Exit ticket check
7 min
Sound Password Exit: Teacher shows picture card (e.g., raft or mask). Student says word, identifies sound (/sk/ or /ft/), and points to letters before lining up.
Scaffold: Choice cards: student points to card with 'sk' or 'ft' if oral production is emerging.
CFU: Formative checklist of sound mastery.
Student spells the word aloud: "R - A - F - T, raft!"
Teacher Reflection
What went well? Where did students struggle?
Watch for omission of final consonant in 'ft' (/lif/ instead of /lift/). Reinforce feeling the puff of air on /f/ followed by the firm tongue tap on /t/.
Reteach & Support
Who was absent or needs additional support?
Tactile sandbox / playdough letter stamping for students who need physical kinesthetic reinforcement distinguishing 'sk' from 'st'.
School Events & Reminders
Events affecting the lesson, schedule changes:
Send home weekly decodable take-home bookmark featuring 'sk' and 'ft' words for family reading practice.
Camden Prep Multilingual Resources • Daily Planner Matrix ESL / WIDA Grade 2-3 Core Curricular Framework
Sound Sleuths Slides ESL Grade 2 & 3 • Lesson 2
Camden Prep Multilingual
Phonics & Reading Sleuths
Sound Sleuths: "sk" & "ft"
Let's blend and read words like skip, desk, gift, and soft!
Goal: I can say, blend, and read words with "sk" and "ft" !
45 Minutes
DO NOW & HOOK
Sound Clues: Look At Our Mouths!
Mirror Check (2 min)
/sk/ 🐍 + 🗝️
Two Sounds Slide Together:
1. Hiss like a snake: /s/ (teeth together)
2. Tap your throat: /k/
Together: "/sk/... /sk/... /sk/!"
No extra "e" sound before it! Start right with the hiss!
/ft/ 💨 + ⏰
Feel the Wind & Tap:
1. Blow air on your bottom lip: /f/
2. Tap tongue behind top teeth: /t/
Together: "/ft/... /ft/... /ft/!"
Usually at the end of words! Don't drop the /t/!
Call & Response: "When I say /s/, you say /k/! Together we make /sk/!"
SPOTLIGHT 1
The "sk" Sound (Beginning & End!)
Finger Tap & Blend
🪢
skip
/sk/ - /i/ - /p/
At Start
🌌
sky
/sk/ - /ī/
At Start
🪑
desk
/d/ - /e/ - /sk/
At End
🎭
mask
/m/ - /a/ - /sk/
At End
s + k + a + t + e ➔ skate! ⛸️
SPOTLIGHT 2
The "ft" Ending Blend!
Listen at the Finish
🎁
gift
/g/ - /i/ - /f/ - /t/
A Present
🧸
soft
/s/ - /o/ - /f/ - /t/
Not Hard
🛶
raft
/r/ - /a/ - /f/ - /t/
Boat on Water
🏋️
lift
/l/ - /i/ - /f/ - /t/
Pick It Up!
Arm Slide: Shoulder (/l/) ➔ Elbow (/i/) ➔ Wrist (/ft/) = LIFT!
READING TOGETHER ("WE DO")
Spot the Sound & Read!
Choral Read
🐱
Sentence 1: Look at the fluffy kitten
The cat is soft on the desk.
Can you spot: soft (ft) and desk (sk)?
🪁
Sentence 2: Look up high
I can skip and see a kite in the sky!
Can you spot: skip (sk) and sky (sk)?
Turn to your partner: Read Sentence 1 in your whisper voice! 🗣️ Worksheet Ready!
SOUND PASSWORD
Unlock the Classroom Door!
Exit Ticket CFU
🎁
Word A
gift
Sound: /ft/ at end
🪢
Word B
skip
Sound: /sk/ at start
🎭
Word C
mask
Sound: /sk/ at end
Tell the teacher 1 word with "sk" or "ft" to exit!
You are official Sound Sleuths! 🔍✨
Sound Sleuths Worksheet ESL Grades 2-3 • Phonics & Word Study
Sound Sleuths Worksheet: "sk" & "ft"
Name: ___________________________
Date: _________________ Score: _____/14
Target Sound Clues
sk Hiss & tap: sk ip, desk , mask , sk y
ft Breathe & tap: gift , soft , raft , lift
1 Part 1: Sound Sort! Write each word from the box into the correct sound column.
6 points
soft skip gift desk raft mask
Words with "sk"
Words with "ft"
2 Part 2: Look at the picture. Fill in the missing letters: sk or ft.
4 points
🎁
gi
present
🌌
y
above us
🛶
ra
floating boat
🪑
de
school table
3 Part 3: Read each sentence. Write the best word to finish the sentence.
4 points
I put my notebook on my .
(desk / soft)
On my birthday, grandma gave me a .
(gift / skip)
The little rabbit fur is very .
(soft / mask)
We can jump and with the rope!
(skip / raft)
Camden Prep ESL Phonics Network • Unit 3 Blends & Digraphs Consonant Blends: /sk/ (initial & final) • /ft/ (final)