Introduction
The Horton Hears a Who! ESL Lesson Plan introduces students to the beloved story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a tiny world on a speck of dust. This lesson plan aims to engage students in language learning through the themes of empathy, courage, and standing up for what is right. By exploring the vocabulary, characters, and plot of this classic Dr. Seuss tale, students will enhance their language skills while also learning valuable life lessons.
Vocabulary Building
Vocab
Vocab |
Definition |
|---|---|
Speck |
A very small spot or mark |
Empathy |
The ability to understand and share the feelings of another |
Courage |
The ability to do something that frightens one |
Community |
A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common |
Injustice |
Lack of fairness or justice |
Contextual Usage
– The speck of dust on which the Whos live is so tiny that it’s almost invisible.
– Horton’s empathy towards the Whos leads him to protect their community despite facing challenges.
– The story highlights the courage of Horton as he stands up against injustice to protect the Whos.
– The Whos demonstrate a strong sense of community by coming together to be heard by others.
– The theme of injustice is portrayed through the mistreatment of the Whos by those who refuse to believe in their existence.
ESL Warm-up Activity
To kick off the Horton Hears a Who! ESL Lesson Plan, start with a fun activity called “Tiny Talk.” In this activity, students will be given a list of small or tiny objects, such as a button, a ladybug, or a grain of rice. They will then take turns describing these objects using adjectives and expressive language to emphasize their small size. This will not only introduce relevant vocabulary but also set the tone for exploring the theme of “smallness” in the story of Horton Hears a Who!
Main ESL Lesson Activities
Vocabulary Activity: Who’s Who
To reinforce vocabulary, have students create a “Who’s Who” chart, listing the main characters from the story and describing their traits and actions using the newly learned words. Encourage group discussions to compare and contrast their character descriptions.
Listening Activity: Sound Scavenger Hunt
Organize a sound scavenger hunt where students listen for specific sounds related to the story, such as the sound of an elephant trumpeting or the sound of a tiny voice. Afterward, engage in a group discussion about the different sounds they heard and how they relate to the characters and events in the story.
Roleplay Activity: Horton’s Dilemma
Divide students into pairs and assign each pair a role to act out a scene from the story, focusing on Horton’s dilemma of protecting the Whos. This hands-on exercise will allow students to embody the characters and understand their perspectives while practicing dialogue and language use.
Reading and Writing Activity: Creative Storytelling
Encourage students to write their own short stories inspired by Horton Hears a Who! This activity promotes reading comprehension and writing skills while allowing for creativity. Afterward, students can share their stories with each other, fostering peer interaction and feedback.
ESL Homework Assignment
For homework, students can be tasked with writing a short reflection on the theme of empathy as portrayed in Horton Hears a Who! They can also create a vocabulary collage using words from the story, along with their definitions and illustrations. Additionally, students can practice their listening skills by finding and listening to audio versions of the story online.
Conclusion
Summary
Throughout this Horton Hears a Who! ESL Lesson Plan, students have delved into the themes of empathy, courage, and community through vocabulary building, engaging activities, and thoughtful discussions.
Reflection
As students reflect on what they’ve learned, they can consider how the story of Horton Hears a Who! has expanded their language skills and understanding of important values. They can apply the lessons learned to their language development by recognizing the power of empathy in communication and the importance of standing up for others.
Why this topic is great for ESL learning
Enhancing Language Skills
The Horton Hears a Who! ESL Lesson Plan provides an engaging platform for language learning, allowing students to expand their vocabulary, improve listening and speaking skills, and enhance reading comprehension through a beloved story.
Cultural and Moral Lessons
This topic offers valuable opportunities for students to explore themes of empathy, courage, and community, fostering a deeper understanding of moral values and cultural awareness while honing their language abilities.
