Lesson plan
Abbreviation Stations
Learning Objectives
- Students will be able to use and recognize the meaning of common abbreviations.
Introduction
(5 minutes)- Ask students to brainstorm examples of times when words may be shortened (such as in using text messages).
- Tell the students that they will be learning how to use abbreviations, which are a shortened form of words.
Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling
(15 minutes)- Tell the students that sometimes abbreviations are used on a letter or to consolidate or shorten a word.
- Tell the students that you are going to make a chart that represents some common abbreviations.
- Using several pieces of chart paper, write the following headings, one on each piece of chart paper: Days of the Week, Months of the Year, Streets and Roads, Titles, and Units of Measurement.
- Demonstrate the correct spelling and punctuation used for the abbreviations found in each category.
- If desired, distribute individual whiteboards and whiteboard markers and invite students to attempt common abbreviations as you prepare to write them on the chart.
Guided Practice
(15 minutes)- Divide students into small groups so that there are five total groups and five stations.
- Assign each group to one of the abbreviation sets of cards.
- Place an individual whiteboard and whiteboard marker at each station.
- Challenge the students to work on matching each complete word to the corresponding abbreviation. Ask them to write how they could use that abbreviation on the individual whiteboard.
- Rotate around the room and assist small groups as needed.
- Time each group two minutes at each station, before asking students to rotate to the next station.
Independent working time
(10 minutes)- Ask the students to complete the worksheet Abbreviation Situations.
- If students have difficulty finding specific words that can be abbreviated, assist in underlining clue words.
Differentiation
Enrichment:
- Teach more complex abbreviations in a small group. Challenge the students to brainstorm ways that they might use these abbreviations.
Support:
- If students have difficulty recognizing abbreviations, give them additional practice matching selected cards. If needed, narrow the number of choices. Draw students’ attention to letter correlations.
Technology Integration
- Invite students to create visuals of abbreviations using online tools such as Padlet.
Assessment
(10 minutes)- Ask students to complete the Abbreviation Match-up worksheet.
- Circulate around the room to check that students understand correlations of words and abbreviations.
Review and closing
(5 minutes)- Conclude the lesson by leading the students in a discussion and review of when abbreviations can be used.
- Ask students to recap the purpose of abbreviations and give examples of some common abbreviations.