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.
Related learning resources
Abbreviation Stations
Lesson plan
Abbreviation Stations
...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....
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Lesson plan
Abbreviation Situations
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This worksheet will give your young readers practice identifying words that can be abbreviated and replacing them with the correct abbreviation for the word.
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...
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