English Lesson Plan

Overview:Being named Queen of the Lakes, a top beauty title in Minnesota, was “a huge honor” to Jessica Gaulke, but going to Iraq with her National Guard unit knows her role in the fighting is an important commitment she made while still in high school.

Suggested time allotment: One class period or less.

Objectives

Students will:

1. Read about Gaulke’s situation.
2. Write an in-class paper. If you were Gaulke, what would your reaction be? Although she may not have any other options, what would be going through your mind?

Standards: National Council of Teachers of English and International Reading Association Standards for English Language Arts:

1. Students read a wide range of print and nonprint texts: to build an understanding of texts, of themselves and of the cultures of the United States and the world; to acquire new information; to respond to the needs and demands of society and the workplace; and for personal fulfillment. Among these texts are fiction and nonfiction, classic and contemporary works.
8. Students use a variety of technological and informational resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.
12. Students use spoken, written and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion and the exchange of information).

Resources and materials:
Web sites with information:

• USA Today ran the Associated Press story, “Minnesota beauty queen trades sash for fatigues as her Guard unit deploys to Iraq,” Nov. 17, 2007.
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