Composition

Grade 8 · English

Semester 2 | Period 4 | Week 22

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Subject: English

Semester: 2

Period: 4

Week: 22


School Name:
Teacher’s Name:
Subject: English Language
Grade Level: Grade 8
Date:
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Week & Period: Week 22, Period 4
Topic: Composition
Sub-topic: Writing on social issues (social norms, peer influence, decision-making, etc.); Integrating pronouns, antecedents, and verbals into longer essays

Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

  1. Identify key social issues that affect young people (e.g., peer pressure, decision-making, social norms).
  2. Write essays that address social issues with clarity and logical flow.
  3. Correctly integrate pronouns, antecedents, and verbals in longer essay writing.

Previous Knowledge
Students already know:
• The functions of pronouns and their antecedents
• The use of verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives) in sentences
• How to write short paragraphs and simple compositions
Instructional Materials
• Textbook: English Language textbooks for Grade 8
• Teaching aids: Sample essays on social issues, chart highlighting pronouns and verbals in writing
• Students’ notebooks and writing materials
Lesson Development – ABC Model
A – Anticipation (Warm-up / Starter)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Activity: The teacher will ask the class:
• What are some common social issues that affect young people today?
• How can writing about them help us make better decisions?
The teacher will record their responses on the board.
Teacher’s Role: Guide brainstorming and give prompts on relevant social issues.
Learner’s Role:
• Share examples of social issues from their environment.
• Participate actively in discussion.

B – Building Knowledge (Main Lesson Body)

Time: 25–30 minutes

Teacher’s Role
Explain what social issues are
– Define: Social issues are problems or challenges that affect people in society.
– Examples relevant to students:
 – Peer pressure (friends influencing someone to do what is right or wrong)
 – Decision-making (choosing wisely between options)
 – Social media influence (effects of Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp, etc.)
 – Respect for social norms (obeying rules, traditions, and values in society).
– Emphasize that writing about social issues helps learners reflect on real-life situations.

  • Present a model essay (read aloud and discuss):
    Model Essay: The Effects of Peer Pressure on Teenagers
    Peer pressure is one of the biggest challenges young people face. Teenagers often feel the need to act like their friends in order to be accepted. Sometimes, this pressure is positive. For example, friends can encourage each other to study hard or join healthy activities like sports. However, negative peer pressure can be very harmful. Some students are influenced to skip classes, cheat in exams, or even use harmful substances. Teenagers must learn to make their own good decisions and not simply copy others. Listening to parents, teachers, and positive friends can help young people overcome negative peer pressure.

– Teacher highlights features:
 – Use of pronouns: they, their, others (refer back to antecedents like “teenagers” and “friends”).
 – Use of verbals: studying (gerund), encouraging (participle), to make (infinitive).
 – Structure: clear introduction, body, conclusion.

  • Guide students to outline an essay on one social issue:
    – Introduction: define or explain the issue.
    – Body: give causes, examples, and effects.
    – Conclusion: suggest solutions or personal reflection.
  • Monitor students as they write drafts of 2–3 paragraphs. Support them in choosing strong pronouns, antecedents, and verbals for variety.

 

Learners’ Activities (Expanded)
• Listen attentively to the teacher’s explanation and take notes.
• Read the model essay aloud in turns with classmates.
• Analyze the text: underline pronouns and circle their antecedents; highlight gerunds, participles, and infinitives.
• Answer teacher’s guided questions about the essay’s structure.
• Work individually: choose a social issue (peer pressure, social media influence, decision-making, or respect for norms).
• Draft a 2–3 paragraph essay with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Share one or two sentences with the class, showing correct use of pronouns and verbals.

 

Assessment Checks
• Oral questions:
 – “Which pronouns were used in the model essay?”
 – “Identify one antecedent and its pronoun.”
 – “Can you find a gerund in this paragraph?”
• Written checks:
 – Students underline pronouns and verbals in their own drafts.
• Teacher circulates and checks drafts for:
 – Correct pronoun–antecedent agreement.
 – Use of at least one gerund, participle, or infinitive.
 – Clear essay structure (introduction, body, conclusion).

 

Notes (Expanded & Detailed)
• Writing about social issues allows learners to connect composition skills to real-life concerns.
Pronouns and antecedents make writing coherent by linking sentences and avoiding repetition.
 – Example: Teenagers face many challenges. They often struggle with peer pressure. (“They” refers to teenagers).
Verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives) add style and descriptive power.
 – Example: Making the right decision is important. (gerund)
 – The rising cases of drug abuse worry parents. (participle)
 – To respect elders is a good norm. (infinitive)
• A well-written essay usually has:
 – Introduction (what the issue is)
 – Body (explanations, examples, effects)
 – Conclusion (solutions, lessons, or reflection).


C – Consolidation (Conclusion & Assessment)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Summary:
• The teacher will ask the students to recall:
– What are social issues?
– How can pronouns and verbals be integrated into essays?
– Why is it important to write clearly about social issues?
Evaluation Method (Expanded):
• Exit slip/quiz: Students will answer:

Define a social issue and give one example.

Write one sentence about peer pressure using a pronoun with a clear antecedent.

Write one sentence about decision-making using a verbal.
• Teacher will review responses and provide oral feedback.
Assignment (Expanded):
Write a full essay (3–4 paragraphs) on one of the following topics:

The Influence of Social Media on Teenagers

The Importance of Good Decision-Making

Respecting Social Norms in Our Community
Underline the pronouns used, circle the antecedents, and highlight the verbals

Follow-up Activity:
Next class, students will peer-review each other’s essays by identifying pronouns, antecedents, and verbals in their classmates’ work.
Differentiation / Inclusive Strategies
• Struggling Learners: Provide essay outlines with sentence starters to guide writing.
• Advanced Learners: Challenge them to write longer essays (5–6 paragraphs) with more complex arguments.
• Students with Disabilities: Provide printed model essays in large fonts, allow oral presentations, and offer extended time for essay writing.
Teacher’s Reflection (After Class)
• What worked well? ______________________________________________________
• What needs improvement? _________________________________________________
• Students’ engagement level: □ High □ Medium □ Low