Learning Differently: Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key (2020)

Lesson 1
icon/ela/white

ELA

Unit 5

4th Grade

Lesson 1 of 23

Objective


Explain what ADHD is and how having ADHD can influence a person's life.

Readings and Materials


  • Website: “About ADHD” 

Fishtank Plus

Unlock features to optimize your prep time, plan engaging lessons, and monitor student progress.

Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

What is ADHD? How does having ADHD influence a person's life?

Sample Response

Upgrade to Fishtank Plus to view Sample Response.

Key Questions


  • What is ADHD?

  • What are some of the symptoms of ADHD? Name 5 symptoms for inattentive and hyper-active impulsive presentation.

  • How is a person diagnosed with ADHD?

  • What are the treatment options for a person with ADHD?

Vocabulary


inattentive

adj.

(p. 1)

lack of attention

Notes


  • The key for this lesson is to build student background and empathy around what it means to have attention deficit disorder (ADD) or ADHD. This understanding is critical for being able to relate to and connect with Joey and his condition.
  • The article provided for this lesson is at an advanced level. It introduces various professions, such as psychologists, clinical social workers, nurse practitioners, neurologists, psychiatrists, and pediatricians, along with a diagnostic tool called DSM-5. While these terms hold significance, they are not essential for immediate student comprehension. Avoid spending excessive time on these details. The goal is for students to gain a fundamental understanding of ADHD, including its symptoms, as well as a broad overview of its diagnosis and treatment. This foundational knowledge will equip students to engage more effectively with the core text of this unit, Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key.
  • This article should also be used as a reference throughout the entire unit, especially when reflecting on Joey's relationship with other characters. Using what they learned from the article, students should grapple with the following questions: Are other characters helping to make things more equal for him? Or are they making things more challenging based on what we know about ADHD or ADD?
  • Teachers should be mindful that some students in their class may have personal experience with ADD or ADHD. Teachers should make a plan for what they'd like to do if students want to share their experiences. As always, teachers should respect students' privacy if they do not want to share their own experiences.
  • While there are shared aspects of ADD and ADHD, everyone's experience is different. Teachers should keep this in mind while reading the article with students.

Enhanced Lesson Plan

Fishtank Plus Content

Bring your most engaging lessons to life with comprehensive instructional guidance, detailed pacing, supports to meet every student's needs, and resources to strengthen your lesson planning and delivery.

Common Core Standards


  • RL.4.3 — Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions).

Supporting Standards

L.4.4
L.4.4.b
SL.4.1
W.4.10

Next

Describe how the author characterizes Joey and how the author develops the characterization.

Lesson 2
icon/arrow/right/large

Lesson Map

A7CB09C2-D12F-4F55-80DB-37298FF0A765

Request a Demo

See all of the features of Fishtank in action and begin the conversation about adoption.

Learn more about Fishtank Learning School Adoption.

Contact Information

School Information

What courses are you interested in?

ELA

Math

Are you interested in onboarding professional learning for your teachers and instructional leaders?

Yes

No

Any other information you would like to provide about your school?

We Handle Materials So You Can Focus on Students

We Handle Materials So You Can Focus on Students

We've got you covered with rigorous, relevant, and adaptable ELA lesson plans for free