A Visit to Cambridge - Firdaus Kanga/Lesson Plan

 

Lesson Title: A Visit to Cambridge

Author: Firdaus Kanga

Time Duration: 2 periods (40 mins each)

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General Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. Read and comprehend the main idea and theme of the text.
2. Understand the significance of courage, determination, and positivity.
3. Appreciate the achievements of people with disabilities.
4. Enhance vocabulary, speaking, and writing skills.

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Specific Learning Objectives

Skill	Learning Outcome
Listening	Listen to an audio reading and extract key points
Speaking	Participate in class discussion about inspiration and challenges
Reading	Read the text with correct pronunciation and intonation
Vocabulary	Understand key terms like paralysis, genius, cosmology
Grammar	Identify and use present and past tenses correctly
Writing	Write a paragraph on “An Inspiring Person”

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Teaching Aids / TLM (Teaching-Learning Materials)

• Textbook: Honeydew
• Audio clip of the lesson (voice reading by teacher or text-to-speech)
• Flashcards with difficult words and meanings
• Picture of Stephen Hawking
• Short video clip/documentary (1–2 minutes) about Stephen Hawking
• Whiteboard, markers
• Worksheets (comprehension questions, vocabulary, grammar tasks)

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Previous Knowledge

Students are aware of:

• Disabilities and physical challenges
• Famous scientists like Newton or Einstein

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Introduction (5 mins)

• Begin with a question: “Do you know who Stephen Hawking was?”
• Show his picture and mention his illness (ALS) and achievements.
• Link to today’s topic: Firdaus Kanga, a writer with brittle bone disease, visits Cambridge and meets Hawking.

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Presentation / Teaching Points (25 mins)

Steps	Teacher Activity	Student Activity
Reading	Read aloud the first half of the story with voice modulation	Follow in textbook; annotate important points
Discussion	Ask guiding questions: "What made the meeting special?"	Answer orally
Vocabulary	Show flashcards and meanings (e.g. disabled, professor, wheelchair)	Repeat and use in sentences
Audio-Visual	Play short video on Stephen Hawking	Watch attentively
Reading cont.	Read remaining part of story	Identify tone, mood, and message

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Comprehension Check (10 mins)

• Ask students:
• What was unique about Firdaus Kanga’s perspective?
• Why was the meeting with Hawking inspiring?
• Distribute worksheet with:
• MCQs
• Match the following
• Short answers

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Grammar Focus (10 mins)

• Highlight use of past tense in storytelling.
• Quick exercise: Convert present sentences to past based on story.

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Writing Task (10 mins)

• Write a paragraph: “Someone Who Inspires Me” (5–6 sentences)
• Encourage sharing in class.

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Conclusion (5 mins)

• Recap the key idea: Challenges don’t define potential.
• Homework:
• Find 3 facts about Stephen Hawking
• Learn spellings of 5 new words from the story

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Assessment Criteria

• Class participation
• Worksheet performance
• Writing clarity and creativity
• Proper use of vocabulary and grammar

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Values and Life Skills

• Empathy towards people with disabilities
• Appreciation of perseverance
• Confidence and motivation to overcome personal struggles