B.  Stimulating Background Knowledge:

1. Brainstorm

Directions: Find out what  students know about Black History Month, by having students use the brainstorming technique,to build a list of the words and ideas connected to the term Black History. Then  have them read about the significance  of Black History Month in Wikipedia. After, have them compare what they originally wrote to the new information.

2. Advanced KWL Chart

What do they know about Michelle Obama?  What would they like to learn? Use this advanced KWL chart for this activity.

Advanced K-W-L chart. Michigan State University/ Bos, C.S. & Vaughn, S.

II. While Reading Tasks

A. Vocabulary

1.  Word Inference: Directions: Students are to infer the meanings of the words in bold (taken from the article) and use a dictionary or thesaurus for assistance.

1. When people ask First Lady Michelle Obama to describe herself she doesn’t hesitate to say that first and foremost, she is Malia and Sasha’s mom.
2. The Robinsons lived in a brick bungalow on the South Side of Chicago.
3. …despite being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at a young age, he hardly ever missed a day of work.
4. In 1996, Mrs. Obama joined the University of Chicago with a vision…
5. …and under her leadership as Vice President of Community and External Affairs for the University of Chicago Medical Center, volunteerism skyrocketed.
6. Continuing this effort now as First Lady, Mrs. Obama in 2010 launched Let’s Move…
7. …in a nationwide effort to tackle the challenge of childhood obesity.
8. Let’s Move has an ambitious but important goal: to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation.
9. …to raise awareness of  military families’ unique needs as pertains to employment, education and wellness.
10. As First Lady, Mrs. Obama looks forward to… promoting the arts, and arts education, and fostering healthy eating…

Visit  ESL Voices Graphic Organizers Listing

2. Word Jumble

Directions: Place students in groups and have them unscramble the words, then use the words to form sentences related to the topic of this lesson.  For more of a challenge use a timer!

eclMhlei,  mmo,  trfis  ldya,  idpeesnrt, caifArn nmicreAa, aabOm,

vaarrdH,  weyrla, ihocCga, yoestib , iirlmayt, doohdhlic

aakrBc, giacmpna.

B. Questions for Reading comprehension (T/ F)

Directions: Have students skim the reading for the answers to the following statements. If  the statement is true, students write (T) if  the statement is false they  write (F)  and  provide the correct answer.

1. When people ask First Lady Michelle Obama to describe herself, she responds that she is the First Lady.
2. According to the her biography, before Michelle was a mother, she was a lawyer.
3. The Robinsons lived in a brick bungalow on the  East Side of Chicago.
4. Michelle’s father Fraser was a pump operator for the Chicago Water Department.
5. He was diagnosed as having diabetes, and had to miss work sometimes.
6. Marian stayed home to raise Michelle and her older brother Craig…
7. Mrs. Michelle Obama studied sociology and Latin American studies at Harvard University.
8. After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1988, she joined the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin, where she later met the man who would become the love of her life.
9. In 1996, Mrs. Obama joined the University of Chicago with a vision of bringing campus and community together.  As Dean of Student Services…
10. Continuing this effort now as First Lady, Mrs. Obama in 2010 launched Let’s Move!, a campaign  to bring together community lawyers, politicians, and their leaders  in a nationwide effort to tackle the challenge of childhood obesity.
11. Let’s Move! has an ambitious but important goal: to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation.
12. In 2011, Mrs. Obama and Vice-president Biden together launched Joining Forces…
13. …Joining forces, is  a nationwide initiative that mobilizes all sectors of society to give our service members and their families the opportunities and support they have earned..
14. As First Lady, Mrs. Obama looks forward to continuing her work on the issues close to her heart — supporting military families, helping working women balance career and family, encouraging national service…and fostering healthy eating and healthy living for children and families across the country.
15. Michelle and Barack Obama have two daughters: Malia, 19, and Sasha, 10.
16. …the girls were born in Washington D.C.

III. Post Reading Tasks

A. Reading Comprehension Check

Directions: Have students use the  WH-question format to discuss or to write the main points from the article.

1. WH-How Questions

Who or What is the article about?

Where does the action/event take place?

When does the action/event take place?

Why did the action/event occur?

How did the action/event occur?

2. KWL chart or Graphic Organizer

Directions: have students  fill in the last column of the KWL chart if  they used one in the pre-reading segment of this lesson.

B. Questions for Reflection and Discussion

Place students in groups and have them answer the following questions.

1. Do you feel that Michelle Obama has done a good job as the First Lady of the Untied States?  Explain why or why not.
2. Are there other programs might she have worked with?
3. Can you think of another First Lady that accomplished positive programs, groups etc.,  for their country?  Provide examples.

C.   Writing

Have students choose one of the following topics and write an essay.

1. There are some criticisms of Mrs. Obama, and her organizations. For example some people feel she does not have the right to tell people how to feed their children (even if the food is healthy)  or encourage children to get more exercise. Some say these  decisions should be left up to the parents. Write an essay where you discuss your thoughts about this. Provide reasons to support your statements.
2. Many people adore the first Lady’s wardrobe. Others claim she should not dress so elaborately. Write an essay in which you discuss whether you agree or disagree with one of  these ideas. Provide reasons for you stand.
3. There are some Americans who compare Mrs. Obama with Jackie Kennedy. Do you agree or disagree with this comparison. You may have to research Jackie Kennedy first, then give your opinions.
4. Write an essay pretending that you were the First Lady of a country (you choose the country).  Describe some of the things you would do to help the people. On a scale of 1-10 (with 1 showing the least amount of caring) how much would you care about your clothes/appearance as First Lady? For males, the same question if you were President.

IV. Listening Activity

Title of Video Clip: Michelle Obama: South Side Girl

Michelle Obama with children.

This is a short biography of Michelle Obama that introduces the Obama family to families across America.

A. Pre-listening Tasks

Directions: In groups,  have  students make a list of words and phrases they think they will hear in the video, based on the title.

B. While Listening Tasks-Multiple choice

Directions: Students are to choose the correct response from the ones provided from the video.

Michelle was born on___

1. July 7, 1964.
2. January 17, 1964.
3. June 14, 1964.

Her family lived in an apartment on__

1. the west side of New York.
2. the east side of Washington.
3. the south side of Chicago.

Michelle was  especially close to__

1. her father.
2. her brother.
3. her mother.

When her dad was in his 50s Michelle would still__

1. hug him.
2. sit on his lap.
3. give him a kiss.

Michelle first  met  Barack  Obama___

1. at Harvard.
2. at a law firm.
3. at a picnic.

She felt his name was___

1. different.
2. ugly.
3. strange.

When they first met for an appointment,____

1. he was nervous.
2. he was shy.
3. he was a little late.

Michelle  thought that Barack  was___when she first saw him.

1. funny
2. handsome
3. proud

He looked for___ on her hand.

1. a ring
2. a bracelet
3. a tattoo

The first time Barack asked her out on a date,___

1. Michelle went with him.
2. Michelle thought about it.
3. Michelle refused  to go out with him.

Michelle finally  agreed to go on a date after  Barack___

1. bought her a rose.
2. bought her a ring.
3. bought her ice cream during a company picnic.

Michelle’s mother stated that the law firm was not right for Michelle, so she found work ___

1. in the Mayor’s office.
2. in Washington.
3. in Harvard.

Yvonne Davila stated that  after a couple of years  Michelle worked for Public Allies, a company that __

1. mentored young people for public service work.
2. helped young people with school work.
3. helped senior citizens.

Travis  Rejman  stated that  Michelle has a gift for___

1. seeing the future.
2. making plans.
3. seeing  the potential in people.

Michelle’s___ said that  “Michelle is a mom to many people”.

1. father
2. mother
3. friend

According to her brother, Michelle’s___ came from her father.

1. passion
2. humor
3. compassion

Michelle’s mother said that everyday she gets to see___ in Michelle.

1. goodness
2. a piece of her husband
3. compassion

C. Post-Listening Tasks

Directions:  have students answer the following questions.

1.  In groups,  have students make up questions they would like to ask Michelle.

2. From this video, what new information did they learn about Michelle Obama?

3. After listening to this discussion, has their personal  opinion of Michelle changed?  If yes, describe in what way.

ANSWER KEY.

Related Lesson Plans and Articles

The following Lessons were developed by Averil McClelland, Kent State University.

1. Michelle Obama: Science, Medicine, Inventions and tech. Wind, Sun, Thermal, Water: Energy All Around Us.

Skill: Elementary School

“Both President and Mrs. Obama join many in the United States who are interested in promoting energy efficiency.  But what is energy?  How many different kinds are there?  The answers to these questions and more are there to be found in this lesson.”

2. Michelle Obama: Economics, Discovery and Daily Life How Does Your Garden Grow? School Gardens Across America.

Skill: Elementary School–Time Required: 3-5 class periods

“On April 9, 2009, Michelle Obama and 25 students from Bancroft Elementary School in the District of Columbia planted the first seeds and seedlings in the new White House Kitchen Garden, designed to emphasize the creation of local gardens for healthy eating…”

3. Michelle Obama: Law, Politics and Govt Great American Cities: Exploring Chicago

Skill: Middle School, Time Required: 3-5 class periods.

“Michelle Obama and her mother were born in Chicago, and that is the city in which she met and married Barrak Obama, and where her two children, Melia and Sasha, were born, and where the Obamas lived and worked until they moved to the White House…”

Biography of Michelle Obama National First Ladies Library

“…Michelle Obama stands at the same height (5 feet, 11 inches tall) as Eleanor Roosevelt, making them both equally the tallest First Ladies…” Learn this and other facts about Michelle Obama.

Let’s Move, She Said — and We Have By Ezekiel J. Emanuel, The New York Times

“…In the years since, what has Michelle Obama’s work accomplished, besides (and I can say this from experience) the harvesting of some delicious lettuce, green beans and honey? The answer is: a lot. One of the most important results has been increasing public awareness of the importance of obesity…In conjunction with the Let’s Move campaign, three of the largest food service companies that operate school cafeterias — Sodexo, Aramark and Chartwells — committed to meeting recommended levels of fat, sugar and whole grains in the next 5 years and doubling the fruits and vegetables they serve over the next 10…”

Wooing the First Dresser By Bee-Shyuan Chang, The New York Times

“…There is arguably no more powerful influence in American fashion today than the country’s stylish, risk-taking first lady. It’s by now a well-known tale — how the surprise choice of Jason Wu to design the ivory silk chiffon,one-shouldered gown that Mrs. Obama wore to the inaugural balls in 2009 propelled the then-little-known designer…into a global marketing powerhouse…”

Directions:  Students are to identify the verbs in the following paragraph. Have them use the verbs to write their  own paragraphs concerning the spouses of political leaders.  Students can add nouns from the article or use their own.

“Michelle Obama was privately fuming, not only at the president’s team, but also at her husband. In the days after the Democrats lost Edward Kennedy’s Senate seat in January 2010, Barack Obama was even-keeled as usual in meetings, refusing to dwell on the failure or lash out at his staff. The first lady, however, could not fathom how the White House had allowed the crucial seat, needed to help pass the president’s health care legislation and the rest of his agenda, to slip away, several current and former aides said.”

III. Post Reading Tasks

A. Reading Comprehension Check-Graphic Organizers

Directions:  Have students use a graphic organizer to assist them with  discussing  or writing about  the main points from the article.  Click on either chart to see additional organizers. Also visit ESL Voices for Listings for additional charts and organizers

Cluster chart for Topic. By Eduplace

For more advanced students you might consider using a more intricate chart.

Organizer with Aspects and Details. By Enchanted Learning

1.  In groups,  have students make up questions they would like to ask the speaker.2. Place students in groups and give them  five minutes to sum up the main ideas in the video.

3. Role-Play:

Place students in groups  (or work as a class) and have them  produce a short play in which roles  are created for the First Lady, the President, the Vice President, his wife, other officials.

They might use some of the issues  Michelle spoke about in the video such as, the importance of the military, health care and medical benefits for military people, the good deeds these men and women perform, in spite of being hurt.

Fun Video: Michelle Obama Dances in India

Michelle Obama played hopscotch, danced and sang with 33 disadvantaged children from the Indian charity Make a Difference Saturday at the University of Mumbai. (Nov. 7)

Related Information

Michelle’s Interview with Gayle King (Michelle’s reaction to Kantor’s book) The Washington Post

Michelle Obama

President Barack Obama

Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Program