PERSUASION--WEEK 1--Lesson 1-Monday, December 6, 2010

Lesson Title:  Persuade Me!   

SWBAT Identify elements of an argument (position/claim, main argument/s, support, call to action)

AGENDA for Monday, December 6, 2010:

1. Independent Reading (15 minutes)--Record your title, number of pages read and date
2. Warm-up----working with your partner, answer the question on the card in 20 words or less.
3. Vocabulary--What is a persuasive text?
4. Read Aloud--Introduce 3 main elements of an argument, "Homeschooling"
5. Mini Lessons/Work Period-- Model elements of an argument: McDL page 963, “Why Can’t I Live on French Fries”
6. Exit Slips:  What are the main elements of an argument
 

EDITORIAL

Homeschooling Often Benefits Children Greatly

Home School Association of California

Most discussions about whether homeschooling is better or worse than traditional institutional education rely on subjective opinions. A great deal of  research, however, is available to show that homeschooling does not disadvantage children and often benefits them greatly.

     Homeschooling gives parents the ability to tailor the education to the needs of each student, addressing that child’s learning issues and learning styles. Parents are not limited to traditional curriculum and classroom styles nor do they need to worry about the needs of 29 other children. They can try a combination of approaches, materials and methods and choose those to which their child responds best and which are best suited to that child’s unique needs. Children who need more challenge can tackle more advanced material than their age peers, which can reduce the boredom that often leads to gifted children underachieving. The California Association for the Gifted, an organization of educators and parents focused on meeting the needs of gifted and talented students, primarily those in public schools, adopted a position paper in 2004 that supports homeschooling, in part because of the ability parents have to meet their children’s unique needs. And children with significant learning issues can receive the extra help that can ensure success; parents are unlikely to leave a child behind. Most conventional schools have a teacher-to-student ratio that does not permit customizing a child’s education this way. For children whose needs are not met by traditional institutions, homeschooling can increase the chances that they will receive an appropriate education.

Lesson Plan: 

GLE

R.10 Compare, contrast and critiques two author’s beliefs and assumptions about a single topic or issue and decide which author presents the stronger argument.

Teacher notes:

Write each Essential Question on index cards.  Have students in teams of two/thee explore/discuss a question.

Write a response that is less than 20 words.  Post or save to revisit/revise during and after the unit.

List all the variations of the word PERSUADE on chart paper and post in the classroom.  Define persuasive text.  What it mean to persuade?  Brainstorm all the variations of the word with students.

  

Post the Empowering Writers posters for reference

Read Aloud/Think Aloud

1. Introduce the three main elements of an argument.  See Part I “Elements of an Argument” lesson page 962 McDougal-Littell (McDL).  Select an editorial or use one of the attached for the lesson.