Try this teacher’s genius idea for a simple 2-day approach to teaching our debates!
PHOTO CREDIT TK
Should You Know How to Write Like This?
Students will take a side on an engaging topic while practicing opinion writing.
By Lauren Tarshis
From the December 2017 / January 2018 Issue
Learning Objective: Students will take a side on an engaging topic while practicing opinion writing.
Lexiles: 470L, 560L, 900L
Guided Reading Level: M
DRA Level: 24
Featured Skill:
Key Ideas and Details,
Topic:
Social Issues,
Common Core Standards
TEKS Standards
Can’t-Miss Teaching Extras
Teaching Our Debates
Antiquated Writing Tools
Do your students know that people used to write using a quill for a pen? Turkey and goose feathers were among the most popular! You might play this short video that shows exactly how to write with a quill.
Not The Easiest Task
Handwriting challenges (including poor grasp and low fine-motor skills) are among the top reasons children are referred to occupational therapists. You might want to acknowledge that handwriting, whether print or cursive, isn’t necessarily much fun for many children.
Reasons to Keep Cursive Alive
In this BCR news article, a retired teacher gives a variety of reasons why cursive is still important for students to learn. You may want to distill the facts in a discussion with your students.
More About the Article
Key Skills
main idea and supporting details, opinion writing
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
1. PREPARING TO READ
• Have students preview the text features. Ask:
• What is the topic of the debate? (Prompt students to use the debate title and the heading on the chart as clues.)
• What are the two opinions people might have about this topic?
2. READING THE DEBATE
• Depending on the reading level of your students, read the debate as a class or break the class into groups.
• Have students read the debate a second time. Prompt them to highlight evidence supporting each side as they come across it. Using two different colors of highlighters would be useful here
3. DISCUSSING
• As a class or in groups, have students discuss:
• Which opinion has the best evidence to support it?
• Is one side stronger than the other? Why?
• What is your opinion? What evidence helped you form your opinion?
• For more advanced readers: Do you think the author has an opinion on this issue? What is your evidence?
4. WRITING
• Have students complete the chart in the magazine or our full-page printable chart.
• Guide students to write an essay on the debate topic, using the chart they filled out
5. CHECK COMPREHENSION
• Have students complete our comprehension quiz.
Text-to-Speech