1 Writing Persuasive Letters Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 8–10 Professional Commentary: Through a classroom "argument" activity and letter writing models, students are introduced to the concepts of lobbying for something that's important to them or they want and making persuasive statements. In this unit, students become aware of the techniques used in persuasive oral arguments and apply them to independent persuasive letter writing activities.... 2 Boys Read: Considering Courage in Novels Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 6–8 Professional Commentary: In this lesson designed to motivate adolescent boys to read, they are given a selection of five young adult novels with distinct male protagonists. A suggested booklist is provided.... 3 Book Report Alternative: A Character’s Letter to the Editor Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 6–8 Professional Commentary: In this lesson, students assume the persona of a central character from a novel and write a persuasive letter to the editor regarding an issue important to that character. Not only do students have an opportunity to demonstrate their comprehension of the book, they also explore newspapers to determine criteria for successful letters to the editor.... Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 8–10 Professional Commentary: The aim of this lesson is to help students develop their persuasive writing and information gathering skills using various forms of information and communication technology. Using the context of issues common to teenagers, this lesson provides an authentic and personally relevant purpose.... 5 Prize-Winning Prose: Developing "Kid's Pulitzers" in the Language Arts Classroom Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 8–10 Professional Commentary: In this lesson students develop criteria for Kid's Pulitzers -- awards in categories of writing determined by the students. Each student will then bestow a Kid's Pulitzer upon a piece of writing which they deem to be distinguished based on the established criteria.... 6 Newsworthy Intentions: Exploring the Risky and Edifying Dimensions of Satire Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 11–12 Professional Commentary: In this lesson, students explore the legal distinction between satire and libel. Students begin by discussing their ideas about humor, then work in small groups to research a libel case.... Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 7–8 Professional Commentary: Lessons included with this resource allow students to identify, discuss, and apply the elements, conventions, and language features of persuasive texts. The activities guide students through the concept of argument by looking at examples of argument found in daily media sources.... 8 Showing Good Taste: Writing Thoughtful Restaurant Reviews in the Language Arts Classroom Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 8–12 Professional Commentary: In this lesson students distinguish the important elements of well-written restaurant reviews by analyzing and evaluating reviews from The New York Times and by writing their own reviews of favorite dining locations. Students are encouraged to evaluate critical and persuasive texts as well as writing their own.... 9 NAEP Assessment Item, Grade 8: Debate lengthening the school year Resource Type: Assessments Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 6–8 Professional Commentary: For this prompt, students write a persuasive letter to the school board arguing for or against lengthening the school year. This is a sample writing prompt used in a past National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) assessment (for more information, see About NAEP).... 10 NAEP Assessment Item, Grade 8: Support a school schedule Resource Type: Assessments Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 6–8 Professional Commentary: For this prompt, students write a persuasive letter to the principal arguing for or against proposed changes in the school schedule. This is a sample persuasive writing prompt used in a past National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) assessment (for more information, see About NAEP).... |