Additional activities that may be integrated, depending on student group and dynamic:
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Students work together to utilize an online tool such as Twitter to create a "branded" group and create social media posts to develop and use group "voice" and post appropriate content
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Students create and take a poll of classmates, the school, or larger community; analyze and report on results
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Students write an opinion piece as would appear in a publication
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Students engage in a formal classroom debate
Teachers Page
Welcome teachers! Here you will find instructions on how to implement this inquiry project and customize it for your classroom. You will also find a downloadable lesson plan and assessment rubric.
This inquiry lesson is designed for English as a Second Language students at the 11th-12th grade level, with demonstrated advanced speaking and reading comprehension. The lessons can also be utilized in a non-ESL context with the addition of some or all of the add-on activities outlined on this page.
As an ESL lesson, students study grammatical aspects of the writing styles employed in news reporting. The lessons are developed to exercise students' skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening as they analyze text and audio and practice formal writing as well as a formal presentation to their peers.
This is an important lesson in that it helps students to study and practice the use of formal language using authentic materials. It also encourages students to become involved in their communities, and helps guide their telecollaborative interactions in order to foster a successful outcome. The hope is that this lesson will provide skills that will be able to transfer into their lives outside of the classroom as young adults.
Instructional supports:
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Complete lesson plan with learning objectives and instructions
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Assessment rubric for evaluation
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Scaffolding strategies
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Discussion and demonstration of grammatical features prior to research and analysis of such forms. Students later go on to employ such writing themselves through telecollaboration and presentation activities.
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Collaboration and networking are the backbone of 21st century learning. Improvement is always possible, and comments or suggestions are greatly welcomed! To contact, please use the contact form at the bottom of the page, and don't forget to share on social media!