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Unit Lession Plan: Draft

Draft:

Unit Design Project Proposal

 

1.       Type of school: Public, Suburban

Course: General English (Reading and Writing)

Age Level:  11^th Grade

Class Size: 25

Classroom: White Board, standard desks, 10 computers (access to school computer lab)

Where in year: 2^nd or 3^rd month of school

2.       Working Title: Real-Life Issues:  Writing for a Specific Audience through Persuasive Letter Writing

3.       Purpose: To teach students to write for a specific audience. Also to teach persuasive writing and how to formulate strong and effective arguments and opinions through writing.

Goals:  For students to be motivated by their own desire to change something. Students should learn to successfully make a point and argue it with a professional and academic voice that is still their own. Students should understand the importance of writing for a specific audience and learn what language and tone is appropriate for different audiences.

Methods: Research of issues through the internet. Read examples of letters to the editor or former students work that was responded to in the same assignment. Group work.

4.       Expectations: Same as goals? Students should be able to formulate their own opinions and feel strongly about the topic they choose. They should learn to write a professional letter and have the desire to perfect it so it is taken seriously.

5.       Key Texts: Articles about letter writing and persuasive writing, online texts about issues or topics they could cover.

Assignment: Indentify and research an issue they feel strongly about and would like to see changed or fixed. Complete a letter that is effective, professional, and appropriate for the audience it will reach.

Activities: Research and issue, read articles, review successful persuasive letters, journal writing, etc.

6.       Challenges: Students may have a difficult time finding something they are passionate about. They might also feel pressure because they will be sending the letter out and they know someone will read it. It might be difficult for them to write to their audience in a profession and persuasive tone.