The first thing I noticed while writing the lesson plan was coming up with something for the students to write about was very challenging. I wanted to have something that would be of substance and I also wanted to have something that students would feel a little passionate about. I thought a good introduction to argumentative writing would use a topic that the students would actually be interested in. That is why I went with having my students argue if phones should be allowed in the classrooms. It is not only a discussion with lots of information to write about but it is also something that students will probably feel quite strongly about. When I began writing the lesson plan it was also challenging to find a source to have the students read and then write their five-paragraph essay about. I sifted through many different essays and studies until I landed on the one I went with. I did enjoy this process. It kind of felt like I was doing something worth doing because I knew the harder I worked the better the students would learn. I guess that is the whole fulfilling aspect of working hard as a teacher.
Student Perspective: After reading and listening to the directions, I feel like I have a good grasp on what is expected of me for this assignment. I know that reading the article is vital to my understanding of how to expand my argument about cell phone use in the classroom. I also appreciate the sample paper of a model response, as it clearly demonstrates what is expected of me in my essay. The only thing I would have liked to see is another example of a link that leads to an argument, either for or against the presence of cell phones in classrooms.
ReplyDeleteColleague: Hi, Casey! Your directions for this assignment are detailed and straightforward. No student would be able to use the excuse that they weren’t sure of what they were doing. I like the way your opening script engages students by asking them interactive questions about their cell phone usage. I also admire how much effort you put into crafting your model response. Something I would recommend is adding another article for the students arguing against or for cell phone use in the classroom, in addition to the informational article. I feel like this would be useful for students to avoid confusing an informational article with an argumentative one. While you state that it is an informative article, it would be useful for students to have an example of what an argumentative essay/article looks like from another source.
Student: Hi Mr. McMullen. I usually get really nervous when it comes to writing essays because staring at a blank page is intimidating, and I often don't know how to begin. Having your model essay as a guide takes away that anxiety because it shows me exactly what the final product is supposed to look like and how the overall format should flow. The only area where I think I could use a little more help is in transitioning between ideas. While the example essay is clear, having a few specific transition words or a mini-checklist to reference would give me a bit more confidence as I move from one paragraph to the next. I also really like the topic you chose. Writing about something I have no interest in is usually boring and puts me in a slump, so having a relatable topic actually makes me excited to write instead of dreading the assignment.
ReplyDeleteColleague: Casey, your lesson plan script is very clever and well-structured. Engaging the students right away with targeted opening questions is a solid, effective way to get them in the mindset to choose a definitive position for their arguments. The learning standards you selected align perfectly with the demands of the assignment. I highly appreciate the effort you put into crafting a model essay. It is purposefully arranged and leads the reader from one piece of evidence to the next, offering students a clear roadmap for a traditional five-paragraph structure. To take this lesson a step further, I would recommend prompting the students to acknowledge a counterargument in which they recognize a position that disagrees with their own and demonstrate why their viewpoint still stands firm. Additionally, your two learning objectives feel a bit too similar to function as separate goals for a single lesson. They work great as a broad objective, though.