Grade Level & Subject: Middle School History
Lesson: Friday Forum (Day2)
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State Standard and Benchmark
Social Studies. Strand 6 Public Discourse and Decision Making. Standard 6.1 Identifying and Analyzing Issues. Students will state an issue clearly as a question of public policy, trace the origins of the issue, analyze various perspectives people bring to the issue, and evaluate possible ways to resolve the issue. Standard 6.2 Group Discussion. Students will engage their peers in constructive conversation about matters of public concern by clarifying issues, considering opposing views, applying democratic values, anticipating consequences, and working toward making decisions.
Lesson Objectives
Students will be able to:
• Read a variety of information to gain knowledge
• Form an opinion on an important public concern
• Defend their position with supporting data
• Evaluate arguments that may be contrary to his/her own
• Express his/her position in written form to convince others of its validity
Rationale/Purpose for Lesson
The “Friday Forum” is a series of class activities designed to engage students in controversial issues. It is essentially a trial-run on the Extended Response Questions used in the Social Studies MEAP and High School Proficiency Tests.
Resources/Materials Needed
• Student Journals
• Copies of articles
Introduction
Tell students they will continue reading articles that will help them formulate their position for the forum. Remind them to read articles that cover both sides of the issue.
Procedures
1. Have students continue reading the articles and taking notes. (You may want them to read more than the journal has space for notes)
2. Continue to work to complete the journal
Closure
Remind students about the interview with an adult about the issue. Let them know that tomorrow they will continue their research.
Guided Study/Homework
Students are to be working to complete the journal activities.
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Documents for this Lesson
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