Prepared by: Jami Williams, Mexico High School, Mexico, Missouri

TARGET
Students will learn the basic elements of columns and reviews and how to write them.

EDUCATION METHODS

1. PowerPoint presentation
2. Writing Workshop, teacher will serve as facilitator while students work to write their pieces.
   

OBJECTIVES

1. Level 1 (Basic) understanding of columns and opinion writing.
2. Level 2  (Proficient) application of guidelines for writing opinions.
3. Level 1 (Basic) understanding of writing reviews.
4. Level 2 (Proficient) application of guidelines for writing reviews.

MATERIALS NEEDED

1. Opinion Writing PowerPoint Day 2
2. Opinion Writing Guide
3. Review Writing Guide

VERIFICATION

Steps to check for student understanding

1. Teacher will do frequent comprehension checks in the form of Classroom Assessment Techniques (thumbs up, thumbs down; exit slip in the form of post-it note summary)
2. Students will submit both an opinion piece and a review-writing piece for assessment.

FLOW OF LESSON

1. Suggested bell ringer: What is one thing that you are qualified to write about as an expert and why?
2. Teacher will present PowerPoint.
3. After the PowerPoint, teacher will distribute the writing guides and move into a writing workshop setting.
4. Students will work individually, but teacher should stress completion of the writing. Value at this point should be placed on the “flow” of the writing and the immediacy of the task. A little stress is not a bad thing!
5. Let students know that you expect both pieces to be done.

WRAPPING IT UP

1. Exit slip: NO EXIT SLIP TODAY – ALLOW THE STUDENTS TO WORK UP UNTIL THE BELL – NEVER FORGET THAT YOU ARE CREATING WRITERS AS WELL AS REPORTERS. ENCOURAGE THEM TO GET LOST IN THE PROCESS FOR AWHILE.