Collecting Support for Intelligent Argument

Class today is all about finding support.

I will ask students to think about all the people we have read about during this three part unit.  I'll remind them of a few like Malala and Mr. Gross. Then, I'll ask them to name others.

 I will ask them to think about these people and their own experiences and privately decide - Is it important to experience adversity, hardship, failure?

Next, they will take reading material out of the caddy.  Students will read:

Are You a Loser Clip.png Scope Common Sore Reader (Technically, they read this yesterday, but will use it today as well.)

Keller Clip.png an excerpt from a piece by Helen Keller

"Invictus" -William Earnest Henley

Should Everyone Get a Trophy Clip.png Scholastic Scope

Allow Students to Fail Article.JPG -Roger Guffey Lexington Herald Leader

(This article is from many years ago. I apologize for the lack of a better copy.)

"In Disapproval of Failure" Teen Ink, Teddy C.

The first three are all contained in Scholastic Scope's Common Core Reader which can be acquired through Scholastic.  The fourth piece is from Scholastic Scope's November 2013 issue. To be fair and with permission from Scholastic's Executive Editor, as those materials are not free, I have included a sample only; however, "Invictus" is also available online, so I have provided a link to the online piece. (Additionally, here is a link to an interview with Morgan Freeman during which he recites the poem and discusses it being the favorite of Nelson Mandela. Below is a video clip from the movie Invictus also with Morgan Freeman reciting, but with the words on screen -MOVING)

As they read, they will record support from these pieces to use in defense of their own position using the support chart they used yesterday. All materials will be made available on Edmodo for access from home if needed.  Those students who do not have access at home will take the copies.