Unit+Plan

 Unit Title: Podcasting to Persuade Grade Level: 7th Subject Area: Language Arts Time Frame: 3 weeks Author: Brad Dunning

This unit will integrate the use of technology while focusing on the basic tenets of the persuasive genre. Students will have had an introduction to persuasive writing including content-area vocabulary, exposure to examples, practice with the writing process and genre, as well as persuasive read-alouds. At unit completion, students will have completed and published a persuasive podcast. In addition, students will be required to respond to at least two of their classmates’ podcasts.   **__Essential Question(s) __**
 * __Brief Summary of Unit (Including curricular context and unit goals)__:**
 * __Understanding(s)__ Students will understand that... **
 * Writing is communication to an intended audience.
 * Technology can give access to a global audience and a global response.
 * Communication is a vehicle for understanding as well as action.
 * 1) What responsibilities do you have to yourself?
 * 2) What is community and what are the individual’s responsibility to the community as well as the community’s responsibility to the individual?
 * 3) What responsibilities do you have to your country?
 * 4) What responsibilities do you have to the world?
 * 5) What are you about?
 * __Learning Targets/Standards - WI DPI __**

**B.8.1** Students in Wisconsin will write clearly and effectively to share information and knowledge, to influence and persuade, to create and entertain.
 * B.8.2 ** Students in Wisconsin will plan, revise, edit, and publish clear and effective writing.

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">__Students will know how to:__ ** Communicate ideas effectively <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Persuade an audience Respond to others' writing

Use a computer and microphone to create a podcast Publish a podcast Respond to a podcast online
 * __Students will be able to:__**

__**Materials Needed**__ Pen or pencil Paper Computer and microphone Audacity program with Lame encoder

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0pt;">Students will explore multiple websites that focus on both social justice and persuasion.
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0pt;">Procedure __**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0ptmsoBidiFontSize;">[|Ad Council] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 11pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0ptmsoBidiFontSize;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0ptmsoBidiFontSize;">[|Boost Up] [|Family Violence Protection Fund] [|Feeding America] [|Fatherhood Initiative] [|Procon] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 11pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0ptmsoBidiFontSize;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0ptmsoBidiFontSize;">[|STOP Cyberbullying] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 11pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0ptmsoBidiFontSize;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0ptmsoBidiFontSize;">[|Teen Ink] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 11pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0ptmsoBidiFontSize;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0ptmsoBidiFontSize;">[|That’s Not Cool] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 11pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0ptmsoBidiFontSize;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0ptmsoBidiFontSize;">[|UNICEF] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 11pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0ptmsoBidiFontSize; msospacerun: yes;">

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0ptmsoBidiFontSize;">These sites will be analyzed for characteristics of the persuasive genre, effectiveness, and relevancy. In particular, we will focus on causes and how to get behind them. (3 days) <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0pt;">
 * Students will work in pairs (teacher-selected in order to compliment learning styles) to complete the required project**

Students will then be asked to research for similar sites. Between the sites provided to the class and those sites found by individuals, it will be expected that students will get behind a cause to which they feel connected. (1 day)

Students will then be asked to speak out for their cause and to choose a suitable audience. They will construct a short piece promoting their ideas. The piece will need to go through the writing process: planning, drafting, revising, and editing. This will include teacher-conferencing and peer-reviewing. (1 week)

Teacher will introduce the podcast and model how to use the technology in order to create an audio recording. Students will explore and analyze podcast exemplars. Students will practice using a computer, microphone, and <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">[|Audacity] to record short improvised audio podcasts. (3 days)

**__ Performance Task __** By analyzing the persuasive genre and analyzing various causes, students will be able to write a short piece promoting one that they find relevant. Students will publish the piece as a podcast. Students will respond to each others’ publications.

__ **Writing Piece** __ Well-written, thoughtful, persuasive piece. Must include a clear point and supporting arguments. Is well organized and includes transitions. Uses variety in sentence structure and word choice. Is free from grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
 * __ Key Criteria __**

Grabs the listener’s attention. Introduces author and subject matter. Contains creative and original content. Is well-rehearsed and smooth and words are enunciated clearly. Volume and background noise levels are appropriate. Length is suitable for audience. =__ Other Evidence __ = = <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">__ Formative Assessments __ = <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">__ **Summative Assessments** __ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt;">[|Summative writing rubric] [|Summative technology rubric]
 * __ Podcast __**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt;">Informal checks for understanding
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt;">Peer conferencing and review
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt;">Teacher conferencing

= W = ** Where ** are we going? **Why**? **What** is expected? <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0pt;">The class will be publishing persuasive writing that is relevant to the individual student. This task is necessary for the completion of the MPS portfolio requirements and for calculation of SPS scores. The expectation is a highly-polished, engaging, original and thoughtful piece. = H = <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0pt;">How will we **hook** and **hold** student interest? Students will be hooked knowing that they will use technology to complete a piece for the class. Interest will be held because students will have self-selected topics that are of high interest. E ** <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0pt;">How do we **equip** students for expected performances? Students will be equipped to succeed by mastering the characteristics of the persuasive genre. In addition, multiple models of completed pieces will be analyzed and shared in class. Students will be allowed to work in teacher-selected pairs to balance learning. Conferencing will occur throughout the unit. Formative assessment will be generated throughout project duration. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0pt;">How will we help students **rethink** and **revise**? Students will be given formative assessment and feedback during unit. Peer review and response will occur at multiple points throughout the project.
 * __Learning Plan__**
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0pt;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14pt;">R **

** E ** <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0pt;">How will students self-**evaluate** and reflect on their learning? Through student-led conferencing, students will have the opportunity to direct the feedback and response from the teacher. Individual instruction focus will be based on what the student indicates he or she needs.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0pt;">How will we **tailor** learning to varied needs, interests, and styles? By its very nature, the project will appeal to those students of varying interests, needs, and styles. There are multiple components including writing, whole class and paired work, one-on-one instruction, as well as the use of technology. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 11pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontsize: 10.0ptmsoBidiFontSize;">How will we **organize** and sequence the learning? Learning will be sequenced in an exploring, modeling, discussing, and practicing order for each component of the project.
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