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Lesson 4

We will organize in subtopic research teams, review what we think and know so far, and plan what we will read, analyze, delineate, and evaluate to extend our understanding in our subtopic area.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I effectively focus the subtopic, perspective, and position I am likely to pursue and explain my thinking to a peer research team?

  • Can I work effectively with a peer research team to collaboratively expand our understanding of a common subtopic?

Texts

There are no texts for this Lesson.

Materials

Tools

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Discuss

We will join a research team with students who are interested in the same subtopic issue, compare perspectives on the topic and subtopic, review what we have examined so far, and organize ourselves for further research.

Join a research team with classmates who are interested in the same subtopic.

Using the explanation you wrote in the previous lesson, explain your understanding of the issue, question, and the perspective you currently have.

Compare your perspective to those of other students on the team.

Identify who on your team seems to have a more "pro" perspective on the issue, who has a more "con" perspective, and who is still uncertain or more nuanced in their perspective.

Activity 2: Discuss

We will participate in a class overview of a core informational text that presents data about current public health issues, as identified by our teacher.

Follow along as your teacher introduces the purpose, organization, and major sections of a core informational text.

Individually, determine if you might use this information source within your further research in your subtopic, and what information you might examine.

Activity 3: Read – Discuss

We will determine what further research we might need to do, select texts from the suggested text list, or plan internet searches for further information.

In research teams, report your thinking on your subtopic and how it might be useful to your team’s research.

Access the Supplemental Texts Handouts for your subtopic. Consider the supplemental sources that have been identified for your issue.

Determine sources from the list that your team might examine and analyze.

Identify possible key words for further information searches related to the subtopic issue and question. Define and write down the terms in your Vocabulary Journal.

Assign research tasks to each member of the team.

Activity 4: Read – Write

For homework, we will individually begin to do further research. We will also develop a draft question to guide the research and development of our final argument.

For homework, read and analyze an information source or argument related to your subtopic. Prepare a summary of what you find, which will be shared with your research team.

Considering your subtopic, a specific focus you might pursue, and your developing understanding and perspective, draft a new, more specific research question to set up the argument you might develop.

Write new or interesting words you encounter in your Vocabulary Journal.