The Teaching of RI 8.8

By Joseph Schmith

Reading for Informati on8.8

Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific

claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is

sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient;

recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced.

Why Should You Care?

Cogniti ve Dissonance

Analyti cal Skills

Evaluati ve Skills

Reasoning Skills

Make sure you are teaching to the SPECIFIC

standard!

Overall, the common coreasks students to read

complex texts and off er evidence.

Delineate-

Reasoning-

Relevant-

Suffi cient-

to portray in words; describe or outline with precision; to specify.

the action of thinking about something in a logical, sensible way.

closely connected or appropriate to the matter at hand.

enough; adequate.

Claim-

Fact-

Evidence-

Irrelevant-

state or assert that something is the case, typically without providing evidence or proof.

a thing that is indisputably the case.

Unrelated to the matter being considered.

that which tends to prove or disprove something; ground for belief; proof.

It’s Up for Debate! Strategy: This strategy will help the students dissect the argument presented in a text and analyze the support presented through a debate. As students listen to or read a debate, they can note the claims, facts, and evidence present. After the notes are taken, students can determine how direct the speaker’s topic was to the piece of evidence. For example, students may recognize that a number of texts cite data without having explained the original study of the speaker may have used irrelevant evidence.

I want to show you how to meet this standard without having to spend your life planning away. This is something all of you can do on Monday.

With so many different methods, strategies, and skills to keep track of, a few deep understandings come to mind:

Zone of ProximalDevelopment

Intersecti on of Interesti ngand Challenging

CHALLENGING INTERESTING

Day One: Constructi vismWhat do they know?

Start class with a question on the board: Are violent video games bad for you?

Have the students write down their opinion and why. Thesis statement, reasons, rebuttals of counter-arguments, and personal experiences are encouraged. Observe their writing as it happens. Read them out-loud and have them evaluate each other’s argument.

Claim-

Fact-

Evidence-

Irrelevant-

state or assert that something is the case, typically without providing evidence or proof.

a thing that is indisputably the case.

Unrelated to the matter being considered.

that which tends to prove or disprove something; ground for belief; proof.

Review the definitions of the following words while conversing with the students: claim, fact, evidence, relevant, irrelevant, opinion, main argument. Have these vocabulary words up on a word-wall or have them define them first.

Show or read a debate on the topic. Have the students take notes or highlight the debate. Make sure they are differentiating between fact and opinion. They need to determine each debater’s main argument after doing both.

One Giant Conversati on

Baby Steps- Strategy1.Watch or Read a Debate2.Identi fy Facts, Opinions,

Central Message3.Watch it again, identi fy

facts, claims, evidence,relevancy

Violent Video Game Debate

Central Message: Video games are probably not harmful, but kids should not be able to buy them until they are of age.

Central Message: Violent video games are corrupting the nation’s youth.

Central Message: It is unclear whether video games are harmful, but there is substantial reason to think they are.

Facts: 5% of video games are rated ‘Adult’. Government found no direct link between violent games and aggressive behavior.

Facts: A study found that 130,000 kids were more likely to become more aggressive after playing violent video

Facts: Psychological studies have found that the behavioral result of playing violent video games is unclear.

Opinions: Films are just as violent and kids watch plenty of those. Censorship is the real problem.

Opinions: Video games are trash.

Opinions: Concerned parents should know what games their kids are playing and they should even play the games themselves.

Claim: Video games are probably not harmful, but kid should not be able to buy until they are of age, anyway.

Claim: Violent video games are corrupting the nation’s youth.

Claim: It is unclear whether video games are harmful, but there is substantial reason to think they are.

Fact(s): No direct link between video games and violent behavior. Certain kids cannot get ahold of video games.

Fact(s): A study found that 130,000 kids were more likely to become more aggressive after playing video games.

Fact(s): Psychological studies have found that the behavioral result of playing violent video games is unclear.

Evidence: Government study 5% of all games are rated ‘adult’.

Evidence: Study

Evidence: Psychological studies

Relevancy of Evidence (1-4): 1 Explanation: The accessibility of certain video games has no bearing on whether they are harmful.

Relevancy of Evidence (1-4): 3 Explanation: The evidence does make you re-consider if video games are psychologically healthy.

Relevancy of Evidence (1-4): 2 Explanation: The evidence is vaguely labeled.

Bump It Up! Watch it again, this time have the students focus on parsing through the arguments. Review the following: claim, fact, evidence, and relevant evidence. Now, have the students review their notes and figure out what is what.

Show them a simple model of how it should have been done.

Do this for a couple of debates on the topic. Switch the names on the graphic organizer, but have the students continue to immerse themselves in the details. Switch between written and video debates.

Be careful not to rush this! This might be a week-long lesson.

Reading for Informati on8.8

Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific

claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is

sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient;

recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced.

It’s Up for Debate!Assessment: Students author a formal argumentative text to show competency with regards to reading comprehension, proper use of Tier II and III vocabulary, writing, and language use. A CCSS aligned rubric is used to assess writing and language skill, as well as to pinpoint targeted learning opportunities.

Working BackwardsThey need to make something tangible!

You should be building up each day to your final project of the week: A published argumentative essay.

Initial goal: first draft of introductory paragraph.

Slowly build up confidence in their ability to write argumentatively by having them complete a little at a time. Have the students pre-write if there is time.

Model what a good introduction is for a piece of argumentative writing. Show them your best example by thinking aloud, then writing it in front of them. Include your revisions and editing.

Baby Steps- Assessment

2.Model argumentati veintroductory paragraph

1.Outline what an introlooks like

3.Have students writea paragraph and evaluate

each other’s

What does an introducti ondo for the argument?

Introduces the topicStates why it is importantStates the diff erence

of opinionStates the writer’s premise

Sample IntroDo violent video games turn normally passive

children into aggressive malcontents? With the popularity of gruesome video games among pre-teens, it is imperative that we find an answer to this question. This debate has been at the forefront of modern psychology for many years and the answer is ambiguous to say the least. With that being said, I feel that the evidence shows there is no clear-cut correlation between belligerent behavior and the playing of brutal video games.

Why is this good?

Evaluati ng the ParagraphsInstead of having them write a paper a week and checking it ON YOUR OWN, have them check each other’s. It is called a formative assessment for a reason. Using a CCSS Writing Rubric and a list of Tier II vocabulary words, the students will grade someone else’s paper.

Evaluating other student’s work not only gives the writer immediate feedback from a peer, but it also deepens the understanding and strengthens the skill in question of the evaluator. Use editing marks if needed. Make the criteria

Peer Evaluati onGive the students fifteen minutes to write, give or take. Then have the students share with ONE other person. Depending on your class, you split them up anyway you like. I would try to make sure that they are not too chummy.

Let them share with the rest of the class! Speaking is a hidden part of the ELA discipline. Practice this as much as possible. Socializing will be beneficial in deepening their understanding.

Conti nuati on of Assessment

The next day can just be a continuation of the essay, delving into the organization of claims, facts, counter-arguments, and rebuttals. Do not become attached to a time frame.

Complete the entire first draft by the end of the week. It is due when you feel the students have exhibited quality effort and progress in meeting the standard.

Overall, the students just need practice be detail-oriented in regards to dissecting arguments. Is the claim backed up by a fact? Is the fact supported by evidence? Is the evidence relevant to the problem in question?

Big PictureMeet your kids at their levelWhy do they care? Take it SLOWEvaluate and SocializeMake it simpler