GAME PLAN: DAY SEVEN
Overview:
-discussion of The Wave and a speech by Hitler
-video clip of a speech by Hitler
-Writing Wheel Activity
Objectives:
-to encourage students to go beneath the surface in the examination of the messages by both Mr. Ross and Hitler
-to give students the chance to make connections and distinctions between persuasive messages
-to encourage positive group communication skills in the classroom
-to give students the experience of trying to think and write as a character in the novel would
Rationale:
We feel that learning occurs through different mediums, one being through communication. Communication gives students the opportunity to articulate their thoughts, develop their ideas, and build on one another's points of view. It is also important that students have experience examining various types of persuasive texts. By incorporating various texts into the classroom, students can see the power of language change depending on the text utilized. The Writing Wheel activity allows students to take on different roles, thus encouraging them to think outside their personal context.
Resources:
-playbooks
-video clip of Hitler
-TV, VCR
-text: The Wave
Layout and Activities:
-pre-game warm-up: If you were a student in Mr. Ross' class, what role do you think you would have played in the classroom? How would you have reacted to Mr. Ross' persuasive messages? (5 min)
-Team Time (10 min)
-questions to facilitate discussion:
-what makes Mr. Ross persuasive?
-what are the different elements of Mr. Ross' message?
-revisit pre-game warm-up question
-video clip of Hitler ( 5 min)
-Team Huddle (10 min)
-questions to facilitate discussion
-how are the messages of Mr. Ross and Hitler similar?
-how are they different?
-Team Huddle: Writing Wheel Activity (10 min)
-Each person in the huddle takes on the role of a different character in the novel. In their playbooks, each student begins writing in first person about how their character feels about what is going on in their classroom and in the school. After approximately two to three minutes we will say "switch". Students will rotate playbooks and respond to what the previous character has written. This will continue until everyone has had an opportunity to respond.
-wrap-up lesson (5 min)
-explain newspaper assignment
-combine Team Huddles based on pregenerated newspaper sections (news, sports, and entertainment)
Practice on your own:
Go to the school play tonight!!!
Reflection: