Hands on Helping ELA Teachers

Tool:  Graphic Organizer – Inspiration

Grade level: 10^th Grade

Topic: Persuasive Writing and Organization of Research

Standards addressed:

1 : Language for Information and Understanding

3 : Language for Critical Analysis and Evaluation

ISTE:

Communication and Collaboration

Research and Information Fluency

Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making

Learning outcomes:

Students will use Inspiration to organize research for a persuasive essay.

Students will compare and contrast information.

Students will visually present information.

Students will be able to identify 3 reputable websites to use for research.

Students will write a persuasive essay on a controversial topic.

Students will upload graphic organizers to class blog as a class resource. 

Technologies needed (equipment or software or internet connection):

Laptop computers or access to a computer lab with Internet connection

Microsoft Word

Inspiration

Smart Board or Projection screen for presentations

Timeline for implementation (how many classes needed): 6, 42 minute classes

How can it be integrated and implemented in the lessons:

Students will use Inspiration to organize and present research for a persuasive essay.  Students will use visuals to link to the websites used for research.  Students can access Inspiration at home as well as in the classroom to complete assignments.  Students would need to download a free trial version on their home computers to do so. 

Assessment (on writing skills and technology skills):

Students will present their graphic organizers to the class. 

Students will write a follow-up reflection on the research they completed.

Students will peer critique the presentations.   

Student’s graphic organizers and essays will be graded with rubrics.