Duration
2-3x 30-45 minute lessonsStudents will plan for and play a part in one side of a debate to either advocate for or argue against Costello's way of fishing.
Preparation
This lesson is part of a unit of work on the text Blueback. It assumes some previous study of the text has already been completed. View the full Unit here.
Students will revisit Student resource sheet: Exposition example in this lesson.
Students will each require a copy of Student worksheet: Exposition template.
Western Australian curriculum
LEARNING AREA | STRAND | SUB-STRAND | CODES |
English | Language | Text structure and organisation | ACELA1531, ACELA1504 |
English | Language | Expressing and developing ideas | ACELA1512 |
English | Literature | Literature and context | ACELT1619 |
English | Literature | Responding to literature | ACELT1621 |
English | Literacy | Interacting with others | ACELY1710, ACELY1720 |
Science | Science as a human endeavour | Use and influence of science | ACSHE100 |
Steps
- Introduce and explain the elements of a debate – one person/group will present an opinion and reasoning on a particular topic, followed by a response (opposition) on that same topic by the other person/group.
- Revisit Student resource sheet: Exposition example discussing that this represents one side of the debate.
- Split the class into an equal number of groups – half will advocate ‘for’ Costello’s way of fishing whilst the other half will be ‘against’ Costello’s way of fishing.
- Provide students with Student worksheet: Exposition template to assist in the planning of their side of the debate. Students should prepare notes in the format – opinion, reason, explanation of reason and restate opinion.
- Pair groups to debate against each other. Provide each group with a set time limit to present their argument either for or against. Students should actively listen to both sides of the debate to decide which group was more persuasive.
- Engage students in a class discussion about which groups wee more persuasive and why. Questions to consider –
- What language/vocabulary did they use?
- What reasoning made their argument more persuasive?
- Did they provide any evidence to support their argument?