Objective: This week we are going to focus on one of the most useful skills that a person can have - coming up with a position in an arguments and reasons that we are right.
One of the biggest challenges for young people when they are asked to create an argument about an adult topic is that they don't naturally think about the kinds of things that adults care about. Young people are very good at some things - basic ethical considerations like fairness, concerns like safety and community rules, and recognizing the importance of money to a topic. However, things that adults think about easily after years of worrying about it can be very difficult for teens. So, practicing thinking about these things - time, money, education, safety, health, responsibility, the environment, and patriotism - both get teens ready to think like adults and help them make great arguments in English and Social Studies classes and write stronger essays. This kind of practical intelligence is valuable, and I think young people enjoy being able to think like this, because it helps them understand an adult world that can sometimes be a little mysterious to them.
However, our job as students and teachers isn't just to help kids succeed in the world, but also for them to succeed in school. Learning to arrive at a position (even it's one that's the opposite of what you thought would be the best one) and finding supporting reasons to convince others to share that position helps a person write great logical essays.
Here's the material that you will need to master this week. Creating a Logical Prewrite.
Here's a set of flashcards with the information on quizlet, where you can also find the Space Race game.
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