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state of the union (according to you)

how do we analyze issues?

Trump had his chance, now it's your turn. This week's Construct module will be an exploration of topics relevant to the country. Students will research issues they think matter most in our country and, based on that research, present findings that highlight what we're doing well and what we need to work on as a country.

Module summary:
  • discuss and explore national issues
  • review research databases with academic sources
  • research and take notes
  • write up findings in a report, a PowToon, a poster, a blog post, speech, or a video

essential questions

  • What kinds of sources add depth to research?
  • How do we synthesize multiple sources to present an argument?

goals

  • Students will understand that strong research includes a variety of sources - websites, magazine articles, books, documentaries, academic articles, etc.
  • Students will understand that intentional note-taking allows us to organize and make connections between information to structure an effective argument.

activities

INTRODUCE
  • Warm-up: read "State of the Union 2019: How Americans See Major Issues" article
    • note: because post-speech commentary is generally quite biased, I've chosen a short article from before the speech was given
    • annotate for understanding - be ready to discuss
  • Review syllabus and expectations for the week

EXPOSE
  • Discuss purpose for State of the Union address
  • Brainstorm national issues
    • Take notes
  • Review research process
    • Smart searching
    • Reading/skimming
    • Taking and organizing notes
  • Develop a list of 3 key issues you believe define the current state of the union (the USA)

PRACTICE
  • Research key issues, take notes, collect sources independently
    • Create a Google Doc for storing your notes, then share it with Christine
    • Organize notes by issue
    • Save all websites you are pulling info from
  • Share findings with the group

CREATE
  • Write a separate persuasive paragraph for each of your three issues
    • Topic: what is the current status of this issue?
    • Support: back up with facts from your research
    • Conclusion: what does this status say about the state of our nation? (what is the larger impact of this issue?)
  • Cite your sources in MLA format (Works Cited list, in-text citations)

REFLECT
  • Complete survey on thinking strategies applied this week
  • Check in with Christine about survey responses

c-tachs

Writing
  • Conduct short and more sustained research projects to answer a question or solve a problem
Reading
  • Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research
  • Cite strong textual evidence to support analysis of explicit and implicit meaning of text 
Picture
Picture
Picture

documents

State of the Union syllabus
Refer to your Reading and Writing Handbook for research resources (p. 34) and PowerPoint expectations (p. 42)

Picture

The Mission of Chaffee County High School

“Chaffee County High School strives to engage and educate students through systemic and targeted interventions so they can make a positive impact on their community." 

Contact Us

  • Home
  • About
  • Research
  • Reading & Writing
  • Recent Modules
    • Connect >
      • Board Game Reviews (mini)
      • CCHS Powtoon
      • Coco!
      • Creative Writing Seminar >
        • Calvin and Hobbes
        • Pieces of art
        • Tell Tale Cards
      • Dragon Post
      • Editorializing
      • E-mail Etiquette (Dead Poet's Society)
      • E-mail Etiquette (Star Wars)
      • English Skills
      • Go Write Outside
      • Nature Poetry
      • Passion Project
      • Persons, Places, Things
      • Photo Essays
      • Rebel Girls >
        • Jane Goodall
      • Stereotypes
      • Teach Me Something
      • Virtual Reality-ing
      • What Music Means
    • Construct >
      • 2018 in Review
      • Book Censorship
      • Live Anywhere
      • Picture Book Inquiry
      • Propaganda Bombs
      • PSA Powtoon
      • Self-Improvement
      • State of the Union
      • Rant to Reason
      • TED Topics
      • Who Cares?
    • Be Curious >
      • Art Time is Fun Time!
      • Caper with the Classics
      • CCHS Librarians
      • Emma: Friend or Foe?
      • Fahrenheit 451
      • Found Poetry
      • Google Expeditions
      • Hero's Journey
      • Irreverence
      • Macbeth
      • Poetry
      • The Lottery
      • "Worthy" Art