Lesson plan of Hands On Methodology | Reading: Argumentative Text | Lesson Plan (2024)

1. Understand the nature of argumentative texts: Students will be able to explain the purpose and structure of argumentative texts, including the introduction of a topic, the development of an argument, and the provision of evidence to support a claim.
2. Identify key features of argumentative texts: Students will be able to recognize elements common to argumentative texts, such as claims, reasons, evidence, and counterarguments.
3. Analyze and evaluate argumentative texts: Students will be able to critically read and assess the effectiveness of argumentative texts, considering the quality of the arguments, the relevance of the evidence, and the strength of the counterarguments.

Secondary objectives:

• Enhance collaborative skills: By engaging in group discussions and activities, students will improve their ability to work together and share ideas effectively.
• Develop critical thinking skills: Through the analysis and evaluation of argumentative texts, students will enhance their ability to think critically and form their own opinions.
• Foster a love for reading: By exploring interesting and relevant argumentative texts, students will be encouraged to develop a love for reading and learning.

1. Recap of Previous Knowledge: The teacher will begin the lesson by reminding students of the basic elements of a text: title, introduction, main body, and conclusion. They will also recap the concepts of claims, reasons, and evidence, which were covered in the previous lessons. This will serve as a foundation for understanding argumentative texts.

2. Problem Situations: To engage the students' interest, the teacher will present two problem situations related to argumentative texts:

   • Suppose you are trying to persuade your parents to let you go on a school trip. What arguments would you use? How would you organize these arguments in a way that is convincing?
   • Imagine you are reading a newspaper article that argues for stricter laws on pollution. What evidence would you expect to see to support this argument? How would you respond to counterarguments?

3. Real-World Applications: The teacher will explain the importance of understanding argumentative texts in everyday life. They will highlight how these skills can be useful in:

   • Making informed decisions: Understanding and evaluating arguments can help us make better decisions, such as which products to buy or which political candidates to support.
   • Engaging in debates: Being able to form and express arguments, as well as understand and respond to counterarguments, is a key skill in debates and discussions.
   • Interpreting media: Many news articles and opinion pieces are argumentative in nature, and being able to analyze these arguments can help us separate fact from opinion.

4. Topic Introduction: The teacher will then introduce the topic of argumentative texts, explaining that these are texts that present a particular point of view or argument and provide evidence to support it. They will share a few interesting examples of argumentative texts, such as a persuasive essay on the benefits of reading or a debate on whether video games are good for children.

5. Attention Grabbing Context: To pique the students' interest, the teacher will share two intriguing facts or stories related to argumentative texts:

   • Fact 1: The art of argumentation dates back to Ancient Greece, where it was a key part of education. Students would learn to debate and defend their arguments just as we do today.
   • Story 1: The teacher will share a story about a real-life argument that had a big impact, such as the debate over whether smoking should be banned in public places. They will explain how understanding argumentative texts can help us understand and participate in these kinds of debates.

By the end of the introduction, students should have a clear understanding of what argumentative texts are, why they are important, and how they can apply the skills they will learn in real-life situations.

1. Activity 1 - Argument Detective:

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   • Objective: The goal of this activity is for students to learn how to identify the key elements of an argumentative text, including the main claim, supporting reasons, evidence, and counterarguments.

   • Materials: The teacher will prepare four different argumentative texts (e.g., an article about climate change, a persuasive essay about school uniforms, a speech on the benefits of reading, a debate on the use of technology in the classroom), and cut them into strips, separating the introduction, body, and conclusion of each text. Each group of students will receive one complete text, shuffled into strips.

   • Procedure:

     1. The teacher will divide the class into small groups and distribute the argumentative texts.

     2. Each group will be tasked with identifying the introduction, body, and conclusion of their text and arranging the strips in the correct order.

     3. Once the groups have reconstructed their texts, the teacher will go through each text as a class, verifying the correct order and discussing the arguments, evidence, and counterarguments presented.

     4. To add a competitive edge, the teacher will award points to groups that are able to identify and explain the argumentative elements correctly.

   • Conclusion: After the activity, the teacher will summarize the main points, emphasizing the importance of understanding the structure of argumentative texts for comprehension and evaluation.

2. Activity 2 - Class Debate:

   • Objective: This activity will allow students to apply their understanding of argumentative texts in a practical, fun, and engaging way. The students will be divided into two teams, each assigned a different position on a controversial topic. They will be required to construct an argument and defend their position during the debate.

   • Materials: The teacher will prepare a list of controversial topics related to their curriculum or current events (e.g., Should homework be banned? Should schools start later in the morning? Should animals be kept in zoos?), and a set of argumentative text features posters for each team to use as a guide during the debate.

   • Procedure:

     1. The teacher will divide the class into two teams, assigning each team a position on the chosen topic.

     2. Each team will have some time to brainstorm arguments and counterarguments related to their position. They will also discuss and decide on who should speak and what each person will say.

     3. The teacher will guide the students in structuring their arguments using the provided posters.

     4. The debate will begin with a representative from each team presenting their arguments. The teacher will act as a moderator, ensuring all students have a chance to speak and that the debate remains respectful and on topic.

     5. After both teams have presented their arguments, there will be a round of rebuttals, where each team can respond to the other's arguments.

     6. The teacher will conclude the debate by summarizing the main points and emphasizing the importance of respectful discussion and listening to others' points of view.

   • Conclusion: After the debate, the teacher will lead a class discussion about the arguments presented, the students' performance, and what they have learned from the activity. The teacher will emphasize the importance of understanding argumentative texts in real-life situations and encourage students to continue practicing their argumentation skills in a respectful manner.

By the end of the development stage, students should have a solid understanding of the structure of argumentative texts and the skills required to analyze and construct arguments. They will also have had the opportunity to apply these skills in a practical, engaging way, enhancing their understanding and retention of the topic.

1. Group Discussion: The teacher will facilitate a group discussion where each group will have the opportunity to share their solutions or conclusions from the activities. This will promote peer learning and allow students to hear different perspectives and approaches. The teacher will ensure that the discussion remains focused on the topic and that all students have a chance to participate.

2. Connecting Theory and Practice: The teacher will guide the discussion to connect the activities with the theory learned. They will ask probing questions to help students reflect on the learning objectives:

   • How did the activities help you understand the structure of argumentative texts?
   • How did the debate activity help you apply the skills of constructing and defending an argument?
   • Can you identify the elements of argumentative texts in the texts you worked on and the arguments presented in the debate?
   • How can the skills you learned in this lesson help you in real-life situations?

3. Reflection Time: The teacher will then ask the students to take a minute to reflect on what they have learned in the lesson. They will be encouraged to think about the most important concepts, any questions they still have, and how they can use what they have learned in the future. The teacher may provide some prompts for reflection, such as:

   • What was the most important concept you learned today?
   • What questions do you still have about argumentative texts?
   • How can you apply the skills you learned today in your everyday life or other subjects?

4. Question and Answer Session: The teacher will then invite the students to share their reflections and ask any questions they may have. They will provide clear, concise answers to the questions, addressing any misconceptions and providing additional explanations as needed. The teacher will also summarize the most important concepts from the lesson and clarify any points that may have been unclear.

5. Feedback on Participation: The teacher will conclude the feedback stage by providing feedback on the students' participation in the activities and the group discussion. They will praise the students for their efforts, highlight any particularly insightful contributions, and provide constructive feedback for improvement.

Through the feedback stage, the teacher will not only assess the students' understanding of the topic but also promote a culture of reflection and continuous learning. This will help to reinforce the concepts learned and prepare the students for the next stage of their learning journey.

1. Summary and Recap: The teacher will begin the conclusion by summarizing the main points of the lesson. They will recap the key elements of argumentative texts, including the structure, the arguments, the evidence, and the counterarguments. They will also remind the students of the skills they have practiced, such as identifying these elements in a text, constructing an argument, and defending a point of view in a respectful manner.

2. Connecting Theory, Practice, and Applications: The teacher will then explain how the lesson connected theory with practice and real-world applications. They will highlight how the activities, such as the "Argument Detective" and the class debate, allowed students to apply the theoretical concepts they learned about argumentative texts. They will also emphasize how these skills are not only useful in English class but also in everyday life, such as in making informed decisions, engaging in debates, and interpreting media.

3. Additional Materials: The teacher will suggest some additional materials for students who want to further explore the topic. These could include:

   • Books or articles that contain argumentative texts, such as editorials, opinion pieces, and persuasive essays, for students to practice their skills.
   • Online resources or apps that provide exercises and quizzes on argumentative texts for students to test their knowledge and understanding.
   • Debating clubs or workshops in the community where students can practice their argumentation and public speaking skills in a supportive environment.

4. Importance of the Topic: Lastly, the teacher will explain the importance of the topic for everyday life. They will underline how the ability to understand, evaluate, and construct arguments is a fundamental skill in our information-driven society. They will stress that these skills can help students not only in their academic and professional life but also in their personal life, enabling them to express their opinions, engage in meaningful discussions, and make informed decisions.

By the end of the conclusion, students should have a clear understanding of the importance of the topic, feel confident in their ability to understand and analyze argumentative texts, and be motivated to continue developing their argumentation skills.