S+Lane,+William

**Office:** **Office Phone: 207-778-xxxx** **Office Hours: Mon- 2pm-3pm, Wed: 2pm-3pm** ** E-mail: william.a.lane@maine.edu **
 * Teacher: Mr. Lane**

=Summary of Unit= Welcome to English! This unit will cover the general concepts of forming thesis-driven arguments. As we all know, one cannot have a solid argument without having an even stronger thesis. To get the wheels turning, students will start a blog, blogging about various ideas in order firmly grasp the concept of a strong thesis. Then, they will formulate points to further their argument. These points will be put into a logical order, thus making their argument strong and clear. This use of concepts will then be applied to the idea of lobbying for a deceased president's reelection throughout the unit, utilizing various technologies such as the blogs, wikispaces, podcasts, Glogster, a WebQuest, Inspiration software, and then finally, an iMovie. The iMovie will be a two to three minute ad for the deceased president's campaign. The power of argument and debate is a valuable tool in life and student's will thoroughly learn how to defend their ideas in this unit.

=Establish Goals= Maine Learning Results: English Language Arts B3: Writing: Argument/Analysis Grade: 9-Diploma Students write academic essays that structure ideas and arguments in a sustained and logical fashion

= = =Students will understand that= •a strong thesis is necessary to formulate an argument. •one must outline their argument before writing it. •facts leading an argument need to be put into a logical order.

= = =Essential Questions= •How could a student form a strong thesis? •Why does a student have to outline their argument? •How does one figure out the logical arrangement of facts for their argument?

= = =Students will know= •Terminology: Thesis, argument, logic, outline, counter-argument, conclusion, point. •Key Factual Information: Proof, examples, fact, counter-argument, persuasion. •Sequences and Time-lines: Order of facts, logical order of paper/thesis.

= = =Students will be able to= •Justify the argument with a strong thesis. •Illustrate the argument by outlining it first. •Create a strong thesis that will support the argument. •Argue facts by placing them in a logical order. •Consider the logical order of facts while writing the argument. •Self-assess the argument by outlining it.

**Performance Task Overview** It is 20 years in the future and a new resurrection portal device has just been built and tested. After several corrupt, one-term politicians, your political party has entrusted you in choosing a currently deceased U.S. president to bring back to life. As his campaign manager, it will be your job to select the president and lobby for his reelection. But, you will need to be able to persuade the rest of your political party at this year’s party convention to back your candidate. You will do this by forming a strong and arguable thesis to ensure your candidate's reelection. You will utilize this thesis and argument by producing a brief two to three minute campaign ad, using iMovie, endorsing your candidate for president of the United States.

=Expectations=
 * Absent/Late Policy**: Absences are not counted against anyone, but I have to be notified before the actual occurrence. If it is a planned absence, please let me know as soon as possible (a week or more is preferred). If it is just a normal sick day, please email me or call the school to notify me that you won't be attending class. In case there is any assignments due on that day, please email me the assignment, if able. This is the only reason I'd accept emailed copies of student work. If you are absent and work is not turned in, please schedule a time to meet with me to go over how we can resolve this issue.


 * Assignment Expectations**: Any written assignments that require citation should be written using the MLA format. Any written assignments should also be free of spelling and grammar mistakes, be typed (TNR size 12, 1-1 1/2 in margins), and should have a short and concise header. The header should feature your name, my name, the name of the assignment, and the date. There will be some in-class writing, which should be typed (unless special circumstances occur), and the length of any given assignment will be determined at that particular time.


 * Plagiarism Policy**: Any cases of plagiarism will be met with significant consequences. First, the assignment will receive a zero. Second, the authorities (the principal and vice principal) will be informed. Any disciplinary actions will be handed down by them. And finally, parents will be notified of the offense. I don't want to be **that** guy, but cheating is cheating. It will not be tolerated.

=Benchmarks=
 * Total: 725 points**

•**Blog (100 points):** The blog will be written throughout the writing process, from forming the thesis, through each arguable point, until the conclusion of the unit. It will serve as a means of progress and reflection. The teacher will assess each blog entry using a checklist to ensure that the students are able to understand each individual lesson. Students will write a reflective blog entry after each lesson, showing their understanding, any ideas or suggestions for themselves, and what they thought of the lesson. •**Glogster (150 points):** A poster will be created supporting your presidential candidate, as a means of supporting your argument and thesis. The student will utilize various graphics and Glogster features to make their advertisement more effective. This will help students on how to catch one's eye and will aid the student in their persuasion of his/her fellow peers.It will convey specific information, such as the thesis, several arguable points, and relevant facts that relate specifically to the chosen presidential candidate. The Glogster product should convey multiple reasons to vote for the chosen candidate. •**Wikispace (125 points):** A Wikispace will be created, which will be express all points and facets of your argument for selecting, and lobbying for, your presidential candidate. Students will relay any and all information about anything relevant to their thesis and argument on their Wikispace. This information will come in the form of written text, video samples, audio clips, and any sort of graphics or pictures. The Wikispace should be structured and organized in a similar fashion to that of your argument and thesis. •**WebQuest (100 points):** You will use this [|WebQuest] to look at various ways that advertising affects how people view certain things. You will take this information and utilize it when you make your final iMovie presentation, by using various advertising strategies. Detailed writing assignments corresponding with the processes will be turned in periodically as the WebQuest is done. •**Podcast (175 points):** A three to five minute podcast will be created, imitating a one-man political news radio talk show, where you will support your presidential candidate. You may use any audio software, whether it be Audacity or GarageBand, and music or sound effects are encouraged. Be sure to describe all of your views and ideas in relation to your thesis and argument, just as long as it is relevant and appropriate. •**Inspiration (75 points):** Using Inspiration, you will create an outline of your argument and thesis. Students will create a rough draft of an outline for their argument and thesis, then after some peer and teacher conferencing, they will revise their outline and submit it as their final idea before going forth with more of the projects associated with the unit. The ideas should be eventually organized so as to ensure that all of the arguable points are in a somewhat logical fashion. =Grading Scale= **A** (93 -100), **A-** (90 - 92), **B+** (87 - 89), **B** (83 - 86), **B-** (80 - 82), **C+**(77 - 79), **C** (73-76), **C-** (70 - 72), **D+**(67 - 69), **D** (63 - 66), **D-** (60 - 62), **F** (0 - 59).