In recent classes, we have been broadening our focus on prejudice and stereotypes from the novel (The Outsiders) to the real world. Our aims are to:
- develop an open-mind that is capable of considering opposing viewpoints
- learn how to express these ideas in a real world setting (opinion pieces / letters to the editor).
Here is our brainstorm of possible topics to investigate. Students will search for news articles about one of these topics. We will then practise the ‘Step Inside’ routine in order to consider multiple perspectives on the story.
We are also learning about the genre features of the ‘letter to the editor’ text type. Our initial brainstorm about features of this text type is summarised below. We then compared what we thought we already knew with some example letters.
Students will develop two letters in response to a news story, writing sensitively from two different perspectives.
Resources:
- Original lesson plan
- Task 6 – Letters to the Editor
- Google Drive share folder containing TSC, examples, and other resources
- Features of a letter to the editor (website)
- Genre features and example analysis worksheet; second example
- Letter planning sheet
- Persuasive text electronic graphic organiser; use to plan a persuasive text
- Letter to the editor electronic graphic organiser; use to plan a letter to the editor