Using Narrative to Ground Arguments

Kevin English EMWP Demonstration Lesson

Learning Targets
I can reect on ways narratives are
used in real life to make arguments. others, develop ways I can use narratives in my classroom.

I can, through collaboration with

Context
80% free/reduced lunch English 9 Co-taught classroom (or collab as we call it) Roughly 30 students Three long-term subs Mandatory common assessments Non-ction writing requirement

What I Knew
Struggling students need real, authentic
reasons for playing school.

Reading and writing for academic

purposes were not my students favorite activities. writing for academic purposes.

Students struggled with reading and

And what They told me:

They wanted to solve problems, debate,
and argue in ways through which they could stake their identity and develop both ideas and functional tools that they could immediately use and share with others. (Smith and Wilhelm 57)

The best way to understand

narrative concepts is to compose narratives. (Fredricksen, Wilhelm, and Smith 2)

Common Core
W.9.1: Develop claim(s) and counterclaims
fairly, supplying evidence for each...

W.9.3: Write narratives* to develop real or

imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences. problem to be solved...

W.9.7: I can focus my research around a

The Prompt
The administrative team has asked for your input on addressing teen issues within our student body. As teenagers, they feel that you are the most knowledgeableespecially after your recent research endeavorsto suggest ways that they can curtail a myriad of teen issues, including: binge drinking, rape/sexual assault, depression, the impact of divorce, self mutilation (cutting), eating disorders, peer pressure, and suicide.

Knows and Need-to-Knows

Know Need to Know

Determining Topics

Teacher Issues

In your notebook (or a Google Doc), take a minute and compose a list of the teacher issues we face.

Students & Research

Two days in the media center using
books, magazines, and other available print resources with iPads

Two days conducting online research

Hitting Closer to Home: MiPHY Data

But I dont know how to start...

Why not tell a story?

The Grain

Revised Outline
I. Introduction: Explain why your issue is important. Consider using a statistic, a personal story or narrative, referencing a specic code or rule in the student handbook, or a little-known fact about the issue. Be sure to demonstrate its importance to the WMHS student body!

Justication for Narratives

If we want our students to be better readers, we need to help them become competent and aware writers. ... Narrative complements and even directly serves the other kinds of writing the CCSS call for. Think of how many public policy arguments depend on narratives. Calls for universal health care, marriage equality, extending unemployment benets are almost always made by spinning out the stories of those who are affected by such policies. (Fredricksen, Wilhelm, and Smith 154)

Stories We Know
https:// www.youtube.com/ watch?v=bsd2-_CuRs http:// www.youtube.com /watch? v=Io9KMSSEZ0Y &feature=youtu.be

When was your last story?

So we took a closer look at why we sympathized with Melinda...

What does it say?

What does it mean?

Why does it matter? (Or what does it do?)

Other Mentor Texts?

Day #1 of Collaboration

Student Outlines

r e Pe

s e Pr

e r su

Ea

D g tin

r o is

s r de

Cu

g n tti

Make Your Outline

Independently:

Brainstorm/outline ways that these

issues can be addressed. Working Together:

Discuss the weaknesses and strengths

of each x.

Questions to Consider
Why does this narrative matter? Why do the solutions matter? How can you make your narrative
come full circle?

Giving Feedback Why does this matter?

Independently List How might narratives work in your context?

Turn and Talk

Share your possible uses of narratives. What are some other ways that students
can go public with their products? everything students do?

Should there be a public component to What are ways of going public without
technology or limited technology?

Improvements for the Fall

Real stories vs. ctional narratives? Administrator actually present Possible connection with middle school More analysis of narrative construction
and role as hook

Use more mentor texts -- lit. circles? Introduce prompt before reading!

Things Im Wondering About...

How can I really use

books?

How can I add real

audiences and purpose to assignments?

In Defense of the Narrative

Why do students NEED to embrace
narrative in your planning?

narrative in argumentative writing?

Where can you see yourself including

Muddiest Point?