 | Briefing the Chief (Stepping Out - Briefing the Prime Minister) |
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I have adapted a Stepping Out strategy called "Briefing the Prime Minister" to "Briefing the Chief" and use it in my novel study of Medicine River written by Thomas King. This is a great activity to engage students in their learning, while developing oral communication skills. It could be adapted to any novel study or concept, using one of the main themes from the study as its basis. Students are given a scenario in which their community has extra money to build homes. In the novel Medicine River Louise decides to buy a house, but Will is happy to rent. In small groups, student are given either "Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Home" or "10 Good Reasons Not to Buy a Home." Their group position is determined by the article they are given. Each group identifies their position on the issues, prepares their arguments, and then chooses one member to be its lobbyist who will present to the other group. Roles are then reversed. Complete instructions are included in one of the attachments. Upon completion, students do a self-assessment on their participation in the activity, and then choose one side and prepare a letter to the Chief stating their personal arguments. The assignment paper is attached in the next posting, as I could only attach one here. |
