All sixth grade students at Fegely Middle School are entrenched in an argument evaluation and writing unit. At the elementary level, students learn to write persuasively. We are all familiar with persuasive writing; students use their own experience and emotional appeal to persuade their readers to agree with their standpoint.
In adherence to the Indiana College and Career Readiness Standards, all students in grades 6-12 will be engaged in writing argumentative pieces. Argumentative writing takes persuasive writing to the next level! In addition to choosing a side, students need to read articles and other sources to gather evidence to support their opinion. And to persuade their opponents, students will choose one of their opponent’s arguments and prove them wrong with evidence from their readings. This is a very exciting time for our student writers!
In sixth grade at Fegely, we are introducing this skill by teaching our students how to evaluate argumentative writing. Our first topic was simple: Should animals be kept in zoos? Students read two articles and evaluated a student sample on that topic. Mrs. Norman’s PreAP class took this topic to a deeper level. Students chose one of three sides: Animals should be in zoos; Animals should not be in zoos; and Animal sanctuaries are the better solution. Students engaged in additional research at home. Some students made posters. Each faction had three uninterrupted minutes to argue their position. Factions were allowed two minutes for rebuttal. Students were able to switch factions at any point if the evidence presented changed their thinking. A team of judges, one from each faction, evaluated the materials presented and determined which position had gathered the most relevant evidence. The popular vote went to the position that said that animals should be kept in zoos. However, the judges awarded the animal sanctuary group top honors in terms of most relevant evidence. We had a great time!