The instructional sequence begins with reading informational texts and then learning specific advertising techniques to become aware of advertising’s impact on youth. Students review the research process and use it to guide exploration of this topic. As students gain new information, they also strengthen collaboration skills and learn how to write effectively in the explanatory mode.

In Embedded Assessment 1, students demonstrate their understanding of media’s impact by writing an explanatory essay and participating in a collaborative discussion. In the second half of the unit, students continue to read informational texts and research, but this time to learn about controversial issues. As students collaborate to gain new information, they learn how to write effective argumentative essays. Embedded Assessment 2 builds on this learning by asking students to form and support a claim in an argumentative essay.