During this unit, students will be reading multiple debate articles from the Scholastic Scope magazine. We will look at what makes an argument effective and what is the difference between arguing and debating.
Argument writing is not a fifth grade standard.
This means that a majority of the words in this unit are completely new to students. We will spend 1-2 weeks learning what claims, counterclaims, rebuttals, and thesis statements are to better prepare ourselves to write an argumentative essay.
Students will be given a selection of topics to choose from and will then research their topic. All student writing will be done in class with teacher assistance. We will look at examples of writing (what to do vs. what not to do) and go through the writing process together.
Students will present their arguments to the class. We will vote whether or not their argument was effective based on the supporting evidence found through their own research.