Changing Ideas and Perspectives through Persuasion. A Language Arts Unit for Grades 5-6.

This language arts unit of study for high ability learners in grades 5-6 highlights persuasion in oral and written form, focusing especially on oral communication. Emphasis is placed on providing evidence for opinions. Students must cite passages from literature to defend their points of view in discussion as well as in written arguments. Opportunities are presented for impromptu speeches, informative and persuasive speeches, debate, small and large group discussion, and critical listening skill development. Students work on independent research on the topic of book banning and make an oral presentation of their opinions and supporting evidence. The unit guide presents a rationale and purpose, goals and outcomes, a list of student readings, an assessment model, special features of the unit, a paper on the concept of change, teaching models, 23 lesson plans, assessment forms, a 49-item bibliography listing works taught in the unit and resource materials used in its development, an annotated bibliography of 23 items on the concept of persuasion and change, and a list of 31 computer software resources. (JDD)