Page 31 - SpringBoard_CloseReading_Workshop_Grade6_Flipbook

Close Reading of argumentative nonfiction Texts (continued)
ACTIvITy 4
Synthesis Questions
Your teacher may choose or ask you to choose one of the following assessments as a way of showing your understanding of the texts you have read.
Writing Prompt: Review the differing perspectives on the locavore movement in
the article by Neal Peirce, the cartoon by Alex Hallet, and the book excerpt by
James E. McWilliams. Revisit the work you have done with the three texts, and consider how the different authors presented and supported a claim. Which text was the most persuasive? Use evidence from at least two of the three texts to support your choice.
Debate/Discussion: Prepare to debate or discuss different perspectives on the locavore movement. With a partner or small group, revisit the main points raised
by each text. Consider how your role as a consumer can contribute positively or negatively to your own carbon footprint. What changes would you be willing or able to make to reduce greenhouse gases? Make notes of your ideas. Use your notes to participate in a class discussion about the problems identified in these texts as well as the proposed solutions.
Multimedia Presentation: You have been introduced to two written texts with different opinions on the locavore movement. What is your opinion? Choose a reason or piece of evidence that you found convincing from one of the written texts. Create a cartoon or public service announcement that uses visual images and text to promote this reason or evidence. Prepare to share your work with your class and explain its connection to one of the written texts. Also share your thoughts on how the cartoon or advertisement supports your own opinion of the locavore movement.
Reflection
Think about what you have learned from your close reading and analysis of the text passages you have read in this workshop.
1. What societal problem does the locavore movement attempt to address? What are some of the reasons different authors disagree on how to solve this problem?
2. In this workshop, you have learned how to make meaning of three different texts. How can you use what you have learned to help you as you encounter challenging texts in the future? What strategies best helped you as a learner during this workshop? When and why would you use these strategies in the future?
30 SpringBoard® English Language Arts Grade 6
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