Twitter, illustrative stock photo. (source: Richard Drew)
This exercise is prepared by the Leaf Academy. It is part of the Spectator College programme and it is linked to the articles: Facebook has no competition among social networks and Expl0ited: I always put something of my own into everything.
CONTENT
EXERCISE 1: Facebook Has No Competition Among Social Networks
EXERCISE 2: Exploited: I Always Put Something of My Own into Everything
RECOMMENDATIONS
EXERCISE 1 is linked to the article: Facebook Has No Competition Among Social Networks
Lesson Objectives
-Read text and demonstrate understanding (comprehension, analysis, connection, and transfer)
-Analyze argument
-Respond to argument and work with evidence
1. Read article (10 minutes)
Write down any words you do not understand.
2. Understanding: (5 minutes)
Have each student share word(s) they don’t know and define them.
3. Summarize/Monitor Understanding (10 minutes)
Have students identify the author’s main points in the article.
Identify the dissenting and supporting points of view.
Focused Free Write: (5 minutes writing, 5 minute discussion)
Prompt: Using the two quotes, “The most significant regional trend in using global social network is the low popularity of Twitter among Slovaks.” And “…the way Facebook is used allows media to have a strong weapon for agenda setting and manipulation, since only a few people click through and read a whole article.” These two quotes seem to be in disagreement. If most people do not read the full article, wouldn’t that suggest that Twitter could become more popular in Slovakia? Using evidence from the article, and your own personal experiences, make a case either for or against the rise of Twitter in Slovakia.
Have students share what they have written.
Discussion (15 minutes)
Look for areas of consensus or dissonance.
Focus on evidence they use to support their position.
Summarize key points.
EXERCISE2 is linked to the article: Exploited: I Always Put Something of My Own into Everything
Lesson Objectives
-Read text and demonstrate understanding (comprehension, analysis, connection, and transfer)
-Analyze argument
-Respond to argument and work with evidence
1. Read article (5 minutes)
Underline any words you do not recognize or understand.
2. Understanding: (5 minutes)
Have each student share word(s) they don’t know and define them.
3. Summarize/Monitor Understanding (10 minutes)
Have students identify the author’s main points in the article.
Identify the dissenting and supporting points of view.
4. Focused Free Write: (5 minutes writing, 5 minute discussion)
Prompt: The article from Lesson 5 did not include YouTube as a competitor to Facebook. Given that Expl0ited has over 600,000 subscribers in Slovakia, YouTube is a competitor to Facebook especially amongst youth and new statistics for 2016 would illustrate this. Agree or disagree with this statement and use both evidence and your own experience to support your position.
Have students share what they have written.
5. Discussion (15 minutes)
Look for areas of consensus or dissonance.
Focus on evidence they use to support their position.
Summarize key points.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Recommended Usage and Format for Leaf Academy English Lessons
We believe a discussion-based format is best for achieving the learning objectives. We also believe that using the technique Writing as Thinking helps students to formulate their ideas and practice their writing in advance of the discussion. The degree of facilitator and adult involvement will vary according to student background and secondary objectives.
Writing
Model by being willing to write along with students and also to share your writing with the class.
Let them know before writing if they will be asked to share their writing out loud.
Here writing is first thoughts, so poor spelling, punctuation or conventions are not the focus.
Focus on engaging with ideas.
They do not need to apologize for the quality of their writing.
Discussion
Set expectations for active listening and body language
Engage introverts and extroverts, be mindful of dominant voices
Be mindful of how much you are speaking
Manage time
Encourage students to respond directly to each other, and not through the facilitator, using evidence- I agree with Igor’s point because…
Encourage everyone to draw from evidence in the text to support their points, avoid generalizations:
-Can you point to a line in the text
-Can you help me to understand…
-Could you give an example…
Use techniques to encourage other voices
-Let’s hear some other thoughts…
-Let’s hear from someone who hasn’t contributed yet...
Techniques for managing time/discussion
-Put this in the parking lot and move on…
-Let’s pause here…
Parts of the lesson
Focused Free Write- an opportunity for students to write freely, but about a specific prompt.
Reflection- an opportunity to think about the lesson, what they have learned and hopefully how it will help them or how it connects to their life
Underlining words- this strategy is a good habit for students and it also allows them more ownership of their vocabulary
This exercise is prepared by the Leaf Academy and it is part of the Spectator College, a programme created by The Slovak Spectator.
