Title:
Sounds of the Season
Grade Level:
7 and 8
Subject: English
Language Arts
Learner Outcomes: The
Learner will:
-
visit an Internet site to view advertisements.
-
brainstorm about the components of an advertisement
(persuasive strategies: giving precedent from the past, responding
to anticipated objections, calling the audience to consider what is fair,
and predicting results if the reader does not decide in your favor).
-
relate the components of advertising to the
music of Christmas.
-
write an advertisement for Christmas music.
Duration of Lesson:
2 hours
Materials:
-
Sample newspaper advertisements
-
Sample magazine advertisements
Technology Tools/Courseware:
-
Computer with Internet access
-
Word processing program
-
Printer
Teacher Notes: Obtain
a signed Acceptable Use Policy for each student.
Procedures:
-
Decide whether this lesson will be an individual
or team assignment. If students are to work on teams, organize the
teams according to the amount of time available to complete the assignment,
the number of computers available, and the ability levels of the students
involved.
-
If the students are unfamiliar with the components
of advertising, discuss the persuasive strategies. Show examples
of well-written advertisements by accessing the New
York Times on the Internet or by displaying copies of a local newspaper.
Also, have students access the Newsweek
magazine site.
-
Bookmark The
Nutcracker and Songs
of the Season to make efficient use of allotted time.
-
Give specific directions on how students are
to access The
Nutcracker and Songs
of the Season on the Internet where they will hear the music.
-
Consider any of these options for accessing
the Internet.
-
Use the computer lab so all students can be
working on the assignment at the same time.
-
Assign one computer to each group.
-
Post a computer usage schedule. Students
not using the computers could be doing other assignments at their desks.
-
Compare and contrast The Nutcracker music to
at least one other Christmas song by completing the Christmas
Music Comparison Chart.
-
After discussing advertising strategies, have
students write their own advertisement based on their charts. Explain
that the ad needs to be easy to understand, appealing to the senses, and
include a graphic.
-
After students have written their rough drafts,
edited and revised their work, and exchanged papers for peer reviewing,
they should use a word processing program to produce their final copies.
Final copies should be submitted to the teacher for evaluation.
Modifications:
-
Arrange heterogeneous groups to accommodate
students of various ability levels.
-
Follow the school's policy for inclusion.
-
Refer to individual IEP's.
Enrichment Activities:
Have each student or group:
-
Add sound, as well as a graphic, to the advertisement.
-
Create a PowerPoint presentation to advertise
the song.
-
Create an ad for radio or television.
-
Share the advertisement with the class.
Evaluation/Assessment: An
Advertisement Rubric is attached
for your consideration.
State Standards:
-
WVIGO's (A complete list of IGO's can be found
at the WVDE site.)
English
Language Arts: 7.55, 7.62, 7.163, 7.169, 7.173
8.50, 8.64, 8.151, 8.155
National
Standards
References:
Author: Marsha
Cook, Collins Middle School, Oak Hill, WV
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