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The objective of this task is to give students practice at identifying the language features and text structure typical of a report. This exercise involves predicting, learning vocabulary, reading and scanning also.
Divide the class into groups. Each group should do AnalysingAReport (Word 30KB) based on the Reuters article "Getting your fill of fibre cuts cancer risk, say scientists".
Give each student his/her own copy of the task. See answers (Word 54KB) .
A group report should be submitted to the teacher by each group. After marking the group report the teacher could issue copies of the answers and go through these with students. Alternatively students could relay answers to the whole class and receive feedback as a group.
The same sort of exercise should be done several times with different texts if time allows. Other texts are given separately as possible texts:
In each case get students to look for the main idea and analyse the significance of it. Identify the language features and structure of the text and say why these techniques have been used.
See English Online Features of text forms, Recounts, to teach the Language Features and text structure typical of recounts. Treat as for reports. Teachers will find Patterns of text: genre useful. In this, there is a paragraph about the purpose of a recount.
Student language objectives include predicting, learning vocabulary, reading and comprehension, recognising language features and text structure typical of a recount. Teacher should organise students into small groups.
Writer: Gayle Cattell
Unit standard being assessed
US 8825 Version 4:
Performance criteria
Language learning outcomes
This achievement standard is derived from English in the New Zealand Curriculum, Learning Media, Ministry of Education, 1994, up to and including Level 7.
with links to:
This unit also links to Food Technology, Home Economics and Health.
Students will will develop pieces of transactional writing arguing either for or against a fat tax on junk food. This unit could be used as a formative work for transactional writing. If it is used for summative assessment, students must ensure that none of the material in the exemplars [which are written on this 'Fat Tax' topic] is incorporated into their essays.
The same conditions for assessment apply when assessing 8825 and the internally assessed writing achievement standard 90376 Produce crafted and developed formal transactional writing [2.2] - or any internally assessed unit or achievement writing standard at any level. Teachers must be satisfied that the work is the student's. Students should complete internally assessed writing work in class. If the pieces are to be assessed for summative assessment, teachers should ensure that the extent of teacher input does not compromise assessment validity; in other words, the writing is the students', not the teacher's.
This is an internal assessment and as such should be worked on only in the classroom under teacher supervision. To ensure authenticity, students work should be held by the teacher between periods.
Teachers may guide students actively through the initial tasks helping them to identify techniques mentioned. Teachers may show how the techniques used in the exemplars can be applied to students' own writing.
As they develop drafts, teachers can advise students that their writing may need further work on ideas, language, structure; or on accuracy in spelling, punctuation or paragraphing, but they may not correct errors. Students should have access to dictionaries to check their writing. Word processing is acceptable providing it is done under teacher supervision.
Consultation should occur with each student prior to the final submission. Students should have several opportunities during the year to develop their transactional writing skills.
Students may use English language dictionaries, but not foreign language or electronic dictionaries. Students should be fully aware of the process contained in the TeacherInstruction-summativeAssessment (Word 30KB) and familiar with the sheets needed to complete the task
NB: Teachers using this unit will need to check that it is in accord with their school assessment policy.
Teacher perceptions on the use and value of formative assessment in secondary English programmes.
Some suggested adaptations for lower ability students have been included in green either under this section or within the teacher instructions which can be found along with the task. The teaching/learning activities have been divided into preparing to learn at word and sentence level, preparing to learn at text level, and preparing to write (which includes a practice assessment task).
Task 1- Ask and Answer (Word 26KB)
Phrases in Apposition task 2 (Word 417KB)
Task 3- Exemplification Revision (Word 24KB)
Quotes task 4 (Word 1,017KB)
Task 5 Free writing ( 40KB)
Task 6- Vocabulary (Word 135KB)
Task 7- Sentence Matching (Word 46KB)
Task 8- True-False (Word 42KB)
Task 9
Nominalisation task 10 (Word 2MB)
Task 11 Free writing 2nd attempt (Word 40KB)
Task 12- Theme and Rheme (Word 45KB)
Task 13- Free writing (Word 40KB)
Task 14- Information Transfer (Word 24KB)
Task 15- Information Transfer for an Argument (Word 24KB)
Task 16- Free writing (Word 40KB)
Task 17- Text Reconstruction (Word 48KB)
Task 18-modality (Word 332KB)
Cohesion-CauseAndEffect (Word 720KB)
Task 20- Argument Construction Squares (Word 33KB)
Task 21- Cohesion - Linking Words (Word 33KB)
Task 22- Writing Squares (Word 32KB)
Task 23- Editing (Word 47KB)
Independent writing
This activity can be used to assess one of the three pieces required for the transactional writing unit standard 8825. Unit standard 8825 assesses similar outcomes to achievement standard 90376 Produce crafted and developed formal transactional writing [2.2]. Both standards require the same overall standard of writing to gain achievement [2.2] and credit [8825]. Even though the two standards assess similar outcomes, there are some differences in terminology. The term "conventions" is used in performance criteria 1.3 [8825] to mean style and structure. "Conventions" in the formal writing achievement standard refers to grammar, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. The standard of technical accuracy required in 8825's pc 1.4: " Final product is crafted to publication standard" is identical to achievement level for the 2.2 conventions criterion: "use writing conventions accurately."
Teacher reads text 1 GM industry falling apart worldwide (Common Dreams website) to the students.
Students read "GM industry falling apart worldwide" from Line 1 to Line 60 circling any unknown words with a pencil.
Working with a partner students complete the Vocabulary Word Matching Sheet for Lines 1 to 60 (Word 46KB) Vocabulary Word Matching Sheet for Lines 61 to the End (Word 46KB) as far as possible before using an English dictionary. Discuss answers as a class.
Each student makes their own set of vocabulary cards for the words that they do not know as follows: write the unknown word on one side of the card and on the back write the meaning in their own language. They may also add a sentence or anything else that will help them remember the meaning such as a drawing (Nation's vocabulary cards). Demonstrate how to use the cards and pupils practise testing each other.
Homework is to learn all the words for a test.
Students suggest what strategy they could use to handle the words that they still do not know - that is the words that they circled in pencil but are not high frequency words.
At the beginning of the next lesson allow five minutes practice with the vocabulary cards and then get students to complete the Vocabulary Test Sheet for Lines 1 to 60 (Word 40KB) and Vocabulary Test Sheet for Lines 61 to the End (Word 41KB) individually. Students then work in pairs to complete the sheets. Answers are discussed in class and each pupil marks their own work. Words not known should be learnt.
Repeat all the above steps with the same article from line 61 to the end. Include revision of the strategies for determining the meaning of unknown low frequency words.
This 3 level guide aims to help the students to:
Note: GM industry falling apart worldwide on which the 3 level guide is based is anti-GM foods, but students will also be exposed to a text promoting GM foods.
3 Level Guide Student Sheet (Word 30KB)
3 Level Guide Teacher Sheet (Word 30KB)
Read the article GM industry falling apart worldwide (The New Zealand Herald website). Complete the information transfer chart . The teacher models the process to encourage students using their own words. Students write the first one and then share with the rest of the class. If a large class then students should share with each other. Students complete the other two and then share what they have written with their neighbour.
There are many online texts on GM foods. Find two or three that suit the language needs of your students and ask them to list the arguments for or against and then share with a neighbour.
Whole class discussion of arguments for and against GM foods.
Give each student a copy of either the Monsanto internet task (35 kB), Organic Gardening Internet Task (Word 28KB) , or Potato Farmer Internet Task (Word 31KB) (electronic or hard copy). Complete the tasks (see Resources for URLs) then re-group the class into groups of three so that there is one potato farmer, one organic farmer, and a sales person from Monsanto in each group. Each person reports on their own findings, followed by group discussion of the three perspectives. Whole class discussion on findings.
The internet research task must be completed prior to this task.
Writer: Rosemary Allison
US 12420 Version 3
Students will complete ONE of the two required assessment activities for US12420. Students will develop close readings of provided texts on the topic of overseas drivers on New Zealand roads. Other texts with a similar focus could also be included as material for further close reading activities.
Teachers may wish to combine this unit with the level 2 research unit, New People, New Place, New Start. The texts used for close reading in Getting Around are also incorporated into formative research work for New People, New Place, New Start.
For summative assessment, teachers must be satisfied that the close reading work is the student's. Students should complete close reading activities in class. If the close reading activity is to be used for summative assessment, teachers should ensure that the extent of teacher input does not compromise assessment validity; in other words, the work is the student's, not the teacher's.
Teachers may guide students actively through the initial tasks. When completing close reading activities for summative assessment, students can compare their answers to those in the initial tasks to ensure that their close reading answers are at an appropriate level.
Students should have several opportunities during the year to develop their close reading skills.
NB: Teachers using this unit will need to check that it accords with their school assessment policy.
Where local adaptations are made, teachers and schools should ensure that they have:
Learning task 1
Learning task 2
Conditions: This assessment is to be completed individually, in class and under exam conditions. It cannot be taken out of class.
Summative assessment activity:See the Getting Around Assessment schedule (Word 18KB) which is linked to the Getting Around Driving while Asian (Word 806KB) text indicating the level of answers required.
Successful completion of this task will fulfil part of the range statement [one of two close readings] for the level 2 Unit standard 12420: Read transactional text closely.
So far, students have become familiar with the first and second performance criteria for US 12420, but they have not yet studied language features or techniques for shaping the text.
Complete the Language features resource sheet (Word 36KB) matching exercise:
The techniques chosen should be relevant for most of the text, that is they should "shape" the text. Look at the "Driving while Asian" text. Identify anecdotes and examples of Asian driving habits throughout the article. Using anecdotes or examples is one technique the writer has used to shape the text. Discuss the effects created by using this technique.
Students can also use their jigsaw reading texts to practise finding main ideas, explaining the significance of main ideas, and finding language features and techniques for shaping the text.
Hand out Getting Around Driving while Asian (Word 806KB) of the formative reading text for US 12420, "Driving while Asian". Read and discuss the questions (Word 25KB) . Students should write answers as a formative activity.
Students compare their answers to those in Getting Around Exemplar A (Word 24KB) . Now compare answers in Getting Around exemplar B (Word 21KB) to those in Exemplar A. Look at the answers for each question in turn, first in Exemplar A then in Exemplar B. Read the annotations underneath each answer. What differences do you notice between answers in each exemplar?
Look at Exemplar A's answers to 1.2 and 1.4. Unit standard 12420 requires analysis to meet both these performance criteria. As a class, talk about the higher level of interpretation evident in the 1.2 and 1.4 answers compared to the explanation required for pc 1.1 or the description required for 1.3.
The summative assessment can be done whenever you feel students are ready. This may be after giving feedback on the formative assessment and after further practice on weak areas.
Possible essay topic link to English 2.2.
To assist with forming an argument, students participate in an activity similar to a debate called Academic Controversy. Procedures for this activity are online at the Tasmania English Learning Area. Write the topic for the Academic Controversy, "New Zealand and Australia should have a common border for trade purposes", on the whiteboard.
The Information Transfer (Word 29KB) is a graphic organiser to help students organise their ideas for transactional writing.
Formative reading text 2: I Feel Like an Animal in a Cage (Word 37KB)
Ask your students to make up some questions based on the formative texts they have read in class so far. Tell them to make their questions open-ended so that they can include a wide range of sources. The questions need to allow them to include factual information but also to make judgments. Some examples are:
Ask the class to study the exemplars in their student instruction booklet.
Organise a jigsaw activity. Divide the class into small groups and ask each one to focus on a particular exemplar. The group must list the sources of information used in their particular exemplar. Have the students feed back to the class.
Record the sources of information on a large piece of paper which can be put up as a poster for later reference.
Suggestions:
Internet
It is essential that students use their time efficiently. Teachers need to check that students can search, scan for appropriate sites, skim read to locate information. They need to copy the website reference into their own document. They also need to quote the language from the source that they are going to make their own comments on. They will need to summarise information on the context or situation that language was used in.
The database EPIC is available to schools from the National Library.
This provides easy access to a huge number of sources, sites, articles, newspaper material as well as magazines. The databases that are recommended for this topic include EBSCO (Australia/New Zealand Reference Centre), InfoTrac Onefile and RDS Contemporary Women's Issues (One of the GALE databases). Not only is this collection carefully edited, it also carries citation details and all articles have a level of difficulty indicator. The Toolbox is also another excellent feature. To access EPIC you need to enter a user id and password that should have been sent to your principal. If you do have access to EPIC it is strongly recommended that you familiarise yourself with access first before using it with a class.
In class have students suggest what these might be. Try "immigration" and specify the country, eg "immigration in New Zealand", "immigration issues", "racism in a specify country", "refugees in New Zealand", "adjusting to a new culture", "immigration and refugees". These produced many results on EPIC.
Practise note making.
Cut up sections of ReadingText2 (Word 33KB) . Make sure you include sections that contain language features suitable for analysis. Paste the text in paragraph blocks allowing space between each block for students to write a short paraphrase/summary.
Tell students they can use abbreviations and they can write in incomplete sentences. They are looking for the main idea and one or two examples. They must record details of the author, title, publisher and publication date for every example.
Model the exercise on the whiteboard as a class activity.
Students should be given the opportunity to practise summarising skills with every text they encounter for close reading exercises. Use graphic organisers.
Here is another idea that Aida Walqui recommends. Paste the target text in paragraph chunks or slightly longer sections so that there is a 5cm margin down the right hand side of the page headed up "notes". Introduce the content by prefacing what the text is about in a sentence at the start of each section. "The Afghani immigrant, a hardworking man, tells his story. Read about how his family found their arrival in Australia an unpleasant experience" It can also be in question form: "Why is Mr Ahmed worried about his daughter?" These prompts act as hooks to draw the reader into the content. Students read and write notes alongside the text.
Students could also set out their information as follows:
Show students how to set out a bibliography. For a student handout use How to set out a Bibliography (Word 33KB) .
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