WiS Lesson 8H "Special Interest"

The original Writing in Stereo was published online back in the late 1980's.  Its purpose was to apply creative radio dramatics or broadcast journalism to all aspects of the teaching of high school English.  Each lesson included a lesson plan and notes.  I'm sharing these with you here. UNIT OBJECTIVE: (VIII) The student will practice the confident pursuit of information in the classroom simulation, "Special Interest." LESSON OBJECTIVE: (H) The student will elect members of the Bond Priorities Board. MATERIALS REQUIRED: Paper and pencil INTRODUCTION: We have four candidates for the Bond Priorities Board. Now we'll hold an election. Before we can have an election, we have to have a campaign. PROCEDURE 1. Allow each candidate 10 minutes to confer with each of the other special interest groups. 2. Encourage the special interest groups to bargain for their group's vote. (One group will not be represented on the board, so all four must plan for that contingency.) 3. The media will provide news of deals being made. 4. Hold an election. Show of hands is sufficient, but you may wish to have secret ballots. Students may vote for two (2) candidates. EVALUATION FOCUS: The students should demonstrate an intense involvement with this phase of the simulation. Things are beginning to get exciting. Anyone who seems disinterested or uninvolved deserves your attention. The election will produce a three-member Bond Priorities Board.