WiS Lesson 8M "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: (M) The student will join one of two newly created special interest groups representing each of the remaining two priorities. MATERIALS REQUIRED: Paper and pencil INTRODUCTION: "And then there were two." Now those of you in the groups left out in the cold have a decision to make. You've got to join one or the other of the two remaining. PROCEDURE 1. Students negotiate the nature of the new groups and the issues they represent. 2. The class polarizes into two distinct factions. 3. They select spokespersons for their respective sides. EVALUATION FOCUS: This is where things can get unwieldy if you aren't careful. Consider the smoothness with which they cooperate. The media will, of course, call any rough spots to everyone's attention. (That's the media's job.)