I am desperately seeking your ideas for a troublesome class of intermediate teens that I have just inherited as the original teacher pulled the plug.  I have just a mere few days in which to concoct an enaging group current affairs project where the students have to use at least three different text types for both reading and writing using the computer (it�s a cluster of 3 subjects comprising computer skills and current affairs).  They have to be able to identify facts and supporting information about significant local and international current affairs and give their personal opinion.

 

It has to �consume� about 18 hours of class time over a 6 week period and must use internet and microsoft word skills in order to meet essential outcomes of those subjects.

 

So, I was thinking:

 

Reading use 3 text types - research a topic using online news, forum/blog, online research paper, [more ideas ??? - they need to use at least 3 text types]

 

Writing use 3 text types - Present findings via an opinion piece e.g. essay/letter to the editor, poster/pamphlet, script for an oral presentation, accompanying handout, script for a speech, written report, ????  Also, perhaps consider doing a survey to find class opinion

 

Group activity - choose 3 text types for both reading and writing to research and present the current affairs item and then orally present findings to the class

 

What do you think?  Does it sound engaging enough for a group of �behaviour-challenged� teens who are on Facebook the minute my back is turned?  Do you have some other suggestions for me?

 

Cheers

 

Jayho

Also with the recent London Olympics Lynda �s idea about an activity connected with sports figures sounds awesome, so how about intergrating it with some other news/topic... maybe dealing with a more serious topics like sports stars � tips on handling stress & competitions/winning/losing, sports stars � tips on nutrition, sports stars � views on  doping... a webquest maybe (that would develop computer skills)?

As to the survey, why not create an online one?

Sophia

Edit: Innovations could be a great reading/writing. What do you think? Something like this could be interesting http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00n4j0r 

or silly innovations?

1. why not let them use a Facebook survey asking people to suggest some new sports that should be included in the Olympics as an Olympic sport - then have them vote on three best suggestions and prepare a platform with arguments why their sport should be chosen. Split the class into three groups and have each promote one of the top three chosen sports. (It woud be spectacular if you had a friend sports journalist or reporter, or even an athlete, to whom they could send their reports and who would choose the best one and send you back his/her explanation, or even if you could have that friend visit via skype or any similar version of video phoning, so they could actually see and hear this person. It would be wonderful if you could then have them prepare questions for this person, but maybe this is all science fiction from your friendly dreamer here;))

2. dangers of internet use, esp facebook/twitter/etc. - I know this has been chewed up already, but I would first have them talk about this (it will be easy to find a text) and share their experiences, and then I �d stirr the discussion towards bullying and creating false accounts to smear sb �s reputation (which they �re so versatile and skillful in) and this is where we reach the real project - have them develop projects (you can split them into groups again) on how they could better sb �s life through Facebook (perhaps think about some local problem in your community) - have them create a project , you can even have them create an event to which they would invite people and actually set things in motion... again, perhaps a bit too ambitious, but the more you push them, the more likely it is to get a response. 

However, FB use here should be done in class, not on their personal profiles, which will give you possibility to control the conetents and timing. Don �t know about you, but I ask parents � signed consent when I engage sts in an internet project (lets the parents know what �s happening and covers your back a bit, plus gives a more serious tone to your project so sts don �t slack). Unfortunately, it always helps to have some sort of a reward for the best project, but that �s up to you and your school. I know you need texts, but I always start from the content idea - if I hit that, then everything else seems to just develop easily from it and I find stuff rather easily.

I know I �ve strayed a bit from your guidelines, but bear with me and I know your sense of wit will point you in the right direction;)! Hope this helps a bit.

Anita 

 

Excellent point about "no rebellion" Anita; it stimulates a lot of thought (I�ll be contemplating that for a few days at least).

 

Sorry Jayho--I�m blank at the moment.

 

 

You have provided me with fantabulous ideas and links.

 

Cheers

 

Jayho