Systematic research, evidence evaluation, and logical reasoning skills for formal discourse. Equips speakers to organize persuasive arguments, identify fallacies, and execute strategic impact calculus during competitive engagement.
A 70-minute lesson on the 'Foo Fighters' phenomena and pilot logs, analyzing how the 'unexplained' triggers a shift from logic to superstition in text structure.
A 70-minute lesson on The Diary of Anne Frank, analyzing epistolary structure as a tool for personal reflection and psychological resilience in the face of constant fear.
A 70-minute lesson on Executive Order 9066, analyzing how bureaucratic and legalistic structures can mask fear and justify mass exclusion.
A 70-minute lesson focusing on FDR's 'Day of Infamy' speech, analyzing how a leader uses structural contrast and periodic sentences to transform public fear into national resolve.
A comprehensive introduction to identifying logical fallacies—ad hominem, straw man, and red herring—using historical and scientific contexts to prepare English I students for STAAR-level rhetorical analysis.
A tiered persuasive writing lesson designed for mixed-grade or scaffolded classrooms (9th-11th). Core concepts like Ethos, Pathos, and Logos are taught alongside advanced techniques like Kairos and Steel Manning, allowing students of different levels to collaborate and learn from one another.
An advanced lesson for 11th graders that builds upon basic rhetorical foundations. Students explore Kairos (the opportune moment), identify logical fallacies, and tackle complex ethical and societal issues through a high-fidelity architectural blueprint organizer.
A comprehensive lesson for 9th graders on mastering the art of persuasion, focusing on rhetorical appeals, claim development, and addressing counterclaims. Students will use a structured graphic organizer to architect their own arguments on school-related topics.
The capstone Socratic Seminar where students engage in a structured, evidence-based discussion about the ethics of modern digital persuasion.
Students evaluate the ethics of digital influence and prepare evidence-based arguments for a Socratic Seminar, focusing on active listening and logical fallacies.
Students identify and analyze modern persuasive techniques used in social media and digital advertising, focusing on emotional triggers and algorithmic micro-targeting.
A comprehensive exploration of communication dynamics, rhetorical appeals, and critical listening for 11th-grade students. This lesson covers public speaking pillars, Ethos/Pathos/Logos, and identifying bias through interactive group work and a mini-project.
An introductory week for 11th grade Speech and Debate focusing on the fundamentals of persuasion, argument structure, and public speaking formats. Students will master the rhetorical triangle, identify logical fallacies, and practice impromptu delivery.
Compares Lincoln-Douglas and Public Forum debate formats, preparing students for competitive environments.
Teaches students how to find, evaluate, and cite credible evidence to support their arguments.
Explores logical reasoning and common logical fallacies that undermine debate arguments.
Introduces the Claim-Warrant-Data model of argumentation and basic structures for building a persuasive case.
Focuses on non-verbal communication, vocal variety, and overcoming stage fright to establish a professional presence.
A comprehensive guide to teaching structured debate, focusing on argument construction, rebuttal strategies, and persuasive delivery for middle and high school students.
A high-energy, structured debate lesson where students master the art of persuasion, logical reasoning, and respectful discourse through a competitive classroom challenge.
A 45-minute lesson where students showcase their media literacy investigations through screencasts, engage in peer evaluation using a professional rubric, and reflect on their growth as digital fact-checkers.
A collaborative 1-week final project where students form news crews to report on the tragic events of Verona, requiring deep analysis of character motives and textual evidence.
A deep dive into the construction of strong body paragraphs and the art of the counterargument and refutation.
A fast-paced, high-engagement lesson for 11th graders exploring theme in The Great Gatsby, culminating in a dynamic 'Thematic Speed Dating' collaborative activity.
A 90-minute intensive lesson designed to bridge the gap between proficient (8) and advanced (10) scores on the Texas English 1 Argumentative ECR, focusing on counter-arguments, syntax, and sophisticated word choice.
A high-intensity 90-minute workshop designed to move students from a score of 6 to 8 on the Texas English I Argumentative ECR by focusing on quote integration, thorough development, and sophisticated organization. Students analyze a passage on the 4-day school week and practice drafting a high-scoring response.
A 90-minute intensive workshop designed to help students transition from a basic score (3) to a top-tier score (6) on the Texas English I Argumentative ECR. The lesson focuses on evidence integration, transitions, and counter-arguments using the controversial topic of four-day school weeks.
A comprehensive 90-minute workshop designed to move Texas English 1 students from a score of 0 to 3 on the Argumentative ECR rubric. Students focus on building defensible thesis statements and selecting high-impact text evidence using a 'blueprint' approach to writing.
Students will learn the essential components of a Public Service Announcement, focusing on persuasive techniques and crafting a compelling call to action to drive social change.
A station-rotation lesson themed around animal crackers that integrates zoology and conservation vocabulary through reading, writing, speaking, and a STEM challenge. Designed for 6th-grade students to practice multimodal literacy skills while exploring animal ethics and habitat preservation.
An introduction to Lady Macbeth in Act 1, Scene 5, exploring her characterization and gender roles through the Latin root 'voc'.
An examination of Macbeth's shifting ambition in Act 1, Scene 4, focusing on the Latin root 'fer' and complex character development.
An introduction to the 'aside' as a dramatic device in Act 1, Scene 3 to reveal internal conflict, featuring the Latin root 'audi'.
An analysis of Macbeth's characterization in Act 1, Scene 2-3, focusing on imagery and the Latin root 'vis/vid'.
A study of Jacobean England's historical context and its influence on the play, focusing on the Latin root 'scrib/script' and spiraled phonics practice.
An introduction to the supernatural elements and mood of Act 1, Scenes 1-2 of Macbeth, featuring the Latin root 'port' and /er/, /ir/, /ur/ practice.
An exploration of central themes in Macbeth (power, ambition, and gender) to prime students for the play, including the Latin root 'path' and introduction to /er/, /ir/, and /ur/ vowels.
An analysis of Sonnet 106 focusing on figurative language and the theme of time, featuring the Latin root 'spec' and final explicit practice for /ar/ and /or/.
An introductory lesson that hooks students into the world of William Shakespeare, explores his modern relevance, and establishes foundational literacy routines.
A lesson exploring Sonnet 130 to introduce Shakespearean language and irony while teaching the Latin root 'vers/vert' and continuing /ar/ and /or/ R-controlled vowel practice.
An introductory lesson for Jon Krakauer's 'Into the Wild', focusing on rhetorical analysis, transcendentalist influences, and the ethical debate surrounding Chris McCandless's journey.
A comprehensive lesson on crafting compelling persuasive essays for high school students, focusing on structure, rhetorical appeals, and the drafting process.
A culminating workshop where students apply their skills in simulated final focus speeches with peer and teacher feedback.
A focus on the technical vocabulary of weighing, teaching students to use precise terminology like 'prerequisite' and 'short-circuit' to win impact comparisons.
Students adopt the perspective of an adjudicator to learn how to package their winning arguments into a coherent, persuasive narrative.
Students explore the high-risk strategy of turning an opponent's impact into a benefit for their own side or a disadvantage for the opponent.
Students learn to use layered argumentation to hedge their bets, arguing why they win both on the primary clash and even if their opponent's premise is granted.
Focuses on adapting complex impact calculus for lay audiences by translating jargon into relatable analogies and common language.
Focuses on the availability heuristic and how descriptive imagery creates mental anchors that make impacts feel more probable.
Analyzes linguistic techniques to create a sense of urgency and immediacy, making distant threats feel like 'now or never' scenarios.
Teaches students to convert statistical impact data into compelling human narratives that resonate emotionally with audiences.
Explores why large-scale statistics often fail to move audiences and how the 'identifiable victim effect' can be used to overcome psychic numbing.
A rapid-fire practice session where students synthesize all weighing mechanisms in 30-second competitive speeches.
Teaches students the 'Even-If' structure to concede an opponent's premise while winning on the impact level.
Explores how the speed of an impact and its permanence (reversibility) influence strategic prioritization.
Focuses on the tension between high-impact/low-probability events and low-impact/high-probability events using risk assessment models.
Students define and identify the three pillars of impact calculus: Magnitude, Probability, and Timeframe through scenario analysis.
A capstone simulation where students debate complex policy topics focusing entirely on comparing the 'World of the Affirmative' vs. the 'World of the Negative.'
Students focus on synthesizing the round into a coherent narrative for the judge, practicing the 'Final Focus' and the art of collapsing.
Students learn to debate weighing mechanisms like Utilitarianism vs. Deontology to set the filter through which a judge evaluates the round.
This lesson teaches the strategic use of 'Even If' statements to insulate arguments and win rounds through strategic concessions and layering.
Students are introduced to the core metrics of weighing: Magnitude, Probability, Timeframe, and Reversibility through case studies and conflict analysis.
Students present their graphic stories and historical research to the class, explaining the themes of oppression and their connections to Persepolis.
Students finalize their graphic panels and write a reflective paragraph connecting their researched historical event to the themes of government control and resistance in Persepolis.
Students begin drawing their final graphic panels, focusing on visual storytelling techniques like facial expressions, symbolic imagery, and high-contrast black-and-white art.
Students translate their research into a sequential narrative by creating a storyboard that includes sketches, dialogue, and narration ideas for their 8 panels.
Students are introduced to the project, choose a country/time period of historical oppression, and conduct research on how authority figures manipulated or controlled the population.
Students conduct their community interviews, transcribe or synthesize the dialogue into a compelling narrative, and share their findings through a final presentation.
Students map their community to identify potential interview subjects, research local history, and practice professional outreach techniques.
A project-based lesson where students learn the professional techniques of active listening and open-ended questioning to conduct meaningful interviews. Students practice these skills before heading out to capture the stories of their community.
This lesson guides students through the complete lifecycle of an essay—from initial research and thesis development to structural drafting and eventual transformation into a persuasive speech.
A project-based lesson designed for high school English students to bridge the gap between classroom ELA skills and professional career success. Students will conduct a 'skill audit' of their dream careers and create a persuasive 'Power Pitch' that demonstrates their communication proficiency.
A comprehensive guide to mastering argumentative writing, focusing on structural integrity, evidence-based claims, and the art of the counterargument.
This lesson provides students with the tools and strategies needed to construct powerful argumentative essays and speeches, focusing on thesis development, evidence usage, and addressing counterarguments.
A comprehensive lesson on the structural pillars of argumentative writing, using a courtroom theme to master claims, evidence, and counter-arguments through fast-paced, high-impact activities.
The culminating event: a class-wide slam competition with audience judges, followed by a written reflection on the journey of voice.
Guiding students through the process of choosing a personal topic, finding their unique voice, and drafting a 3-minute slam poem using the techniques learned.
Focusing on the literary and performance techniques that give slam poetry its rhythm, including internal rhyme, repetition, and the 'beat' of the spoken word.
Introducing the history and impact of spoken word poetry, focusing on how voice and identity shape modern performance art.
Students explore the cultural significance of the Anglo-Saxon boast in Beowulf. They analyze Beowulf's formal introductions and craft their own traditional boasts to perform for the class.
An introductory lesson on Jamaica Kincaid's 'Girl' focusing on the unique structural choice of a single-sentence narrative, its rhythmic style, and the complex characterization of the mother-daughter relationship.
A set of assessment tools designed to evaluate students' listening, speaking, and collaborative skills through the lens of a professional newsroom.
Préparation et organisation de la table ronde sur la romance adolescente avec des professionnels de l'édition et de l'éducation.
A comprehensive 90-minute independent assignment focused on the rhetorical importance of graduation and ceremonial speeches, guiding students through brainstorming, outlining, and recording their own speech.
The core lesson for the Hamlet collaborative project, guiding students through thematic analysis, soliloquy performance, and final presentation preparation.
A lesson focused on analyzing Pearl S. Buck's short story 'The Good Deed' through student-led inquiry into culture, gender, and theme.
An advanced extension unit for high school seniors that uses high-stakes debate to explore revenge, literary devices, and Shakespeare's enduring legacy in modern storytelling.
A 90-minute B2-level English lesson focused on the life and public role of Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, featuring listening comprehension and intensive speaking activities.
A comprehensive English II lesson focusing on Saki's 'The Interlopers' to master EOC-style analysis, short constructed responses, and thematic debates. Students will explore irony, characterization, and word nuance while evaluating the conflict between man and nature.
A comprehensive review of chapters 1-20 of To Kill a Mockingbird to prepare students for the pivotal verdict in chapter 21. Includes character analysis, a timeline of events, and a detailed plot summary.
A Socratic seminar lesson exploring the themes of Emilia's Lament from Shakespeare's Othello in the context of arranged marriage, agency, and societal expectations. Students will analyze the text to prepare for a deep, student-led discussion.
This lesson explores the sociological and literary concept of 'The White Gaze' through Toni Morrison's debut novel, 'The Bluest Eye'. Students will analyze the impact of internalized beauty standards on marginalized communities and discuss how Morrison's career challenged traditional literary canons.
Students investigate the power of storytelling by engaging in a formal debate centered on the 'Silencer's' philosophy. They analyze literature as 'windows and mirrors' to argue whether stories are vital tools for empathy or mere distractions from real-world issues.
Students will transition from story dreaming to story planning by articulating their narrative ideas aloud. Through peer interviews and feedback, they will identify and bridge 'clarity gaps' in their novel plans.
Students participate in a Socratic Seminar where they must rely on their annotations to drive the dialogue, followed by a reflection on the utility of their notes.
A comprehensive two-day introduction to advertising persuasion techniques, teaching students to identify and analyze slogans, repetition, bandwagoning, testimonials, emotional appeals, and expert opinions.
A comprehensive guide to mastering the art of public speaking, covering the entire process from rhetorical writing to confident stage delivery.
A comprehensive lesson for high school students to master the rhetorical appeals of ethos, pathos, and logos. Through analysis of mentor texts and creative writing practice, students learn to navigate the art of persuasion and build their own 'road maps' for compelling arguments.
A fast-paced 30-minute introduction to the structural components of argumentative writing, focusing on building strong claims, supporting them with evidence, and addressing counterclaims.
A deep dive into the climactic finale of Shakespeare's Hamlet, focusing on the themes of revenge, the nature of justice, and the ultimate resolution of Hamlet's tragic journey. Students will engage in evidence-based debates to analyze character motivations and the play's tragic conclusion.
A focused planning session for 11th-grade students to draft a concise informational speech about a personal passion or themselves, emphasizing structure, thesis development, and delivery techniques.
Students will learn to identify and craft effective counterclaims and rebuttals to strengthen their argumentative writing. The lesson uses a 'combat' metaphor to make the components of an argument memorable and engaging.
A lesson focused on the climactic Act III of '12 Angry Men', exploring the shifting dynamics of the jury, the re-examination of evidence, and the final resolution of the trial.
This 30-minute lesson focuses on the rhetorical function of counterarguments and rebuttals within a high-stakes setting, specifically inspired by the play 'Twelve Angry Men'. Students move from defining terms to active role-play and personal reflection, developing empathy for alternative viewpoints.
A lesson focused on Act 1 of 12 Angry Men, where students analyze initial evidence and engage in structured debates to practice evidence-based reasoning.
A fast-paced, 10-15 minute video-based introduction to Macbeth, using white board responses to track student thinking on whether Macbeth deserves the throne.
Students explore the power of counterarguments and alternative perspectives through the lens of juror deliberations, focusing on identifying and rebutting opposing views to build empathy and stronger arguments.
A high-school level exploration of how to use qualifiers and modifiers to create nuanced arguments, using Juror 8's rhetoric in 12 Angry Men as a primary case study. Students learn to move beyond absolute claims to build more persuasive, credible arguments.
A high-energy debate lesson where students learn to weaponize text evidence and avoid 'vibes-based' arguments using a Khan Academy model. Students practice finding evidence for opposing sides within the same text and engage in rapid-fire mini-debates.
A lesson focused on identifying the 'terms of debate' and learning how to reframe an argument to shift the ground of a discussion. Students will analyze a soda tax debate and practice reframing standard school-based topics.
This lesson explores the history and utility of style guides in journalism, focusing on the evolution of pronouns. Students analyze the transition from 'generic he' to 'singular they' and collaborate to draft a formal style policy for their own publication.
Students learn to strengthen their arguments by anticipating and addressing counterarguments before they are even raised. Using a relatable video analysis of a teen negotiating for a new phone, students practice the 'preemptive strike' technique using a specific 'Even though...' sentence structure.
A high-energy creative writing lesson that explores project management through the lens of 'Storysmithing.' Students debate scheduling strategies like word-count goals vs. time-based habits to find their ideal creative flow.
