Author:
Melody Casey
Subject:
English Language Arts
Material Type:
Lesson Plan
Level:
Middle School
Grade:
7
Tags:
  • GEDB
  • Global Education
  • License:
    Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial
    Language:
    English

    Education Standards

    GEDB Americans, Eat More Insects! Persuasive Writing Assignment (Lesson 3 of 3)

    GEDB Americans, Eat More Insects! Persuasive Writing Assignment (Lesson 3 of 3)

    Overview

    After having learned about how other cultures embrace entomophagy and reading arguments for why Americans should eat more insects, students will now synthesize their learning into a persuasive essay. This lesson was developed by Katherine Zamarra as part of their completion of the North Carolina Global Educator Digital Badge program. This lesson plan has been vetted at the local and state level for standards alignment, Global Education focus, and content accuracy.

    Lesson Plan

    Description

    After having learned about how other cultures embrace entomophagy and reading arguments for why Americans should eat more insects, students will now synthesize their learning into a persuasive essay.


    Content

    Student Engagement/Motivation

    Teacher will re-engage students by asking them to write down the names of three edible insects: ants, bees, and tarantulas. Teacher will ask students to imagine how these insects could be incorporated into foods they eat on a regular basis. Teacher will share one or all of the following examples: pepperoni pizza topped with crispy fried ants, chicken and bee noodle soup, and tarantula tamles. Teacher will ask students to share their creations with a partner. Teacher will ask students to write a short journal entry describing how they would convince their family or friends to eat insects.


    Learning Targets and Criteria for Success

    Learning Targets

    1. I can analyze their notes to determine the strongest supporting ideas.

    2. I can write an essay, using the strongest supporting ideas, to persuade Americans to incorporate more insects into their diet.

    Criteria for Success

    1. I will write a persuasive essay that addresses how other cultures embrace entomophagy and outlines supporting arguments for why Americans should incorporate more insects into their diet.


    Supplies/Resources

    • Paper and pencil or a word processor
    • Copy of graphic organizer
    • Previously completed note-taking documents
    • The rubric

    Learning Tasks and Practice

    Teacher will ask students to review all of their note-taking documents. Teacher will ask students to circle three facts that interest them most about how other cultures consume insects. Teacher will ask students to underline the two most compelling reasons why Americans should incorporate more insects into their diets. Teacher will ask students to double underline supporting evidence. Teacher will then distribute the graphic organizer for persuasive writing. Teacher will instruct students to fill out the graphic organizer using their notes. Teacher will monitor student progress and instruct students to begin writing their essays once their graphic organizers are complete.

    Once students complete a draft, teacher will ask students to edit and revise their own papers.


    Technological Engagement

    Students can use a word processing program to type their final drafts. Students can use technology to share their essays with a wider audience, such as through a messaging system.