ENGLISH-ish

A socially conscious 9th grader who can write arguments effectively: Can it be done?

We are working towards that goal. By shifting our writing curriculum almost entirely to argument-based, analytical writing and giving students the opportunity to “write about whatever they want,” we are observing some shifts that we feel would excite any hopeful English teacher. Our students are showing increased engagement in, ownership of, and excitement about “boring” academic essays. We are creating more opportunities for legitimate revision and constructive criticism with decreased student defiance or dejectedness. We are also seeing a shift in students’ willingness to think beyond themselves, consider other perspectives, and participate in healthy debate about real-world topics. Through these tweaks in writing instruction, students are taking small steps away from insularity and toward a more altruistic worldview. Attendees will leave with classroom-ready essay and inquiry materials, specifically created for To Kill a Mockingbird, Antigone, and Of Mice and Men, adaptable for scaffolding any student into crafting better arguments.