Lesson Plan for Day #3

Title: To Feed or not to Feed: a classroom debate

Overview: After reading the first two sections of the novel, students will think about whether life is more fun with the feed or without it. Class will start with a free writing activity to give the students an opportunity to form an opinion and support it. The class will then take sides on the issue, face each other from opposite sides of the room, and try to persuade each other in debate form.

Goals / Objectives:

· Students will think critically about different atmospheres and moods in the novel

· Students will apply moods in the novel to their own social networks

· Students will identify their own opinions and preferences regarding technology and social interaction

· Students will defend their opinions while considering the opinions of their classmates

Materials / Resources Needed

Standard Classroom Materials

Activities / Procedures:

I will write the free-writing prompt on the board: If you could choose to spend time with your friends in the “Moon” section of the book (minus the hacker) or the “Eden” section of the book, which atmosphere would you chose to have fun in? Why? What are the advantages or disadvantages of having the feed in regards to socializing with your friends? Support your opinions.	15 minutes
I will ask students to close their eyes and “vote” for which option they would choose. If the natural choices create a somewhat equal division, I will ask them to move to opposite sides of the room and face each other according to their opinion. I will ask students to argue from a perspective they did not share if a more even division needs to be made.	5 minutes
I will explain the discussion format, and suggest that a few students volunteer to read their free-writes aloud. The students should then respond and debate their opposing choices. I will play “devil’s advocate” if necessary to keep the discussion going. I will write points that the students made during the debate on the board and later transfer them to the discussion board.	30 minutes
If debate fizzles early, I will use the remaining time to discuss observations that the students have made so far in their Detective Notebooks. No reading assigned tonight. Students will be informed that there will be a notebook check tomorrow. At least 4 entries should be completed.

Assessment:

Everyone should participate in the debate if possible. I may call on quiet students to read give one of their points. Participation points will suffer if the student did not read enough of the book to complete the free-write activity.

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