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5th Grade
- Project
- 6 weeks
"AI Argu-mentors: Persuade with Pixels!"
Purpose
This project aims to engage 5th-grade students in the art of persuasive essay writing through the exploration of artificial intelligence (AI). By examining the pros and cons of AI, students will learn to construct evidence-based arguments, understand the role of perspective, and develop strong introductory statements. The project emphasizes the iterative process of writing by incorporating AI tools and peer feedback, allowing students to refine their work and appreciate diverse feedback sources. Through hands-on activities and real-world applications, students will enhance their critical thinking and communication skills, preparing them for future academic challenges.
Learning goals
Students will develop skills in crafting persuasive essays by examining the pros and cons of AI, focusing on using evidence to support arguments. They will learn to consider different perspectives and how these influence argumentation. Students will practice creating strong introductions with clear thesis statements. They will engage in a process of revision, using both AI and human feedback to enhance clarity and effectiveness in their writing.
Standards
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.5: With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Products
Students will create a comprehensive portfolio showcasing their journey through the persuasive essay writing process. This portfolio will include initial drafts, AI-generated feedback, peer feedback, and final essays, each accompanied by reflective annotations detailing the impact of feedback on their revisions. Additionally, students will produce a presentation or visual display that outlines their understanding of AI's pros and cons, highlighting how their perspectives evolved through the project. By the end of the unit, students will have developed a well-structured persuasive essay that clearly articulates their position on AI, supported by evidence and refined through iterative feedback.
Launch
Begin the project with an interactive exploration of AI by having students participate in a "AI Timeline Walk." Set up stations around the classroom with key milestones in AI development, including videos, images, and short descriptions. Encourage students to discuss their thoughts and questions at each station. Conclude with a group discussion on what AI is, its current applications, and initial impressions of its pros and cons, setting the stage for their persuasive essay journey.
Exhibition
At the end of the unit, students will host a "Persuasive AI Symposium," where they present their final essays to classmates, teachers, and parents. Each student will have a booth displaying their portfolio, showcasing the evolution of their essay through drafts, feedback, and revisions. Attendees can engage with students by asking questions and providing additional feedback, allowing students to articulate their learning journey and the impact of AI and human feedback on their writing process.
| Week 1 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
AI Timeline Walk - Students explore stations with key milestones in AI development and discuss their thoughts and questions to gain a foundational understanding of AI (30 min)
Group Discussion on AI - Facilitate a classroom discussion to share initial impressions of AI's pros and cons, introducing the topic of persuasive writing (15 min)
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Introduction to Persuasive Writing - Introduce the elements of persuasive essays, focusing on the importance of evidence and perspective (20 min)
Brainstorming Session - Students use AI tools like ChatGPT to generate ideas on the pros and cons of AI, documenting initial thoughts for their essays (25 min)
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Crafting a Thesis Statement - Guide students in developing strong thesis statements that clearly state their position on AI, practicing with examples (20 min)
Peer Sharing - Students share their thesis statements with a partner for feedback and refinement, fostering collaboration and critical thinking (25 min)
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Exploring Evidence - Students learn how to gather and use evidence to support their arguments, using AI tools to identify relevant data and sources (25 min)
Evidence Workshop - In small groups, students discuss potential evidence for their essays and receive feedback on how to strengthen their arguments (20 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Completed AI Timeline Reflection: Students submit a reflection on what they learned about AI and their initial thoughts on its pros and cons.
2. Draft thesis statement on AI: Students present a written thesis statement that outlines their position on AI's benefits and drawbacks. |
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| Preparation |
1. Prepare AI Timeline Walk stations with videos, images, and descriptions of key AI milestones.
2. Gather AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude) and ensure students have access to them for idea generation and feedback. 3. Create examples of thesis statements for discussion and provide materials for students to draft their own. 4. Arrange for peer collaboration activities and feedback sessions. |
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| Week 2 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Introduction to Persuasive Writing - Students explore the elements of persuasive writing, focusing on strong claims and thesis statements (20 min)
AI Tools Exploration - Students use ChatGPT or Claude to generate ideas for their persuasive essays on AI, considering the pros and cons (25 min)
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Evidence Gathering - Students research and collect evidence to support their arguments on the pros and cons of AI (20 min)
Drafting Claims - Students draft claims/thesis statements for their essays using evidence gathered, with peer discussions to refine ideas (25 min)
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Perspective Analysis - Students analyze how different perspectives influence the arguments in their persuasive essays about AI (20 min)
Peer Feedback Exchange - Students exchange drafts with peers for initial feedback focusing on claim clarity and perspective (25 min)
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AI Feedback Comparison - Students use AI tools for feedback on their drafts, comparing AI insights with peer feedback (20 min)
Revision Workshop - Students revise their drafts based on feedback received, emphasizing clarity and compelling introductions (25 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Completed body paragraphs for the essay, including evidence and explanations.
2. Annotated peer feedback form with comments and suggested improvements. |
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| Preparation |
1. Prepare a list of credible sources and materials related to AI for student research.
2. Create a structured feedback form for peer review sessions. 3. Set up access to AI tools like ChatGPT for students to use during drafting and research. 4. Organize small groups and assign AI subtopics for group research. 5. Ensure access to computers or tablets for research and drafting activities. |
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| Week 3 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Introduction to Organizing Ideas - Students learn different methods to organize their ideas for a persuasive essay, including outlines and graphic organizers, focusing on clarity and logical flow (20 min)
Organizing Workshop - Students begin creating an outline for their persuasive essay on AI using their gathered evidence and thesis statement, receiving peer feedback on organization (25 min)
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Drafting the Introduction - Guide students in crafting a compelling introduction for their essay, emphasizing the importance of a strong thesis and engaging opening strategies (20 min)
Introduction Peer Review - Students exchange introductions with a partner to provide feedback on capturing audience interest and clarity of thesis, refining their drafts accordingly (25 min)
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Developing Supporting Paragraphs - Students focus on writing detailed supporting paragraphs that clearly present evidence and reasoning, ensuring alignment with their thesis (20 min)
Peer Feedback Session - Students share their supporting paragraphs with a peer, receiving feedback on evidence use and coherence, and make revisions based on insights (25 min)
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AI Feedback Integration - Students use AI tools to receive feedback on their essays, particularly focusing on coherence and evidence strength, comparing with human feedback (20 min)
Revision and Reflection - Students revise their drafts considering AI and peer feedback, reflecting on how each type of feedback influenced their writing process (25 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Complete a revised introduction paragraph that includes a clear thesis statement and outlines the subtopics.
2. Compile a list of evidence pieces with annotations explaining how each supports the thesis. |
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| Preparation |
1. Prepare a selection of AI-related articles or resources that highlight the use of evidence in persuasive arguments.
2. Ensure access to AI tools like ChatGPT for idea generation and feedback. 3. Create feedback forms or guidelines to assist students in providing constructive peer feedback. 4. Develop a mini-workshop plan or materials for teaching how to craft a strong introduction. 5. Organize peer-review groups or pairs in advance to ensure productive and supportive feedback sessions. |
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| Week 4 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Body Paragraph Development - Students draft body paragraphs for their essays, ensuring each paragraph includes a clear topic sentence, evidence, and analysis that supports their thesis (25 min)
Peer Review Session - Students exchange body paragraphs with peers for feedback on evidence usage and coherence, then refine their drafts accordingly (20 min)
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Conclusion Writing - Guide students in crafting effective conclusions that restate the thesis, summarize key points, and offer a final thought or call to action about AI (20 min)
Conclusion Peer Feedback - Students share their conclusions with a partner for feedback on clarity and impact, making revisions based on suggestions (25 min)
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Integrating Transitions - Students learn and practice using transitions to connect ideas between paragraphs smoothly and logically (20 min)
Transition Workshop - Students revise their drafts to include effective transitions, working in pairs to ensure logical flow between ideas (25 min)
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Final Revision Workshop - Students conduct a thorough review of their essays, focusing on coherence, clarity, and persuasiveness, applying feedback from AI and peers (25 min)
Reflective Annotation Session - Students write reflective annotations for their portfolio, explaining how feedback influenced their revisions and final essay (20 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Annotated list of evidence to be used in the persuasive essay, with explanations of why each piece of evidence was chosen.
2. Reflective notes on AI-generated feedback regarding evidence use. 3. Peer review feedback form completed for at least one classmate's essay. |
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| Preparation |
1. Gather a variety of persuasive essay examples that effectively use evidence.
2. Prepare research materials and resources on AI, focusing on reliable sources that students can use to gather evidence. 3. Ensure AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude are accessible and ready for students to use for feedback. 4. Create a peer review checklist focusing on evidence evaluation. |
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| Week 5 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Peer Editing Session - Students exchange essays with partners, focusing on providing constructive feedback on clarity, thesis strength, and evidence use (20 min)
Incorporating Feedback - Students revise their essays based on peer feedback, emphasizing improvements in argumentation and coherence (25 min)
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AI Feedback Review - Students use AI tools like ChatGPT to receive feedback on their revised essays, noting differences and similarities with peer feedback (20 min)
Feedback Reflection - Students reflect on the AI and peer feedback process, discussing how each type contributed to their understanding and essay refinement (25 min)
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Final Draft Workshop - Students focus on polishing their essays, paying attention to grammar, punctuation, and overall presentation for the final draft (25 min)
Self-Assessment - Students complete a self-assessment checklist to ensure all essay components, such as thesis, evidence, and conclusion, are strong and clear (20 min)
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Portfolio Compilation - Students compile their portfolios with drafts, feedback, and final essays, including annotations on how feedback influenced revisions (30 min)
Portfolio Sharing - Students present their portfolios to a small group, explaining their essay's evolution and the impact of feedback on their writing process (15 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Revised essay draft incorporating AI and peer feedback.
2. Revision plan checklist with annotations explaining feedback implementation. 3. Peer review feedback form completed by partners. |
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| Preparation |
1. Ensure access to AI tools like ChatGPT for all students.
2. Prepare a checklist template focused on key revision elements for persuasive essays. 3. Set up a peer review feedback form that guides students in providing constructive comments. 4. Gather examples of strong essay conclusions to use in the mini-lesson. 5. Organize a classroom layout that facilitates peer discussions and collaborative work. |
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| Week 6 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Final Draft Peer Review - Students exchange their polished essays with peers for one last round of feedback, focusing on overall clarity and effectiveness of argument (20 min)
Essay Refinement - Students revise their essays based on peer feedback, ensuring their arguments are persuasive and supported by strong evidence (25 min)
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AI Feedback and Comparison - Students use AI tools to gain final feedback on their essays, comparing AI insights with peer feedback to enhance their understanding (20 min)
Final Edits - Students make final adjustments to their essays, focusing on grammar, punctuation, and stylistic elements to ensure professional presentation (25 min)
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Portfolio Finalization - Students complete their project portfolios, ensuring all drafts, feedback, and final essays are included along with reflective annotations (30 min)
Portfolio Showcase Preparation - Students organize their materials and prepare for the upcoming symposium, practicing how to articulate their learning journey and essay evolution (15 min)
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Persuasive AI Symposium - Students present their final essays and portfolios at a symposium, engaging with attendees to discuss their learning process and how feedback shaped their writing (45 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Complete and annotated portfolio including drafts, feedback, and final essays
2. Final persuasive essay with all revisions 3. Presentation or visual display for the Persuasive AI Symposium |
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| Preparation |
1. Ensure access to computers or tablets for final revisions and presentations
2. Prepare spaces for the Persuasive AI Symposium with tables and display boards 3. Coordinate with parents and other teachers to invite them to the symposium 4. Provide materials for students to create visual displays, such as poster boards, markers, and printouts of key points |
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