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6th Grade  Project 3 weeks

Adventures in Persuasion: Media Mastery Quest

Jennifer D
D4.3.6-8
Self Directed Learning
Academic Mindset
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Content Expertise
+ 1 more
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Purpose

This project aims to immerse 6th-grade students in the dynamic world of persuasive communication across diverse media formats. By engaging with real-world advertising scenarios, students will develop critical thinking skills to analyze and create persuasive content that resonates with varied audiences. Through collaboration with community partners and reflective practices, students will refine their expressive language abilities, enhance their understanding of media influence, and cultivate effective communication strategies. The project fosters a deeper connection to the subject matter, encouraging students to apply their learning in meaningful ways that extend beyond the classroom.

Learning goals

Students will create and present persuasive advertisements using a variety of media formats, demonstrating their ability to engage audiences through effective hooks and organized language. They will analyze and critique existing advertisements to understand the impact of sequencing, timelines, and compare/contrast techniques on persuasive communication. Throughout the project, students will refine their skills in expressing well-evidenced opinions and using descriptive vocabulary, while engaging in self-directed learning and critical reflection. Collaborating with community partners, students will exhibit their work and receive feedback to enhance their communication skills and content expertise.
Standards
  • [National Council for the Social Studies] D4.3.6-8 - Present adaptations of arguments and explanations on topics of interest to others to reach audiences and venues outside the classroom using print and oral technologies (e.g., posters, essays, letters, debates, speeches, reports, and maps) and digital technologies (e.g., Internet, social media, and digital documentary).
Competencies
  • Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
  • Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.
  • Content Expertise - Students develop key competencies, skills, and dispositions with ample opportunities to apply knowledge and engage in work that matters to them.
  • Effective Communication - Students practice listening to understand, communicating with empathy, and share their learning through exhibiting, presenting and reflecting on their work.

Products

Throughout the unit, students will collaboratively create a diverse range of persuasive media products, including print advertisements, digital campaigns, and multimedia presentations. They will develop a slideshow and present it to peers, showcasing their understanding of persuasive techniques and media formats. By the end of the unit, students will have produced two distinct media pieces that demonstrate their ability to adapt learned skills for persuasive contexts, culminating in a final exhibition where they compare and contrast their creations, reflecting on their effectiveness.

Launch

Begin the unit with an interactive "Ad Detective" activity where students explore various advertisements in small groups, both print and digital, to identify persuasive elements like hooks, language, and media formats. Invite community partners, such as parents in marketing and the school's marketing team, to share insights and real-world examples of effective advertising. Encourage students to ask open and closed questions to deepen their understanding and spark curiosity about the role of media in persuasive communication.

Exhibition

Students will showcase their persuasive media creations in a school-wide exhibition, collaborating with the communications department to present their work. The exhibition will feature interactive stations where students can demonstrate their media projects, engage visitors in discussions about their creative processes, and receive feedback from peers, teachers, and community partners. This event will provide an opportunity for students to practice effective communication skills and reflect on their learning journey, while also fostering a sense of identity and belonging within the school community.