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Writers as Activists
Unit of 4 lessons
Unit Overview:
In this unit students will learn about the power of writing for creating positive social change by studying writers who use their writing as a means of activism and by using those same tools to become activist writers themselves.
Unit Purpose:
In this unit, students will see how writing is a means of social activism for the common good, and hence philanthropy. They will study how people, through their writing, have changed the world and how writing can empower even the most disenfranchised.
Unit Objectives:
The learner will:
- use strategies for reading non-fiction to read and comprehend several pieces written by writer/activists.
- summarize non-fiction writing.
- understand the impact that one person, through writing, can have on the world.
- identify the language techniques that writers use in their writing to rally and unite others to their causes.
- understand the importance of writers such as Mary Eliza Church Terrell and Alice Walker to protect minority voices.
- use a variety of resources to research an issue about which he/she cares deeply.
- use the techniques of persuasive writing to write a letter to a lawmaker or to the editor of a newspaper advocating change regarding the issue that he/she researched.
- work with peers to revise and edit letters.
Service Experience:
Although lessons in this unit contain service project examples, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.
Students will use writing to effect change in an area that they care about.
Unit Assessment:
Students' letters, participation in class, evaluation of Attachments in Lessons One through Three .
School/Home Connection:
- “Copy-and-Paste” Class/School Newsletter Information Insert:
In this unit students will learn about the power of writing for creating positive social change by studying writers who use their writing as a means of activism and by using those same tools to become activist writers themselves. - Interactive Parent / Student Homework:
Although it is not required, students should be encouraged to work with their parents on researching their social issue and writing and revising their letters.
State Curriculum and Philanthropy Theme Frameworks:
See individual lessons for benchmark detail.
Lessons Developed and Piloted By:
Serena Fraser Kessler
Romulus Community Schools
Romulus Senior High School
9650 S Wayne Road
Romulus, MI 48174
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Comments
I combined these lessons with a literature circle unit in which my students read "socio-political" novels with 4 or 5 other students. They were then able to relate what they learned about writers as activists to what they had read over the past 3 or 4 weeks. I think involving an ongoing reading project like this helped my students become that much more excited to actually practice activism in their own writing (letters to the editor of local newspapers, politicians, business leaders, the principal, etc.) and in their group presentations of their chosen novels. Several of my students (even a few who are rarely engaged) actually asked me where I got the idea for the unit! WOW!!!You have a great website and VERY engaging lessons. Thanks for all of the excellent ideas!