Lesson Plan
Your Words, Your Power
Students will understand the multifaceted purpose of writing (communication, expression, influence) and identify real-world applications of effective writing.
Effective writing is a critical life skill that empowers students to communicate clearly, express themselves authentically, and influence others effectively in various aspects of their lives, from school to personal interactions and future careers.
Audience
6th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through discussion, examples, and a quick reflection, students will explore writing's power.
Materials
Smartboard or Projector, Markers or whiteboard pens, Slide Deck: Your Words, Your Power, Warm-Up: Write It Down, and Cool-Down: My Writing Superpower
Prep
Review Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Slide Deck: Your Words, Your Power to familiarize yourself with the content.
- Read through the Script: Your Words, Your Power to prepare for discussion points and activity instructions.
- Prepare any necessary writing tools (markers, whiteboard pens) for the class discussion.
- Ensure access to a smartboard or projector for displaying the slide deck.
Step 1
Warm-Up & Introduction (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Begin by displaying the Warm-Up: Write It Down prompt on the board or projector.
- Give students 2-3 minutes to quietly reflect and write their responses.
- Briefly discuss student responses, connecting their ideas to the broader concept of writing.
- Introduce the lesson title: 'Your Words, Your Power!' and the day's objective.
Step 2
Exploring the Power of Words (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Present Slide Deck: Your Words, Your Power, specifically slides discussing 'Why do we write?' and 'What can writing do?'.
- Use the Script: Your Words, Your Power to guide a discussion on how writing helps us communicate, express ourselves, and influence others.
- Ask open-ended questions: 'Can you think of a time when written words made a big difference?' or 'How do you use writing to share your feelings or ideas?'
Step 3
Real-World Writing Examples (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Continue with the Slide Deck: Your Words, Your Power, showcasing examples of writing in everyday life (e.g., social media posts, emails, stories, signs).
- Engage students in a brief activity: 'Quick Share!' Have students share one type of writing they see or use regularly outside of school.
- Emphasize that writing isn't just for school; it's a powerful tool in their personal lives and the world around them.
Step 4
Cool-Down & Wrap-Up (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Distribute or display the Cool-Down: My Writing Superpower prompt.
- Ask students to complete the cool-down, reflecting on what they learned and how they might use their writing power.
- Collect cool-downs or briefly discuss a few responses as an exit ticket.
- Summarize the main takeaway: Writing is a versatile and powerful skill they possess.
Slide Deck
Your Words, Your Power!
What does it mean to have power through your words?
Welcome students and introduce the captivating title. This slide sets the stage for understanding the power they hold through their words. Ask them to think about what 'power' means in this context.
Why Do We Write?
- To share ideas
- To tell stories
- To explain things
- To connect with others
- To make a difference
Prompt students to consider why people write. Guide them to think beyond school assignments. Encourage initial brainstorming.
Writing Helps Us To...
- Communicate: Share information clearly
- Example: A text message to a friend
- Express: Show our thoughts and feelings
- Example: A song lyric or a journal entry
- Influence: Convince or persuade others
- Example: A petition or an argument to get extra screen time
Introduce the three main purposes: Communicate, Express, Influence. Explain each briefly with simple examples. Encourage students to think of their own examples for each category.
Writing All Around Us!
- Social Media Posts
- Emails & Texts
- Shopping Lists
- Storybooks & Poems
- Signs & Advertisements
- Video Game Dialogue
Show various real-world examples to reinforce that writing is everywhere. Ask students to identify these types of writing in their daily lives. This connects the lesson to their experiences.
You Have the Power!
Every time you write, you have the power to:
- Make someone laugh
- Teach someone something new
- Share your unique perspective
- Change someone's mind
- Create something amazing!
Encourage students to think about their own writing habits and how they can use writing purposefully. Emphasize that every student has this power.
Ready to Use Your Power?
Your words are a gift. Use them wisely and creatively!
Concluding slide to reinforce the main message and lead into the cool-down activity.
Warm Up
Warm-Up: Write It Down
Imagine you want to tell someone something super important, but you can't speak to them. How would you do it using only words? What would you write and why?
Script
Script: Your Words, Your Power
Introduction (5 minutes)
(Display Warm-Up: Write It Down)
"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! To kick things off today, I want you to imagine a scenario. Look at the prompt on the screen or board. You need to tell someone something incredibly important, but you can't use your voice. How would you get your message across using only words? What would you write, and why is that your chosen method? Take about 2-3 minutes to jot down your thoughts."
(Allow students time to write. Then, invite a few students to share.)
"Thank you for sharing your creative ideas! It sounds like many of you instinctively thought about writing things down. That brings us to our topic today: 'Your Words, Your Power!'"
(Transition to Slide Deck: Your Words, Your Power - Slide 1: "Your Words, Your Power!")
"Today, we're going to explore how powerful our words can be, especially when we write them down. Our objective is to understand why we write, what writing can accomplish, and how we use it every day."
Exploring the Power of Words (10 minutes)
(Transition to Slide Deck: Your Words, Your Power - Slide 2: "Why Do We Write?")
"So, why do we write? Beyond school assignments, why do people choose to put words on paper or on a screen? Turn and talk with a partner for a minute or two, brainstorming reasons why someone might write."
(After a minute, bring the class back together.)
"Great ideas! I heard some really interesting thoughts. Let's look at some key reasons."
(Transition to Slide Deck: Your Words, Your Power - Slide 3: "Writing Helps Us To...")
"One of the biggest reasons we write is to Communicate. This means sharing information clearly. Think about the text messages you send or notes you pass to friends. That's communication through writing! Who can give me another example of communicating with writing?"
(Wait for responses, affirm them.)
"Next, writing helps us to Express ourselves. This is about showing our thoughts, feelings, and creativity. If you keep a journal, write a poem, or even describe a cool dream you had, you're expressing yourself. How do you use writing to express your ideas or feelings?"
(Wait for responses, affirm them.)
"Finally, writing can help us to Influence. This is when we try to convince or persuade others. Maybe you wrote a note to your parents explaining why you deserve a later bedtime, or perhaps you see an advertisement trying to get you to buy a new game. That's writing being used to influence! Can you think of a time when written words influenced you or someone you know?"
(Wait for responses, affirm them.)
Real-World Writing Examples (10 minutes)
(Transition to Slide Deck: Your Words, Your Power - Slide 4: "Writing All Around Us!")
"Now, let's think about where we see writing in our daily lives. It's not just in books or homework! Look at this slide. We see writing in social media, emails, shopping lists, and even signs. Writing is everywhere!"
"Quick Share! Think about your life outside of school. What's one type of writing you see or use regularly? Share it with the person next to you. It could be anything from a recipe to the instructions on a game!"
(Allow 1-2 minutes for quick shares.)
"Excellent! It's clear that writing is a huge part of our world. It's not just for school; it's a powerful tool in your personal lives, your hobbies, and the world around you."
(Transition to Slide Deck: Your Words, Your Power - Slide 5: "You Have the Power!")
"Remember, every time you put words down, you have power. You have the power to make someone laugh, teach them something new, share your unique perspective, or even create something truly amazing!"
Cool-Down & Wrap-Up (5 minutes)
(Transition to Slide Deck: Your Words, Your Power - Slide 6: "Ready to Use Your Power?")
(Distribute or display Cool-Down: My Writing Superpower)
"To wrap up our lesson today, I want you to think about what we've discussed. On this cool-down sheet, reflect on what you learned today. How do you feel about your own writing now? And how might you use your 'writing superpower' in the future?"
(Collect cool-downs or have a few students share their thoughts as an exit ticket.)
"Fantastic! Remember, your words are a gift. Use them wisely and creatively. You all have incredible writing power within you. I look forward to seeing how you use it!"
Cool Down
Cool-Down: My Writing Superpower
- What is one new idea you learned today about why people write?
- How do you think you can use your own "writing superpower" in the future, both in and out of school?