Project Based Learning – Differentiated Instruction Project

Title: Critical Thinking and the Art of Persuasion

Grade Level: Middle School, 7th-8th grade
Student Configuration: Individual, pairs and groups depending on the lesson and
based on interest and choice
Time needed: 3-4 weeks
Subjects: Language Arts, Literature, Writing, Technology, Art

Begin With the End in Mind

Big Ideas of the Project
Students will learn and evaluate artistic techniques and their use as persuasive
techniques in political cartoons in our society. Students will view, compare and critique
television commercials. Students will ask; How are they different? What do they have in
common? What is the purpose of each commercial? What are the persuasive devices
that the advertiser uses to sell the product? They will then take what they have learned
to create a product or service and market it to their class using persuasive techniques.
The product or service will address their peers as the target audience. Students will
create a storyboard and a script and use props and the elements necessary to film their
commercial using I-movie, Photo story or Power Point.
Content Standards- Illinois State Board of Education
History
14. F.3a Analyze historical influences on the development of political ideas and
practices as enumerated in the Declaration of Independence, the United States
Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Illinois Constitution.
16. A.3b Make inferences about historical events and eras using historical maps and
other historical sources
18. A.3 Explain how language, literature, the arts, architecture and traditions contribute
to the development and transmission of culture.
Fine Arts
25. A.3e Analyze how the elements and principles can be organized to convey meaning
through a variety of media and technology.
25. B.3 Compare and contrast the elements and principles in two or more art works that
share similar themes
26. A.3e Describe how the choices of tools/technologies and processes are used to
create specific effects in the arts.
26.B.3d Demonstrate knowledge and skills to create 2- and 3-dimensional works and
time arts (e.g., film, animation, video) that are realistic, abstract, functional and
decorative.
27. B.3 Know and describe how artists and their works shape culture and increase
understanding of societies, past and present
Reading
2. A.3d Identify ways that an author uses language structure, word choice and style to
convey the author’s viewpoint.
2. B.3a Respond to literary material from personal, creative and critical points of view.

Listening and Speaking

4. B.3b Design and produce reports and multi-media compositions that represent group
projects.
4. B.3a Deliver planned oral presentations, using language and vocabulary appropriate
to the purpose, message and audience; provide details and supporting information that
clarify main ideas; and use visual aids and contemporary technology as support
4. B.3d Use verbal and nonverbal communication strategies to maintain
communications and to resolve conflict

Research
5. A.3a Identify appropriate resources to solve problems or answer questions through
research
5. C.3b Prepare and orally present original work (e.g., poems, monologues, reports,
plays, stories) supported by research
5. C.3c Take notes, conduct interviews, organize and report information in oral, visual
and electronic formats.

Key Skills students will learn

• Students will be able to set project goals and carry out a project plan

• Students will be able to deliver an oral presentation in front of their class

 • Students will be able to work effectively in a group and be more disposed to
cooperate with peers

Habits of Mind students will exhibit during this project

• Using problem solving skills

• Planning and Organizing

• Acquiring resources

District or school wide outcomes

• Differentiated Instruction

• Data Driven Instruction

Craft the Driving Question

Central Question
What are the devices which are used in persuasive vehicles and how do they affect the
choices of people in our society?
Project sub-questions

• What are the ways in which people are influenced by political cartoons?

• How are these cartoons different or the same as news articles?

• Why am I using particular persuasive tactics in my writing?

• How do the different persuasive techniques influence people?

• What are the key features and needs of my target audience?

• What persuasive hooks will best address my product and my audience?

• How will I effectively create a commercial to sell my product?

Plan the Assessment

~Early in the Project
It’s No Laughing Matter Analyzing Political Cartoons
Editorial Cartoon Analysis Sheet
~During the Project
Comments and reflection on activities
Student Checklist of progress
~End of the Project
Rubric for Commercial Presentation
Reflection over project

Map the Project

Already Taught the Taught During
Have Before the the Project
Knowledge and Skills Needed Learned Project

Product: A commercial which sells their product

Key vocabulary terms of persuasion X X

Instruction on using imovie, power point or photo

story X

Elements of idea, focus, support, sentence

fluency, word choice, voice and convention in
writing X

Work cooperatively with others to complete a task

and product X

Daily Goal sheets and task lists will be used during the project
 References

AAEC - Political Cartoons. (n.d.). AAEC - Today's Political Cartoons. Retrieved November 29,

2009, from http://editorialcartoonists.com/cartoon/

Borchers, T. (2004). Persuasion in The Media Age with PowerWeb. New York City: McGraw-

Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages.

Filkins, S. (2009, May 14). Persuasive Techniques in Advertising. ReadWriteThink. Retrieved

November 10, 2009, from

http://www.readwritethink.org/lesson_images/lesson1166/PersuasiveTechniques.pdf

It's No Laughing Matter - Analyzing Political Cartoons - The Learning Page from the Library of

Congress. (n.d.). American Memory from the Library of Congress - Home Page.

Retrieved November 29, 2009, from

http://lcweb2.loc.gov:8081/learn/features/political_cartoon/index.html

Marketing to Teens: Advertising Strategies | Handout. (n.d.). Media Awareness Network |

Réseau éducation médias. Retrieved November 29, 2009, from

http://www.media-

awareness.ca/english/resources/educational/handouts/advertising_marketing/mtt_adverti

sing_strategies.cfm

Rose, C. (n.d.). YouTube-The Art of Persuasion.YouTube- Broadcast Yourself.. Retrieved

November 19, 2009, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHJlVRFJb6A

APA formatting by BibMe.org.