ECS 3. Course Skill Areas.

I want all students to develop five distinct, but mutually supportive skill areas. I understand that language levels vary greatly - I take this into account in grading assessments. I want to see evidence of effort and good processes from all students. The research cycle should be completed in three weeks - from reading to presentation.

= Research. = Identifying cause and effect relationships. = Question generation.

= Discussion and debate. = Presentation and peer questioning.

Step 1. Homework

Research.

Broad research.

Background reading. Students should read the whole chapter of Make It Or Break It as a starting point.

• They should try to connect the ideas to their extant knowledge as they read.
• They should check the glossary for translations of technical terms, jot notes in the margins and memorize key vocabulary and expressions.
• They should highlight sections that contain main ideas and data that serve as evidence (examples and figures) so that they can refer to them quickly in class discussion and when they are writing a presentation.
• They should identify parts that they do not understand clearly and ask the teacher or a classmate for clarification of difficult points in class.

Step 2. Homework

Identification and expression of cause and effect.

This is an essential element of any social study. Students should refer to our cause and effect discussion sheet. They should learn the key expressions.

Step 3. Homework

Questioning.

For each topic students should prepare 5 questions. See questioning. These are prepared as homework to stimulate discussion of the issues in class. One or more of these will serve to focus the research.

Step 4. Classwork

Discussion.

Students ask and discuss their questions in small groups. They express their opinions and support them with argument. The chairperson initiates and maintains the pace of the discussion. See discussion tools.

Step 5. Homework

Focused research. Preparation of presentations and essays.

This phase is purely to provide answers to the research question or questions to produce the presentation. Students should use the model presentation as a structural framework for their own research. Make It Or Break It is a fine source. You can also search the internet for key words and expressions through search engines or for news and information from

Step 6. Classwork. Delivery of presentations.

Practice your presentations before class, please.

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