Course Profile   English (ENG4C), Grade 12, College Preparation, Catholic

 

Unit 4:  Informational Texts – Technical Communication in Our World

(Oral Presentations)

Time:  17 hours

 

Activity 4.1 | Activity 4.2 | Activity 4.3 | Activity 4.4 | Activity 4.5 | Activity 4.6 | Activity 4.7 | Activity 4.8 | Activity 4.9

 

Unit Description

The students enrolled in this course are college-bound and many will enter into fields of study that are practical in nature. Additionally, as people engaged in the society around them, students encounter a variety of informational texts in their lives, including bank reports, product descriptions, machine operations manuals, ecology studies, and social justice analyses, among others. This unit aims to provide students with opportunities to read extensively from a variety of informational texts to gain the experience and skills in deciphering and decoding these texts. Students are challenged to analyse texts in content and in form. In their analysis of the content, students are further challenged to make judgements on the validity of the information, and to evaluate the issues that arise in some of the texts in light of gospel values with an informed moral conscience. Students have already written reports as part of the summative assignment in previous units; for this unit they use their knowledge and skills to generate a research report, but they will also present the report orally. The summative task entails conducting research on an appropriate informational/technical topic, organizing and documenting research information, completing a graphic organizer, writing a report using one of the organizational patterns studied, and giving an effective oral presentation. To enhance their oral presentations, students are expected to use charts and/or diagrams.

Unit Overview Chart

Activities

Learning Expectations

Assessment Categories

Focus

4.1
(1 hour)

LI1.01, LI1.03, LI3.01, LG1.01, LG1.03, WR1.01
CGE4e

Knowledge/ Understanding Thinking/Inquiry Application

Introducing the summative task

Reading informational texts: identifying and understanding technical language

4.2
(1 hour)

LI1.03, LI2.01, LI3.04, LG1.03, WR1.02, WR2.01
CGE2b

Knowledge/ Understanding Thinking/Inquiry

Reading informational texts: understanding and analysing technical information presented in charts and in diagrams

4.3
(1 hour)

LI1.01, LI1.03, LG1.04 WR2.02

Knowledge/ Understanding Thinking/Inquiry Communication Application

Reading informational texts: provide technical information without the headings; based on their reading, students create the headings for the text and labels for the chart/diagrams

4.4
(2 hours)

LG1.03, WR5.04
CGE1d, CGE1e, CGE3d

Knowledge/ Understanding Thinking/Inquiry Communication Application

Grammar study: parallel structure and the use of the colon

4.5
(1 hour)

LI2.03, LI3.04, LG1.01, LG1.03, WR1.03, WR2.02, WR3.02

Thinking/Inquiry Communication Application

Creating informational texts: for a given topic, students working in small groups are given headings of a topic for which they write the text and information for the diagrams or charts

4.6
(2 hours)

LI2.01, LI3.04, WR1.02
CGE5a, CGE5e

Knowledge/ Understanding Thinking/Inquiry Communication Application

Gathering and analysing technical information: for a given topic, students gather information about one topic from several sources then determine and defend which of the two presentations was most effective

4.7
(2 hours)

WR3.01, LG1.04, LG1.05 LG2.01
CGE2e, CGE7a, CGE7j

Knowledge/ Understanding Thinking/Inquiry Communication Application

Informal oral presentations in small group settings

Review criteria for effective oral presentations

4.8
(5 hours)

WR1.01, WR1.02, WR1.04, WR2.02, WR3.01, WR4.01, WR4.02, WR4.04
LG2.03, LG2.06

Knowledge/ Understanding Thinking/Inquiry Communication Application

Review expectations for the summative assignment Conferring, researching, preparing, rehearsing technical presentation

Peer Review

4.9
(6 hours)

LG1.03, LG1.05, LG2.01, LG2.03, LG2.04, LG2.05, LG2.06
CGE2d, CGE7b, CGE5g

Knowledge/ Understanding Thinking/Inquiry Communication Application

Presentations

Teacher-led portfolio discussions

 

Summative Task

Students conduct research on an informational/technical topic of their own choosing after having conferred with the teacher to confirm that the topic is appropriate, demanding, and in communion with the values of Catholic teaching. Students organize and document their research information using a graphic organizer. Students prepare an outline of their information and by grouping it under at least five headings and create either a chart or diagram (or both) to accompany their presentations. A written version of the presentation is prepared. Before presenting to the class, students rehearse their presentations with a partner. Students’ progress is monitored throughout this unit by way of conferences and a contract with the teacher.

 

Activity 4.1:  Introducing Technical Language – Reading and Summative Task

Time:  1 hour

Description

Students are introduced to the expectations and timeline of the summative assignment. The teacher distributes copies of the summative assignment overview to the students, and reviews the purpose, the expectations, and the timelines of the assignment. The next portion of the lesson reinforces the distinction between narrative writing and informational writing. Students are provided with a short narrative followed by an informational piece on related topic. Discussion then follows about how narrative writing is distinguished from informational writing. Following this, students are provided with samples of informational/technical writing from a variety of sources. Students read at least five different samples for comprehension, in particular to identify the use of specialized technical language, and begin some analysis of informational/technical writing.

Strand(s) & Learning Expectations

Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations

CGE1i - integrates faith with life;

CGE4e - sets appropriate goals and priorities in school, work, and personal life.

Strand(s):  Literature Studies and Reading, Language

Specific Expectations

LI1.01 - analyse and assess ideas, issues, and explicit and implicit information in texts;

LI1.03 - select and use a variety of effective reading strategies;

LI3.01 - analyse how language is used in expository writing to communicate information, ideas, and arguments;

LG1.03 - identify and use specialized business and technical vocabulary and consolidate use of a plain-language style in reports and essays;

LG1.01 - apply a variety of strategies to extend vocabulary while reading, with an emphasis on discerning nuances and judging the precision of words;

WR1.01 - investigate potential topics for written work, including an independent study project, by posing inquiry questions, identifying information needs and purposes for writing, and developing research plans to acquire information and ideas.

Prior Knowledge & Skills

Students:

·     have some knowledge of research report writing format;

·     have some experience in reading technical information, as found in informational text.

Planning Notes

·     Review expectations of report writing as outlined to the students in earlier units.

·     Prepare copies of the summative assignment overview sheet to distribute (see Appendix I).

·     Find a short narrative and a corresponding informational piece

·     Be aware of sensitive topics that might arise in the discussion of any of the issues in the texts, and be prepared to discuss these matters in terms of the attitudes and values of Catholic teaching.

·     Gather sources of information writing from a variety of sources, ensuring that they are appropriate and demanding. It is important that students read from a variety of sources, topics, and formats so that they can become accustomed to reading, decoding, and deciphering informational texts
(see Resources).

·     Pre-read technical information to determine potential difficulties with specialized language.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

·     Outline the process and the lessons leading to the summative assignment in this unit.

·     Since the summative assignment involves research, remind students of the importance of acknowledging sources in order to avoid plagiarism.

·     Distribute or read aloud a short narrative selection followed by an informational piece on a corresponding/related topic. (For example, the teacher could use Morley Callaghan’s short story “A Sick Call,” in which one of the characters is suffering from pneumonia, then follow up with informational text on causes of pneumonia or treatment of pneumonia.)

·     Be sensitive to issues that might arise in the short story as opportunities for discussion of our Catholic faith: respect for life, care for the sick, anointing of the sick (sacrament of extreme unction).

·     Discuss how informational/technical writing differs from writing in the narrative mode: short stories, novels, and drama.

·     Make a list on the board contrasting informational/technical writing with narrative writing. Using a graphic organizer would be beneficial; a Venn diagram is recommended.

·     Discuss students’ experiences in encountering and working with informational/technical writing in their own experiences in other courses, at work, and at leisure.

·     Distribute copies of a variety of research reports. Have students read the information for comprehension and analysis, and answer the following questions for each selection read:

·     What is the overall intent of the technical information being presented?

·     Identify examples of specialized technical language.

·     How did the context of the writing help to decipher the meaning of unfamiliar words?

·     Note the variety of formats in which information is presented.

·     Is there sufficient information to ensure for a complete understanding of the topic?

·     Of all the samples, which had the clearest presentation? Explain your choice.

·     Describe how the writer has organized the material and comment on its effectiveness.

·     Write a brief summary of one research report.

·     Students should read and analyse at least five different informational texts and complete the above questions for each.

·     Conduct a class discussion for one of the samples examined.

·     One of the five sets of responses is submitted at the end of class for teacher assessment.

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

·     Students submit one set of responses to the above for assessment; the teacher may provide anecdotal comments.

·     A teacher-developed rubric for the written assignment should be provided.

Accommodations

The teacher will:

·     vary the number of activities for students with learning disabilities, if required;

·     provide an FM system for students with hearing problems;

·     make available typed notes of the lesson, if necessary.

Resources

Informational/technical texts can be gathered from a variety of sources including texts from other courses, Internet, specialized periodicals among others.

Below is a list of technical topics with potential study ideas and corresponding websites:

Nutrition (an examination of different diets, an all-vitamin diet, liquid protein diets, soup diet, zone diet, etc., and their differences and effects) www.adietplan.com www.losingweight.dietingweightloss.com

Fitness (the uses and differences between aerobic and anaerobic exercise, the benefits of the stairclimber vs. the treadmill, the proper ways to achieve toning vs. musculature in weight training) www.holistic.com/stress_exercise.html

Health (an examination of arthroscopic knee surgery and parts of the knee affected) www.rogerknap.com/medica/knee_ain.htm

Allergies (the differences between bronchitis and asthma or the effectiveness of different treatments); www.Asthmas.bsd.uchicago.educ

Building (the advantages of buying, building, and caring for Adirondack chairs)
www.built-to-last.com/featureshtml

Electronics (the use of histograms, inkjet printers, and editing with digital cameras) www.shortcourse.com/how/contents htm

Recreation (the suitability of different types of knots for sailing, fishing, paddling, and the outdoors) www.netknots.com

Beauty (Hair care and the benefits and differences for hair treatments, including the use of herbal tonics and drugs to curb hair loss and the effects of hair dyes on hair) www.beautyspa.com htp://busywittch.com/herbs.html

Forestry (Examine the differences and uses of soft woods vs. hardwoods, the use of veneers, the preparation of wood for building, the different grades and compositions of lumber)
www.forest-products-lumber-wood.com

Canadian Consumer Reports – www.canada.looksmart.com/eus97-1861

Consumer Reports – www.consumerreports.org/recalls

US-Canadian Resources – www.bbb.org/outside/national.asap

The Healthy Traveller – www.Healthytraveler.safeshopper.com/5/cat5.htm

User Guides to Medical Literature – www.shef.ac.uk/~scharr/ir/userg.htm

Environment Canada’s Green Lane – www.ec.gc.ca/

Environment Health Program – www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ehd/

Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle – www.crlri.ca//

Canadian Nutrition Labelling – www.cspinet.org/reports/canlabel.html

Canadian Wellness – www.canadianwellness.com

Canadian Nutrition for Kids – www.nutritionforkids.ca/science.html

 

Activity 4.2:  Reading and Assessing Technical Information

Time:  1 hour

Description

Students use a wide variety of examples of informational writings. The focus is to continue to practise reading, comprehending, and assessing a variety of informational/ technical texts. Further, students are required to “read” technical information that is presented in charts, graphs, and diagrams which are part of the informational writings. Students work independently in assessing and evaluating the charts and diagrams, share their responses as a class, and submit written work for assessment.

Strand(s) & Learning Expectations

Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations

CGE2b - reads, understands, and uses written material effectively.

Strand(s):  Literature Studies and Reading, Language, Writing

Specific Expectations

LI1.03 - select and use a variety of effective reading strategies;

LI2.01 - analyse how elements of research articles and plays reinforce the works’ conclusions and themes (intensive study);

LI3.04 - explain how authors and editors use design elements to organize content and communicate ideas;

WR1.02 - select and use informational and literary forms suited to various purposes, audiences, and situations, with a focus on research reports, summaries, and short analytical essays;

WR2.01 - select and use appropriate forms to produce written work for specific audiences and purposes, with an emphasis on research reports, summaries, short analytical essays, and scripts;

LG1.03 - identify and use specialized business and technical vocabulary and consolidate use of a plain-language style in reports and essays.

Prior Knowledge & Skills

Students have some experience in working with charts and diagrams.

Planning Notes

·     Review different types and purposes of charts: bar, line, area, pie, scatter, HLCO (High-Low-Close-Open), and flow chart.

·     Review the components/legends in reading charts.

·     Gather a variety of informational/technical writing samples that include charts and diagrams.

·     Prepare a flow chart about an aspect of our faith, e.g., steps in becoming a saint (see Resources).

Teaching/Learning Strategies

·     Review the common elements of various informational writings noted in previous activity.

·     Introduce the focus of this activity, namely to read and evaluate informational texts; students are challenged to examine how charts and diagrams are used to augment written text.

·     Distribute a variety of samples of informational texts that include charts or diagrams or both.

·     Students should read and examine at least five different samples.

·     For each of the samples, students should answer the following questions:

·     What is the topic of the chart/diagram?

·     Evaluate the effectiveness the parts of the legend in the chart/diagram.

·     What conclusions can you make from your reading of the chart/diagram? In other words, what information is being presented by the charts/diagrams?

·     How did the chart/diagram add to the informational writing overall? Explain your response.

·     Suggest an alternative format for presenting the information in the chart/diagram that might make its presentation more effective. Explain your choice.

·     Prepare a short written summary of the essential content of the chart.

·     Conduct a class discussion of the results students have determined after completing their reading and analysis.

·     Students submit answers to the questions above for one of the charts/diagrams read and analysed during this class.

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

·     Students submit one set of responses and the written summary to the above for assessment; the teacher uses an evaluation checklist.

Accommodations

The teacher will:

·     create larger enhanced versions of charts/diagrams for visually impaired students;

·     provide an FM system for students with hearing difficulties;

·     make available typed notes, if necessary.

Resources

Informational/technical texts with diagrams can be gathered from a variety of sources. Below is a list of resources, including suggested areas of study:

Weather (precipitation levels, cloud formations, weather patterns, natural disasters) www.ncdc.noaa.gov/ or the weathernetwork.com or www.ontario.weather.com or aweather.torontonian.com

Investments (RRSP growth, examination of long term mortgage rates and/or interest, Mutual funds, insurance rates, etc). Worth magazine www.worth.com, Fortune Magazine, carinsurance.com, Canadian Business www.canadianbusiness.com

Census and Demographics (Rural vs. Urban Population in Ontario; Ranking of top ten cities in Ontario based on population; Demographics of Ontario’s population (density of diverse cultures)
www.gove.on.ca, www.ontario.worldweb.com/VisitorInformation/Demographics, Statistics Canada

Sample Graphics – www.edc.org

Writing and Graphics – www.nsd.wednest.edu/tipweb/gal_proj1.htm

Technical Report Writing and Presentation – www.kostic.niu.edu/PRJ-Report-Presentation.html

Feature Comparison Chart – www.addlink.es/docs/minitabl/Tabla%20comparative

Sample Graphs – www.statsoftinc.com/graphs.html

Graphs – www.angelfire.com

 

Activity 4.3:  Reading Technical Information – Making Inferences

Time:  1 hour

Description

Students read and analyse four or five technical articles from a variety of sources that are of appropriate complexity. In this activity, students make judgements on the use, purpose, and validity of headings and labels in informational writing. Students read the text portion of the articles and analyse the charts/diagrams in the articles. They determine which headings and labels they think would best suit the article. A class discussion takes place following these exercises. Students share their ideas, appraise the validity of each other’s ideas, and defend their choices of ideas for the headings and labels, both orally and in writing.

Strand(s) & Learning Expectations

Strand(s):  Literature Studies and Reading, Language

Specific Expectations

LI1.01 - analyse and assess ideas, issues, and explicit and implicit information in texts;

LI1.03 - select and use a variety of effective reading strategies;

LI3.01 - analyse how language is used in expository writing to communicate information, ideas, and arguments;

LI3.04 - explain how authors and editors use design elements to organize content and communicate ideas;

WR2.2 - select and use a level of language and a voice appropriate to the specific purpose and intended audience of business and technical communications and expressive writing;

LG1.03 - identify and use specialized business and technical vocabulary and consolidate use of a plain-language style in reports and essays;

LG1.04 - express oneself effectively in a variety of spoken and written communications, with a focus on using specialized vocabulary and figurative language and sustaining an appropriate style.

Prior Knowledge & Skills

Students:

·     have a clear understanding of the use and purpose of charts/diagrams;

·     have a clear understanding of what technical language entails;

·     have a clear idea of the parts of a report: introduction, body, and conclusion;

·     have some knowledge of the function of headings with text, and of labels with charts/diagrams.

Planning Notes

·     Find four or five informational articles that contain technical terminology, headings, and charts/diagrams.

·     For the informational articles collected, remove the headings from the body of the text and for charts and diagrams remove the labels.

·     Select informational articles that reflect the students’ collective interests for better participation. Some suggestions include consumer reports comparing vehicles; CD player operational manuals; bicycles maintenance procedures; fashion industry comparative sales analysis of denim manufacturers.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

·     Review the elements of effective charts/diagrams and the parts of charts/diagrams.

·     Discuss the common formats in which technical information is generally presented. Make a list of ideas on the board (ideas might include information presented under separate headings, information listed in logical order under each heading, etc.).

·     As a preliminary activity, without naming the topic/title of an informational article, write the headings of that informational article in random order on the board.

·     In a class discussion, ask students to organize the headings in the order they think would be most logical, despite not knowing the topic/title.

·     Use a graphic organizer — a hierarchical chart or idea tree, for example — to record discussion ideas on the board.

·     Have students justify their choices with support explanations.

·     Allow students to assess each other’s views and encourage them to revise and restate their responses.

·     Share with the students the topic/title of the informational text and the actual listing of the headings. Compare how their speculations matched the actual text.

·     Provide students with a variety of samples of informational texts with headings removed from the body of the text and labels removed from the charts/diagrams.

·     For each selection, students read the text, identify key technical jargon to help determine the overall topic of the selection, compose headings for the text portion of the article and labels for the chart/diagram portion of the article, and organize the material in the most logical order.

·     Students should complete this exercise for four or five different samples of informational writing on a variety of topics and formats.

·     As the students are working on their exercise, the teacher can confer with students to ensure that they are on task and to see their work in progress. The teacher can ask some questions (e.g., What textual clues in the text of informational article helped you to determine that this would be a logical heading? What indicators in the text assisted you in predicting which heading should follow the previous heading? etc.), to challenge students’ assumptions, and have them defend their analysis.

·     Students submit their written responses for at least one of the reports that they completed in class.

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

·     Submit at least one exercise for assessment using a checklist.

Accommodations

The teacher will:

·     vary the way material is presented (oral discussion to replace a worksheet) to best meet the needs of students;

·     create larger enhanced versions of charts/diagrams for visually impaired students.

Resources

Print

Adams, Janice, Cathy Costello, and Steve Naylor. Reading and Writing for Success Senior. Toronto: Harcourt Canada Ltd., 2001. ISBN 0-7747-1490-5

Barclay, Susanne, Judith Coghill, and Peter Weeks. Canadian Students’ Guide to Language, Literature, and Media. Don Mills: Oxford University Press, 2001. ISBN 0-19-541675-9

Blicq, Ron S., and Lisa Moretto. Technically-Write. Toronto: Prentice Hall, 1999.
ISBN 0-13-081177-7

Gough, Nigel and Gael Tickner. Language at Work. Toronto: Holt, Rinehart and Winston of Canada, Limited, 1991. ISBN 0-03-922031-1

Hilker, Douglas, Sue Harper and Peter J. Smith. Elements of English. Toronto: Harcourt Canada Ltd, 2000. ISBN 0-7747-1492-1

Periodicals and Magazines such as Wood: The World’s Leading Woodworking Magazine; Consumer Reports; PopularMechanics; Fortune: Technology Guide; and Focus

VanAlstyne, Judith S., Professional and Technical Writing Strategies: Communicating in Technology And Science. Toronto: Prentice-Hall, 2002. ISBN 0-13-041279-1

 

Activity 4.4:  Organizing Technical Responses Properly –
                                    Parallelism and Colon Use

Time:  2 hours

Description

In this lesson students examine technical literature and/or a short piece of fiction or non-fiction involving a complex moral issue. They develop an analysis of the literature using graphic organizers. Besides reading the technical literature carefully and examining the most suitable graphic organizers to suit their purpose, students also learn the proper use of parallelism and the colon, two important grammar elements for compiling lists effectively. As well, the students will examine the morality of the issue from the Catholic viewpoint.

Strand(s) & Learning Expectations

Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations

CGE 1d - develops attitudes and values founded on Catholic social teaching and acts to promote social responsibility, human solidarity, and the common good;

CGE 1e - speaks the language of life “recognizing that life is an unearned gift and that a person entrusted with life does not own it but that one is called to protect and cherish it”;

CGE1i - integrates faith with life;

CGE 2a - listens actively and critically to understand and learn in light of gospel values;

CGE 2e - uses and integrates the Catholic faith tradition, in the critical analysis of the arts, media, technology, and information systems to enhance the quality of life;

CGE 3c - thinks reflectively and creatively to evaluate situations and solve problems;

CGE 3d - makes decisions in light of gospel values with an informed moral conscience.

Strand(s):  Literature Studies and Reading, Language

Specific Expectations

LI1.02 - analyse and assess ideas, issues, and explicit information in texts;

LI3.01 - analyse how language is used in expository writing to communicate information ideas and arguments;

LI3.04 - explain how authors and editors use design elements to organize content and communicate ideas;

WR3.02 - select and use appropriate organizational patterns to structure expressive writing and multimedia presentations;

WR5.04 - edit and proofread their own and others’ writing, identifying and correcting errors according to the requirements for grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation;

LG1.03 - identify and use specialized business and technical vocabulary and consolidate use of a plain-language style in reports and essays;

LG1.05 - recognize, describe, and use correctly in oral and written forms the language structures of standard Canadian English and its conventions of grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation.

Prior Knowledge & Skills

Students:

·     understand the difference between regular vocabulary and technical language;

·     have some understanding of the proper use of parallelism and the colon;

·     have some understanding of the need for parallelism and the colon;

·     have some understanding of the issue(s) discussed in the literature and the moral implications;

·     understand the purpose of charts and graphs;

·     understand the purpose and importance of titles.

Planning Notes

·     Gather information about the three areas of the lesson. First, find a moral issue written from a technical viewpoint (articles on stem cell research, cloning, use of animals in research) or articles involving characters in a moral dilemma (peer pressure, stereo-typing of and by teens, etc.). Find examples of graphic organizers to compile lists of data from the literature. (The T-chart, compare/contrast matrix, or cerebral chart would be most appropriate.) Prepare worksheets on the correct use of both parallelism and the colon. Finally, examine the issues in the literature from a Catholic perspective (see Resources).

·     Book a computer lab or the library/resource centre.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

·     Introduce the purpose of punctuation by providing sentences with no punctuation or faulty punctuation; the former can be a lengthy series of sentences strung together with no internal or external punctuation and/or a shorter sentence missing key punctuation, e.g., When we cooked the people in the next apartment complained. The students should understand that the purpose of punctuation is to aid the reader in understanding the author’s meaning.

·     The students should also arrive at the same conclusion after they see a sentence with faulty punctuation, e.g., After the students watched the basketball game. They walked home.

·     Next, introduce the seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.

·     Explain the purpose of the seven conjunctions through a series of examples, so that the students recognize not only the conjunctions but also their functions in sentences.

·     Introduce the colon and ask students to list any uses they know (time divisions, divisions of biblical verses, business letter openings, etc, would be probable answers.) Explain that the purpose of the colon is also to introduce a list preceded by a complete thought e.g., Her house has four rooms: a kitchen, a parlour, a bedroom, and a bathroom) and to introduce an example or an explanation related to something just mentioned (e.g., The master had only one desire: to see his gold coins).

·     Assign a brief exercise on the colon to examine the students’ general knowledge of the colon, in particular the last two cases mentioned above. Note: To this point the strategies will be a review for most students and the teacher should use this diagnostic assessment to decide the amount of time required before proceeding.

·     Explain that in either of these cases, the items listed after the colon should be in parallel format. Students are probably familiar with the term parallel lines in math, but make the distinction that in grammar, parallel construction or parallelism is different. Put a few examples on the board of words and phrases arranged in a parallel structure and in an unparallel structure, e.g., Michelangelo was both a sculptor and a painter. Michelangelo was both a sculptor and he could paint well. With a few similar examples, students can practise putting lists of information in parallel form, e.g., To skate, swimming, and to run / steer, shifted gears, park, accelerate / tall, wide, thick, heaviness / lack of exercise, excess of food, sleeping loss

·     Explain through a series of exercises that to identify parallel and unparallel elements in sentences, students must first locate the conjunctions and then determine if the elements they are connecting are parallel or unparallel. Example sentences include: He was injured but confident of victory. The advantages of taking the bus are low fare and the environment is saved.

·     Give the students familiar, suitable topics for which they can form their own parallel lists, with a title containing two parts separated by a colon, e.g., Having Fun: My Top Ten Hobbies; Choosing a Car: Things to Consider. As a class, students complete a suitable topic with the teacher making sure that the items are parallel. The students can then complete a topic on their own as a writing assignment.

·     Introduce a piece of literature – either technical or literary – that contains a moral issue or dilemma, e.g., articles explaining stem cell research, cloning, use of animals in research, or a short piece of fiction with a relevant moral dilemma, e.g., a peer pressure situation; supporting/losing a friend; dealing with adversity from people and events, etc.

·     Examine the literature to compile a list of information or observations, e.g., the benefits/drawbacks of stem cell research; the five steps to the cloning process; the reasons the protagonist of the story acted as he did; the characteristics of the protagonist with proof beside each characteristic. Teachers can choose to do this as a group or individual activity, but they must emphasize that the points and title must make effective use of the colon and parallel structure.

·     Once the students have completed their lists, the teacher introduces the best graphic organizer to present the information, e.g., comparison/contrast matrix for benefits and drawbacks of an action; T-chart for listing characteristics and proof; the cycle graph for explaining the steps in a process; the cerebral chart for character development.

·     Students choose the most appropriate graph for their information and then fill in their titles and parallel elements.

·     Once this is complete, the teacher directs a discussion on the morality of the issue from the Catholic viewpoint, e.g., the church’s opposition to stem cell research and cloning; our Christian belief in the morality of our actions.

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

·     Assess at least one of the worksheets in the lesson.

·     Teacher assessment of written assignment on parallel construction.

Resources

Any senior language text for grammar is acceptable. Suggested texts include the following:

Adams, Janice, et al. Reading and Writing for Success Senior. Toronto: Harcourt Press, 2001.

Conrad, Ronald. Process and Practice. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Inc, 1993.

Norton, Sarah and Brian Green. The Bare Essentials. Toronto: Harcourt Brace, 1993.

Suggested sites for information on graphic organizers are the following:
www.writedesignonline.com – www.graphic.org – www.edc.org – www.statsoftinc.com/graphs.html

Suggested sites for articles on technical issues with moral implications are the following:
www.bioethics.gov. – www.stemcelresearch.org – www.religioustolerance.org – www.oml.gov

Materials for Catholic view on moral issues include:
Shelton, Charles M., Morality and the Adolescent. New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1991. ISBN 0-8245-1134-4

Reicheert, Richard. Making Moral Decisions—Living Our Christian Faith. Winona, Minnesota: Saint Mary’s Press, 1983. ISBN 0-88489-150-X

McBride, Alfred. Father McBride’s Teen Catechism. Gastonia, North Carolina: Good Will Publishers Inc, 1995. ISBN 0-87973-704-2

Dalmais, Irene Henri, et al. The Church at Prayer—Principles of the Liturgy. Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 1987. ISBN 0-8146-1363-2

 

Activity 4.5:  Writing Informational Texts – Making Inferences

Time:  1 hour

Description

This lesson takes an approach that is different from, yet related to the previous lesson. Previously, students were given text and asked to predict headings based on clues in the text; in this lesson they are given informational topics for which they come up with suitable headings. After deciding on the headings, students then formulate the text that they think would appear under the headings. Additionally, students make conjectures about what types of charts or diagrams would best be suited to augment such an informational article. To complete these exercises, students are organized into small groups. Each student in each group is individually responsible for completing the written text under at least one heading. When all group members have completed their drafts, groups arrange their drafts and make an informal presentation to each other within the group. The text should contain technical language if applicable. Also, if time permits and if the topic is suitable, students create a chart or diagram to accompany their headings and text.

Strand(s) & Learning Expectations

Strand(s):  Literature Studies and Reading, Language

Specific Expectations

LI2.03 - analyse how elements of non-fiction forms influence meaning;

LI3.04 - explain how authors and editors use design elements to organize content and communicate ideas;

LG1.01 - apply a variety of strategies to extend vocabulary while reading, with an emphasis on discerning nuances and judging the precision of words;

LG1.03 - identify and use specialized business and technical vocabulary and consolidate use of a plain-language style in reports and essays;

WR1.03 - formulate and refine a thesis to develop content for expressive and business and technical writing, using information and ideas from prior knowledge and research;

WR2.02 - select and use a level of language and a voice appropriate to the specific purpose and intended audience of business and technical communications and expressive writing.

Prior Knowledge & Skills

Students:

·     have a clear understanding of the function of headings with in text;

·     have a clear understanding of the use of labels and legends with diagrams/charts;

·     have a clear understanding of the use and purpose of charts/diagrams;

·     have a clear understanding of what technical language entails;

·     have a clear idea of the parts of a report: introduction, body, and conclusion.

Planning Notes

·     Identify the special needs of students and prepare accommodations accordingly.

·     Provide a list of topics or subjects that are interesting and relevant to students.

·     Group the students according to their common interests and abilities.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

·     Review the importance of headings in the formatting of informational texts.

·     Provides or brainstorm with the students, topics with which they have some familiarity that are appropriate and would lend themselves to creating informational writing. Topics selected should be relevant to postsecondary planning.

·     Organize class into small groups of not more than four students per group.

·     Provide time for students to research the details necessary to proceed with their assignment.

·     Each group then discusses how its topic could be subdivided into manageable and understandable components. The use of a graphic organizer is suggested for this portion of the exercise.

·     Groups create headings for the various component parts they have identified.

·     The group discusses the overall intent of the informational text. With that in mind, each student in the group then writes the text that might appear for one or more of the headings, making sure to include technical language in the explanations.

·     Each group organizes its material and makes an informal presentation within the group.

·     Where applicable, students sketch or design a chart or diagram to accompany the report.

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

·     Submit graphic organizer notes for assessment.

Accommodations

The teacher will vary the way material is presented, e.g., oral discussion to replace a worksheet, to best meet the needs of students.

Resources

The following are suggested topics.

Canadian First Aid Services: CPR and Basic First Aid – www.redcross.ca/english/firstaid/

First Aid for Eye Injuries – www.eyesite.ca/english/public-information/eye-conditions/first-aid.htm

First Aid for Chemical; Exposures
– www.eyesite.ca/english/public-information/eye-conditions/ first-aid.htm

Contact Lenses: types of soft contact lenses, difference between soft and hard lenses, costs, dangers
– www.contactlenses.org/

Laser Surgery: benefits, description, process, dangers, costs – www.allaboutvision

 

Activity 4.6:  Gathering Technical Reports and Headings –
                                    Analysing and Assessing

Time:  2 hours

Description

In this lesson, students practise several skills. They read to comprehend, to analyse and assess information, and to cross-reference information to evaluate its validity. After choosing a subject, students compare two sources of informational writing on the same subject. Students working in pairs conduct their analysis, then record their findings on a worksheet. The worksheet outlines a comparative analysis of informational/technical texts in terms of content, format, and critical evaluation.

Strand(s) & Learning Expectations

Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations

CGE5a - works effectively as an interdependent team member;

CGE5e - respects the rights, responsibilities, and contributions of self and others.

Strand(s):  Literature Studies and Reading, Language, Writing

Specific Expectations

LI2.01 - analyse how elements of research articles and plays reinforce the works’ conclusions and themes (intensive study);

LI3.04 - explain how authors and editors use design elements to organize content and communicate ideas;

WR1.02 - organize and analyse information, ideas, and sources to suit specific forms and purposes for writing.

Prior Knowledge & Skills

Students:

·     have a clear understanding of the use and purpose of charts/diagrams;

·     have a clear understanding of what technical language entails;

·     have a clear idea of the parts of a report: introduction, body, and conclusion;

·     have a clear idea of the function of headings with text, and of labels with charts/diagrams;

·     have some ability to critically evaluate informational/technical writing.

Planning Notes

·     Book a computer lab or a library/resource centre or have the students bring in articles on suitable subjects.

·     Prepare the worksheet for each pair of students.

·     Create a list of suitable research comparison topics for the students.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

·     Review elements of effective technical writing: the use of clear language to explain technical terms; relevant charts/diagrams; and suitable headings for each subsection of the article.

·     Arrange students in pairs for this exercise.

·     Explain the purpose and expectations of the activity: to conduct research on a topic and to make a critical evaluation of the sources of information. All findings will be recorded on a worksheet.

·     Provide students with a list of topics for comparative analysis. Topics should have relevance to their situation as graduating students, who are exploring postsecondary options.

·     Distribute the worksheet to the students, indicating that they are to complete it after gathering and analysing the contents of the two reports. (See Appendix II.)

·     Make available articles on the students’ subjects (a computer lab would best suit this purpose; if not available, a library/resource centre with periodicals and magazines).

·     As the students are accessing and analysing the reports, the teacher assists the students with obtaining information where necessary and checks with them to ensure that they understand the assignment.

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

·     Submit worksheet for formal evaluation.

Resources

Print

Adams, Janice, Cathy Costello, and Steve Naylor. Reading and Writing for Success Senior. Toronto:
Harcourt Canada Ltd., 2001. ISBN 0-7747-1490-5

Barclay, Susanne, Judith Coghill, and Peter Weeks. Canadian Students’ Guide to Language, Literature, and Media. Don Mills: Oxford University Press, 2001. ISBN 0-19-541675-9

Blicq, Ron S., and Lisa Moretto. Technically-Write. Toronto: Prentice Hall, 1999. ISBN 0-13-081177-7

Gough, Nigel, and Gael Tickner. Language at Work. Toronto: Holt, Rinehart and Winston of Canada, Limited, 1991. ISBN 0-03-922031-1

Hilker, Douglas, Sue Harper, and Peter J. Smith. Elements of English. Toronto: Harcourt Canada Ltd., 2000. ISBN 0-7747-1492-1

Periodicals and Magazines such as Wood: The World’s Leading Woodworking Magazine; Consumer Reports; PopularMechanics; Fortune: Technology Guide; and Focus

VanAlstyne, Judith S. Professional and Technical Writing Strategies: Communicating in Technology And Science. Toronto Prentice Hall, 2002. ISBN 0-13-041279-1

Internet

Cell Phones – www.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone.htm

 

Activity 4.7:  Preparing for Technical Talks – Review and Rehearsal

Time:  2 hours

Description

Students critically analyse different styles of oral presentations, then compose a list of criteria for effective oral presentations. After this, students form small groups. Each group is assigned a topic, or may choose a topic provided it is suitable. (For the purpose of this activity, the topic need not be technical, but one that is familiar to students. The purpose is for students to become comfortable and confident in preparing their oral presentations. Part of the lesson deals with ethical issues in society.) The group then determines how to subdivide the topic into various headings, after which each group member is assigned one of the headings and composes remarks for that heading. The group determines the best organizational arrangement for the headings. They then make a short oral presentation within their group. While the students are working in groups, the teacher use this time to confer with them to determine the suitability of the topic that they intend to research for their summative assignment.

Strand(s) & Learning Expectations

Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations

CGE2e - uses and integrates the Catholic faith tradition in the critical analysis of the arts, media, technology, and information systems to enhance the quality of life;

CGE7a - acts morally and legally as a person formed in Catholic traditions;

CGE7j - contributes to the common good.

Strand(s): Writing, Language

Specific Expectations

WR3.01 - use report structure, essay structure, and organizational patterns such as induction, deduction, and process analysis to present information and ideas in reports and essays;

LG1.04 - express themselves effectively in a variety of spoken and written communications, with a focus on using specialized vocabulary and figurative language and sustaining an appropriate style;

LG1.05 - recognize, describe, and use correctly in oral and written form the language structures of standard Canadian English and its conventions of grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation, as prescribed for this course;

LG2.01 - communicate orally for a variety of purposes, with a focus on extending information and ideas; exploring possibilities; drawing conclusions; understanding and using business and technical concepts and language; and assessing ideas and arguments for coherence, relevance, omissions, and values.

Prior Knowledge & Skills

Students:

·     have some experience working in groups;

·     have some experience making oral presentations;

·     have some general knowledge on the topic about which they are speaking.

Planning Notes

·     Find samples of different oral presentations; these could be professional videos or tapes of student performances, or perhaps students could role-play.

·     Samples should clearly indicate a range of competency in oral communication.

·     Preview the resources for oral communication prior to usage.

·     The teacher should make a list of criteria for effective oral presentations based on the previewed resources.

·     The teacher should prepare a list of topics that students could use for their group discussion in this lesson. Suggestions include events, activities, or the facilities at school: music, rules, etc. A number of these topics also deal with ethics. Part of the discussion will involve plagiarism and the ethical use of others’ material.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

·     Review elements of effective formats in informational texts.

·     Introduce the focus of this lesson on making effective oral presentations.

·     Show students two or three oral presentations which vary in competency from weak to strong.

·     Students, while listening to the various presentations, should make point form notes distinguishing the effectiveness of one presentation from another.

·     Discuss as a class which presentation is most effective, and in chart form make a list on the board of reasons/criteria.

·     Students copy the chart into their notes and use it later as a checklist for their informal group presentations.

·     Assign or brainstorm a list of topics (not necessarily technical in nature) that students can use in their groups.

·     Arrange students into groups of not more than five students per group. Each group is either assigned a topic or may select a select a topic from the brainstorm list.

·     The group divides its topic into various headings. Each group member selects one of the headings and composes remarks that would fit within that heading.

·     The group arranges the headings

·     Each group member makes a short, informal presentation to the other group members based on the selected heading. During each presentation, other group members informally assess their peers based on the list of criteria for effective presentations in their notes taken earlier in this lesson.

·     While students are working in groups, the teacher uses this time to confer with students to finalize the research topics for the summative assignment.

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

·     Assess the accuracy of students’ notetaking (Formative).

Accommodations

The teacher will:

·     allow extra preparation time for students who have trouble with public speaking.

Resources

Videos

Oral Presentation Practice Videos – www.wfu.edu/organizations/TLC/oral.htm

Oral Presentation Skills Videos – http://ec.hku.hk/tops/

Oral Presentation Videos – www.acics.org/library/admin.pdf

Electronic

Deliver Your Presentation – www.abacon.com/pubspeak/deliver/deliver.html

Organizing Your Talks – www.abacon.com/pubspeak/organize/organize.html

Public Speaking – www.public-speaking.org/public-speaking-transition-article.htm

Tips for Oral Presentations – www.public-speaking.org/public-speaking-articles.html

Activity 4.8:  Preparing for the Summative Assignment

Time:  5 hours

Description

Students receive their assignment contracts which outline expectations and responsibilities. Students are given time to research information about the informational/technical topic that they have selected. After conducting sufficient research, students must document their sources, organize their information, and formulate a written outline for their oral presentation. Students then rehearse their oral presentation with a peer, using a formal checklist. Students also use this time to create charts and/or diagrams that they will use in presentations. Students are expected to confer with the teacher daily, and submit their contract that records their progress. These items are submitted with the final written report.

Strand(s) & Learning Expectations

Strand(s):  Writing, Language

Specific Expectations

WR1.01 - investigate potential topics for written work, including an independent study project, by posing inquiry questions, identifying information needs and purposes for writing, and developing research plans to acquire information and ideas;

WR1.02 - organize and analyse information the information, ideas, and sources to suit specific forms and purposes for writing;

WR1.04 - assess information and ideas from research to determine whether they are sufficient, reliable, credible, and suitable to the form and the purpose for writing;

WR2.02 - select and use a level of language and a voice appropriate to the specific purpose and intended audience of business and technical communications and expressive writing;

WR3.01 - use report structure, essay structure, and organizational patterns such as induction, deduction, and process analysis to present information and ideas in reports and essays;

WR4.01 - revise drafts to strengthen content and improve organization by adding relevant details and examples, reordering ideas, and strengthening connections;

WR4.02 - revise drafts to improve precision and clarity of expression;

WR4.04 - revise drafts to integrate researched information, ideas, and quotations appropriately and ethically, checking all material for accuracy;

LG2.03 - use critical listening skills to analyse and assess the content of oral presentations;

LG2.06 - identify strengths and weaknesses in their oral communication skills and create an action plan for improvement.

Prior Knowledge & Skills

Students:

·     clearly understand all aspects of the summative assignment as outlined to them in the first lesson of this unit when they received the Summative Assignment Overview (Appendix I);

·     are aware of the need to document their sources to avoid plagiarism;

·     are familiar with format procedures for documenting researched information, i.e., MLA format;

·     are critical of the validity of some research sources.

Planning Notes

·     Prepare copies of assignment contract, assessment form, and evaluation rubric.

·     Book the library/resource centre and computer lab.

·     Provide resources for students to work on charts and/diagrams.

·     Provide access to examples of proper documentation format for those who require some review.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

·     Review the overall expectations of the summative assignment (see Appendix I)

·     Distribute copies of the Assignment Contract (see Appendix III).

·     Establish the daily expectations as outlined in the contract, specifically emphasizing that the students complete and date each step of their project and submit the contract for assessment each day.

·     Confer with students to assist them with researching information, documenting sources, organizing research notes, completing an outline, and creating charts and diagrams for the presentation.

·     Collect the contracts at the end of each lesson to record progress, to make comments, and to offer suggestions for revision and improvements.

·     Distribute copies of the self- and peer assessment checklist (see Appendix IV). Explain to students the procedures for using the checklists at stage 5 of the contract as a means for improving their project overall.

·     Distribute and explain the evaluation criteria as listed in the evaluation rubric (see Appendix V).

·     Create a presentation schedule.

·     A written report is also required. A teacher-developed rubric similar to the one in Appendix V should be prepared and discussed with the students.

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

·     Assess students’ progress by their daily completion of the checklists and the contract.

·     The teacher evaluates written report (Summative).

Resources

Resources will depend entirely on the topics that the students have selected.

 

 

Activity 4.9:  Presenting Summative Assignments – Critical Listening

Time:  6 hours

Description

During the next four lessons students present their summative assignments and the teacher evaluates them. Each presentation should last at least 10 minutes. The teacher directs students to maintain a portfolio in which they record key information, summaries, analysis, and assessment of each of the presentations. As a summary activity each day, the teacher leads a discussion centred on students’ observations from their portfolios.

Strand(s) & Learning Expectations

Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations

CGE5g - achieves excellence, originality, and integrity in one’s own work and supports these qualities in the work of others;

CGE7b - accepts accountability for one’s own actions.

Strand(s):  Language

Specific Expectations

LG1.03 - identify and use specialized business and technical vocabulary and consolidate use of a plain-language style in reports and essays;

LG1.05 - recognize, describe, and use correctly, in oral and written language, the language structures of standard Canadian English and its conventions of grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation, as prescribed for this course;

LG2.01 - communicate orally for a variety of purposes, with a focus on extending information and ideas; exploring possibilities; drawing conclusions; understanding and using business and technical concepts and language; and assessing ideas and arguments for coherence, relevance, omissions, and values;

LG2.03 - use critical listening skills to analyse and assess the content of oral presentations using appropriate technical language);

LG2.04 - plan and deliver oral presentations and conduct interviews, with a focus on researching information and ideas, organizing, rehearsing, and revising;

LG2.05 - use techniques for making effective oral presentations, with a focus on previewing, reviewing, summarizing, using parallel structure, sustaining an appropriate tone, and incorporating props, handouts, charts and other visual aids, and technology;

LG2.06 - identify strengths and weaknesses in their oral communication skills and create an action plan for improvement.

Planning Notes

·     Verify that students are aware of the order of presentations.

·     Provide audio/visual resources as needed.

Prior Knowledge & Skills

Students:

·     are aware of effective oral presentations when dealing with informational/technical topics;

·     use charts and/or diagrams effectively in oral presentations;

·     are familiar with recording information from oral presentations in a graphic organizer.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

·     Instruct students to maintain a portfolio of their observations of the presentations.

·     Portfolio observations should include the following: a point-form outline of each of the presentations, including the headings used; critical observations of both the content and the oral delivery; and any questions that the research might bring out.

·     As a summary activity at the end of each lesson, the teacher leads a discussion based on students’ observations from their portfolios. Discussion topics could include such questions as:

·     Were there any omissions in the research?

·     Was the research valid and sufficient?

·     How could this research be considered from a different perspective?

·     How could this research be extended?

·     Collect the students’ written outlines prior to their presentations.

·     Evaluate summative assignments according to established criteria (see Appendix V).

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

·     Collect presentation portfolios for informal assessment.

·     Collect written outline of each presentation.

·     Evaluate summative assignments according to established criteria (see Appendix V)

Resources

Passages 12. Gage Learning Corporation, 2002. ISBN 7715-09588

Gage Canadian Student Writer’s Guide. ISBN 7715-13186

Passages 12 Teacher’s Guide. ISBN 7715-09596


Appendix I

Summative Assignment Overview – Oral Presentation

 

Name:

 

Instructions

 

Students conduct research on an informational/technical topic of their own choosing. Having gathered information (three to five varied sources), students then organize the information. Students prepare an outline of their information, document their sources, and group the information under at least five headings. Students then create either a chart or diagram (or both) to accompany their presentation. Before presenting to the class, students rehearse their presentations with a partner. During this rehearsal, the students peer assess each other. At all times throughout the process, students are expected to confer with their teacher and make reference to the evaluation rubric.

 

Expectations

·     Select a topic

·     Conduct research

·     Organize information

·     Document sources

·     Formulate an outline (5 headings)

·     Create chart/diagram for the presentation

·     Rehearse the presentation

 

Assessment and Evaluation

·     Teacher observation

·     Self assessment

·     Peer assessment

·     Oral presentation evaluation

 

Due Dates

·     topic

·     sources

·     outline

·     chart/diagram

·     rehearsal

·     presentation

 

Evaluation Levels

R    insufficient or no evidence

I     limited effectiveness

II    some effectiveness

III  considerable effectiveness

IV  high degree of effectiveness


Appendix II

Gathering and Analysing Technical Information Worksheet

 

Name:

 

Instructions

Complete both parts of the worksheet. Part I of the worksheet is completed with a partner.

Part II is completed individually. Record responses on a separate piece of paper.

 

Part I   Gathering and Assessing Information

 

1.   Research Topic:

 

2.   Information Source 1: Document the source using proper MLA format

 

3.   Information Source 2: Document the source using proper MLA format

 

4.   Name the headings from each source, then briefly summarize the information under each heading.

 

i)

 

i)

ii)

 

ii)

iii)

 

iii)

iv)

 

iv)

v)

 

v)

 

5.   Name the charts/diagrams in the reports. Summarize your interpretation of the information being presented.

 

Part II Critical Evaluation

 

1.   Which report presented more useful information? Explain.

 

2.   Which report contained more effective graphic designs, charts, etc.? Explain.

 

3.   In what ways could either one of the reports be modified to make it more effective?

 

4.   Can we trust the source of the material? How could we check for this?

 

5.   Consider who would find these reports useful. Why?


Appendix III

Informational/Technical Oral Presentation

Summative Assignment Contract

 

Name:

Comments

 

1.   Research Topic:

 

Date –

 

2.   Research Sources:

 

i)

 

ii)

 

iii)

 

Date –

 

3.   Research Organized

 

Date –

 

4.   Presentation Outline/Headings

 

Date –

 

5.   Presentation Rehearsal/Peer Assessment

 

Date –

 

6.   Charts/Diagrams

 

Date –


Appendix IV

Informational/Technical Communication in Our World

Self Assessment of the Oral Presentation

 

Does my final presentation contain

 

q    a clear indication of the topic?

q    at least 5 subheadings that divide the information in separate sections?

q    sufficient information clearly explained under each heading?

q    the use of specialized technical language?

q    sufficient information from 3 to 5 varied resources?

q    appropriate charts/diagrams to accompany my presentation?

q    proper documentation of all sources?

 

Peer Assessment of the Oral Presentation

Students rehearse their oral presentations with a partner. Partners assess the oral presentation using the checklist below. Students conduct a peer conference following the rehearsal. The recommendations for improvement are a tool to aid in the students’ upcoming formal presentation.

The evaluation scale is based on a rating of 1 (least effective) to 4 (the most effective).

1.   The student presented sufficient information on the chosen topic.

1          2          3          4

2.   The information was presented in an organized fashion.

1          2          3          4

3.   The student used at least 5 clearly worded headings to present the information.

1          2          3          4

4.   The student used specialized technical language appropriate for the topic.

1          2          3          4

5.   The student used and clearly explained accompanying charts/diagrams in the presentation.

1          2          3          4

6.   The student used appropriate tone, volume, pronunciation, and enunciation.

1          2          3          4

7.   The student used correctly the language conventions of standard Canadian English.

1          2          3          4

 

Overall Evaluation (on a scale from 1 to 4):

 

Overall Comments and Recommendations for Improvement:


Appendix V

Oral Presentation Rubric

 

Criteria

Level 1
(50-59%)

Level 2
(60-69%)

Level 3
(70-79%)

Level 4
(80-100%)

Knowledge/ Understanding
LG1.03
WR2.02

- demonstrates a limited understanding of specialized business and technical vocabulary

- demonstrates limited understanding of subject

- demonstrates some understanding of specialized business and technical vocabulary

- demonstrates some understanding of subject

- demonstrates considerable understanding of specialized business and technical vocabulary

- demonstrates considerable understanding of subject

- demonstrates thorough understanding of specialized business and technical vocabulary

- demonstrates thorough understanding of subject

Thinking/ Inquiry
WR1.04
WR1.02

- demonstrates limited organization and analysis of sufficient information to suit form and purpose

- demonstrates some organization and analysis of sufficient information to suit form and purpose

- demonstrates considerable organization and analysis of sufficient information to suit form and purpose

- demonstrates thorough organization and analysis of sufficient information to suit form and purpose

Communication
WR1.02
WR3.01
LG1.03
LG2.01
LG2.04

- demonstrates limited use of specialized business and technical vocabulary in oral presentation

- demonstrates limited use of subheadings

- demonstrates some use of specialized business and technical vocabulary in oral presentation

- demonstrates some use of subheadings

- demonstrates considerable use of specialized business and technical vocabulary in oral presentation

- demonstrates considerable use of subheadings

- demonstrates thorough use of specialized business and technical vocabulary in oral presentation

- demonstrates thorough use of subheadings


Appendix V  (Continued)

 

Application
WR2.02
LG2.05
LG1.05

- uses language conventions with limited accuracy and effectiveness


- demonstrates limited use of techniques for making effective oral presentations, with a focus on reviewing, summarizing, sustaining an appropriate tone, and incorporating charts and other visual aids

- uses language conventions with some accuracy and effectiveness


- demonstrates some use of techniques for making effective oral presentations, with a focus on summarizing, sustaining an appropriate tone, and incorporating charts and other visual aids

- uses language conventions with considerable accuracy and effectiveness

- demonstrates considerable use of techniques for making effective oral presentations, with a focus on summarizing, sustaining an appropriate tone, and incorporating charts and other visual aids

- uses language conventions with thorough accuracy and effectiveness


- demonstrates thorough use of techniques for making effective oral presentations, with a focus on summarizing, sustaining an appropriate tone, and incorporating charts and other visual aids

Note: A student whose achievement is below Level 1 (50%) has not met the expectations for this assignment or activity.

 

Overview | Course Profiles Main Menu