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

 

Unit 3:  Signing Off

Time:  30 hours

 

Activity 3.1 | Activity 3.2 | Activity 3.3 | Activity 3.4 | Activity 3.5 | Activity 3.6 | Activity 3.7

 

Unit Description

Students read and write short stories, and letters to companies, and use different mediums to communicate, and analyse text. In addition, they develop an action plan to improve their communication skills, enhance their scripting skills and develop their informal report skills is created. The activities in this unit build on existing experiences that students have in other courses. While the theme in the content is on finances for students, the focus on language development and communication skills is maintained. As a culminating activity, students participate in a Financial Fair by creating a visual presentation for other young adults. The presentation will address a number of issues related to teen finances. These may include a major purchase, applying for a credit card or OSAP, determining the cost of college, renting or buying a home; it may also include another financial issues relevant to student life.

Unit Synopsis Chart

Activity

Learning Expectations

Assessment Categories

Focus

3.1
What Do You Know about Money?
6 hours

LIV.01, LIV.02, WRV.03, WR1.02, WR2.02, WR3.02, WR4.01, WR5.04, LI1.01, LI1.04, LGV.01, LGV.02, LG1.01, LG1.04, LG2.01, LG2.04, LG2.05

Knowledge/ Understanding Thinking/Inquiry
Application

Reading and research

3.2
Be Informed About Money

3 hours

WRV.03, WRV.04, WRV.05, LG1.01, LG1.02, LI1.01, LI1.02, LI1.03, LI1.04, LI2.03, LI3.01, WR1.02, WR1.03, WR2.01, WR3.01, WR3.02, WR4.02, WR4.03, WR4.04

Knowledge/ Understanding Thinking/Inquiry
Application

Media analysis using comparison writing

3.3
Financial Media Messages
4 hours

MD1.01, MD1.02, WRV.01, WRV.03, WR1.02, WR3.02, WR2.01, WR2.02, WR4.01, WR5.04

Knowledge/ Understanding Thinking/Inquiry
Application

Media analysis: focus on form, purpose and audience

3.4
Financial Advertising
3 hours

LI3.04, LI2.03, LI3.03, MD1.02, WR1.02

Knowledge/ Understanding Thinking/Inquiry
Application

Media analysis and redesign of advertisement

3.5
Financial “Experts”
2 hours

LG1.04, LG2.02, LG2.04, WR2.01, WR3.01

Knowledge/ Understanding Thinking/Inquiry
Application

Oral communication skills and script development

3.6
Extra Extra!!
Read All About It
6 hours

LG1.01, LI1.03, WRV.03, WRV.04, WRV.05, WR2.01, WR2.02, WR3.02

Knowledge/ Understanding Thinking/Inquiry
Application

Reading and analysis of drama

3.7
Financial Fair

6 hours

LI1.03, LG2.01, WR2.02, WR3.02, WR4.04, WR5.01, WR5.02, LG2.04, LG2.05, MD2.01

Knowledge/ Understanding Thinking/Inquiry
Application

Preparation of a visual presentation

Activity 3.1:  What Do You Know About Money?

Time:  6 hours

Description

This introductory activity provides the diagnostic task for this unit and explores students’ perceptions and opinions about money through the examination of short stories, media, and advertising. Students analyse the elements of several different short stories as a basis for writing their own stories. They also have the opportunity to research how money was used in the past and use this information to contemplate where money use is going in the future. The learning log should be introduced as a means for students to reflect on activities. In addition, students should be reminded to keep draft copies of written work in their portfolios, which has been used in previous units, for revision during the final exam. The research and writing assist students with the course culminating activity.

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

Learning Expectations

LIV.01 - read and demonstrate and understanding of challenging informational texts and literary works from various time periods, countries, and cultures with an emphasis on assessing information, ideas, and issues;

LI1.01 - select and use a variety of effective reading strategies;

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

WRV.03 - use a range of organisational structures and patterns to produce unified and effective written work;

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

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

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

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

LIV.02 - demonstrate an understanding of a range of informational and literary forms, with an emphasis on research articles and plays;

LI1.04 - compare ideas, values, and perspectives in texts;

WRV.01 - use a range of print and electronic primary and secondary sources to gather and analyse information and ideas to develop topics for writing;

LGV.01 - use knowledge of language to read, write and speak effectively, with a focus on choosing, developing, and sustaining appropriate style.

Prior Knowledge & Skills

·         Familiarity with organization and elements of a short story, some financial terminology, research skills, organization skills necessary to put together a short oral presentation.

Planning Notes

·         Prepare a short diagnostic quiz of financial terminology (Appendix titled “Glossary of Financial Terms” would be useful in putting this diagnostic together).

·         Find a short story about financial issues such as Stephen Leacock’s “My Financial Career.”

·         Create and photocopy a short story assessment tool and an editing checklist.

·         Gather newspaper and magazine articles as well as Internet sites to aid student research. See Resources for ideas.

·         Book the computer lab for Internet research. Review the school policy for Internet research with the students.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

Teacher

3.1.1     initiates a discussion by asking students the following questions: What items do people commonly spend money on? How skilful are you at managing your money? If you were given $50 000 dollars, what would you do with it?

Students

3.1.2     participate in a diagnostic quiz on financial terminology. The answers to the diagnostic quiz are discussed in class.

Teacher

3.1.3     asks the students what they found surprising about the quiz. What information do students know? What financial terminology are students not familiar with? What scenarios, from literature or movies, can students recall that revolve around money?

Students

3.1.4     discuss the scenarios and try to come to an understanding of why they are unfamiliar with some terminology. Students discuss why money is important to young people and create a list of their own responses on the board. In tutorial groups, students brainstorm, in general, the “pro’s” and “con’s” of today’s financial world as they see it. Using this information, students generate a list of things that they would like to know, or should know more about, such as bank cards and fees, other currencies and exchange rates, credit cards, credit rating, loans, savings and interest rates. This information is to be used when considering research areas for the culminating activity for the course.

Teacher

3.1.5     asks students what emotions are tied to money. Writes a list on the board, or spends more time by starting two theme webs on the board, one for “happiness/joy” and another for “sorrow/fear”. Ask students to suggest ways that money can bring “happiness/joy” or how money can create feelings of “sorrow/fear”.

3.1.6     reviews reading strategies such as skimming, scanning, and creating questions.

Students

3.1.7     complete a pre-reading activity by writing a well-constructed paragraph in response to the following question: How do you feel about money?

3.1.8     read a short story which deals with a financial issue from an earlier time period.

Teacher

3.1.9     leads a discussion about the short story in which students consider their relationship with money. Ask students to write a reflective journal, in their learning log, comparing the ways in which their relationship with money is similar to or different from the protagonist in the story.

Students

3.1.10   use the short story to review the elements of a short story and then discuss the ways that the elements of this short story made it so interesting. The teacher tells the students that they will write a short expository piece describing their own personal “Financial Career.”

3.1.11   review the Short Story Assessment and the Editing Checklist handouts. Students submit a rough copy of their short story, the editing sheet, and a final draft of their short story to the teacher.

3.1.12   read a modern piece of literature or informational writing which details the use of money.

Teacher

3.1.13   discusses with students how this modern short story is similar to or different from the information learned from the historical short story.

Students

3.1.14   create a chart to list the different ways money has been earned, spent, or saved between the past and the present. Students are put into groups for the purpose of researching finances in different time periods.

3.1.15   research in groups a different time period using primary and secondary print and electronic sources to explore the way that money was earned, spent, and saved during that time period. Students may focus on literature that contains the needed information.

3.1.16   in addition, evaluate this research and develop a list of “pro’s” and “con’s” about the way financial dealings transpired during this time period. Each group presents this information in a 4-5 minute informal jigsaw presentation.

3.1.17   using feedback from their first short expository piece of writing, along with the information gathered on financial trends through research and jigsaw presentations, write a second expository piece, 3-4 pages in length, which details how money will be used in the future. In preparation for this task, students have a conference with the teacher to discuss the strengths and areas of weakness of their first short expository piece. In addition to this, students review the “Short Story Assessment”. When students have completed their rough copy of this second piece of expository writing, they must have it edited by a peer using the Editing Checklist. Students hand in the rough copy of their expository writing, the editing sheet that was peer edited, and the final draft of their expository writing.

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

K/U = Knowledge/Understanding      T/I = Thinking/Inquiry      C = Communication      A = Application

Formative

Class Discussion

Learning Skills Checklist

K/U, T/I, C, A

Formative

Self-Editing of Short Stories

Editing Checklist

K/U, T/I, C, A

Formative

Research

Learning Skills Checklist for Teamwork and Participation

K/U, T/I, C, A

Formative

Well Constructed Paragraph

Supported Opinion Rubric

K/U, T/I, C, A

Formative

Reflective Journal

Anecdotal Feedback

T/I, C, A

Formative

Oral Presentation

Rating Scale

K/U, T/I, C, A

Formative Summative

Short Story about Money in the Future

Editing Checklist Completed by a Peer
Short Story Rubric

K/U, T/I, C, A

Accommodations

·         Provide charts, lists, and organizers (such as a plot graph organiser) for students as they work on research or rough copies of their short stories.

·         Students could present with a partner or to the teacher only.

Resources

Aker, Don. Language and Writing 11. Toronto: Nelson Thompson Learning, 2001. ISBN 0176197141

Artichuk, Francine. Echoes: Fiction, Media, and Non-Fiction. Don Mills: Oxford University Press, 2001. ISBN 0195416309

Avery, Heather, et al. Clear, Correct, and Creative. Trent University: Academic Skills Centre, 1991. ISBN 096936841

Barklay, Susanne, et al. The Canadian Students’ Guide to Language, Literature, and Media. Don Mills: Oxford University Press, 2001. ISBN 0195416759

Barker-Sandbrook, Judith, et al. Thinking Through the Essay. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 1986. ISBN 007540668

Barry. James, et al. Literature and Media 11. Toronto: Nelson Thompson Learning, 2001.
ISBN 0176197109

Davies, Richard, et al. Between the Lines. Toronto: Nelson Thompson Learning, 2001.
ISBN 0176197060

Dawe, Robert, et al. Reference Points: A Guide to Language, Literature, and Media. Toronto: Prentice-Hall, 2001. ISBN 0130198714

Donaldson, Chelsea. Canadian Student Writers Guide. Toronto: Gage Educational Publishing Company, 2000. ISBN 0771513186

Farren, Lori, et al. Imprints, Volume II. Toronto: Gage Educational Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0771509421

Farren, Lori, et al. Imprints. Toronto: Gage Educational Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0771509405

Henry, O., “The Ransom of Red Chief”, “The Gift of the Magi.”

Hikes, Douglas, et al. Elements of English. Toronto: Harcourt Canada, 2001. ISBN 0195416309

Illingworth, Barbara, et al. Passages: Literature and Language. Toronto: Gage Educational Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0771509545

Joseph, Amanda, et al. Viewpoints 11. Toronto: Prentice - Hall, 2001. ISBN 0130198692

Leacock, Stephen, “My Financial Career”, “My Lost Dollar.”

MacDonald, Ann-Marie. Fall On Your Knees. Toronto: Random House of Canada, 1997.
ISBN 0394281780

McCourt, Frank. Angela’s Ashes. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1999. ISBN 068484267X

McCourt, Frank. ‘Tis. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1999. ISBN 0684865742

Norton, Sara, et al. The Bare Essentials. Toronto: Harcourt Canada, 1996. ISBN 0774733616

Saliani, Dom. Communicate! Toronto: Nelson Thompson Learning, 2001. ISBN 0176197184

Sailiani, Dom, et al. Imprints, Volume I. Toronto: Gage Educational Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0771509143

Silverstein, Shel, “Smart”

 

Activity 3.2:  Be Informed About Money

Time:  3 hours

Description

As a class, with the aid of the teacher, students create a terminology and etymology list of financial terms. Using this list of terms, students create a criteria list to determine the effectiveness of financial articles and ads in various media. After an examination of the media, with their criteria list, students write a comparative paragraph of two different media forms on the same topic. Finally, with the aid of the criteria list, students write a letter to a company either commending or criticizing their article or ad. This activity builds students’ familiarity with terminology so that they are prepared to complete the course culminating activity. As well, the media analysis and understanding of what makes a visual presentation effective are skills that will be utilized in the course culminating activity.

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

Learning Expectations

WRV.03 - use a variety of organizational structures and patterns to produce coherent and effective written work;

WRV.04 - revise their written work, independently and collaboratively, with a focus on accuracy of information, coherent organization, clear expression, and effective style;

WRV.05 - edit and proofread to produce final drafts, using correctly the grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation conventions of standard Canadian English, as specified for this course, with the support of print and electronic resources when appropriate;

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

LG1.02 - analyse the origins and roots of words used in different areas of science, business, and technology;

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

LI1.02 - select and use specific and significant evidence from texts to support judgements and arguments;

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

LI1.04 - compare ideas, values, and perspectives in texts;

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

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

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

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;

WR2.01 - 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;

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;

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

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

WR4.03 - revise drafts to ensure an effective style;

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

Prior Knowledge & Skills

·         Familiarity with the elements of a paragraph e.g., topic sentence, supporting sentence(s) and a concluding sentence

·         Familiarity with the format for letter writing

Planning Notes

·         The teacher may provide the class with newspapers, magazines and websites concerned with money management to ensure that equal access to resources is obtained.

·         A variety of organizers, e.g., Venn diagram, T-charts, should be made available to students to aid them in their writing.

·         Provide access to a dictionary of word origins.

·         The teacher may identify current resources from newspapers and magazines.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

Teacher

3.2.1     tells students to brainstorm a list of financial words. Suggestions are written on the board. Refer to the “Glossary of Financial Terms”, found in the Appendices.

Students

3.2.2     move into tutorial groups to define terms.

Teacher

3.2.3     elicits definitions from students and writes them on board.

3.2.4     asks students what kind of information is in a thorough news article and in a good ad.

Students

3.2.5     participate in discussion and write down key ideas.

Teacher

3.2.6     presents students with various financial articles and ads from newspapers, magazines and websites.

Students

3.2.7     examine the articles and ads with respect to the criteria that they established.

Teacher

3.2.8     instructs students to again refer to their list of terminology/etymology and to create a list to determine the effectiveness of the financial articles, ads, magazines, and websites.

Students

3.2.9     explore the financial articles and ads from newspapers, magazines, and websites.

Teacher

3.2.10   presents pairs of students with two different media forms on the same financial topic.

Students

3.2.11   use the criteria list to compare the two different media forms and to individually write a series of paragraphs (see Comparison Paragraph Rubric in Appendices) about which form appealed to them and why.

3.2.12   peer edit each others work; they revise and submit the paragraph.

3.2.13   review letter-writing format and use a teacher-created template.

3.2.14   with the aid of the criteria list, write a letter to a company either commending or complaining about the best/worst article/website that they found. Suggestions to help make the article/website more appealing to young adults should be included.

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

K/U – Knowledge/Understanding      T/I – Thinking/Inquiry      C – Communication      A – Application

Formative

Completion of Terminology/Etymology List

Checklist

K/U, C

Formative

Comparison Paragraph

Rubric

K/U, T/I, C, A

Summative

Letter

Rubric

K/U, T/I, C, A

Accommodations

·         The teacher may wish to stress the importance of organizers for students who are identified in their IEP as having difficulty with organization.

·         A student who has difficulty with handwriting or language might use voice activated computer software to compose.

Resources

www.kidsmoney.org – helps parents teach their kids about money

www.kidsenseonline.com – makes learning about money fun

 

Activity 3.3:  Financial Media Messages

Time:  4 hours

Description

This activity focuses on the financial messages that are sent out by the media. Students use critical analysis skills to examine the money messages found in several forms of media such as film, literature, and music. After deconstructing several media forms by looking at technique and theme, students use a comparison/contrast organizer as the basis for writing a comparison summary. Students then choose their own media forms to analyse and create a visual presentation that analyses the representations in their media forms, e.g., display board, computer slide show, based on their deconstruction of those media forms. This small presentation prepares students for both the unit culminating activity of the Financial Fair and the course culminating activity where students have to present their written report. Students’ research and analysis skills are also refined in this activity for later use.

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

Learning Expectations

LIV.01 - read and demonstrate an understanding of a variety of challenging informational texts and literary works from various time periods, countries, and cultures, with an emphasis on assessing information, ideas, and issues;

LI1.04 - compare ideas, values, and perspectives in texts;

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

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;

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;

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

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

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;

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

MD1.01 - demonstrate critical thinking skills by identifying bias and analysing messages in media works;

MD1.02 - explain how the form, style, and techniques in media works convey messages with social or ideological implications;

MD2.01 - design or create media works based on ideas, themes, and issues examined in this course.

Prior Knowledge & Skills

·         Knowledge of media forms, terms and techniques

·         Presentation skills

·         Summary writing

Planning Notes

·         Gather media resources with a financial theme.

·         Book a computer lab for preparation of the visual representation for students who need access to a computer.

·         Book TV/VCR, CD player as required and prepare literature excerpts.

Teacher/Learning Strategies

Teacher

3.3.1     asks students: What is meant by money management and who manages the money?

3.3.2     records the student responses on an overhead.

3.3.3     points out that money management is a learned skill. It takes knowledge and practice to ensure sound financial management.

3.3.4     tells students to brainstorm a variety of careers which are based on helping people organize their finances and the post-secondary requirements for these careers.

Students

3.3.5     in groups answer the question: How can you tell if someone has acquired money management skills?

3.3.6     in tutorial groups, create a T-chart to list indicators of sound money management practices and poor money management practices.

3.3.7     title this list “Money Management Practices Defined.”

Sound Practices

Unsound Practices

- spends less than what s/he earns

- spends substantially more than what s/he earns

Teacher

3.3.8     compiles T-chart onto board.

Students

3.3.9     copy the T-chart titled Money Management Practices Defined into their notebooks.

Teacher

3.3.10   introduces the media to be reviewed by indicating that there are many perceptions of money management portrayed and that there are many realistic and unrealistic perceptions presented.

3.3.11   reviews terms such as deconstruct, implicit, explicit, etc.

3.3.12   tells students to have their Money Management Practices Defined T-chart in front of them to record information while reviewing the different media forms.

3.3.13   provides students with the following chart for their notes:

Media Analysis Form (sample filled in)

Media Form A:
Form: television program
Audience: young adults
Product: not applicable
Scenario: coffee shop waitress lives in big, furnished apartment in New York City and has a great
                        wardrobe

Financial Media Message: you can live well in New York as a waitress
Unrealistic or Realistic with Evidence: unrealistic – any big city apartment is very expensive to rent
Sound or Unsound Practices with Evidence: unsound because the woman never mentions saving
                                                                         her money

3.3.14   presents one piece of media to whole class.

3.3.15   has students analyse the media work using both the Media Analysis Form and the Money Management Practices Defined T-chart.

3.3.16   shows/reads a variety of media works to the students and allows students to complete several critiques independently in their groups.

Students

3.3.17   discuss a variety of film clips, songs, and literature excerpts.

3.3.18   analyse the variety of media forms using the T-chart and the Medial Analysis Form.

3.3.19   create a comparison/contrast organizer to compare two of the media forms viewed.

3.3.20   use the information from the organizer to write a comparison summary that outlines similarities/differences in the techniques and messages conveyed in the media. Address the question: How realistic is the message being sent out?

3.3.21   use round robin peer editing of each other’s summaries.

3.3.22   create a polished copy and hand in the summary.

Teacher

3.3.23   instructs students to use both the T-chart and the Media Analysis Form in class to analyse a minimum of three pieces of media on their own.

3.3.24   reviews the components of a quality visual presentation. This includes font, format, titles, and images.

Students

3.3.25   create a visual presentation using a T-chart or Venn diagram of their analysis and present these to the class orally as their Media Analysis Task.

3.3.26   use the analysis skills learned earlier to analyse a variety of chosen literary texts and media to demonstrate an understanding of form, purpose and audience in the Media Analysis Task.

3.3.27   find a partner to work with on the visual representation for the Media Analysis Task.

3.3.28   research and find the resources that they will need.

3.3.29   analyse their resources using the criteria checklists that were created in class.

3.3.30   complete the visual presentation and prepare their oral presentation for the Media Analysis Task.

3.3.31   use computers to prepare written aspect of the presentation.

3.3.32   present their Media Analysis Task to the class.

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

K/U – Knowledge/Understanding      T/I – Thinking/Inquiry      C – Communication      A – Application

Formative

Comparison/contrast summary

Rating Scale

K/U, T/I, C, A

Summative

Presentation

Marking Scheme

K/U, T/I, C, A

Accommodations

·         Students can videotape their presentation and show it to the class.

·         Students can create an oral tape of the summary instead of a written product.

·         Encourage one-on-one assistance to find the necessary resources for the project.

Resources

ABBA “Money, Money, Money.”

Barenaked Ladies. “If I had a Million Dollars.”

McCourt, Frank. Angela’s Ashes. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1999. ISBN 068484267X

Richler, Mordeci. The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz.

 

Activity 3.4:  Financial Advertising

Time:  3 hours

Description

Students examine a variety of financial advertisements and explore the techniques used by various companies to sell their ideas and financial products to different audiences. Based on this, students redesign an ad to more effectively meet the personal needs of young adults. Students focus on analysing and being aware of a target audience, which will assist them with their final report and tutorial presentation.

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

Learning Expectations

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

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

LI3.03 - analyse the effect of the authors’ choice of language, syntax, and rhetorical and literary devices on the reader by examining their own and others’ responses to the style of texts;

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

MDI.02 - demonstrate critical thinking skills by identifying bias and analysing messages in media works.

Prior Knowledge & Skills

·         Familiarity with advertising terminology such as target audience, explicit, and implicit messages in advertising

·         Familiarity with techniques advertisers use to sell their products to various audiences

·         Familiarity with the needs of young adults as consumers

Planning Notes

·         The teacher asks students to gather brochures and print advertisements for a variety of financial products from a number of different financial institutions. If these are not available locally, search online for ads. In this case, booking a computer lab will be necessary.

·         The teacher may wish to collect newspapers in which students can find financial advertisements.

·         The teacher may also wish to identify a number of commercials for banks and other companies that deal with financial issues.

·         The teacher prepares and photocopies a checklist of requirements for the redesigning of the advertisement and a rating scale to be used in peer assessment of the redesigned advertisement.

·         Prepare a board note on the elements of an advertisement.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

Teacher

3.4.1     asks the questions: Do banks advertise? To whom do they advertise and how? Students discuss these questions and identify the ways that banks advertise (television commercials, newspaper ads, radio commercials, brochures, posters) and the target audiences that banks hope to influence.

3.4.2     presents board note on elements of an advertisement.

Students

3.4.3     review the elements of an advertisement and take notes during this discussion as they will be using these elements to redesign an advertisement later.

3.4.4     examine a variety of advertisements that focus on making a financial decision.

Teacher

3.4.5     organizes the examination of media task as a group activity where 4-5 different types of financial advertisements (possibly including a radio commercial, a television commercial, and print advertisements) are located at various locations in the room and groups of students spend five minutes examining each ad.

Students

3.4.6     should identify the sender of the ad, the intended audience, and at least two techniques used by he financial institution to attract the target audience (music and younger or older models are excellent indicators of target audience).

3.4.7     discuss the target audiences of the advertisements as a class and focus on the techniques used to appeal to the various target audiences.

Teacher

3.4.8     begins by asking students what they personally need and what appeals to them as a target audience.

Students

3.4.9     discuss the personal needs of young adults as a target audience and create a list of these needs in their notebooks.

3.4.10   read an essay which focuses on young people as a target audience.

Teacher

3.4.11   asks the students how advertisers try to meet the needs of young people as a target audience.

Students

3.4.12   suggest answers and use this information to create a list of ways that companies try to address these needs with a variety of advertising techniques.

3.4.13   use magazines, newspapers, Internet, or brochures provided by the teacher to locate one financial advertisement which is not aimed at young adults as a target audience.

3.4.14   identify the target audience and make a list of the techniques used to advertise to this other audience.

3.4.15   create a new advertisement for the same product aimed at a young adult target audience.

3.4.16   remove any techniques used in the ad to market the product to the other audience and make the new ad meet the needs of a young adult target audience. Before beginning this task, students discuss the checklist of criteria for their redesigned ad, and review the rating scale which will be used by peers to formatively assess the redesigned advertisement.

Teacher

3.4.17   reviews oral presentation skills before students begin working on their projects using a resource with information on oral presentation skills.

Students

3.4.18   create a visual display which contains the old ad, the redesigned ad, and present a list of the differences to the class. Peers use the rating scale to assess how well the new ad meets their needs as consumers in this age group.

Teacher

3.4.19   provides anecdotal feedback to each student about their presentation discussing their strengths as well as areas needing improvement.

Students

3.4.20   use the anecdotal information from the teacher along with the feedback received from the peer assessment of their presentation to write an action plan to improve their oral communication skills. Students should try to address all the tips for effective public speaking that the teacher discussed prior to the presentation. Students should assess how well they did in each area of their presentation, and suggest ways to improve on their presentation skills for the next time.

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

K/U – Knowledge/Understanding      T/I – Thinking/Inquiry      C – Communication      A – Application

Formative

Group Exploration of Financial Advertisements

Learning Skills Checklist for Teamwork and Participation

K/U, T/I, C, A

Formative

Redesigning an Advertisement Presentation

Checklist of Criteria
Rating Scale for Peer Assessment
Anecdotal Feedback from Teacher

K/U, T/I, C, A

Formative

Action Plan for Improving Oral Communication

Anecdotal Feedback from Teacher

K/U, T/I, C, A

Accommodations

·         Students present their redesigned advertisement to a smaller group, or to the teacher alone at another time.

·         Students may record or videotape their presentation for the class.

·         Provide student charts and organizers to help them analyse financial advertisements during group work.

Resources

Adams, Jancie, et al. Reading and Writing for Success Senior. Toronto: Harcourt Canada, 2001.
ISBN 0774714905

Anderson, Neil. Media Works. Toronto: Oxford Press, 1989. ISBN 019540730X

Archer, Lynn, et al. Reading and Writing for Success. Toronto: Harcourt Canada, 1997.
ISBN 0774701978

Marney, Jo. “Brand Loyalty: A Marketeer’s Teen Dream” in Workshop, Chris, ed. Popular Culture.
Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 1994. ISBN 0-07-551-454-0

 

Activity 3.5:  Financial Experts

Time:  2 hours

Description

Students hear a presentation made by someone from the business world whose career focuses on helping people with their finances. Students create interview questions for this speaker and then use this writing skill to create questions to ask someone in their own lives. Students then take this information and transform it into a script. Students develop questioning and writing skills, which assists them with the culminating unit.

Strand(s):  Writing and Language

Learning Expectations

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;

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;

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

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

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

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

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.

Prior Knowledge & Skills

·         Oral speaking skills

·         Script writing skills

Planning Notes

·         Arrange for a guest speaker. This could be a banker, a credit counsellor, a financial advisor, or an investor. Video conferencing could be used for students in a remote area.

·         Copy Bloom’s Taxonomy.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

Teacher

3.5.1     informs students that there will be a guest speaker coming into the class to speak about financial issues.

3.5.2     teaches Bloom’s Taxonomy of questioning to the students.

Students

3.5.3     create questions to ask the guest speaker.

3.5.4     use a variety of levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy when creating the questions.

3.5.5     hand in the questions for assessment prior to the day the guest speaker arrives.

Teacher

3.5.6     assesses and gives anecdotal feedback on the questions created.

3.5.7     instructs students to use these questions to elicit information from the guest speaker, and to take notes.

3.5.8     instructs students to write a personal response to the information given by the guest speaker making specific reference to the information s/he gave.

Students

3.5.9     write a personal response to the guest speaker’s information using specific references.

Teacher

3.5.10   informs students to choose someone in their own lives to interview about financial matters.

3.5.11   reviews script writing format with the students.

3.5.12   instructs students to write the interview questions, carry out the interview and then to use the information from both the guest speaker and the person interviewed to create a scripted telephone conversation where one person is giving financial advice to another using proper script format.

Students

3.5.13   complete the writing activities and have them peer-edited.

3.5.14   hand in polished copy of the script.

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

K/U – Knowledge/Understanding      T/I – Thinking/Inquiry      C – Communication      A – Application

Formative

Two Sets of Interview Questions

Checklist

T/I, C, A

Formative

Personal Response

Anecdotal Feedback

K/U, C

Summative

Scripted Telephone Conversation

Rating Scale

K/U, C, T/I, A

Accommodations

·         Review all interview questions with individual students.

·         Encourage students to tape record the interviews so that they have the information recorded instead of taking notes.

·         Use a computer to write final copy of the script.

Resources

Human resources – the financial guest speaker

Bloom’s Taxonomy – http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/program/handouts/bloom.html

www.strongkids.com – teaches kids how to invest

Activity 3.6:  Extra Extra!! Read All About It!

Time:  6 hours

Description

Students read a play with a financial theme. As a class, the teacher facilitates an analysis of the play according to the elements the playwright uses, how these elements enhance meaning, and character interpretation. The focus should be on how these elements portray the theme of finances. Through the employment of a learning log and a role-play interview, students track their mastery of these elements. Finally, with the aid of the learning log and a role-play interview, students write an informal report to analyse how the playwright used different elements and character development to illustrate a message with a financial theme. The presentation skill development will assist students in completing the course culminating unit.

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

Learning Expectations

WRV.03 - use a variety of organizational structures and patterns to produce coherent and effective written work;

WRV.04 - revise their written work, independently and collaboratively, with a focus on accuracy of information, coherent organization, clear expression, and effective style;

WRV.05 - edit and proofread to produce final drafts, using correctly the grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation conventions of standard Canadian English, as specified for this course, with the support of print and electronic resources when appropriate;

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;

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

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;

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;

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

Prior Knowledge & Skills

·         Use of a learning log and some knowledge of play structure and character interpretation.

Planning Notes

·         The teacher needs to remind students to use a separate notebook for their Learning Log.

·         Make available a class set of dictionaries for vocabulary study.

·         The teacher must recognize the time suggested for this activity and choose what is appropriate for the class.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

Teacher

3.6.1     asks students, prior to reading the play, to talk about their opinions of money. What problems can money bring? What positives can money offer? How is money valued by people? How many of our dreams are connected to a price tag? (Build on discussions from Activity 3.1.)

3.6.2     asks students to brainstorm their life goals.

3.6.3     records these goals on the board.

Students

3.6.4     sort dreams into ones that require money and ones that do not with the aid of a T-chart.

3.6.5     read much of the play aloud.

3.6.6     stop to discuss key elements and character development related to dreams (complete, burgeoning or broken).

Teacher

3.6.7     ensures that students keep their Learning Log up-to-date by providing them with ample time to write in their Learning Logs about character and play development with regard to the financial and dream theme.

3.6.8     presents a vocabulary study to aid student understanding of key play elements.

3.6.9     reviews the skills necessary for completing a role-play by modelling the expectations.

Students

3.6.10   role play an interview, done in partners between a character from the play and a “celebrity” interviewer. Explore a character’s motivation with regards to finance and dreams. (See Appendices for a Role Play Interview Rubric.)

3.6.11   write an informal report using their Learning Log and perhaps, role play interview notes – to analyse how the playwright used different elements and character development to illustrate a financial message.

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

K/U – Knowledge/Understanding      T/I – Thinking/Inquiry      C – Communication      A – Application

Formative

Learning Log

Anecdotal Comment

K/U, C

Summative

Role Play Interview

Rubric

K/U, T/I, C, A

Formative

Informal Report

Rating Scale

K/U, T/I, C, A

Resources

Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun ISBN 0070829624

“Maslow’s ‘Hierarchy of Needs’ Theory and the Younger Family in Hansberry’s, A Raisin in the Sun”
– http://www.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap8/hansberry.html

Shipley, Joseph T. Dictionary of Word Origins. ISBN 5250009019

 

Activity 3.7:  Financial Fair

Time:  6 hours

Description

Students identify a component of the Financial unit that they find interesting and create a research plan in the form of a memo to further investigate the topic. Students research this topic in more detail through the use of a variety of forms of text. Students prepare a handout for their peers about this topic as well as a visual presentation for their topic; this may take the form of a display board, a triptych, or a media presentation. They organize their presentations in an area where other students can visit the various presentations and discuss the topics with the presenters. The combination of research, writing and presenting will assist students in completing the course culminating activity.

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

Learning Expectations

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

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;

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

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

WR5.01 - cite researched information, ideas, and quotations in a consistent and ethical manner according to acceptable research methodology;

WR5.02 - produce, format, and publish written work, using appropriate technology to share writing with intended audiences;

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.

LG2.04 - 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;

MD2.01 - design or create media works based on ideas, themes, and issues examined in this course.

Prior Knowledge & Skills

·         Presentation skills

·         Research skills

Planning Notes

·         The culminating activity will have been introduced at the beginning of the unit. At this time, seek support from the library staff to assist with research.

·         Gather examples of brochures, flyers, articles, triptychs, and display board.

·         Provide a rubric to enable students to understand the assessment criteria.

·         Book the computer lab and resource centre for creation of products.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

Teacher

3.7.1     asks students to explain what a ‘fair’ is.

3.7.2     presents posters or newspaper ads presenting different types of fairs: agricultural fair, recruitment fair, craft fair, etc.

3.7.3     asks students, What goes on at a fair? Why do we attend these events?

3.7.4     explains that the culminating activity for this unit is a Financial Fair where the students create both a handout version of their information and a visual presentation for people to visit. These can be in the form of a brochure, flyer, article and a triptych (three panel display), display board or media presentation, respectively.

3.7.5     refers back to the presentation completed in Activity 3.3 as a reminder of what is expected in a presentation.

Students

3.7.6     participate in discussion about what a fair is and the reasons for attending.

Teacher

3.7.7     recaps the financial topics in a list.

Students

3.7.8     using the think/pair/share strategy, choose three topics in which they are interested and provide their reasons for their choice.

3.7.9     narrow down their choice to one area.

3.7.10   create a mind map of questions that they have about their topic.

3.7.11   identify a focus.

Teacher

3.7.12   presents a memo format using an exemplar.

3.7.13   instructs students to write a memo to the teacher explaining their choice for the financial fair. The memo should include the following information: topic, focus, reason for choice, questions about the topic, search key words to be used and due dates for plan of attack.

Students

3.7.14   complete memo and peer-edit memos in tutorial groups using a checklist.

Teacher

3.7.15   presents students with a peer-editing checklist with the following criteria:

Peer Editing Checklist for the Financial Fair Memo

Do you have…?

Yes

No

Comment

Is the topic clear and does it have a focus?

 

 

 

Are there reasons for this choice?

 

 

 

Are there insightful questions about the topic?

 

 

 

Are there several key words to use for researching the topic?

 

 

 

Is there a plan of attack with due dates?

 

 

 

Mechanics/writing is appropriate and clear.

 

 

 

Students

3.7.16   revise memo and submit.

Teacher

3.7.17   assesses the memo and provide feedback.

3.7.18   allows time for student research and completion of research organizer.

Financial Fair Research Organizer

Citation

Key ideas

Additional Notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Students

3.7.19   research financial topic in the library/resource centre and on the Internet; complete the research organizer.

3.7.20   discuss research material with tutorial group.

Teacher

3.7.21   instructs students to prepare their presentation and handout.

3.7.22   presents marking scheme for presentation to students.

Presentation Marking Scheme

Expectation

Mark

Comment

Organization and structure

/5  (K/U)

 

Oral Presentation techniques

/5   (A)

 

Effective communication

/5   (C)

 

Effective media design

/5   (T/I)

 

Students

3.7.23   complete handout and presentation.

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

K/U – Knowledge/Understanding      T/I – Thinking/Inquiry      C – Communication      A – Application

Formative

Class Discussion

Learning Skills Checklist

K/U, T/I, C, A

Formative

Peer Editing of Memos

Editing Checklist

K/U, T/I, C, A

Formative

Research

Learning Skills Checklist for Teamwork and Participation

K/U, T/I, C, A

Summative

Oral Presentation

Presentation Marking Scheme

K/U, T/I, C, A

Summative

Handout

Anecdotal

K/U, T/I, C, A

Resources

Brochures and handouts advertising different fairs


Appendices

Glossary of Financial Terms

 

Asset: Something of monetary value.

Bank: A business establishment authorized to perform financial transactions.

Blue Chip Companies: The largest, most well-known companies with long records of solid earnings and regular dividend payments.

Broker: One who arranges the purchase and sale of assets; for example, a securities (stock) broker or mortgage broker. A broker does not buy or sell the asset, but simply brings buyers and sellers together.

Canada Pension Plan (CPP): A federally sponsored (except in Quebec) pension plan that requires mandatory contributions from salary or business income, and that guarantees a minimum monthly income for Canadians when they retire or are disabled.

Debit Cards: Bank cards that allow you to pay for goods and services by simply debiting your bank account at the point of purchase.

Diversification: The process of allocating your investment portfolio over many investment classes and types on order to reduce exposure to specific sources of risk.

Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA): An average of the prices of the shares of 30 blue chip companies traded on the New York Stock Exchange (which is the most important stock exchange in the world). The DJIA is widely followed as a barometer of the New York Stock Exchange’s performance.

Exchange Rate: The price of one country’s currency in terms of another country’s currency.

Financial Planners: Professionals who design financial plans for individuals and companies, including issues such as tax planning, retirement planning, and estate planning. Financial planners generally work from one of three basic compensation schemes: 1) commissions generated from products the planner sells, e.g., insurance products, 2) a fee-for-service arrangement, where costs are set as a fixed fee or hourly rate, or 3) a combination or fees and commissions.

Interest Income: Money paid by a borrower to a lender.

Interest Rate: The rate of interest charged by the lender and paid by the borrower.

Invest: To commit money in order to gain profit or interest.

Mutual Fund: A company that invests in securities using money raised from selling shares to individual investors. The company offers its organizational, managerial and investment skills to the investor for a fixed fee per year.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): An agreement between the US, Canada, and Mexico, that generally allows for the duty-free movement of goods and services across borders.

Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP): A tax-sheltered investment plan. The contributions to the plan are tax deductible, and the income, dividends and capital gains realized within the plan, are not taxed until the plan matures.

Yield: The investor’s expected cash flow from an investment.

 

Additional terms: stocks, bonds, return, foreclosure, collection agency, debit, credit, balance,
                                    credit rating

 


Origin and Roots of Selected Glossary Terms

 

Asset: This word was first used to describe the money a dead man leaves to clear away his debts. It was spelled aseth in Piers Plowman (ca. 1370), from Goth.

Bank: This word seems to have come from similar forms in both the north and south of Europe: Anglo-Saxon banke, from benc; and Latin bancus. Its original sense was something flat, like a shelf. Through carpentry, it became our word bench. Moneychangers used to sit with the foreign moneys on a ‘bench’ before them; hence a bank is a place where money is handled.

Broker: After a deal, men would broach a cask of wine. But the man that opened it was the first broker (Middle English brocour, from Latin broccare, to tap a cask). From wine merchant, the term was broadened to any retail dealer, such as the pawnbroker; or to any middleman in a transaction.

Finance (Financial Planner): This was originally a payment that settled matters, and brought concern and accounts to an end (Latin financia, from finare, to pay a fine; also, from Latin finis, a settled payment).

Invest: The practice of fitting-out the young man in smart clothes before he went forth to make his fortune led to the early figurative use (Italian investire, 13th Century) of invest, to clothe, in the sense of putting money into something with the hope of profit.

 

Note: Joseph T. Shipley’s Dictionary of Word Origins. ISBN 5250009019 was consulted for the above origins.

 


Role Play Interview Rubric

Categories

Level 1
(50-59%)

Level 2
(60-69%)

Level 3
(70-79%)

Level 4
(80-100%)

Knowledge/ Understanding
- knowledge of character demonstrated through consistent portrayal

- shows limited knowledge of character and inconsistent portrayal

- shows some knowledge of character and inconsistent portrayal

- shows considerable knowledge of character and consistent portrayal

- shows thorough knowledge of character and confident and sensitive portrayal

Thinking/Inquiry
interview questions and answers
inquiry skills
- formulate questions
- plan
- select facts
- assess information
- form conclusions

- explains and analyses with limited effectiveness

- applies few inquiry skills

- explains and analyses with some effectiveness

- applies some inquiry skills

- explains and analyses with considerable effectiveness

- applies considerable inquiry skills

- explains and analyses with a high degree of effectiveness

- applies all or almost all inquiry skills thoroughly

Communication
clarity




order (organization)

- communicates information and ideas with limited clarity


- organized with limited clarity

- communicates ideas and information with some clarity


- organized with some clarity

- communicates information with considerable clarity


- organized with considerable clarity

- communicates ideas and information with a high degree of clarity and confidence
- organized with a high degree of clarity

Application
eye contact



body language






word choice





voice

- limited use of eye contact to underline the message

- limited use of hand movements, voice or stance to underline message

- pays limited attention to word choice



- limited audibility

- some use of eye contact to underline the message

- uses some hand movements, voice or stance to underline the message


- chooses words with some care to complete message to audience

- some audibility

- considerable use of eye contact to underline the message
- uses considerable and appropriate body language to help make a point


- makes word choices that reflect a considerable level of vocabulary
- considerable audibility

- a high degree of eye contact is used to underline the message

- uses body language thoroughly, purposefully, and emphatically to underscore messages
- makes word choices that reflect a high command of vocabulary
- a high degree of audibility

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


Supported Opinion Paragraph Rubric

Categories

Level 1
(50-59%)

Level 2
(60-69%)

Level 3
(70-79%)

Level 4
(80-100%)

Knowledge/ Understanding

- limited understanding of ideas, information, and issues

- some understanding of ideas, information, and issues

- considerable understanding of ideas, information, and issues

- thorough, insightful understanding of ideas, information, and issues

Thinking/ Inquiry

- limited effectiveness in analysing and interpreting the issues

- analyses and interprets the issues with some effectiveness

- analyses and interprets the issues with considerable effectiveness

- analyses and interprets the issues with a high degree of effectiveness and insight

Communication
Topic Sentence


Concluding Sentence






Supporting Sentences




Transition Words

- states topic with limited clarity


- displays limited clarity, no connection to topic




- examples/ references provide limited support to the topic


- limited use of transition words or phrases/awkward connections

- states topic with some clarity


- some sense of summary but does not relate to topic sentence




- provides some support for the topic



- some transition words or phrases

- states topic with considerable clarity

- summarizes and relates considerably to topic sentence




- provides several supporting examples



- appropriate and considerable use of several transition words or phrases

- states topic with a high degree and confidence

- thorough summary of paragraph and communicates a strong relationship to the topic sentence

- provides information and ideas to support topic sentence to a high degree

- skillful, effective, thorough, and confident use of transition words or phrases

Application
Language Conventions

- uses language conventions with limited accuracy and effectiveness

- uses language conventions with some accuracy and effectiveness

- uses language conventions with considerable accuracy and effectiveness

- uses language conventions thoroughly, accurately, and effectively all or almost all of the time

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

 

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