Informational Texts: Screen Time

Invite your students to explore and discuss current issues through non-fiction, informational texts. This product provides you with several options that will engage your students as they read, view, think, discuss and write. (This is included in my growing Exploring Issues and Informational Text Bundle - buy now and save!)

Option One: This is the quickest option. Introduce the topic of excessive screen time with a writing prompt, some reading, and a class discussion. After the initial prompt, students will read a magazine-style article (available in handout or digital versions) and view a TED talk. They will follow this with some discussion and further written reflection.

Option Two: After completing the tasks for option one, you can extend the exercise by using mentor passages. I have provided passages that are focused on different aspects of the topic of screen time, and that illustrate some of the common elements of strong writing . These passages are meant to serve two purposes: each one explores ideas that students can consider on the topic, and they provide models for students to emulate in the writing they will do later. (Included: a handout that explains how to use the mentor passages and slides to teach your students what to do with them).

Option Three: Extend the exercise further with a writing assignment based on the topic. There are instructions and an assessment checklist for a piece of expository or opinion writing. All of these are editable.

Included:

• A slideshow to guide your discussion and instruction
• A magazine-style article that introduces the topic in teen-friendly language
• Questions that focus on audience, purpose, organization, idea development, etc.
• Mentor passages
• Links to relevant articles and videos that the students can use if you choose to give them the writing assignment
• Answer keys
• Editable assignments and checklists

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