Persuasion

Lesson 2: The Concept of Change

Throughout this unit, you will be reflecting on

the concept of change in literature, your own lives, and the world.

Today we will complete a four-part group activity to explore the concept of change.

Discuss the questions presented on each of the next four slides in your groups and record your ideas on chart paper. You will share your paper with the class.

Day 1: Make Generalizations About

Change

Record all responses on the Post-its provided:

What ideas come to mind when you think about change?

What kinds of things change? What is it about them that changes?

How do you know when something has changed? What evidence do you look for to determine whether a change has occurred?

Brainstorm Ideas About Change

Put the ideas into groups and give each group

a title on your chart paper. How could you categorize these ideas into

groups? What could you call each group and why? Do all of your changes fall into groups? Do

some of them belong in more than one group? Is there a different way you might categorize

your ideas? What other categories could you use?

What are some of the characteristics of change, based on the ideas you have written?

Categorize the Ideas

What are some things that do not change? What

are some things that always seem the same or always happen the same way?

What evidence or proof do you have that these things do not change?

How might you group the things that do not change? What can you call each of these groups?

How are the groups of things that do not change similar to or different from the groups of things that DO change?

Brainstorm a List of Things That Do Not Change

Think about the following ideas and whether

they show change: Routines and habits, rules and regulations, table

manners, laws, customs, cultures If these things show change, where would they

fit into your categories of changes? If not, where do they fit into your categories of things that do not change?

Change or Not?

A generalization is something that is true or

almost always true. What generalizations can you make about

change? Use your examples and categories to guide

your thinking, and write several statements that are generalizations about change.

Make Generalizations About Change

Read the generalizations on worksheet 2A. You will be reflecting on these generalizations

throughout the unit. Be sure to keep this page in your binder or folder.

What similarities and differences do you see between these generalizations and the ones your group came up with yesterday?

Day 2: Core Generalizations

How is change linked to time? Are all changes linked to time in the same

way? How do some of your examples of change

relate to time?

Change is linked to time.

What is progress? Does change always represent progress? How could a change be both positive and

negative?

Change may be positive or negative.

Can we predict change? Select specific examples of change.

What aspects of these changes can be predicted?

Which aspects are unpredictable? Even when we know a change will take place,

can we always predict exactly how things will turn out?

Change may be perceived as orderly or random.

Does change apply to all areas of our world? What are some specific changes that are

universal, or that happen everywhere? What are some specific changes that may

apply only to a particular area at a given time?

Change is everywhere.

What causes change? What influence do people have over changes

in nature? What influence does nature have over

changes people intend to make?

Change may happen naturally or be caused by

people.

How do the five generalizations about change

apply (or not apply) to the following categories? Non-living things (chairs, scissors, etc.) Traditions (special holidays, celebrations of

birth, passage, and death) Religions rituals (celebrations of Christmas or

Hanukkah) Universal truths (all living things die; all

triangles have three sides)

Discuss

Work in your groups from earlier this week to

complete this page. Write three or more examples that illustrate

each of the five generalizations about change. Use the sheet of chart paper to make a large

copy of your group’s worksheet.

Student Activity Page 2A

Select one of the five generalizations about change

as the topic for a five paragraph essay. In the essay, give three or more reasons why the

generalization is true. Provide explanations and examples to support each

reason. Include a conclusion that summarizes and extends

the main idea of your essay. This is due ______________________.

Continue reading your first book!!! (due ________) Read “Hyla Brook” (handout) by tomorrow.

Homework