Unit Plan: Video Games and Violence (2 Lessons)
In this unit, students will skim and scan two articles about video games and whether they lead to violent behaviour. Students will then write an introduction paragraph for an opinion piece about their own feelings on the topic.
In the first step, students are given a copy of two articles with opposing views on the topic: Do video games cause violent behaviour? Students are also handed a 1/2-page questionnaire to help them scan for information and given a very limited time (2-5 minutes) to complete the questions. This teaches skimming-scanning abilities.
Students then have the opportunity to discuss the topic in groups and review the texts in their entirety. Students will use these discussions to identify their own opinion and formulate arguments defending it.
In a final activity in a second class, students are given a review of key elements of successful opinion piece introductions according to Québec Education Program (QEP) subject area competency guidelines. Students then have the remainder of the class to write, share and perfect their opinion pieces.
