Activity Introduction
Quick summary: In this lesson, students will learn about the paper recycling loop and the impact that choosing recycled products can have. Students will consider the persuasive text type and then plan, draft and write a persuasive piece that uses key information from the Planet Ark closing the local recycle loop video. This lesson can be used as valuable practise for NAPLAN*.
Activity developed in partnership with Planet Ark.
This lesson has been developed as part of Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week and also supports the Closing the Local Recycling Loop program, which aims to raise awareness around the benefits of using recycled products, including paper. Register your lesson or other activities so they can be counted towards the national achievement and to receive other free support materials.
Learning goals:
- Students practise the persuasive writing task that is featured in the National Assessment Program’s writing test administered in years 3, 5, 7 & 9.
- Students will better understand the persuasive text type and some of the techniques used within the genre to persuade audiences.
- Students will be able to plan, draft and write a persuasive text in response to a set prompt.
- Students write their opinion and draw on personal knowledge and experience when responding to set prompts.
General capabilities: Literacy, Critical and Creative Thinking, Intercultural Understanding, Ethical Understanding.
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.6.
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Year 9 English
- Investigate how evaluation can be expressed directly and indirectly using devices, for example allusion, evocative vocabulary and metaphor (ACELA1552)
- Create imaginative, informative and persuasive texts that present a point of view and advance or illustrate arguments, including texts that integrate visual, print and/or audio features (ACELY1746)
- Review and edit students’ own and others’ texts to improve clarity and control over content, organisation, paragraphing, sentence structure, vocabulary and audio/visual features (ACELY1747)
Year 10 English
- Understand how paragraphs and images can be arranged for different purposes, audiences, perspectives and stylistic effects (ACELA1567)
- Refine vocabulary choices to discriminate between shades of meaning, with deliberate attention to the effect on audiences (ACELA1571)
- Create sustained texts, including texts that combine specific digital or media content, for imaginative, informative, or persuasive purposes that reflect upon challenging and complex issues (ACELY1756)
- Review, edit and refine students’ own and others’ texts for control of content, organisation, sentence structure, vocabulary, and/or visual features to achieve particular purposes and effects (ACELY1757)
Year 9 Achievement Standards: Students create texts that respond to issues, interpreting and integrating ideas from other texts. They contribute actively to class and group discussions, comparing and evaluating responses to ideas and issues. They edit for effect, selecting vocabulary and grammar that contribute to the precision and persuasiveness of texts and using accurate spelling and punctuation.
Year 10 Achievement Standards: Students show how the selection of language features can achieve precision and stylistic effect. They explain different viewpoints, attitudes and perspectives through the development of cohesive and logical arguments. They develop their own style by experimenting with language features, stylistic devices, text structures and images. They demonstrate understanding of grammar, vary vocabulary choices for impact, and accurately use spelling and punctuation when creating and editing texts.
Syllabus Outcomes: EN5-1A, EN5-2A, EN5-3B
Topic: National Recycling Week.
Time required: 90 mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – oversee activities, facilitate discussion.
Resources required: Internet access, Student Worksheet (one copy per student OR computers/tablets to access the online worksheet), pen and paper for writing, projector and speakers, Cool Australia Presents – How to be persuasive Year 9 & 10, Effects Wheel diagram print out (for extension activity).
Digital technology opportunities: Digital sharing capabilities.
Homework and extension opportunities: Includes opportunities for homework and extension.
Keywords: recycling, paper, manufacturing, recycling loop, Planet Ark.
*This lesson plan is not an officially endorsed publication of NAPLAN’s creators and administrators – the ACARA body – but is designed to provide practise for the Australian Curriculum’s compulsory NAPLAN testing scheme.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
