The purpose of this unit is to assist students with specific learning disabilities in basic reading skills and written expression to make an informed decision about ways to resolve conflict. This unit will challenge my students to investigate and seek answers to why it is important to communicate when conflict arises. They will explore this issue and demonstrate their ability to construct meaning by analyzing and responding to speeches that were influential during the Cold War. Students will analyze how voice is used to persuade an audience by viewing video clips, listening to audio recordings and reading along with speeches that were influential in ending the threat of nuclear war. This will be done to get a better understanding of how they feel about President Bush's decision to begin and continue the war in Iraq. The unit will promote that communication is important when solving a conflict, rather than force. This understanding will be taught through the process of inquiry, class discussions and persuasive writing.
I will facilitate an initial understanding of our sources through questions and discussion. Interpretation of the speeches will occur when we discuss the vocabulary and phrases in the text. Students will examine the material both individually and collaboratively to determine what the author was implying by their words and, when we view the videos, body language. Body language of a speaker will be evaluated to create an understanding of how effective speakers use nonverbal communication to enhance their message. Students will conclude the unit by taking a critical stance on whether or not it is beneficial to use military force to solve a conflict between two countries that oppose each other. This argument will be in the form of a persuasive speech which will be presented as a final summative assessment. This unit will provide them with the skill of organizing their thoughts about a topic in essay form and using expression in voice to persuade their audience.
