Focus: The Case for Contentious Curricula to introduce the idea that we will be discussing heated subjects at

times, and to get students used to the idea for working together in groups (interdependence)

Learning Target: We will read and annotate The Case for Contentious Curricula so that we can reflect on
how to handle discussions of serious controversial issues and topics that will arise in class.

Opening: on back of article (take a copy), reflect on these questions:

a) What are some things that you might see, in a high-functioning group at work?
b) How do you believe controversial topics or issues should be handled in a high school classroom?
c) What are s ome of the controversial issues that have cropped up in recent history?

Discuss answers to a, b, and c--record ideas for a, as well as b and c.

Model/read page one together, annotating with:

Framing question at top, paraphrased: Why controversial ideas should be dealt with in the classroom
1. ? questions
2. ! surprises for the reader, or important/key information
3. = connections you can make (T-T, T-W, T-S)
@ bottom of page, write a 2-sentence gist of what was read--straight summary of major info, no opinion

As a group, decide who will read page 2, 3, 4, & 5

Read silently, annotating to show your thinking

Share out ideas as a group, one person at a time.

Then, take to answer:

How does this article make a case for contentious curricula? What are the major points that are made by the
author? (Be sure to include ideas from all four pages in your written response.)

On your own (on the back of your article),

Respond to the authors ideas--what are your thoughts, based on the claims and information used by the
author in this article? Do you agree or disagree, and why? Use specific ideas from the article to support your
thinking.

Why did we do this today, in this way? What assumptions and inferences can you make about this class?