Why 'Would You Rather Prompts' Are Fantastic and WHY Teachers SHOULD Use Them

The academic benefits for students responding to 'Would You Rather' writing prompts are pretty impressive! Would you Rather Prompts sharpen critical thinking and decision-making skills by forcing students to weigh pros and cons and consider multiple perspectives.  These types of prompts also foster creativity as the students come up with scenarios and justify their choices.  They enhance writing communication skills by encouraging students to clearly express and defent their thoughts. Finally, it keeps students engaged and interested in the subject matter especially when it is tied to their interests. It makes their writing feel less like a chore and more like a conversation.

Google Slide Version Here

Full set of 25 tech prompts, rubrics and how to implement.

Teaching Activities for Journalism for Google Apps

Are you teaching ELA with journalism activities? These teaching activities are for grades 7-10 and focus on journalism. The activities have been made for Google Apps and the Google Classroom. Your students will be engaged with this journalism and news unit designed with differentiation and inquiry teaching strategies. You will need Google Apps to use the activitiies.

If you prefer this unit in PDF, please check it out here and worksheetplace.com

Background Information for the Learning Activities

What is the News Learning Activity

What is the News Poster

Learning About the News

Learning About Trending News

Analyze the News Trends

Compare and Contrast the News, Now and Then

Social News at a Glance Activity

What Makes News the News Activity

Learn to Analyze the News

Compare the New From 2 Sources

Pros and Cons of News Sources Teaching Activity for Google Apps

Televised versus Print News Activity

Conduct a News Survey

News Survey Results Predictions

Learning About Writing a News Lead

Learning About Writing a News Lead

Writing Good News Leads

Writing Great Leads in Journalism

Current Issues in News and Journalism Teaching Activity

The Inverted Pyramid Teaching Activity

Teaching Ideas for Media Literacy

Ideas for Teaching Media Literacy

1. Have learners collect ads from a variety of media: web, billboards, magazines, newspapers, radio ads, TV ads. Use these worksheets with them to determine the target audience, the gimicks used in the ads, what information is missing that the viewer should have to make informed decisions.

2. Develop your own ad for a service or a product of your choosing. Be sure to use the ad planner.

3. Give advice to individuals reading ads, include at least 5 tips.

4.  Why is it important to think critically about each ad you read , see or hear?

5. Why should you investigate before you buy or get a service?

6.  What do you think is meant by 'Buyer Beware'?

7.  Find 5 ads that target young people/children. How do you know these ads are targeting young people?

8. Find 5 junk food ads and indicate how or why you think that these are junk foods. Why would these ads be worrisome for young children?

9.  Should ads on unhealthy products such as  junk food, drugs, tobacco, and alcohol. be banned? Why or why not?

10.List all the persuasive methods that advertisers use to convince you to purchase a product or service.

11.  Find examples of heroes or TV/Movie personalities used in advertisements. Is this effective? Why or why not?

12.  Find ads that create a sense of urgency as to why you need this product or service. Is it effective? Why or why not? What other information is needed for you to make an informed decision about this product or service?

 For great teaching ideas, check out these freebies here for your students.