Students’ age range: 12-14
Main subject: Language arts and literature
Topic: Persuasive Writing: Saving the Conch
Description: *Context* Conch in The Bahamas is slowly becoming endangered due to overfishing and poor regulation of fishing laws. The conch aerates sand, allowing smaller animals to live underwater, provides a source of food for larger organisms, appears on The Bahamas' Coat of Arms and is part of the cultural diet of Bahamians as an internationally acclaimed delicacy. Furthermore, conch shells are used to create jewelry and craft items, and are ground up for calcium carbonate and used in natural supplements. When conch is endangered so is the livelihood of many Bahamians. (lesson can be adapted for any culturally appropriate animal or organism).
Introduction:
Teacher plays the Conch Gone Music Video for students.
CONCH GONE [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYCsTSjc4N8
Teacher asks students about the characters represented, which words, phrases or images stood out and why, and what is the message of the song, i.e. how effective is the music video.
Explanation of Objectives:
Teacher outlines the objectives of the lesson and explains what will happen during each of the 3 parts of the course.
Teacher Lecture:
Teacher explains persuasive writing, using the Conch Gone Music video as a guide.
Literary Appreciation:
Teacher provides students the song lyrics, students underline key words and phrases. Students should be able to identify the appeal to logic (industries affected – creative, restaurant, fishing), emotions (loss of income and work, sense of purpose), expert opinion (explaining why the conch is important to the ecosystem)
Survey:
Teacher divides students into groups of four and explains the purpose of the survey. Surveys are distributed to students. Students are asked to canvas their schoolmates during the break time.
Lesson Two:
Group Presentation: 10 mins
Students share the findings of their survey. They should be able to explain what people know and identify what their presentations should focus on. Teacher facilitates the conversation.
Interviews: 30 mins
BNT Education Officer Agnessa Lundy and Businesswoman, Gandhi Pinder make presentations on Conch and the Bahamian ecosystem and Conch and Bahamian businesses. Student ask additional questions.
Fishbowl Discussion: 10 mins
Students discuss different aspects of the growing conch shortage and implications for Bahamians.
Wrap Up: 5 mins
Students share one sentence/phrase that convinces others to preserve conch which focuses on one of the three forms of persuasion.
Lesson Three:
In Groups students refine the main issue that they want to present on and complete their poems, speeches, presentations, videos, etc.