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7th Grade  Project 3 weeks

Pitch the Perfect Gingerbread Scrooge Abode!

April D
C.7.1
Productive Collaborator
Critical Thinker
Empowered Learner
Creative Contributer
+ 1 more
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Purpose

This project immerses students in the role of real estate agents to develop their skills in persuasive writing and critical thinking. By designing and marketing a gingerbread house, students will learn to craft compelling arguments and create visually appealing presentations. The integration of elements from "A Christmas Carol" enriches the narrative, encouraging students to think creatively and engage deeply with the material. Through collaboration, reflection, and community engagement, students will enhance their communication skills and build confidence in presenting their ideas.

Learning goals

Students will develop persuasive writing skills by crafting compelling arguments that highlight the unique features of their gingerbread house designs. They will learn to effectively organize their ideas, use evidence to support claims, and address potential counterarguments. Additionally, students will enhance their communication skills through engaging presentations and collaborative projects, fostering creativity and critical thinking. Through reflection and feedback, they will gain insights into the iterative process of design and argumentation.
Standards
  • [Kentucky] C.7.1 - Compose arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
Competencies
  • Productive Collaborator - Engages with others to achieve a common goal through building positive relationships, actively listening, showing empathy, and making individual contributions to a larger group.
  • Critical Thinker - Thinks deeply and makes informed decisions to create solutions or new understanding supported by relevant and reliable evidence.
  • Empowered Learner - Demonstrates mastery and application of academic competencies. Develops the skills and dispositions to persist through difficulties and plan for a future of self-improvement.
  • Creative Contributer - Interprets experiences, imagines and plays with new possibilities with curiosity, and creates approaches that are novel, useful, and valued by the world around them.
  • Effective Communicator - Engages diverse audiences respectfully by exchanging ideas and information responsibly, listening actively, speaking and writing clearly, and using print and digital media appropriately.

Products

Students will create visually appealing brochures and digital presentations that showcase their gingerbread house designs and persuasive arguments. These products will be developed in collaboration with a graphic design studio, ensuring professional quality and creativity. Additionally, students will produce video recordings of their sales pitches, integrating elements from 'A Christmas Carol' to enhance their persuasive techniques. These materials will be displayed during the 'Holiday Home Showcase,' allowing students to engage with an audience and receive feedback on their work.

Launch

Kick off the project with a 'Creative Construction Challenge' where students are divided into small teams to design and build prototype gingerbread houses using cardboard, paper, and other craft materials. Encourage students to explore architectural design principles and incorporate persuasive language as they prepare to pitch their creations. This hands-on activity will set the stage for deeper learning and collaboration, sparking curiosity and creativity from the outset.

Exhibition

Invite families, community members, and local real estate professionals to the 'Holiday Home Showcase,' where students present their gingerbread house designs and persuasive pitches. Set up a gallery-style exhibition with each student's marketing materials and video presentations prominently displayed. Encourage visitors to engage with students, ask questions, and vote for the most compelling and creatively marketed gingerbread house.