aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	English
What age group	Year or Grade 11
What topic	Claims and evidence
Quantity	1
Any other preferences

Engaging Introduction to Claims and Evidence

Opening Activity: "Claim it or Dismiss it!"

Objective

To spark student interest in the topic of claims and evidence while fostering critical thinking and discussion skills.

Materials Needed

• A whiteboard or flip chart
• Markers
• A stack of printed statements (or write them on the board)

Procedure

1. Prepare Statements: Before the lesson, prepare a list of varied statements that could serve as claims. These can range from opinion-based statements to factual claims. For example:

   • "School uniforms improve student behavior."
   • "Video games enhance cognitive skills."
   • "The earth is flat."
   • "Eating chocolate can improve your mood."

2. Introduce the Activity:

   • Begin the class by telling students that today they will dive into the world of claims and evidence.
   • Explain that in everyday life, we often encounter statements that we need to evaluate, and knowing how to support or refute claims is essential.

3. Claim it or Dismiss it:

   • Write the statements on the board, leaving some space beneath each one.
   • Ask each student to evaluate the claims individually, determining whether they believe the statement is valid or not.
   • For each claim, students should write down a brief explanation or evidence they would use to support their answer. Explain that valid claims should have credible evidence, while dismissals should be backed by logical reasoning or counter-evidence.

4. Class Discussion:

   • After students have finished, facilitate a discussion where they share their thoughts. For each statement, ask:
     • What evidence supports your claim?
     • What could someone say to argue against it?
   • Encourage students to engage with each other, challenging each other's perspectives respectfully.

5. Connect to Learning Objectives:

   • Conclude the activity by explaining how today's discussion ties into the bigger picture of what claims and evidence mean in writing and argumentation.
   • Introduce the concepts of types of claims (fact, value, policy) and the importance of strong evidence, setting the stage for deeper exploration of these ideas throughout the lesson.

Wrap-Up

This dynamic opening not only encourages critical thinking and engagement but also serves as a bridge to deeper discussions about constructing arguments, analyzing evidence, and understanding the role of claims in writing and real-life scenarios. By the end of this activity, students will be more invested in learning how to articulate their thoughts regarding claims and evidence effectively.