Argue with Me: Argument as a Path to Developing Students' Thinking and Writing

by Deanna Kuhn, Laura Hemberger, Valerie Khait

Overview

It is essential that middle- and high-school students develop argument skills. This rich resource provides a clear, step-by-step approach that achieves this goal. The method is rooted in peer dialog and makes use of readily available technology. The authors document impressive gains in students’ skills in producing and interpreting both dialogic and written arguments. The method can be used in English or content-area classes, or even be implemented as a stand-alone class or as part of a debate program. This curriculum helps students become critical thinkers prepared for the demands of college, careers, and citizenship.

Book Features:

 
• Background on why students should develop argument skills and what these skills consist of
• The nuts and bolts of how to implement the curriculum in your own classroom
• Alignments to the Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards
• Accessible video material showing both teacher’s instructions and students’ activities
• Samples of students’ written work
• Assessment tools that you can use or modify to fit your own needs
• An appendix with additional guides, examples, suggested topics, and classroom-ready reproducibles.

New to the second edition is a chapter on how you can incorporate this approach into an existing curriculum if you are unable to implement the full program.The techniques are designed to be flexible and adaptable, and work with students of all ability levels—especially with those who are less motivated and engaged in school.

This enhanced edition is also accompanied by free bonus eResources, such as suggested readings on different topics and full lesson plans, which you can download and print from our website, www.routledge.com/9781138911406.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138911390
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/10/2015
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	204
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Deanna Kuhn is Professor of Psychology and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Laura Hemberger is an experienced classroom teacher and is completing her Ph.D. at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Valerie Khait is a researcher at Amplify Education Inc. and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychology at Hunter College, CUNY. She has a Ph.D. from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Table of Contents

Preface

Part I. Introducing the Method

Chapter 1. Why Argue?

Chapter 2. The Curriculum in Broad View

Part II. Implementing the Method

Chapter 3. The Curriculum Session by Session

Chapter 4. Embedding the Method in Your Own Curriculum

Part III. Evaluating the Method

Chapter 5. Developing Argumentive Writing

Chapter 6. Developing Argumentive Discourse

Chapter 7. Assessing Curriculum Outcomes

Part IV. Reflecting on the Method

Chapter 8. Argument in the Precollege Curriculum

Appendices

1. Year 1 Curriculum Guide

2. Year 2 Curriculum Guide

3. Supplementary Material

4. Scoring

5. Topic suggestions

6. Sample Evidence Sets

7. Sample Topic Readings

Editorial Reviews

"Five successive cohorts of middle-school students at Columbia Secondary School have participated in this program. Their progress in developing argumentation skills is meticulously documented and remarkable." —Dan Novak, Assistant Principal, Columbia Secondary School for Math, Science and Engineering, New York, NY

"For teachers wondering how best to take advantage of new technology and the ease with which students use it, this book offers a promising answer. We have used the method with great success." —Michael Melendez, 7th grade Social Studies teacher, PS 161, New York City

"Kuhn's work has radically raised our expectations of what teachers and students can accomplish when they set themselves to arguing about topics they care deeply about, using digital tools to hone their skills."—Lucy M. Calkins, Robinson Professor in Children's Literature and Founding Director of the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project

"We've long been admirers of Kuhn's work and we're excited now to see how her argumentation and inquiry curricula will work in Singapore. It's essential that our students learn to think independently, and this approach indeed seems a path to get them there." —Dr. Christine Kim-Eng Lee, Assoc. Professor and Head, Curriculum Teaching & Learning, National Institute of Education of Singapore; Dr. Yew Jin Lee, Assoc. Professor, Natural Sciences and Science Education, National Institute of Education of Singapore

"We have had good success in introducing middle-school students to argumentation with this method, and they then progress with enthusiasm to the more classical debate forms." —Erik Fogel, Director New York City Urban Debate League

"We have used this curriculum over several years with outstanding results.We are seeking to make the program available to more students in our goal to raise the level of education in all of Latin America." —Hilario Marrero, Principal, Fray Ramon Pane School, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

"Argue With Me is a useful guide for educators keen on the process of argumentation and its application in the classroom. As an educator implementing argumentation in my History classroom, I have found myself referring to the book frequently for guidance and inspiration to make the process more meaningful for the students. The biggest draw is the limitless possibilities for implementation across various subjects. To me, this is what makes Argue With Me a compelling proposition for all educators." —Jason Chen Quansheng, High School History Teacher, Singapore

From the Publisher