Teen Brains
Argument Mini-UnitBrenda Cole / Carroll County Middle& Jean
Wolph / Louisville Writing Project Based on materials created by
the National Writing Project i3 College Ready Writers Program,
funded by the Department of Education.What Should We Do About the
Organ Shortage?2
Writing Reading
Argument MINI-UNITEmphasis
# of LessonsARGUMENT SKILLS
PRODUCT
ELEMENTS OF ARGUMENT
CLOSE READING STRATEGIES
RESPONSE TO READINGS
TOPICS
Draft, Feedback, Revise, Reflect
Close reading strategiesWriting & talking to develop
knowledge on topic or issue
Making a strong claim
5 Lessons
Entering Skills:
Foundational Skills: Writing a claim that is debatable,
defensible, and compelling. Use specific evidence from a text to
support it, providing attribution. Making a comment about
evidence.
Digging Deeper:Developing the context (introductory material to
provide background to the reader)
Product: Multi-paragraph guided draft
Kernel EssayRevision
ClaimEvidence
Studying models to improve our writing
Highlighting key words and definitions
Highlighting sources of information
Writing in response to texts
Turn and Talk
It Says/I Say notes
WHAT SHOULD WE DO ABOUT ARTIFICIAL ORGANS?
4 shared texts(chart, video , 2 articles)
Mini-Unit OverviewWriting Standards Emphasized in the Mini-Unit
Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant
evidence, using valid reasoning.
Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on
several sources .
Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital
sourcesand quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others
while avoiding plagiarism .
Draw evidence from informational texts .
Write routinely over longer andshorter time frames (a single
sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks,
purposes, and audiences.
Day 1 Day 2Days 3-4Days 5-6Day 7Study chart .Turn and Talk.Write
Explain what the chart saysTell what you think about it
Review student model.
Revise to lift the quality of our responses.
Add to our writing.
EvidenceAttribution
Note: This portion later becomes the OVERVIEW OF THE
PROBLEM.Take notes from a video text.
I Say/ They Say
Review possible notes. Add to lift the quality of our notes.
Write from I Say/ They Say chart
Use sentence stems to attribute information to the source.
Comment on evidence.
Peer Feedback
Revision
Read articles twice.Mark key wordsNote information that is
important or that you have a reaction toAdd to writing
Reread writings and notes.
Write what you are thinking now.
Make a claim.
Write a kernel essay.
Revise to increase sense of authority and credibilityMini-Unit
Sequence In this unit, we will read about an issue, examine the
facts, and make a claim.Claim: A statement of opinion that others
can either agree with or disagree withWriters Notebook (Day 1):
What does the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Organ
Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) say about organ
donation? What do you think about these facts and statistics?
Turn and talk.
Then stop and write.
http://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/
Sample Response According to the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, the number of deaths from patients waiting for
organ replacement has risen over 10 years from around 40,000 to
around 120,000. In that same period of time, the amount of organs
transplanted has stayed around 20,000. I think more people need
organs available and we need to look into making these organs for
people to use.
Where do you see the writer explaining what the chart
shows?Where do you see the writer telling what he thinks about this
information?
Did you do both of these moves as a writer? If not, try
again!Add to or revise your entry by using the words For example, .
. . and then refer to the chart for specific information. Try to
show the difference between supply and demand. Add a line that
shows where this information came from.[insert chart again]
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Organ Procurement
and Transplantation Network (2013)OPTN: Organ Procurement and
Transplantation Network
The OPTN is operated under contract with the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services by the United Network for Organ Sharing
(UNOS). The Web site provides up-to-the-minute organ transplant
numerical data and features information about organ donation,
transplantation and the matching process.
Sample Response: OVERVIEW OF THE ISSUE Tens of thousands of
people in the U.S. are dying from failing organs. For example,
according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(2013), the number of deaths from patients waiting for organ
replacement has risen over 10 years from around 40,000 to around
120,000. In that same period of time, the amount of organs
transplanted has stayed around 20,000. I think more people need
organs available and we need to look into making these organs for
people to use.
Where do you see the writer using words like For example, . . .
to introduce specific information?Where do you see the writer
showing us where this information came from?
Did you do each of these moves in your writing? If not, try
again!Sample Response, cont. / Heres what I am thinking about this
issue:Tens of thousands of people in the U.S. are dying from
failing organs. For example, according to the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, the number of deaths from patients
waiting for organ replacement has risen over 10 years from around
40,000 to around 120,000. In that same period of time, the amount
of organs transplanted has stayed around 20,000. I think more
people need organs available and we need to look into making these
organs for people to use. A question some people raise is, should
we make artificial organs to use in people?
Add a line like this:
A question some people raise is __________.
Fill in your own question. Example: what should be done about
the lack of available organs?Day 2: A text with an answer to our
questionA professor creates an artificial circulatory system
prototype and tests it using a dummy.
Dr. Alex SeifalianUniversity College London Watch the video. Jot
down facts you hear in Column 1. Afterward, well take time to add
our reactions in Column 2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crGa0XDbSBQWatch it twice.Source:
Using Artificial Organs to Make a Working Circulatory System
(Smithsonian Channel, Published on Apr 25, 2014)It Says I Say
What did you record?Some Key Points You Might Have CapturedIt
says: Professor Alex Seifalian is combining artificial organs to
create an entire circulatory system.Consists of heart, lungs,
kidneys, pancreas, and spleenArtificial kidneys remove toxins using
silicon membrane and living kidney cells.Artificial pancreas
regulates blood sugar (needed for energy)Artificial spleen removes
impurities from blood using magnetic particles.Hope is to solve
worldwide shortage of donor organs.Prototype is part bionic, part
organic.Created implantable trachea as well
What do YOU say?I say:
Make a comment about each idea you recorded from the video.
Share Out!Some call Dr. Sefalian a modern Dr. Frankenstein. What
do you think?Add to your notebook entry . . .use your They Say / I
Say chart to add a paragraph or more to your writing about the
issue of artificial organs. Use sentence starters like these: As
Dr. Alex Sefalian of University College London says,
___________.The video Using Artificial Organs to Make a Working
Circulatory System (Smithsonian Channel, Published on Apr 25, 2014)
explains that _______________.According to the Smithsonian Channel,
____________.Supporting my example, ____________.Just as Dr.
Sefalian says in the Smithsonian Channel report, ____.Although
Using Artificial Organs to Make a Working Circulatory System says
_____________.While Dr. Sefalian explains ___________.
Sample ResponseTens of thousands of people in the U.S. are dying
from failing organs. For example, according to the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services Organ Procurement and Transplantation
Network (2013), the number of deaths from patients waiting for
organ replacement has risen over 10 years from around 40,000 to
around 120,000. In that same period of time, the amount of organs
transplanted has stayed around 20,000. Prof. Seifalian has created
prototypes of working artificial heart, lungs, pancreas, kidneys,
and spleen. The kidneys are the worlds first implantable kidneys. I
think more people need organs available and we need to look into
making these organs for people to use. A question some people raise
is, should we make artificial organs to use in people?Peer
Feedback:Review your partners new paragraph(s). Did he/she use
sentence starters that show where the evidence came from? Did
he/she make a comment about the evidence? As [experts name] says,
The video [title] explains
1. Underline the starters you find. 2. Make a * anywhere you see
an opportunity for your partner to add one of these phrases.3.
Circle the comments your partner wrote about the evidence (the
facts).4. Draw an arrow to show where your partner COULD make
comments about the facts.5. Switch papers and talk about your
suggestions.6. REVISE your own writing based on these
suggestions.
According to Although the video [title] says
Day 3: ResearchingREAD the title: Diabetes Researchers Report
New Steps Towards the First Artificial Pancreas by Popsci/2011
A headline gives the GIST (main idea) of the news article.
What is the benefit of an artificial pancreas ?
What do we think the main idea of this article will be? Mark the
Text READ Diabetes Researchers Report New Steps Towards the First
Artificial Pancreas by Popsci.com/2011First reading: Highlight
important terms, definitions, and sources:
artificial pancreasinsulin injectionsendocrinologistsMayo
ClinicdiabetesdiabeticsYogish Kudvaglucoseglucose monitor
This will help us later when we quote the text! We want to use
technical terms and names of sources.Diabetes Researchers Report
New Steps Towards the First Artificial PancreasBy Rebecca
BoylePosted June 27, 2011 (Used with permission and adapted for
classroom use, 9.9)
Medical researchers are making progress toward developing an
artificial pancreas. It would take the place of insulin injections
and finger pricks for patients with diabetes. It would mimic the
functions of a healthy pancreas. In other words, it would deliver
insulin and monitor blood sugar using computer technology.
Endocrinologists [doctors who study and treat the endocrine system,
which produces hormones] have presented Insulin Pump (cogdogblog
via Flickr) their findings to the American Diabetes Association.
Mayo Clinic researchers are making an artificial pancreas that can
adjust the amount of hormones it delivers. This device can respond
to minor physical activities. Why is that important? Physical
activity can affect blood sugar levels. Their system includes a
glucose monitor, automatic insulin pump, activity monitors that
attach to the body, and a central computer. The computer uses an
insulin-delivery algorithm [a set of rules for solving a problem]
to determine how much of the hormone to release. A team led by
Yogish Kudva at Mayo attached the devices to diabetics [people who
have diabetes]. They tracked their blood sugars while they moved
around after eating. They found that even small movements
Diabetes Researchers Report New Steps Towards the First
Artificial Pancreas, continued
had a big effect on blood sugar levels. These movements brought
their sugar levels almost to normal. But insulin pumps and glucose
monitors don't account for those changes. The new process could
help diabetics better manage their insulin intake, the Mayo
researchers said.
In another study, researchers at Yale University tested an
artificial pancreas that measures and regulates glucose throughout
the night. They found it worked better than a traditional insulin
pump. The monitor sent signals to a laptop. The computer calculated
how much insulin to release. The system is simple enough that it
could eventually be added to a wearable device, according to the
researchers.
The device is already approved in
Europe.-------------------------------------
Copyright 2015 Popular Science. A Bonnier Corporation Company.
All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Second ReadingRE-READ Diabetes Researchers Report New Steps
Towards the First Artificial Pancreas by Popsci.com/2011On sticky
notes, capture a few key facts and data that seem important or that
youd like to comment on (you have a reaction to share). Researchers
at the Mayo Clinic are developing an artificial pancreas that can
adjust to small movements that impact blood sugar levels. The
research could help diabetics better manage their insulin intake,
the Mayo researchers said.Researchers are working on an artificial
pancreas that measures and regulates glucose throughout the night
via computer. It works better than a traditional insulin pump. The
device is already approved in Europe.FACTSAdd your sticky notes to
the notebook writing you have completed so farTry to a find place
that this information fits and stick your notes there.ORAdd it to
the end of your notebook writing, if your sticky note is something
you havent talked about yet.
Look back at your article highlighting. Add a line that tells
where the information came from.Day 4: Researching, continuedREAD
the title: Pros and Cons of Artificial Organs Ryerson
University/Adapted from
http://group1ryerson.weebly.com/pros-and-cons.html
A headline gives the GIST (main idea) of the news article.
What do we think the main idea of this article will be? Mark the
Text Pros and Cons of Artificial Organs from Ryerson
UniversityAdapted from
http://group1ryerson.weebly.com/pros-and-cons.html
First reading: Highlight important terms, definitions, and
sources, such as these:
transplantsLVAD (left ventrical assist device)Keen,
2000Rizzieri, Verheijde, Rady, & McGregor, 2008Nuremberg
CodeDialysisECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation)Zwishenberger
& Alpard, 2002Go & Macchiarini, 2008This will help us later
when we quote the text! We want to use technical terms and names of
sources.Pros and Cons of Artificial Organs Ryerson
UniversityAdapted from
http://group1ryerson.weebly.com/pros-and-cons.html (9.8)The need
for transplant organs outnumbers the supply. Transplants are needed
for many reasons, such as chronic diseases and injuries. There is
no reliable continuous supply of organs. We must look elsewhere to
meet the need. As with any procedure, there are pros and cons to
artificial organs.
Artificial heart: Heart failure is the leading cause of death in
much of the developed world (Keen, 2000). Keen (2000) describes how
cardiac [heart] transplantation can only meet the needs of a
relatively small number of patients. Even if the number of donor
hearts increases, the supply cant keep up with the growing rate of
end-stage heart failure. The patients natural heart may be failing.
The patient may be on a heart-lung machine and unable to live
without it. The artificial heart is always available, but donor
hearts often are not. Many candidates have only a few months to
live. Some of them are not eligible for donor hearts. The left
ventricular assist device (LVAD) is one option. The LVAD
strengthens existing heart function, increases energy, prolongs
life, and improves quality of life (Rizzieri, Verheijde, Rady,
& McGregor, 2008). It allows the patient to recuperate at home
until a donor heart is available. Without this device, up to 40% of
patients on the transplant list will die while waiting (Keen,
2000). The LVAD adds 1-2 years to the lives of the patient
(Rizzieri, Verheijde, Rady, & McGregor, 2008).While there are
many benefits of the artificial heart, there are disadvantages.
Some feel that the patient is in no position to make a decision as
the only other option is death. Yet death or disabling injury can
result from the transplant of the artificial heart. Opponents refer
to the Nuremberg Code, which was designed to protect human subjects
during experimental research trials (Simmons, Fall and Winter 2001,
p. 402).Pros and Cons of Artificial Organs, cont. Among other
issues is caregiver burden. The emotional, financial and social
strain is huge. The caregiver must be on call at all times, trained
to respond to emergencies, and know when to seek help. Rizzieri,
2008 also notes that caregivers experience severe depression,
anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorders lasting as long as 12
months (Rizzieri, Verheijde, Rady, & McGregor, 2008). There is
also a financial burden. There are hospital visits, travel and lost
wages for both patient and caregiver (Rizzieri, Verheijde, Rady,
& McGregor, 2008). Added to this are physical complications
with the artificial heart. Patients are prone to infections. During
the post-op period the mortality rate is 14 27%. Over time the
device may malfunction (Rizzieri, Verheijde, Rady, & McGregor,
2008). Patients have increased risk of stroke, cognitive impairment
or brain damage.
Artificial Kidney: The artificial kidney is dialysis. A membrane
cleanses the blood of waste products. The artificial kidney adds
years of life. Van Noordwijk, 2001, estimates half a million people
worldwide are living on long-term dialysis. Patients can often get
this care close to home. It enables the patient to have a life
outside of a hospital (The Kidney Foundation of Canada 2009).The
artificial kidney has some drawbacks. Dialysis takes from 4 8
hours, three times a week. During this time the patient is hooked
up to a machine. All other activities revolve around the dialysis
schedule. Patients must follow a strict regimen of medications,
dietary changes and fluid restrictions. Otherwise the treatments
dont work. Though there are many centers for dialysis, some
patients must travel for treatment in all kinds of weather (The
Kidney Foundation of Canada, 2009). Another con is the ethical
dilemma [problem]. How do we decide whether to stop or continue
treatment? Stopping dialysis results in death. Do we stop treatment
when other health conditions arise? Do we resuscitate these
patients in event of cardiac or respiratory arrest (Hermsen &
van der Donk, 2009)?Pros and Cons of Artificial Organs, cont.
Artificial Lung: While weve had success with artificial hearts and
kidneys, the artificial lung has not done as well (Go &
Macchiarini, 2008). ECMO is one artificial lung option. [ECMO
stands for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation. Extracorporeal
means outside of the body. A membrane oxygenator is a piece of
equipment which acts as a lung, providing oxygen to the blood.] The
need for artificial lungs has increased steadily during the last
decade (Sato MD, et al., 2007). The only current treatment for
chronic irreversible pulmonary failure is lung transplantation
(Zwishenberger & Alpard, 2002, p. 253). One con is that it is
risky. Patients with artificial lungs must take medicine to prevent
blood clots (Zwishenberger & Alpard, 2002). They need multiple
blood transfusions and intensive therapy. There is also a risk of
infection (Go & Macchiarini, 2008). The low success rate and
complications make artificial lungs a less popular option. Japan
developed percutanous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS).
Unfortunately, it lasts just days or weeks. These problems have
kept the artificial lung from becoming a bridge to lung transplant
(Nogawa, 2002).The thoracic artificial lung (TAL) has shown more
promise (Sato MD, et al., 2007). These successes have been limited
to short term use of the ECMO for up to 3 weeks. This has given
doctors time to reverse the lung problem so that the patient can
use his own lungs again (Zwishenberger & Alpard, 2002).
Advances in the field of artificial organs are saving many
lives. There are pros and cons with each organ to consider prior to
treatment. Ethical issues arise as patients needing organs usually
have end-stage disease or are critically ill, limiting their
options. This is a complex issue that will continue to evolve as
new treatment options are developed.
Day 4, cont.: Second ReadingRe-READ Pros and Cons of Artificial
Organs from Ryerson UniversityAdapted from
http://group1ryerson.weebly.com/pros-and-cons.htmlOn sticky notes,
capture facts and data that seem important or that youd like to
comment on (you have a reaction to share). ECMO stands for
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation. Extracorporeal means outside
of the body. A membrane oxygenator is a piece of equipment which
acts as a lung, providing oxygen to the blood.There are
disadvantages. Death or disabling injury can result from the
transplant of the artificial heart. The Nuremberg Code protects
human subjects during experimental research trials (Simmons, Fall
and Winter 2001, p. 402).Caregiver burden (emotional, financial and
social strain) and financial burden should be considered (Rizzieri,
Verheijde, Rady, & McGregor, 2008).
FACTSAdd your sticky notes to the notebook writing you have
completed so farTry to a find place that this information fits and
stick your notes there.ORAdd it to the end of your notebook
writing, if your sticky note is something you havent talked about
yet.
Look back at your article highlighting. Add a line that tells
where the information came from.Day 5: Forming a claim
Re-read what you have written so far.
Then write what you are now thinking. These questions may
help:
Are artificial organs a good idea or not?Is the organ shortage a
problem or not? Is organ replacement important or not? Explain your
thinking.Whats your answer to the problem? What should we do HERE?
Bring it home!
WRITE A CLAIM!Well brainstorm claims about this issue (next
slide). But first
Good claims
Are debatable: There is more than one side; its not just your
opinion. I like artificial organs isnt a good claim because even
though it shows your preference or opinion, theres no argument to
be made. Are defensible: There is text-based evidence available to
support the claim.Are compelling: Others will care about debating
the issue. Artificial organs are important in our lives is not a
good claim. We would say, So what? Everybody knows that.Show the
writers position on the issueWe should or we should not It would be
better to . Are focused--so well try to narrow the topic. We could
focus on increasing awareness of donating organs or the increasing
funding for artificial organ research, for example. Possible
Claims:
[WHO] should (or should not) do [WHAT] because
[WHY].Examples:
The U.S. should increase research to develop artificial organs
because __________________.
While we need more organs for people with chronic diseases, we
should increase organ donation rather than focus on developing
artificial organs.
What Other Claims Could We Make?What claim could you support
with evidence (facts)?Is this a good claim?
With more and more people needing replacement organs, the U.S.
needs to increase funding for research to develop artificial
organs.
Good claims are debatable, defensible, and compelling.Does the
writer take a position on the issue, pro or con? Is there evidence
to support it? Will others care?Does the writer narrow the
topic?Can we see what direction the writer plans to go?Create a
class list of Claims. Check each one!Does the writer take a
position on the issue, pro or con?Is the claim debatable,
defensible, and compelling?Does the writer narrow the topic?
How?Can we see what direction the writer plans to go? How?
Choose one that interests you.
Day 6:Introducing Claims: Heres What Im ThinkingTens of
thousands of people in the U.S. are dying from failing organs. For
example, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, the number of deaths from patients waiting for organ
replacement has risen over 10 years from around 40,000 to around
120,000. In that same period of time, the amount of organs
transplanted has stayed around 20,000. A question some people raise
is, should we make artificial organs to use in people? Professor
Seifalian has created prototypes of working artificial heart,
lungs, pancreas, kidneys, and spleen. The kidneys are the worlds
first implantable kidneys. There also have been gains in the fight
against diabetes thanks to an artificial pancreas. According to
Rebecca Boyle in a 2011 article in Popular Science, Researchers at
the Mayo Clinic are developing an artificial pancreas that accounts
for slight, low-intensity physical activities that can impact blood
sugar levels. The researchers are developing a closed-loop system
that includes a glucose monitor, automatic insulin pump, activity
monitors that attach to the body and a central computer that uses
an insulin-delivery algorithm to determine how much of the hormone
to dispense. This is a closer reaction to how the body uses insulin
compared to current pumps. The FDA is developing guidelines to
determine what needs to happen for these pumps to be used in the
US. With more and more people needing replacement organs, the U.S.
needs to increase funding for research to develop artificial
organs.
Day 6-7: Completing a Draft: The Kernel Essay (Bernabei)
Use your notes to organize a draft using these sections:Tens of
thousands of people in the U.S. are dying from failing organs. For
example, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, the number of deaths from patients waiting for organ
replacement has risen over 10 years from around 40,000 to around
120,000. In that same period of time, the amount of organs
transplanted has stayed around 20,000. A question some people raise
is, should we make artificial organs to use in people? Professor
Seifalian has created prototypes of working artificial heart,
lungs, pancreas, kidneys, and spleen. The kidneys are the worlds
first implantable kidneys. There also have been gains in the fight
against diabetes thanks to an artificial pancreas. According to
Rebecca Boyle in a 2011 article in Popular Science, Researchers at
the Mayo Clinic are developing an artificial pancreas that accounts
for slight, low-intensity physical activities that can impact blood
sugar levels. The researchers are developing a closed-loop system
that includes a glucose monitor, automatic insulin pump, activity
monitors that attach to the body and a central computer that uses
an insulin-delivery algorithm to determine how much of the hormone
to dispense. This is a closer reaction to how the body uses insulin
compared to current pumps. The FDA is developing guidelines to
determine what needs to happen for these pumps to be used in the
US. With more and more people needing replacement organs, the U.S.
needs to increase funding for research to develop artificial
organs.
We have written this part already!What does the opposition
say?
Why do they oppose your position?Why do you disagree?
What evidence can you cite to support your claim?1. Remind your
reader about any evidence that youve written about so far. Explain
how it supports your claim.
2. Review the chart, notes, and articles for any other support
that will help you convince your readers.
3. Use a starter to introduce each piece of evidence (fact).
Explain how and why it helps you prove your claim.
What do you want your reader to do, think, or believe about this
issue?Day 7, Revision.
Read what you have written so far.
What Key Words or Phrases might you want to provide definitions
of for your reader? These will give your writing authority.
Who says? Go back to the highlighting of the article and add any
names of people or programs that you need. These will give your
writing credibility.Teacher FeedbackWriting a strong
claimIdentifying the source of the evidenceAccurately representing
factsSelecting facts to support the claimCommenting on the facts
(explaining how they apply to or support the claim)
