Boston Debate League and Boston Public Schools Evidence Based Argumentation: Engaging English Language Learners in Boston Public Schools Brandon Finegold, Professional Development Coordinator, Boston Debate League, Caroline Ballou, ESL Teacher, East Boston High School, “It's amazing to me that this activity has allowed me to push my students into such deeper thinking at the same time that I'm doing an activity that increases engagement of even the most reluctant student.” “My students read and analyze difficult text in a way that they had not previously done. They now understand how important evidence is to support critical thinking.”

Session Outcomes Participants will… – Learn the components of Evidence-Based Argumentation and its impact on English Language Learners. – Participate in and learn example EBA activities written by an ESL teacher from Boston Public Schools. – Discuss the needs of own classes and schools and how EBA can be adapted to fit those needs.

Session Agenda Warm-Up: – Claim-Warrant Game – Four Corners Overview of Evidence Based Argumentation Activity: Counterargument Class Challenge Classroom Connection: ESL I Discussion Wrap-Up

Warm up Activity 1: Claim-Warrant Game 1.In the left column, fill in the blank to create a claim. 2.Pass your paper to the person to your right. 3.The person on your left will pass you a paper. Write a warrant for their claim.

Caroline Preliminary Work

Warm up Activity 2: Four Corners 1.In the left column, circle one word and write it in the blank to create a claim. 2.Write the reason you chose this claim in the right column. 3.When prompted, go to the corner where the word you chose is posted 4.Discuss what each person in the corner wrote as a warrant and choose a volunteer to present

Evidence Based Argumentation: An Instructional Framework Five Skills Basic ArgumentStrong ArgumentEvidence from TextCounterargumentsComplex Arguments Claim-Warrant Game Fifteen Activities Counterargument Class Challenge Four Corners

Evidence Based Argumentation: A School Initiative School-Wide or Grade-Level Commitment to Effective and Regular Usage of EBA Professional Development: A bimonthly cycle of learning and debriefing EBA activities and skills Assessment and Data Collection: Assessments, looking at student work Classroom Observation: Teachers observe each other to fine-tune their implementation of EBA activities. Currently: Five Schools in their second year of implementation

EBA Outcomes Teacher Feedback Percentage of BPS Teachers surveyed who agreed or strongly agreed with the following: Overall Math Science ELA History ELL Student Engagement97%96%98%94% Student Understanding Class Content 99%100%98%100% Student Writing Skills95%92%98%94% Student Oral Language Skills 99%100%98%100% School-wide Test Scores88%91%86%94% Student Centered Classroom 96%100%91%100% From a survey taken of 200 BPS teachers who have received at least 40 hours of instruction between 2011 and 2012

Unit Final Project

Text-Based Activity: Counterargument Class Challenge 1.Read “Interview With Rosa Parks” 2.Join a group at one of the six posters containing a claim. 3.Write a warrant from the text to support your claim. 4.Go to the opposing poster and read the claim and warrant. Write a counterargument for this claim and warrant. 5.Return to your poster and read the counterargument. Write a response to this counterargument.

Follow Up Activities Writing Speaking and Listening

Anchor Chart for Paragraph Writing

Evaluative Writing Prompt – ESL 1

Group Work – Organize the Paragraph

Student’s Graphic Organizer

Student’s Paragraph Response

Discussion In your groups, discuss how you would see these activities working or not working in your classroom. What modifications would need to be made in your classes? Generate one connection and one question you have as a group. Choose one person to share each.

Wrap-Up: Objectives Participants will… – Learn the components of Evidence-Based Argumentation and its impact on English Language Learners. – Participate in and learn example EBA activities written by an ESL teacher from Boston Public Schools. – Discuss the needs of own classes and schools and how EBA can be adapted to fit those needs.

Wrap-Up: Contact Information Boston Debate League Website Documents used today If you would like us to contact you when we open registration for our week-long summer graduate course: Caroline Ballou’s Website: