Bigger, Better, Faster 6-pack Author: Various ISBN: 9780176357993 Lesson Plan Grade Level: 7 Theme/Topic: Science and Technology Classification: Fiction, Nonfiction

Key Reading Strategy: Drawing Conclusions

The lesson plans in this issue of High Wire Magazine highlight the reading strategy Drawing Conclusions.  Opportunities to practice this strategy are indicated by the symbol.  For more information on this strategy, see page 13.  Assessment Master 5 in the Program and Assessment Guide can be used for this strategy.

Curriculum Links: science, social studies

Introducing the Magazine

Setting the Scene

Tell the students that this issue of High Wire Magazine looks at how technology is creating a world that is bigger, better, and faster.  It discusses the effect that technology has on our lives and whether it is always positive.

Making Connections

Tell the students that they will be debating the pros and cons of making things bigger, better, and faster, and they should keep that debate in mind as they read the magazine.  Encourage the students to discuss this by asking questions such as these:

• What is the first thing you think of when you hear the words “bigger, better, faster”?
• Do you believe that being bigger, better, and faster is always good? Why/why not?
• Why are we (as a society) so preoccupied with having everything bigger, better, and faster?

The selections in this issue of High Wire Magazine include both fiction and nonfiction.  Spend some time previewing a variety of forms of writing before you start reading the selections.

For more information please see our Lesson Plan