Overview
This lesson invites students to build close-reading skills, especially seeing the benefits of multiple readings of a text to boost comprehension. Comprehension is also improved through discussion with others, asking relevant questions, and writing and reflection. This infographic was selected from Canada’s Nuclear Safety Commission.
This lesson is intended as a grab-and-go – all you need to do is photocopy the first two pages back-to-back for each student, and you’re ready! This activity could introduce a lesson or unit or perhaps choose a day each week to promote or evaluate students’ speaking/listening skills through an article of the week incorporating small group discussion. You will find step-by-step directions (or Teacher Cheat Notes) to guide you – our intention is for this to be a student-led activity. It can take practice to orient students to the process, so be patient. Consider how this close-reading activity could become a part of an evidence of learning portfolio or how students have met curricular outcomes.
- Credit is given to author Kelly Gallagher who inspired and modelled this literacy strategy. To access his excellent cross-curricular, Article of the Week, visit http://www.kellygallagher.org/ article-of-the-week/. Credit is also given to Philip Sexsmith, who inspires pre-service teachers to generate Immediate Texts to practice incorporating the three strands of ELA in lesson planning.
- For further exploration of nuclear power, information about tours of Point Lepreau, speakers on energy, etc., please explore the Centre of Excellence for Energy website or contact the Lead, Warren Coombs, warren.coombs@gnb.ca.
NB Curricular Connections
Science 10
- Strand: Learning and Living Sustainably – Big Idea: Relationships Between Science and Technology – Skill Descriptor: Apply scientific and technological knowledge and understanding of sustainable practices.
- Strand: Learning and Living Sustainably – Big Idea: Responsible Application and Sustainable Practice – Skill Descriptor: Investigate careers in science.
English Language Arts 9 & 10
- Strand: Reading- Big Idea: Reading Comprehension
What You’ll Need
- For each student, photocopy the “Radioactive Me – Infographic” Template and Radioactive Me Infographic back-to-back
- For teachers, print “Teacher Cheat Notes” to help you facilitate the activity.
Instructions
Suggested instructions are provided for teachers as “Teacher Cheat Notes”. Feel free to adapt to suit your students; the time permitted, etc.
QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE LABOUR MARKET AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN NB.
Use a RAN chart (if you wish) to explore the following questions:
- What do we already know about nuclear power?
- What questions are we left with after exploring this infographic?
- What do we know about NB Power and Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station?
- What types of careers exist in nuclear energy? Where could we go for more information?
- What other types of energy are used in New Brunswick? Why?
Extension Ideas
- Consider pairing this activity with the speaker series video, What is Nuclear Energy?, for an engaging presentation on how nuclear energy works.
NB Global Competencies
Acknowledgments
- Infographic downloaded from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
