LEARN NC

CareerStart lessons: Grade eight

1.8 Solving workplace problems: Refining the use of argument

By Andrea Fedon, Gail Frank, and Cindy Neininger

Provided by CareerStart

Essential question: How can reasoning and analysis skills help you to solve problems in the workplace?

Learning outcomes

Students will respond to a problem-related prompt with a written solution that includes appropriate and relevant supporting details for the solution.

Teacher planning

Materials needed

Time required for lesson

Half class period

Activities

  1. Review with students the steps of the writing process.
  2. Remind students that this is another opportunity to show understanding of the format used to respond to a problem with a solution. The prompts used in this lesson will also help students develop practical solutions to problems teens might face in the workplace. Students will not have to write the entire paper, but will use the graphic organizer to map out their ideas.
  3. Hand out the writing prompts and graphic organizers, and have students work through the problem-solving process.

Writing prompts

  • You have a Saturday job at the local movie rental store and have proven to be a valued employee. However, lately your classmates have been insinuating that it is great that you work at the movie store because it means they could rent movies for free. You see them coming in to the store and know they will ask you for this “favor.” How do you handle this situation? What is your solution to this problem?
  • Your job at the local grocery store is so menial and boring you actually dread going to work. But, since you are planning to work for only a month or two, you make the best of the situation. The paychecks from the job are needed to pay for a trip to Colorado this summer. Now your boss, your teacher’s husband, has told you that he has submitted your name for a promotion. If you get the promotion, you will have more responsibility with a small pay increase. You really dislike this job and were counting the days until you had enough money for the trip so you could quit. How do you solve this problem?

Assessment

See rubric in materials list above.

North Carolina curriculum alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 8

  • Goal 3: The learner will continue to refine the understanding and use of argument.
    • Objective 3.02: Continue to explore and analyze the use of the problem-solution process by:
      • evaluating problems and solutions within various texts and situations.
      • utilizing the problem-solution process within various contexts/situations.
      • constructing essays/presentations that respond to a given problem by proposing a solution that includes relevant details.
      • recognizing and/or creating an organizing structure appropriate to purpose, audience, and context.