LESSON 2.2 Determine the “New” Idea G6

LESSON 2.2
Determine the “New” Idea

Grades 1 - 3

Let’s say the previous assignment resulted in the following animals:

  1. a fat gerbil.
  2. palomino pony
  3. Shetland pony
  4. Mongolian pony
  5. calico cat
  6. catfish
  7. red cap Oranda goldfish
  8. American chinchilla rabbit
  9. aye-aye lemur
  10. German shepherd
  11. blobfish
  12. seeing-eye dog
  13. Canaan seeing-eye dog
  14. Axolotl
  15. didinium

Grading Ideas

Now you have to select the best idea. Remember from Lesson 1.2, you can grade your ideas by thinking about what would be most interesting for our readers.

A = adult stranger probably does not know this AND is probably interested (+ wow!).

B = adult stranger probably does not know about this.

C = adult stranger probably knows this OR probably is not interested.

Task 2.2.1 – Small Group or Class

Grade your ideas.You can do this together as a class or in small groups. Remember, avoid arguing, just share your thoughts. For example:

Idea

a fat gerbil.
my horse, Flicka
palomino pony
Shetland pony
Mongolian pony
calico cat
catfish
red cap Oranda goldfish
American chinchilla rabbit
aye-aye lemur
German shepherd
blobfish
seeing-eye dog
Canaan seeing-eye dog
Axolotl
didinium

Grade

C
C
B
B
A
B
C
B
B
A
C
A
C
A
A
A

Task 2.2.2 – Small Group

Why do you think each of these ideas get this score?

Task 2.2.3 – Small Group or Class

Draw a Decision Table. Use these criteria:

  • Which is most likely to interest adult readers?
  • Which most interests you?
  • Which has a good amount of research without there being too much information?

You have three criteria, so you will need five columns.

Column for ideas

Three columns for the criteria

Column for the total number of points

You have six A ideas, so you will need seven rows.
Ideas Interests adults Interests you Good info Total
Row for heading / Six rows for ideas
Ideas Interests adults Interests you Good info Total
Mongolian pony
Aye-aye lemur
Blobfish
Canaan seeing-eye dog
Axolotl
Didinium
  1. Because you have six A ideas, each column will have 1-6. Six will be the highest.
  2. Your table’s range will differ if you have more or fewer A ideas.
  3. Select the first column. Indicate the best. Give is a 6.
  4. Assign a 1 for weakest.
  5. Select the second best idea. Give it a 5.
  6. Select the second worst idea. Give it a 2.
  7. Select the third best idea.  Give it a 4.
  8. The third worst idea will earn a 3.
  9. No column should have two or more of the same number.
  10. Add up the numbers horizontally.
  11. The highest number under “Total” is the idea you should write about.
  12. Flip a coin in case of tie.

No A Ideas?

If you do not have any A ideas, then funnel down B or C ideas until you have some A ideas.

Add the A ideas to the Decision Table.
Repeat the process of using the Decision Table.

Task 2.2.4 – Individual

Write down your “winner.”

Then list whatever took second place.  This will be the one you will write about if the “winner” does not work for some reason.

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