WEEK 5 · 150 MIN

Building an Argumentative Paragraph

Focus: Claim, reason, example, contrast and closing

Construct a coherent argumentative paragraph of five to seven sentences.

15 minVocabulary

20 minVisual explanation

20 minListening

25 minDialogues

30 minPair / Trio

25 minPC Challenge

15 minExit Check

HOUR 1 · Input & Comprehension · 60 min60 MIN

Hour objective: Understand the key vocabulary, visual concept and listening input of this unit.

1 · Vocabulary Lab · 15 min

Study each word, read the Spanish support and school example, then press the speaker to hear the English pronunciation. In pairs, choose four words and create four new school sentences.

topic sentence

oración temática

Introduces the paragraph's position.

supporting sentence

oración de apoyo

Develops the main idea.

example

ejemplo

Makes an argument concrete.

closing sentence

cierre

Completes the paragraph.

coherent

coherente

Ideas are logically connected.

first

primero

Introduces a first point.

for example

por ejemplo

Introduces an illustration.

therefore

por lo tanto

Introduces a result.

2 · Visual Explanation · 20 min

Five-part paragraph

An effective paragraph can be built as a chain: CLAIM → REASON → EXAMPLE → CONTRAST → CLOSING. Each sentence has a job, so the reader can follow the reasoning without getting lost.

Example 1

Sentence 1 states the position.

Example 2

Sentences 2–3 explain and exemplify.

Example 3

The final sentence closes the reasoning.

Pair task: Student A explains the diagram. Student B gives a Narciso Matus example. Student C corrects or adds one idea.

3 · Listening First, Transcript Later · 20 min

Before listening: Read the question and predict three words you may hear.

Listening question: How is the paragraph organized?

Schools should promote inclusive language because words can influence how students feel. For example, respectful expressions can help classmates feel accepted during group work. However, changing language habits takes time. Students may make mistakes while learning. Therefore, teachers and students should correct harmful expressions respectfully and practise inclusive communication every day.

Hour 1 · Evidence & Submission

HOUR 2 · Interaction & Collaboration · 60 min60 MIN

Hour objective: Use the target language in dialogues and collaborative work with one partner.

4 · Guided Interaction & Dialogues · 25 min

Each dialogue is separated in its own Bootstrap card. Listen first, perform it with your group, then change one idea so the conversation becomes connected to your own school experience.

Dialogue 1

Sara: My paragraph has a thesis and one reason. Is that enough?

Teacher: Add an example and a closing sentence so the reader can follow your reasoning.

Dialogue 2

Juan: Where can I use however?

Mateo: Use it when you introduce a limitation or different point of view.

Dialogue 3

Camila: My ideas are correct, but they feel disconnected.

Laura: Try connectors. Use because for a reason and therefore for the result.

5 · Pair / Trio Workshop · 30 min

Team task

Student A explains the main concept in simple English.
Student B finds one example, connector or piece of evidence.
Student C asks a follow-up question and reports the group answer.
Rotate roles. Every student must speak before one student speaks twice.

Hour 2 · Pair Work Evidence & Submission

HOUR 3 · PC Challenge, Assessment & Reflection · 60 min60 MIN

Hour objective: Apply the unit concept on the computer, complete the unit quiz and reflect on progress.

6 · PC Challenge · 25 min

Build, Swap & Improve

Create three statements on the computer: one main position, one supporting reason/evidence and one counterargument or limitation. Swap with another pair/trio. The new group identifies each part and improves one sentence.

NJMT Bilingual Platform

Building an Argumentative Paragraph

Five-part paragraph

Student(s) for this hour

Team task

Student(s) for this hour

Build, Swap & Improve

Student(s) for this hour

A. PC Challenge

B. Unit Quiz

C. Portfolio Reflection