Persuasive Writing Lesson: Pacific Remote Islands
Lesson Plan
1 hour 30 minutesGrades11, 12English Language Arts
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Written by Hannah Loera
About this lesson
Students listen to oral testimonies from Native people, research the Pacific Remote Islands, and write a social media post.
Inquire: Students reflect on their kuleana to their āina, and are introduced to the Pacific Remote Islands.
Investigate: Students discover the cultural and ecological significance of the Pacific Remote Islands and the threats, such as climate change, that the islands face.
Inspire: Students craft an original social media post about the Pacific Remote Islands.
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Suggestions
- This lesson aligns with Hawai‘i’s Nā Hopena A‘o HĀ-BREATH Framework.
- This lesson can be incorporated into an ELA unit on argumentative or persuasive writing. Teachers can emphasize utilizing ethos, pathos, and logos to persuade.
- This lesson can be used to reinforce reflection on Native Hawaiian perspectives and values.
- As an alternative, in the Inspire section, students can develop their social media posts as a video, such as a Snapchat story, an Instagram reel, or a TikTok.
Prerequisites
- Prior to this lesson, students should have a thorough understanding of the concept of kuleana, including the cultural significance of kuleana, how kuleana is practiced in everyday life, and what it means to students personally.
- Students and teachers should have some background knowledge of the political and cultural complications of the history of the Pacific Remote Islands. It is recommended that teachers review all of the resources used in the lesson in advance.
- Teachers should be aware of the potential emotional impact of talking about imperialism, colonization, and the federal government’s role in environmental pollution in Hawai’i.
Differentiation
- Teacher or students can generate a vocabulary list for the readings and create and illustrate a word wall to be used during discussions.
- Students can investigate varying points of view regarding the expansion of the marine monument and debate whether or not the expansion represents benefits for people and the planet, including climate change adaptation and mitigation.
- In the Investigate section, teachers can include the category of “history” to explore the relationship of Native Hawaiians and others to the Pacific Remote Islands.
- Students can read the proposal on Protect PRI to learn more about efforts to rename the monument, brainstorm a Hawaiian, Samoan, or any other name they would propose to rename the monument, and write a paragraph to defend their choice.
- Students can explore Hawaiian place names and language using the resources below.
- Duolingo to learn the basics of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi
- Wehewehe Wikiwiki to translate ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi
From the scientist review
This lesson explains the traits of people who live on remote islands in the Pacific and their kuleana, or commitment to preserving biodiversity and advancing climate action. After a thorough evaluation, it passed our credibility test for science.
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About the teacher writer
Hannah Loera
Special Education English Teacher
Hannah Loera is a special education and English teacher with over 20 years of experience in education. She holds an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice from Truman State University and a Master of Education in Instructional Leadership from Chaminade University. Hannah is certified to teach Special Education (Grades 6–12) and Secondary English (Grades 6–12)
