Student edition

Your case workbook.

Four stories, the evidence you need and a task at your level. Pick your level in each case. Everything here works without a social media account.

Download the printable workbook

Case 1

Civic learning

Before you repost

What can a screenshot actually prove?

MateoDale, I wanted it to be good news so badly I almost posted that. Let me find the full transcript first.

Open the case

Your task

Talk it through, then write a three-sentence group-chat update telling friends whether to come on Friday and which door to use.

You’ll make Group-chat message, 3–4 sentences

Tools to lean on

Frame: “The post says __. The email says __. So __.”
Teacher reads the transcript aloud twice
Word bank: claim, original, entrance, confirmed
Partner talk before any writing

I’m done when

States that the screening is still on, with the time
Names the front entrance change
Points to the email or transcript as proof
Does not call anyone a liar

Words you’ll use

ClaimAfirmación
Something a person says is true. It still needs checking before you repeat it.
ContextContexto
The information around a quote or clip that changes what it means.
Primary sourceFuente primaria
The original record of what was said or done, not someone’s retelling of it.
Holding statementDeclaración provisional
A short message saying what you know, what you are checking and when you will update.

Case 2

Education law

Same test. More questions

Does this task show what someone knows?

DecI can trace the circuit. The six paragraphs are what lose me. Ask me before you tell her what I need.

Open the case

Your task

Redesign Dec’s practice sheet so it still checks circuit understanding, then explain your changes to a partner.

You’ll make Annotated sketch plus 3–5 sentence explanation

Tools to lean on

Large printed diagram to mark up
Frames: “The goal is __. I changed __ so that __.”
Vocabulary cards: goal, barrier, format
Talk first, write second

I’m done when

States the learning goal
Makes at least two format changes
Explains why the goal stays the same
Does not say what Dec’s diagnosis is

Words you’ll use

Learning goalMeta de aprendizaje
The knowledge or skill a task is meant to show.
IDEALey IDEA
A federal law requiring public schools to provide eligible students with disabilities a free appropriate public education.
EvaluationEvaluación
A formal process that gathers varied information to decide if a student has a disability and needs services.
IEPPrograma de educación individualizado (IEP)
A written plan for an eligible student listing current performance, measurable goals and the services the school will provide.

Case 3

PR / strategic communications

The apology is not the repair

What makes a correction more useful than “sorry”?

AnikaWe were carrying chairs at 5:30. Don’t tell me how sorry you feel. Tell people what actually happened.

Open the case

Your task

Fix Gia’s apology using a four-line template, then read it aloud as Anika would hear it.

You’ll make Four-sentence correction

Tools to lean on

Template: “We said __. The record shows __. We changed __. Next time __ will __.”
Timeline already started
Word bank: correction, cause, evidence, blame
Pair reading

I’m done when

Names the wrong claim
States what the log shows
Names one change
Leaves out how sorry Gia feels

Words you’ll use

Communications planPlan de comunicación
A plan naming your goal, audiences, key message, channels and how you will check it worked.
Key messageMensaje clave
The one idea every audience should walk away with.
CorrectionCorrección
A clear replacement of inaccurate information, published where the error was seen.
StereotypeEstereotipo
A broad assumption about people because of a group label.

Case 4

Social policy

Whose room is it, anyway?

Who gets a say when a shared space changes?

MariMira, “keep it free” doesn’t pay the person closing up, and I’m that person. So what’s our plan for the gap?

Open the case

Your task

Make a people map of who uses the room, then write a short note to the board asking one budget question and one access question.

You’ll make People map plus a 4–6 sentence note

Tools to lean on

Calculator and worked example
People-map organizer
Frames: “I use the room when __. Could the board explain __?”
Written comment instead of speaking

I’m done when

Names the nonprofit board as the decision-maker
Asks one budget question
Asks one access question
Treats the agenda as a proposal, not a final decision

Words you’ll use

Trade-offVentajas y costos
A choice that helps one goal while limiting another.
EquityEquidad
Giving people what they need to have a fair chance, which may not be the same thing for everyone.
ProjectionProyección
An estimate based on assumptions that may change.
AuthorityAutoridad
The power or responsibility to make a particular decision.

Talk it through, then write a three-sentence group-chat update telling friends whether to come on Friday and which door to use.

Tools to lean on

I’m done when

Write a holding statement and a follow-up correction for the same chat, twenty minutes apart.

Tools to lean on

I’m done when

Write a 250-word explanatory note for the Common Room’s website on how the rumor spread and what the crew will do differently next time.

Tools to lean on

I’m done when

Write a rhetorical analysis of Gia’s final correction: how does it rebuild trust with readers who saw the original screenshot?

Tools to lean on

I’m done when

Develop an inquiry statement (e.g., “Communities decide what is true through the sources they choose to trust”) and a media-literacy guide for younger students using this case.

Tools to lean on

I’m done when

Redesign Dec’s practice sheet so it still checks circuit understanding, then explain your changes to a partner.

Tools to lean on

I’m done when

Draft a message to the teacher in Dec’s voice, written with his permission, that describes the observations and asks about support options.

Tools to lean on

I’m done when

Write an explainer for students on the path from a classroom struggle to an IDEA evaluation, a 504 plan or neither.

Tools to lean on

I’m done when

Compare the three teacher messages in decision 2 as arguments: which one would a teacher most likely act on, and why?

Tools to lean on

I’m done when

Investigate the question “How do schools decide what a student knows?” and produce a short podcast script with a peer.

Tools to lean on

I’m done when

Fix Gia’s apology using a four-line template, then read it aloud as Anika would hear it.

Tools to lean on

I’m done when

Write a correction and a one-paragraph repair plan with a named owner and a date to check it.

Tools to lean on

I’m done when

Build a full crisis communications plan for the recap error: goals, audiences, key message, channels, holding statement, correction and measurement.

Tools to lean on

I’m done when

Write a rhetorical analysis comparing Gia’s first draft with the model correction.

Tools to lean on

I’m done when

Create an inquiry statement on fairness and representation and a corrections checklist for a student club.

Tools to lean on

I’m done when

Make a people map of who uses the room, then write a short note to the board asking one budget question and one access question.

Tools to lean on

I’m done when

Prepare a 90-second public comment recommending an option, using at least one figure accurately.

Tools to lean on

I’m done when

Write a policy memo comparing all three options on cost, access and uncertainty, and recommend one.

Tools to lean on

I’m done when

Write a synthesis-style argument: should the board adopt Option C?

Tools to lean on

I’m done when

Develop an inquiry statement on community and access and design a feedback survey for evening users.

Tools to lean on

I’m done when