Mrs. William's class just finished a great unit. Here is a description of the unit and the project. In Unit 3: The Science of Branding and Why We Buy, students were exploring the following essential questions: How do brands use different tactics to influence purchasing behavior and how can we make branding tactics and messaging more visible to potential consumers? While exploring these essential questions, students read about some of the world's most iconic brands such as Apple, Nike, and Marlboro. In the culminating unit activity, students chose their favorite brand, researched their branding strategies, and reported how their brand seeks to influence consumers. Students created a research essay then subsequently used that essay to create a video blog to present to their target audience. Students learned and developed the following critical reading, writing, thinking, and speaking skills:
- citing strong and thorough textual evidence
- determining a central idea
- analyzing central idea development
- determining author's point of view/purpose
- Introducing precise thesis statement/claim
- developing claims with evidence
- using transitions to create cohesion and clarity
- using high-level vocabulary
- using technology to produce, revise, and edit
- using digital media to enhance understanding and add interest
- adapting speech to a variety of contexts and tasks
So, the next time you are watching a commercial with your student, see them scrolling on social media, or hear a radio advertisement, ask them to analyze the branding strategies. As we attempt to build competent young adults, branding is one thing they will inadvertently be exposed to thousands of times throughout any given day.
Here are the links to some of the best presentations
Arby's Presentation.webm Charmin Presentation.mp4 Coke Presentation.mov Fender Presentation.webm Oreo Presentation.webm