Mrs. Stevenson Smith’s English

1.  Shirts update & $ collection

2.  Set up for Lemonade stand on FRIDAY.

3.  Discuss time line for first 08-09 publication of The Publication formerly known as Students Speak Out.

4.  SHARE.

5. Adjourn

This week the focus is to study and analyze samples of persuasive writing. We will look at model writings with assessment and the rubrics used. Students will write a “letter to the Editor.” There are many credit checks along the writing process. Students should be careful to note the due dates.

Also, don’t forget Vocab Quiz #3 which will be given on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH. STUDY. STUDY. STUDY.

Letter to the Editor

Writing Assignment #2

SCHEDULE

Day 1:  Read and analyze “Education through Application” sample essay. Read and discuss “Nuclear Nightmare” and “Teen ‘Zines Need a Reality Check.”

Discuss models assessed with rubric. Review “Writing Guidelines” and “Assessment Rubric.” SELECT TOPIC.

Day 2:  Plan writing using “Writing Guidelines” and “Framing Questions.” DRAFT. FOCUS DUE – on a note card write your focus. (25 pts).

Day 3:  Letter Format. DRAFT.

Day 4: DRAFT DUE (25 pts). Revise drafts. PQP ROTATIONS. PQP FORMS DUE (25pts)

Day 5: FINAL DRAFT DUE (25pts + grade)

FRAMING QUESTIONS

• What issues or topics really concern me?
• Do I have specific positions on these issues?
• Is my opinion based on emotion, facts, or a combination?
• What do I really know about the issue and about possible opposing arguments?
• Can I collect evidence and defend my position?
• HOW CAN I PRESENT MY CASE?

WRITING GUIDELINES

In an editorial, you present a brief essay of opinion about a timely and important topic.

An effective editorial presents an informed argument that suggests a new course of action or a possible solution to a problem. When developing an editorial, make sure to state your position and provide solid evidence to support your point of view.

Prewriting

1.                  Choosing a Subject. Review newspapers, blogs, etc. Brain vomit all the topics you are really concerned about. Select the top two topics that you have enough support or the one that “gets your gut” – that makes you feel fired up!

2.                  Gather Details. Jot down everything you know and feel about your topic. Check out other sources of information if necessary.

3.                  Focusing Your Efforts.  Review what you have gathered to see if you have sufficient evidence to support your opinion. (To help clarify your thinking, put your opinion in writing.) Also consider the opposing arguments that you may need to counter.

Writing and Revising

4.                  Connecting Your Ideas- DRAFT. Build your argument in the most logical way. (You may want to save your best point for last.) Remember that editorials are usually published in the newspaper, so use a strong, to-the-point style and write brief paragraphs.

5.                  Improving Your Writing. PEER REVIEW. Review your draft carefully, paying special attention to any “loose ends” in your argument. Have three other students review your draft and complete PQP forms for feedback.

Editing & Proofreading for FINAL DRAFT

6.                  Checking for Style and Accuracy. Review your revised writing for style, making sure that all of your sentences read smoothly and clearly and that you have used the best words to express your ideas. Then check for grammar, spelling and punctuation errors.

7.                  Preparing a FINAL COPY. Write in blue or black ink or keyboard a neat final copy of your editorial, and proofread your copy carefully before turning in. Be sure it is FRONT ONLY, has an appropriate heading for a business letter, and has your CLASS # in the top right-hand corner.

resource, Writer’s Inc., 2001.

7:30-Start

• Activity fee-$1
• Meth walk-October 1st
• Lemonade Stand Sept. 26th
• Share <3

Lemonade Stand

1. Becky- ice, pitchers
2. Angela, Raquel, Adina-powder lemonade
3. Adina-straws, water
4. Cearah & Starr-cups

Using Club Money for Club Shirts

• Starr-Motion
• Adina-Second

7:48-ajourned

I.  Call to order

II.  Collection of Activity fee and T-shirt $.

III.  Meth walk. DATE? Poster contest.

IV.  Lemonade Stand supplies and set up.

V.  SHARE.

This week students are starting the third Vocabulary Rotation. The quiz for Vocab List #3 will be September 26th.

We will be reviewing strategies on how to improve two of the Six Writing Traits that students had difficulty on in the first essay: Word Choice and Sentence Fluency.

The next writing assignment will begin on Wednesday, September 17 where the students will write a “Letter to the Editor.” The main objectives reflect the AZ state standards of writing persuasively and writing in letter format. Students will explore topics for their letters on the early release days, Thursday and Friday.

All REVISIONS OF M & M ESSAYS ARE DUE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18. NO EXCEPTIONS.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES ARE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 FROM 4:30 – 7:30 PM.

agenda:

1.  collect $1 activity fee

2.  collect t-shirt $

3.  fundraiser – lemonaide stand 9/19 no school lunch!

4.  T-shirt vendor change – vote

5.  Share

NOTE: Beale STreet Brews first Firday of each month – Music Night — second Saturday every month — Open Mic Night.

For the next two weeks, we will be looking at sentences and ways in which to improve sentence fluency in writing. This will involve much note-taking and practice handouts. Whoo-Hoo!

Friday, September 5th is the first FIRST AMENDMENT DAY. Be sure to bring in periodicals, books, articles, etc. that you can be looking at for exploration of your persuasive research topic. Remember: it must be a debatable current controversial topic. This will be a nice break from the note-taking and we will resume the sentence practice on Monday, September 8th.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Friday, September 12 – Vocab QZ #2

Tuesday, September 16 – progress reports go home!

Thursday, September 18 – Parent/Teacher Conferences

Parents please contact me anytime via email: marsmith@kusd.org