Flocabulary Vocabulary and Argument Essay Conclusion

 Today's Learning Objectives  * Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown words. * Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. 

Flocabulary Vocabulary Today we are going to begin using Flocabulary's vocabulary program. Each week you will be presented with a new set of vocabulary words, as well as engaging videos, exercises, games and quizzes that make learning new words fun. This week's words are: 

anguish / boisterous / capacity / commentary / continuous / cumulative / erupt / factor / inept / intimidate / marvel / maximum / painstaking / restrain / unanimous

After watching the video a couple of times, study the words and their meanings and work on the activity Vocabulary - Unit 1 (Bottom of the Ninth) - Fix the Mistake, which can be found in your Language Arts Google Classroom.

Write an Argument Essay: The Conclusion Paragraph  It's nearly time to put your Argument Essay to bed and write the conclusion paragraph. This is your opportunity to make your case one last time, reminding readers of your main points while making a strong final impression. You want to finish with a strong sentence.  Looking for an idea? Try referring to your hook, finding a quote, or inspiring your readers. You can also find some argument essay conclusion examples here. If you would like to meet with me today, sign up and make an appointment. Remember that your complete Argument Essay will be due this Friday, April 22. 

Homework  (1.) Read your A.R. book at home for at least 30 minutes and, if you choose, make a reading log entry using the Digital Reading Log. (Remember you must have made at least one entry by the end of the day Friday.) (2.) Complete your Vocabulary - Unit 1 (Bottom of the Ninth) - Fix the Mistake, which will be due Friday, April 22. (3.) Continue working on your Argument Essay, which will also be due Friday, April 22.

Write an Argument Essay: The Body Paragraphs

 Today's Learning Objectives  * Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. 

Write an Argument Essay: The Body Paragraphs  Today we will continue to work on the body paragraphs of of our argument essays (using the document My Argument Essay). Remember to make sure you are ordering your supporting points appropriately, providing additional details to support your main points, and using transition words (which you can still find here) to tie your ideas together.   

You also want to make sure to acknowledge the opposing point of view, but then refute it.  Explain using evidence why this line of reasoning is wrong.  

Make sure you check the 'Body Paragraphs Checklist' before moving on.

Write an Argument Essay: The Body Paragraphs

 Today's Learning Objectives  * Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. 

Write an Argument Essay: The Body Paragraphs  Now that you've introduced the issues involved and established your point of view (thesis) in the introduction paragraph, it's time to really make your case. In the first body paragraph, clearly present the strongest points that support your thesis, and provide additional evidence and details for each to strengthen your argument. Make sure you order your supporting points appropriately and use transition words (which you can still find here) to tie your ideas together.   

In your second body paragraph you want to make sure to acknowledge the opposing point of view, but then refute it.  Explain using evidence why this line of reasoning is wrong.  

Make sure you check the 'Body Paragraphs Checklist' before moving on.  

If you didn't start your Argument Essay yesterday, you can find the document My Argument Essay in your Language Arts Google Classroom.

Aloha Friday!

Smarter Balanced ELA Performance Task  We start testing on Monday! Remember to get plenty of sleep the night before and eat a healthy breakfast. Today I would like to preview one last component of the Language Arts section of the test: the Performance Task. Visit the link here. Login either as a guest or using your provided login information from yesterday. Follow along as I give you a tour of this important test section.

Argument Essay Resources: Outline, Checklist, and Transition Word List  It's now time to start writing your Argument Essay on whether or not kids should play football. To support you in the writing of your Argument Essay you have several resources available to you: a complete Argument Essay Outline, an Argument Essay Checklist, and a handy Transition Word List. In addition to being linked, each has also been placed in your Language Arts Google Classroom. Please refer to these resources as often as needed.   

Write an Argument Essay: The Introduction Paragraph  Your introduction paragraph should include your "hook," your summary of the issue, and, most importantly, your thesis statement. You should have written each of these last week, so now it's just time to put them together and begin your essay. Write your essay using the document My Argument Essay, which can be found in your Language Arts Google Classroom. It includes an outline and reminders on how to strengthen each section of your essay. As soon as you don't need one of the added supports any longer, just delete it from your doc. We will begin working on the Argument Essay today and throughout next week. Good luck!

More Smarter Balanced Test Practice

Smarter Balanced Test Practice  Today I would like to to simulate for you the process by which you will be taking the Smarter Balanced Assessment on Monday. I will provide each of you with a student ID #, a session ID #, and we will be logging on using a 'Secure Browser.' If for some reason, the Secure Browser is not yet installed on your computer, you can access the practice test online here. I will preview some of the types of questions that you are likely to see on the assessment, and allow to independently explore the practice test. 

Homework  (1.) Read your A.R. book at home for at least 30 minutes and, if you choose, make a reading log entry using the Digital Reading Log. (Remember you must have made at least one entry by the end of the day Friday.) (2.) Complete the Using Text Evidence Practice Activity, which is due tomorrow, Friday, April 8. (3.) Make sure you completed the Write an Argument Essay: The Hook and Issue Summary (Steps 5 & 6) document, which was due today.  
 

Smarter Balanced Test Practice

Smarter Balanced Test Practice  On Monday many of us had difficulty logging on to the online Smarter Balanced Practice Test. Let's try again today by clicking the link here. Click 'Sign In,' select 'Grade 6,' choose 'ELA Practice Test,' click the 'Select' button, and finally click 'Yes, Start My Test.' I will review the first section with you and then provide you some time with your teammates to practice and expore the test. 

If the online link does not work, screenshots of the first section of the test can be found below. 

Homework  (1.) Read your A.R. book at home for at least 30 minutes and, if you choose, make a reading log entry using the Digital Reading Log. (Remember you must have made at least one entry by the end of the day Friday.) (2.) Complete the Using Text Evidence Practice Activity, which is due Friday, April 8. (3.) Complete the Write an Argument Essay: The Hook and Issue Summary (Steps 5 & 6) document, which is now due Thursday, April 7.  
 

Using Text Evidence and Library Visit

Maybe you will find yours in the Library today.

Using Text Evidence  When you write about something you have read, you need to use text evidence—that is, details from the text—to support the points you are making. You can use text evidence in the form of a direct quotation (the author’s exact words) or a paraphrase (a restatement of what the author wrote). You also need to explain WHY that text evidence is relevant.

To learn more about how to use text evidence check out the document How To Use Text Evidence, which you can also find in your Language Arts Google Classroom.

Next, let's practice using text evidence the document Using Text Evidence Practice Activity, also in your Language Arts Google Classroom . You will be tasked with making a specific claim about the risks or benefits of kids playing football, using text evidence to support your claim, citing your source, and explaining the significance of your text evidence.

Library Visit  Today we head to the library. Make sure you bring your books to either return or renew and your student ID card if you want to check out books. You may look for new books, read quietly, or take AR tests. Please take advantage of this opportunity and use your library time well. 

Homework  (1.) Read your A.R. book at home for at least 30 minutes and, if you choose, make a reading log entry using the Digital Reading Log. (Remember you must have made at least one entry by the end of the day Friday.) (2.) Complete the Using Text Evidence Practice Activity, which is due Friday, April 8. (3.) Complete the Write an Argument Essay: The Hook and Issue Summary (Steps 5 & 6) document, which is now due Thursday, April 7.