7 th Grade English

1. Informative Writing Week 8 7th Grade English February 24-28, 2014

2. Monday, February 24, 2014 Practice Prior Skills Learning Goals • What are the necessary components of a topic sentence? • Book Talk Presentation due next Friday. • Word of the Week • To analyze and evaluate 3rd body paragraph.

3. Word of the Week • alacrity (n) cheerful  willingness or eagerness. We accepted the invitation with alacrity.

4. Access Prior Knowledge What is the purpose of each body paragraph in an essay? What is the organization of a body paragraph? Another form of profitability for the TOMS shoe company includes the financial growth experienced throughout TOMS years of business. Two years after officially establishing TOMS Shoes, the business had $9.6 million in revenue (Sethics). The strategic components of TOMS business model such as placing stores in communities where the purpose of TOMS is obviously needed supports their financial prosperity (Sethics). Another segment of TOMS prosperity, includes the eyesight program; free  eyeglasses are given to those in need with the purchase of sunglasses. (“Tom's Company Overview”). Purpose and Organization of a Body Paragraph

5. Assignment – Part 1 – 15 minutes Read your Introductory paragraph and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd body paragraphs and analyze the 3rd body paragraph (4th Paragraph) for the following: Does the topic sentence state a point brought out in the thesis statement? Are sentences cited in correct MLA format? Does it use an action verb? Do the following sentences support the topic sentence? What type of details did they use (facts, evidence, statistics, or direct quotes)? Did they use appropriate transition words? List the transition words. Does the paragraph make sense? Is it easy to understand? List specific suggestions for improvement and specific items of accomplishment. Analyze and evaluate your own paragraph.

6. Assignment Part 2 Make changes for improvement. Read introduction and 1st body paragraph again to ensure that it makes sense, it engages the reader, and it flows for easy understanding. Evaluation of 2ndst Body Paragraph – If you finish early then quietly read book for book talk.

7. Closing What item to you need to change for improvement? What did you do well in your body paragraph? What was the most valuable thing that you learned from this exercise today? What did you learn today?

8. Tuesday, February 25, 2014 Practice Prior Skills Learning Goals • List 6 transition words. • What are the three components of a topic sentence? • Diagram and label the following: • She seemed nervous. • Book Talk Presentation due this Friday. • To write the closing paragraph

9. Access Prior Knowledge What is the purpose of the body paragraph? Why are transition words important? Informative Writing and Body Paragraphs

10. The Closing Paragraph Provides closure to the reader. Drives main points and reasons home one last time ( a recap). Gives the reader understanding of why it matters (Help reader to make a connection to the topic). What is the purpose?

11. The Closing Paragraph The Big So What! Why should the reader care? How should it be organized?

12. The Closing Paragraph Thesis Restate your thesis differently (Paraphrase it). You are making the same point, but using new language or saying it differently. This drives your point home one last time (This is like the closing argument in a court case).

13. The Closing Paragraph The Thesis Statement Restated. Thesis Statement Thesis Restated • His modest upbringing, fascinating career choices, and leadership in the White House made Abraham Lincoln one of the most notable Presidents in the history of the United States. • Thus, through his humble beginnings, various career choices, and his time as President, Abraham Lincoln became one of the most influential people in the history of the United States.

14. The Closing Paragraph Summary Summarize your reasons (Say it differently when possible). Paraphrase how you proved the thesis You may include ideas from topic sentences. The summary statement can combine all three topic sentences and combine them into one by paraphrasing them.

15. The Closing Paragraph The last sentence: The Clincher! This is the last line of the essay. Leave the reader with a lasting impression. Call for action Make a recommendation Use a famous quote to leave a lasting impression if you did not open with a quote. Help the reader see its importance Help the reader to make a connection or relate to topic.

16. Body Paragraph Model: Thesis Statement – then the Closing Paragraph. • What is the thesis restated? • What transition words are used? • Similarly, the ocean of outer space exudes dangers, and it presents several unique challenges for explorers. • Vast vacuums, meteors, and lack of water present difficulties involved with space exploration. Without adequate air pressure, the unprotected human body may be seriously harmed in a vacuum. In addition, meteors can threaten human life and damage spacecraft. Hence, the lack of water in space means that human life may have a difficult time surviving on other planets. Scientists need to continue research in order to solve these challenges for the possibility of life to exist in space. • Does the last sentence call someone to action or make a recommendation? If so, what?

17. Assignment 1st Sentence - The thesis restated. 2nd – 4th Sentences - Summary of essay. Be sure to use a few transition words to help the reader understand how all of the sentences are connected. Last sentence (The Clincher) should bring closer through calling the reader to action, making a recommendation, helping the reader see why it matters, Write the closing paragraph for your essay.

18. Closing How did you know what type of information to include in your closing paragraph (paragraph 3)? Was it easier to write the closing paragraph than the introductory paragraph? Why or Why not? What was the most important thing that have learned so far in the writing process? What did you learn?

19. Tuesday, February 25, 2014 Prior Skills Learning Goals • Fill in the blank with the correct words of the week. • The students showered the winner with ____________. • We must ______________ a way to finish first. • It is important to be _______________ about studying for finals. • It is _____________ of you to think you do not have to do your homework. • Book must be finished by Friday, February 21, 2014. • Book Talks are to be presented Friday, February 28, 2014. • To analyze the closing paragraph.

20. Access Prior Knowledge What is the purpose of the closing paragraph in an essay? What is the organization of a closing paragraph? Purpose and Organization of a Closing Paragraph

21. Assignment – Part 1 – 15 minutes Read your Introductory paragraph, body paragraphs and closing paragraph, and analyze the closing paragraph for the following: Is the first sentence a paraphrase of your thesis statement? Does it use action verbs? (No MLA Citation should appear in closing paragraph) After the thesis, does the next sentence summarize your key reasons? Did you use appropriate transition words? Does the paragraph end with a clincher that contains an action verb? Does the paragraph make sense? Is it easy to understand? List specific suggestions for improvement and specific items of accomplishment. Analyze and evaluate your own paragraph.

22. Assignment Part 2 Make changes for improvement. Make Revisions

23. Closing What item do you need to change for improvement? What did you do well in your closing paragraph? What was the most valuable thing that you learned from this exercise today? What did you learn today?

24. Wednesday, February 26, 2014 Prior Skills Learning Goals • Fill in the blank with the correct words of the week. • Did you _____________ with the referee’s call just now? • I try not to be ___________ about making up my work when I have been absent. • This seems to be a __________ for me because I do not know what to do. • The pouring down rain _________ my vision, so I could hardly see the road. • Book Talks are to be presented Friday, February 28, 2014 (Memorized – NO notes). • To revise and edit informative essay for development, organization, and textual evidence.

25. Access Prior Knowledge What are the key elements of an introductory paragraph? What are examples of grabblers? What elements must a thesis statement contain? What analogy in class did use for the thesis statement? Where is it located? What are the components of a body paragraph? What are the components of a topic sentence? What are the components of a closing paragraph? What are examples of clinchers? Informative Writing

26. Assignment –Answer the following questions. Organization • Does my intro contain a well-developed introduction with a grabber, transition sentence and thesis statement? • Is the progression logical or understandable? • Does my essay contain 5 paragraphs with three to five sentences each? Development of Essay • Does my my essay thoroughly address the prompt? • Do I have a thesis statement that makes a points and list three reasons in the order to be presented body, and does it contain an action verb? • Do all of my supporting details in body paragraphs develop and contribute to the topic? Textual Evidence • Does my essay contain facts, quotes or stats to support my key points? • Are they cited in MLA format in the body of the essay?

27. Closing • What changes did you make to your essay today? • What was the hardest correction for you to make on your essay today? • What was the easiest?

28. Thursday, February 27, 2014 Prior Skills Learning Goals • Diagram and label the following: • The cat looked happy. • The dog appeared in the backyard. • Book Talks are to be presented Friday, February 28, 2014 (Memorized – NO notes). • To revise and edit informative essay for language, style, and conventions.

29. Access Prior Knowledge What are the key elements of an introductory paragraph? What are examples of grabblers? What elements must a thesis statement contain? What analogy in class did use for the thesis statement? Where is it located? What are the components of a body paragraph? What are the components of a topic sentence? What are the components of a closing paragraph? What are examples of clinchers? Informative Writing

30. Assignment- Answer the following questions. Language and Style • Did I use precise words? • Are my words descriptive • Did I use an action verb for at least the first and last sentence of every paragraph? • Did I write in a formal style and not a conversational one with slang? • Are all sentences written in the active voice and not passive? • The candle was lit by Mrs. Caple (passive). Conventions • Does my writing demonstrate proper use of grammar? • Have I corrected all spelling and capitalization errors? • Have I checked my writing for any punctuation errors? • Is the meaning of every sentence crystal clear the first time I read it? • Do I have my Works Cite Page complete? • Have I given credit to all information in my essay by citing the source properly at the end of each sentence or paragraph?

31. Friday, February 28, 2014 Practice Prior Skills Learning Goals • How can you show respect for each speaker today? • To present Book Talk