Today, you are just going to explore and see what's out there.  Try to get the big picture of your project before you dive into the details in the coming weeks.

Do
 -  Set up the system you will use recored useful information.
 -  Record the addresses of any websites that seem helpful.
 -  Record any topics that seem important or interesting.

Do Not
-  Search for images yet.
-  Search for videos yet.
-  Experiment with your Weebly account yet.

As you gather information for your persuasive website research, you can use your own system, or you can use the gathering information sheet we've used in the past.

Here are four ways to get it:

Go to the Helpful Tools page and look under "Other Helpers" at the top.

Gathering Information - Word Document Download

Gathering Information - Public Google Doc

We finally have the details in for how we are going to publish our short stories!

In case you didn't already know, this year each student in the school has the opportunity to get a hardback book published for free!  Here are the details:

1.  We will work in class some, but a large part of the book will need to be done outside of class.
2.  Books will be typed and eventually printed on special paper the publishing company has sent us.  Stories can be up to 14 pages long, and up to half of the pages can be full color drawings!
3.  Stories need to be fully edited and typed by Monday, May 2nd.  After that, we will put them together in class using special publishing kits.

Our final large project for the year is definitely a big one.  We'll use a little bit of everything we've learned this year and throw it all together to see what you can do.  You'll have a chance to be very creative, to work on something that really matters to you, and to direct yourself as opposed to just trying to please your teacher.  Read on for the details.



Objective
Independently use the research process and the writing process to create a website designed to persuade your audience.

Expectations

1. Independently research your chosen topic, gathering, selecting, and sorting information.
   
2. Write the equivalent of at least a five paragraph essay.  (Intro, three topics, conclusion)
   
3. Use persuasive techniques such as SCOPE and logical arguments.
4. Fully revise and edit your work using all the skills we've learned this year (sentence openers, transitions, who/which clauses, thesis statement, etc.)
   
5. Design and build an appropriate and professional website to present your information.
   
6. Independently manage your time and project to meet deadlines.

Book Critique Format
Exceeding Expectations 
I can write a book critique using the EIW critique format with the addition of insightfully comparing one book to another. 

 Meeting Expectations
I wrote a book critique using the EIW critique format. 

Making Progress
I wrote a book critique using the EIW critique format, but may have missed a section,or given incomplete or inaccurate information. 

Not Yet
With help, partial success at score 2.0 content and score 3.0 content.  


Sentence Openers
Exceeding Expectations
I can  evalute and rate use of sentence openers on writing samples, defending reasoning.

Meeting Expectations
I fluently used a variety of sentence openers (6) in major writing assignments, where at least 50% of openers are a variety other than subject.

Making Progress
I used 4-5 types of sentence openers consistently, but they tend to be overused, or not used fluently.

Not Yet
With help, partial success at score 2.0 content and score 3.0 content.  

12 Point Font
Times New Roman or Arial
Double Spaced
Title
Heading (Name, Date)

Write the word count in pen on the printed document.

Next week, we will finish revising, and have a day or two to publish in the computer lab, then your essay will be due Friday so that you can wait until after the history test to finish typing it at home.

This week in Language Arts we are going to begin drafting our research essays.  Today, we will start by focusing on drafting two body paragraphs.  As you write, be sure to pay careful attention to your conclusion sentences and your topic sentences.

Topic Sentences
The Rules:

1. Always have a topic and a main point.
   
2. Don't refer to your own writing.
   

Examples:

1. As a young man, Abraham Lincoln had a wide variety of career choice
2. Statistics and numerous personal stories serve to highlight the importance of installing a traffic light at the intersection of 7th Street and Smith Avenue.
3. This is about Abraham Lincoln's childhood. ←DON'T Do This

Conclusion Sentences in a Mulitple Paragraph Essay
The Rule:

1. Each conclusion sentence should connect the content of one paragraph to the content of the next paragraph.

Examples:

1. Through successes and failures, Abraham Lincoln's early experiences contributed to his future success as President of the United States.
2. Not only do statistics support the argument, but a number of personal stories support it as well.
3. Clearly, statistics support the argument, but it is important to remember that each of those numbers is first and foremost a person.