Genesis: Students learned how to develop ISAT reader responses using a claim, text evidence, interpretation, and extension.  They practiced those skills with various in-class prompts.  In our persuasive writing unit, we worked on prewriting activities to jumpstart our writing process on a topic that students are passionate about.  This assignment will likely include additional research for students.  They continued their preparation for essay writing through collaboration and group discussion about the pros and cons of various perspectives on a topic/issue.  

Legacy: We began a critical reading/writing unit that focuses on accelerated high school reading and composition skills.  Students read and responded to short stories, and collaboratively worked on developing thesis statements for future craft study papers.  We read aloud three flash fiction stories as exemplary texts for craft study, and discussed what the authors did to communicate meaning/effect for readers.  Students also presented features of a nonfiction article to the whole class and continued reading workshop.  Daily freewrites continued.

Explorers: This week’s writing workshop was used for poetry portfolio development.  Students investigated how poetry intersected with the text of Fahrenheit 451 through a close reading activity with Matthew Arnold’s “Dover Beach.”  Students also individually worked on developing thesis statements for their Fahrenheit 451 composition papers.  We continued our vocabulary study.

Genesis: Complete Persuasive Essay Preparation Sheet for your next writing block (Block 4: 2/23; Block 5: 2/24).

Legacy: None.

Explorers: Complete thesis statement for our next reading block (Block 4: 2/24).