Argument

Analyzing Arguments
Presenting an opinion, and backing that opinion with strong evidence, is of the most important writing you will ever do. Reading and analyzing the arguments of others will be of the most important reading that you do.

Today we will begin our study of argument reading and writing.

Part of an Argument:

Claim: the opinion an author gives on an issue.
What is the point the author is trying to make?

Reason and Evidence:  how does the author back up his or her claim?

Warm-Up: Teddy Wants a New Phone

If you are Red or Yellow ONLY, please make a copy "can edit" and share with your partner.

1. Finish reading and analyzing the Newsela argument:

2. Write a short summary of the argument. Remember, a summary should:
Be shorter than the original text;
Include only the most important ideas and details;
Not include your own opinion.
3. Work as a class to complete the Concept Map:

Welcome Back!

1. Open the map.  Follow the teacher's directions to mark a location on the map that you visited.

2. Go to AR to take the STAR Reading Test.
3. If you have extra time, read the Eagle Times.

Nadia the Willful: Theme

Select a theme to focus on in your writing.

Reread the story. Find a direct quotation that supports the theme you selected. Copy and paste the direct quotation in the Theme document in your classroom folder.

Upstanders and Bystanders

It's all about this word:

In order to make our school an even more positive and caring place, all Lakeview students will be participating in lessons on how to respond to cyberbullying. 
Who has the power to stop cyberbullies? The teachers and principals, the parents,  the targets/victims, the bullies, or those who share and laugh at the mean posts--the bystanders?
1. View the short video with that question in mind: What will it take to stop cyberbullying? Who has the most power to stop it?
 

2. Partner Discussion: Who could have helped Jane? What actions could they have taken?

3. View the second video as an introduction to upstanders:


4. Read this webpage Stomp Out Bullying  with your group to learn more about the differences between bystanders and upstanders. After reading, respond to the question on the classroom stream:

Explain the difference between a bystander and an upstander? Why does being an upstander require bravery?

5. Go to your classroom folder. Open and complete the Cyberbullying Lesson with your group. (You can make a copy of the document from the link if you are not in Ms. Rainey's class).

6. Complete the two part quiz on your own (at the end of the lesson document).

7. Create a poster that educates the viewer on how to respond to cyberbullying.

Nadia the Willful

1. Go to Edpuzzle. View the assigned video on the Sahara Desert. Answer the questions as you go to learn more about this challenging environment.
(Use class code 
aoqPBd if you are new to Edpuzzle.)

2. Make a prediction: what might be a possible conflict or problem in the story? Please record your prediction in the classroom stream.

3. Read along with the audio of "Nadia the Willful." Was your prediction correct?

The Bedouin People of the Sahara

4. Group Collaboration: Plot Development Graph

a. Group Leader Only: please make a copy and share "can edit" with you group members.
b. Please work as a team to complete the graph.

5. After you have completed the graph, decide on a possible theme of the story. Post your idea on the Padlet wall.

Created with Padlet

Spell-Off!

Writing Performance Task

Pets in the Classroom

Having a pet at home has its pros and cons.
On the good side (pro), a dog can guard your house. Another pro is that a dog will provide you with many fun times.

On the bad side (a con), a dog will require some work on your part. Another con is that dogs will cost you some money in food and vet bills. 

What about having a pet in the classroom? What would be the pros and cons of keeping different kinds of pets at school?
Select a pet below and tell your partner an advantage or disadvantage of having this animal as a classroom pet:

One advantage of having a ______ in the classroom would be that...
One disadvantage of having a _____ in the classroom would be that...

Today you will read sources and write about the benefits (good things) and possible problems of having a classroom pet. 
Please be sure to select Part 1 of the test Pets in the Classroom.