Step Up to Writing

The first slides On these first (many) slides…you should just read over the information. You do not need to take notes, etc. However, pay attention because you will have assignments at the end of the PowerPoint.

What is Step Up to Writing? Step Up to Writing is a writing program with an emphasis on organization The stoplight is used to help you remember how to properly organize paragraphs and essays

The Step Up to Writing Stoplight Go! State your topic. Slow down! Be Specific. Stop! Explain; give examples. Go back! Restate your topic.

Green Topic Sentence Green means “go.” Green says, “I have a place I am going with this paragraph.” Green asks the writer to decide, “What am I going to prove?” “What am I going to explain?” “What information will I share?”

Yellow Reasons/Details/Facts Yellow means “slow down.” Yellow identifies key ideas—reasons, details, or facts. Yellow introduces key concepts-- reasons, details, or facts.

Red Explain Red means “stop and explain.” Red presents evidence. Red provides explanations and examples.

Pink Elaborate Pink means “expand on your reds.” Pink provides depth to your reds. Pinks can be quotes, anecdotes, statistics, detailed examples, etc… Pink is not part of the original Step Up to Writing Program. We added pinks to encourage students to take their writing to the next level; adding a little extra detail and voice.

Green Conclusion Green means “go back to your topic.” Green means restate your topic and the position. Do not introduce new information. Use synonyms and leave your reader with something to remember.

The Blues We will also organize using blues. The blue stands for background information. The blues help to “decorate” your topic. We will talk more about the blues later.

Step Up to Writing is also about the writing process. Prewriting Planning Drafting Revising Editing Creating a Final Copy Proofreading Sharing

Now – it’s your turn On the next slides, answer the questions directly into the slide. You’ll SAVE this PowerPoint under your name and turn in to me at the end of class.

Define these terms: (you may go back and look if needed) Green= Yellow = Red = Pink =

Look at the next slides –read them for reference Again – you don’t need to take notes/answer questions --- however pay attention so you can complete the assignment at the end.

Pandas My favorite animal is the Giant Panda for two reasons. First of all, I like the panda because it looks so cute and cuddly. The panda's black and white body colors are simple, make it stand out, and look soft. Its sad looking face makes me want to hug it and make it happy. In addition, I am fond of the giant panda because it is endangered. We all should try to preserve the animals, like the panda, that are in danger of extinction. Clearly, the Giant Panda is the animal I like best.

How was this paragraph created? Step 1 of the writing process: PREWRITING In Step Up to Writing we will create prewriting outlines using the colors of the traffic signal.

First, you must choose your topic Topic: Pandas

Green- GO – Topic Sentence Topic: Pandas Green-Giant Panda: Favorite Animal Remember- Outlines do not have to be in complete sentences. They can be simple and we can add to them later.

Yellow- Slow Down-Reasons/Details/Facts What are the reasons that the panda is your favorite? Topic: Pandas Green-Giant Panda: Favorite Animal Yellow- Cute and Cuddly Yellow-Endangered Leave space after your yellows so you can add in your reds (examples and explanations).

RED- Stop- Explain or give examples Explain or give examples to support your yellows Topic: Pandas Green-Giant Panda: Favorite Animal Yellow- Cute and Cuddly Red-colors Red-soft fur Red-sad face Yellow-Endangered Red-We should try to preserve

Topic: Pandas Green-Giant Panda: Favorite Animal Yellow- Cute and Cuddly Red-colors Red-soft fur Red-sad face Yellow-Endangered Red-We should try to preserve Green-Rephrase topic sentence

Green-Giant Panda: Favorite Animal Yellow- Cute and Cuddly Red-colors Pandas My favorite animal is the Giant Panda for two reasons. First of all, I like the panda because it looks so cute and cuddly. The panda's black and white body colors are simple, make it stand out, and look soft. Its sad looking face makes me want to hug it and make it happy. In addition, I am fond of the giant panda because it is endangered. We all should try to preserve the animals, like the panda, that are in danger of extinction. Clearly, the Giant Panda is the animal I like best. Topic: Pandas Green-Giant Panda: Favorite Animal Yellow- Cute and Cuddly Red-colors Red-soft fur Red-sad face Yellow-Endangered Red-We should try to preserve Green-Rephrase topic sentence

Let’s do some of your own now Remember – just type DIRECTLY into the slides. You’ll save and turn in to me later.

Questions How do a pink and red relate to each other? In what order would you use the colors (generally speaking)? List from first to last.

Change font Color in the text in these colors: Green, Yellow, and Red --- as appropriate to the type of information Cats can protect themselves in two ways. First, they can get away quickly from their enemies. Cats are fast runners. Also, cats are able to climb trees as well. Next, cats are good fighters. Cats have sharp claws that can inflict pain and discourage attackers. They also use their pointed incisors to bite their enemies when necessary. Felines can take care of themselves.

Answer to CATS paragraph --- How did you do on the previous slide Answer to CATS paragraph --- How did you do on the previous slide? Fix your mistakes. Cats can protect themselves in two ways. First, they can get away quickly from their enemies. Cats are fast runners. Also, cats are able to climb trees as well. Next, cats are good fighters. Cats have sharp claws that can inflict pain and discourage attackers. They also use their pointed incisors to bite their enemies when necessary. Felines can take care of themselves.

Please change the font color for the greens, yellows, and reds…. #1   While football is a great sport, basketball is the best activity for children to pursue. Basketball provides children with many athletic skills. Kids learn to dribble and shoot. Also, kids can develop their eye-hand coordination while playing the game. Along with athletic skills, basketball provides a wonderful opportunity for kids to learn cooperation. Through teamwork, children learn to share. They also learn that, sometimes, helping others will actually help everyone. Obviously, basketball is the sport that all children should join. #2 Family is the most important thing in the world for several reasons. First of all, family provides support to you always. Whenever I’m feeling upset, my family is there for me with kind words and hugs. In addition to providing emotional support, my family provides for me financially. My parents buy me food, clothes, and school supplies. Not only do they buy me those necessities, but they often buy me games and movies as well. Clearly, all kids should value their families tremendously.

Try to Make Outlines Paragraph #1 Green = Yellow= Red = Yellow =

Outline Paragraph #2 Green = Yellow = Red =

Change font color for the Greens, Yellows, and Reds  #3 While homework is sometimes annoying, it is a necessity for all middle school students. One reason homework is important is that it provides extra practice time for skills introduced in class. For example, a math teacher might teach fractions during class, but students need to practice more problems at home to excel at fractions. Or, an English teacher might talk about paragraph writing, but students need to practice writing their own paragraphs to become better writers. Another reason students must complete homework is that it affects their grades. If students don’t ever complete their homework, their grades will suffer a great deal. For these reasons and many others, all students should consider completing their homework each night.

Outline – paragraph three Green = Yellow = Red =

Sample answers --- Greens, Yellows, Reds Answers to Sample Paragraphs *Answers should be very similar --- with some “wiggle room” for listing reds…   Paragraph #1 G = basketball great sport for kids Y = athletic skills R = dribble R = shoot R = hand/eye coordination Y = cooperation R = share in teamwork R = helping others helps everyone G = all kids should join basketball

Sample Answers Paragraph #2 G = Family important   G = Family important Y = support (emotional) R = kind words R = hugs Y = financial support R = food, clothes, school supplies R = games and movies G = families are to be valued

Sample answers --- Greens, Yellows, Reds Answers to Sample Paragraphs *Answers should be very similar --- with some “wiggle room” for listing reds…   Paragraph #3 G = middle school homework necessary Y = practice academic skills R = math fractions R = paragraph writing Y = affects grades R = no homework/low grades G = students should do homework each night

Change Font Color to greens, yellows, reds, and pinks…I’ll check answers… My dog is the best pet in the world. He’s a great friend. When, I’m feeling lonely or tired, he’ll cuddle next to me and make me feel better. Last night, he sat with me for an hour in my room. Also, he’s always happy to see me when I walk through the door. Usually, he jumps on me immediately. My dog can do tricks, too. He can stand on his back legs and spin in a circle. Not only can he complete that feat, but my dog can bark to the tune of Happy Birthday. On my grandma’s birthday, my dog really cracked her up by performing the trick. Finally, my dog protects my family each and every night. He keeps watch over our house by barking if someone or something comes into our yard. Obviously, my dog is the most wonderful animal on earth!

Change font color for the greens, yellows, reds, and pinks…I’ll check answers… On the Lewis and Clark expedition, Sacagawea was the most important person on the trip. She was important because she helped find food for the group. She uncovered roots and berries along the journey. She also worked as a translator. With her help, the expedition was given for horses, food, and shelter from local tribes. If Sacajawea had not been with them, the white explorers would not have known the local languages and customs so no trading would have occurred. Also, her communication with these tribes helped Lewis and Clark pass safely through Native American territory. Tribal members viewed Sacagawea’s presence in the group as a sign the group was peaceful and not violent. Therefore, the tribes did not fight with the visitors since they believed Lewis and Clark meant them no harm. Without the help of Sacagawea, the expedition would not have been nearly as successful.  

What part of Step Up to Writing so far is the hardest/most confusing to you? What part is the easiest?

DONE Now, please save this PP to your Edison file as “Step Up New Student PP” Attach and email it to me at ksmith@osd.wednet.edu