Step Up to Writing

What is Step Up to Writing? Step Up to Writing is a writing program with an emphasis on organization There is a “stoplight” approach that 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! Conclude 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-main ideas Yellow means “slow down.” Yellow identifies key ideas Yellow introduces key concepts

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

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.

Define these terms: (you may go back and look if needed) Green = Go! Yellow = Slow down Red = Stop! Conclude…Go Back

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 T-Charts using the colors of the traffic signal.

Now Let’s Make An Anchor Chart

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. It’s 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

Go to Google Classroom and find the “Step Up To Writing-CATS Assignment”, read the directions, and do the assignment Note: If you do not have a computer, you will need to write on a sheet of paper which sentences are green, yellow, and red. 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 on the next assignment in Google classroom. #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.

While looking at your computer screen, someone come up to the board and, as a class, let’s try to Make a T-Chart #1 Topic -

While looking at your computer screen, someone come up to the board and, as a class, let’s try to Make a T-Chart #2 Topic -

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

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

Quick Write Get out your computers and log on to our classroom website. Do the Quick Write. If you do not have a computer, get out your Quick Write notebook and answer the following question: What are the three colors that are involved with the “Step Up To Writing” Stoplight

Grab your T-Charts from the baskets and pull up Google Classroom and do assignment #3 for your quick write.

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.

Someone come to the board and let’s make a T-Chart

Outline – paragraph three -

I want you to look at the 3 topics below I want you to look at the 3 topics below. Make a T-chart using the green, yellow, and red rules. Favorite food Favorite classes Favorite after school activity When you’re ready, get out a red, yellow, and green highlighter and highlight your T-Chart. These will be kept in the baskets in the back of the classroom.

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

Day 3 Get out your reading books

Get your notes out of the baskets and pick up a packet Get your notes out of the baskets and pick up a packet. You will get a few minutes to finish up “The Climate” T-chart from the Greece packet.

After we read “Mycenaean Civilization Develops”, you are going to complete each section of the packet using T-charts with your pods. Sections to complete Contact with Minoans The Trojan War

Now we are going to write paragraphs using “Step Up” (you may type this on google classroom or write on paper. You are going to make T-charts for your stance on the following topics… Schools having longer days (2 main points/stars) Schools having uniforms (2 main points/stars) Your choice: something that the school could improve on (2 main points/stars) When you are done with the T-Charts, turn them into paragraphs following the “Stoplight” system. You need to highlight your paragraphs. Note: You may use words like “First”, “Second”, “Next” in your paragraph. Make sure that you can highlight your topic sentence, main ideas, details, and concluding sentence.