Teen Brains: Drafting a Short Argument Using Sources to Support a Claim Adapted from Teen Brains mini-unit by Beth Rimer, Ohio Writing Project Beth Rimer, Ohio Writing Project for NWP CRWP funded by the Department of Education

2 WritingReading Argument MINI-UNIT Emphasis # of Lessons ARGUMENT SKILLS PRODUCT ELEMENTS OF ARGUMENT CLOSE READING STRATEGIES RESPONSE TO READINGS TOPICS Draft, Feedback, Revise, Reflect Close reading strategies Writing & talking to develop knowledge on topic or issue Drafting from Notes to Support a Claim 5 Lessons Entering Skills: Highlighting text Drafting a claim Illustrating Authorizing Foundational Skills: Drafting from notes to Support a Claim Product: Multi- paragraph first draft Optional: Revise to add quotes Claim Evidence Use of sources: Illustrating Authorizing Writing in Response to an Image It Says/I Say Highlighting New Ideas Drafting in Response to Texts Exit Slip Claim Quickly writing a short draft using organizers or frameworks TEEN BRAIN Image, Video, Article Mini-Unit Overview

Writing Standards Emphasized in the Mini-Unit Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence, using valid reasoning. Support claim(s) with clear reasons and relevant evidence…demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text. Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources…. Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources…and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and providing basic bibliographic information for sources. Draw evidence from …informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

Day 1Day 2Day 3Day 4Day 5 Review (or introduce) Ways to Use Sources Respond to Text 1: Teen Brain Graphic Revise to cite source and give example Take “It Says/ I Say” notes on Text 2: The Teenage Brain (HowStuffWorks video) Share/Compare Revise to fill out notes Re-read notes Write to incorporate video notes, ideas Use stems to cite sources while introducing evidence Partner check and Revision Read “The Teenage Brain” by Amanda Leigh Mascarelli / October 17, Highlight new information Write using stems to cite sources while introducing evidence Make a notecard claim Write a draft (using one of 4 options) Partner Review Reflection Mini-Unit Sequence

Day 1

Ways to Use Sources Illustrating – When writers use specific examples or facts from a text to support what they want to say. Examples: ● “argues that” ● “claims that” ● “acknowledges that” ● “emphasizes that” ● “tells the story of “ ● “reports that” ● “believes that” Leeanne Bordelon, NSU Writing Project, 2014 The 18-wheeler carries lots of cargo, representing “material to think about: anecdotes, images, scenarios, data.” (Harris)

Example of Illustrating from “The Early Bird Gets the Bad Grade” by Nancy Kalish “When high schools in Fayette County in Kentucky delayed their start times to 8:30 a.m., the number of teenagers involved in car crashes dropped, even as they rose in the state.”

Ways to Use Sources Leeanne Bordelon, NSU Writing Project, 2014 ● Authorizing – When writers quote an expert or use the credibility or status of a source to support their claims. Joseph Bauxbaum, a researcher at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, found … …, according to Susan Smith, principal of a school which encourages student cell phone use. A study conducted by the Gulf Coast Center for Law & Policy Center revealed that …

Example of Authorizing Examples of Authorizing taken from “High schools with late start times help teens but bus schedules and after-school can conflict” “…the focus on logistics is frustrating for Heather Macintosh, spokeswoman for a national organization called Start School Later…. “What Is the priority?” she said. “It should be education, health and safety.”

Beth Rimer, Ohio Writing Project for NWP CRWP funded by the Department of Education Teen Brain Graphic Study this image. Think about the meanings of these words.

What do you think? ● What do you think about this image as an example of teenage brains or how teens live their lives? ● Share your writing. ● Add a “For example....” ● Share. Beth Rimer, Ohio Writing Project for NWP CRWP funded by the Department of Education

Sample Student Response, Grade 9 The author of the Teen Brain Graphic is claiming that teen brains are very impulsive and that most of the decisions and thoughts teens make are under these main categories. I believe a lot of that is true and that they eventually grow out of it. For example, when a teen gets money the first thing they do is go out and spend it. It's an impulsive decision.

Day 2

Text 2: Video, A Study of the Teenage Brain Today we’ll learn how teens use their brains differently than adults by watching this video from TLC's "Understanding.“ [science.howstuffworks.com/life/ tlc...the-teenage-brain-video.htm]

First, make this chart in your notebook. It Says “A Study of the Teenage Brain” by TLC’s Understanding I Say Beth Rimer, Ohio Writing Project for NWP CRWP funded by the Department of Education

VideoVideo Instructions ● As you watch the video... ○ Under “It Says” Take notes that explain how the teenage brain works Write down any words and phrases that stand out. Second viewing: Add any additional notes you missed. Where do we see illustrating and authorizing? Or text we could use to illustrate or authorize? Beth Rimer, Ohio Writing Project for NWP CRWP funded by the Department of Education

Share your notes with your neighbor. Add any new ideas to your notes. Beth Rimer, Ohio Writing Project for NWP CRWP funded by the Department of Education

Sample Student Response It says: ● During childhood, the brain makes billions more connections than we can use. ● Well used connections are strengthened, and seldom used ones die off. ● Teen brains work differently than adult brains. ● Teen brains use the amygdala. Adult brains use the frontal cortex instead. ● Frontal cortex is where planning, reason, and moral decisions reside. I say:

What are some of the key facts that we heard? ● We’ll capture key ideas on a class “It Says” chart. ● Then add big ideas that others share to your own chart (Column 1—It Says).

I SAY... ● Across from each “It Says” note Write your reactions, responses, comments, questions, agreements, or disagreements to the video notes See example (next slide) Beth Rimer, Ohio Writing Project for NWP CRWP funded by the Department of Education

Sample Student Response It says: ● Frontal cortex is where planning, reason, and moral decisions reside. I say: When does a person switch from using the amygdala to the frontal cortex? This definitely explains the process of maturity, in a more scientific way. How can I keep my connections from dying off? Maybe I need to practice piano more now, and do more math.

I SAY... Share! Add new ideas to the “I Say” column. Beth Rimer, Ohio Writing Project for NWP CRWP funded by the Department of Education

Day 3

Refresh Your Memory Re-read your writing and “It Says/I Say” notes on teen brains. Beth Rimer, Ohio Writing Project for NWP CRWP funded by the Department of Education

WRITE! Add to your first entry… Go back to your writing about the Teen Brain Graphic. What do you think about the teen brain now that you’ve seen the video? Beth Rimer, Ohio Writing Project for NWP CRWP funded by the Department of Education

Add to your journal writing. Use your “It Says / I Say” Chart to add a paragraph or more to your writing about the Teen Brain. Try to use both illustrating and authorizing. Use sentence starters like these: ● “ As Dr. Turgulen-Todd says, “ ● TLC Understanding’s video “A Study of the Teenage Brain” explains …” ● “ According to …” ● “Supporting my example, …” ● “Just as the TLC video shows …” ● “Although the researcher says …” ● “While the video explains …” Citing Sources / Introducing Evidence

How Could We Improve this Student Response? According to the diagram of the teen brain, most of the decisions teens make are impulsive ones. I agree with this, but I don't necessarily think that's because of their age. Although the video says most teens use their amygdala to make decisions while adults use the frontal cortex, I don't agree with this. What about the adults that still haven't matured and act like they are teenagers?

Partner Check ● Did you each use the agree/disagree sentence starters to talk about evidence from the video? ● Switch papers and read what your partner has written. Underline those starters. ● How could you improve your writing? REVISE! Beth Rimer, Ohio Writing Project for NWP CRWP funded by the Department of Education

Day 4

WE’RE GOING TO ADD TO OUR THINKING & WRITING WITH MORE INFORMATION ON TEEN BRAINS! Beth Rimer, Ohio Writing Project for NWP CRWP funded by the Department of Education

Highlight new information about the teen brain. “The Teenage Brain” by Amanda Leigh Mascarelli / October 17, Be ready to share ideas you marked. Later, this will help us quote the text!

Continue Your Thinking ● Add to your writing using information from the new text. ● Use sentence stems to introduce the information. Focus especially on the expertise of the source (AUTHORIZING). ● Explain what you think about the evidence. Beth Rimer, Ohio Writing Project for NWP CRWP funded by the Department of Education

Sample Sentence Starters  “ Michael Frank of Brown University explains …”  “As B.J. Casey, a brain scientist at Cornell University, says,”  “According to “ The Teenage Brain” by Amanda Leigh Mascarelli, ”….  “Supporting my example, …”  “Although the author, Amanda Leigh Mascarelli, says …” Beth Rimer, Ohio Writing Project for NWP CRWP funded by the Department of Education

What claims could we make? ● We’ll try a claim starter: ○Because the research on teen brains says _____, we should (or should not) _____. ○Although the research on teen brains says _____, we should (or should not) _____. ● We’ll test our claims and revise, if needed: ○Test to make sure that it is a CLAIM (takes a position). ○Test to make sure we aren’t just stating a fact or research finding from the article. ○Test to make sure the claim is debatable, defensible, and compelling. ○Test to make sure it is narrow, doesn’t use “I think,” doesn’t list all of your evidence.

Are These Good Claims? Teen brains are impulsive. Because teen brains are impulsive, we should provide teens with courses on decision-making.

More Ideas for Teen Brain Claims ○Because the research on teen brains shows teens are impulsive and emotional, we should __________________________. ○Because teen brain research shows it’s hard for teens to resist rewards, we should/shouldn’t_______________________________. ○Because brain research shows that we lose connections that we don’t use, we should/shouldn’t _______________________. ○Because teens’ brains make them rebellious, we should/shouldn’t ________________. ○Although teen brain research shows teens act on instinct instead of logic, we should/shouldn’t ______________.

Sample “Teen Brain” Claims ○Because the research on teen brains shows teens are impulsive and emotional, we should raise the driving age to 18. ○Because teen brain research shows it’s hard for teens to resist rewards, we should use more rewards to change classroom behavior. ○Because brain research shows that we lose connections that we don’t use, schools should provide more opportunities for students to learn foreign language in elementary school. ○Because teens’ brains make them rebellious, teachers should involve teens in making school rules. ○Although teen brain research shows teens act on instinct instead of logic, we need to give them room to make mistakes and learn from them.

Exit Slip—Notecard Claim ● Read over your writing so far and use the note card to write a claim about teenage brains and the choices teens make. Beth Rimer, Ohio Writing Project for NWP CRWP funded by the Department of Education

Day 5

Entrance Slip—Notecard Claim ● Read the feedback you received on your Notecard Claim. ● Revise as needed. Beth Rimer, Ohio Writing Project for NWP CRWP funded by the Department of Education

Let’s Get Ready to Write! ● Review your Notes & previous writing on the Teen Brain. Mark evidence that you can use in support of your claim, evidence that will ILLUSTRATE why your claim is a good one.  Graphic & writing response  Video & writing response  “It Says/I Say” chart  Article & writing response  Note card Claim and revision  Now we’re ready to complete a guided draft.

Completing a Draft: Option 1 ● Go back through your writing to see how it flows. Have you started a new paragraph every time you have a new speaker? A new topic? ● Move pieces around if needed so that you are leading your reader from your claim to your evidence and finally to your conclusion. ● Type or retype your draft to save in your writing folder.

Completing a Draft: Option 2 Drafting Organizer EvidenceConnectionPossible Outcome or Result The text says… I say…If we do this… Review your notebook entries and notes. Select the most compelling and relevant pieces of evidence and try to apply them to your claim. Then turn each row into a paragraph for your essay. Add your claim paragraph from Day 6 and draft a closing paragraph in which you make clear what readers should now know, do, or think.

Completing a Draft: Option 3 Using one of the Kernel Essay organizational structures (see handout for more examples), draft a short essay in which you develop a claim by using the notes you have taken. Be sure to identify where the information came from. Overview of the problem... Some people think... Here's what I'm thinking... In the end, I say... Overview of the problem... My view on the problem... One response to the problem... A question that arises... In the end, I say... Something Happened Here's what I am thinking... A question other people have... My answer to that question In the end, I say... Moves Writers Make—Adapted from Gretchen Bernabei’s Kernel Essays—Fun-Size Academic Writing for Serious Learning

Completing a Draft: Option 4 Stopwatch Essay: 1 minute: Write about something that strikes you as important about teens or teen brains

Develop Your Writing Stopwatch Essay, continued: 3 minutes: Write about what you know about the way teen brains work (use the source material you already have)

Develop Your Writing Stopwatch Essay, continued: 3 minutes: State and then write about your claim (use both the source material you have gathered and a personal example)

Stopwatch Essay, continued: 6 minutes: Write about implications, extensions or connections your claim could have for you or your reader: “Because…” “So, perhaps …” “Now I am wondering, …” “So, next time, …” Start a new paragraph for each implication, extension, or connection. Develop Your Writing

Stopwatch Essay Revision Go back and add quotes from the article to your writing. Develop a concluding paragraph that leaves your reader thinking or that makes clear what you want readers to do, think, or believe.

Option 5: The 33-Minute Kernel Essay Attention grabber and my claim on the Issue Here's what I’ve learned But this fact really convinces me I now believe

The 33-Minute Kernel Essay Attention grabber and my claim on the Issue 3 minutes Write an introduction that provides an interesting detail about teen brains to grab the reader’s attention. Then state your claim about “The Teen Brain.”

The 33-Minute Kernel Essay Here's what I’ve learned ● 4 minutes Select 2-3 pieces of evidence that provide information to support your claim. ● 10 minutes State a reason you believe this claim. Insert evidence using sentence starters that cite the source. Explain what you’ve learned about teen brains and why that evidence supports your claim.

The 33-Minute Kernel Essay But this fact really convinces me ● 3 minutes Identify 1-2 pieces of evidence that seem most convincing. It could be a fact from research or a quote from an authority. ● 10 minutes State the reason this seems most important. Introduce the evidence with the sentence starter, “According to…” Explain how this evidence supports your claim.

The 33-Minute Kernel Essay I now believe 3 minutes Write a final few sentences as a conclusion, perhaps restating your claim or explaining the impact, if we do as you suggest.

Searching for Ways You Used Sources ● Trade papers with a partner. ● Partners read and code the ways the writer used sources in the margin ● Search draft for examples of ○ Illustrating= I ○ Authorizing= A

REFLECTION What have we learned about drafting from our notes to write a short argument?

Source Tool ● We will use the NWP source tool to analyze 4 pieces of student writing. ● What are the next steps we might take with these students? ● What is the BEST next step that students are ready for, developmentally? (What students are STARTING to do but are not yet doing well?)