1. Advancing College Readiness LTF Lesson Essay Writing

2. Activity : Essay Writing Skills Writing Free Response essays requires an approach different from what students learn in English class. Activity focuses on the mechanics of dissecting the prompt rather than on writing the content Helps to develop FR essays that are detailed, organized, and answer the question.

3. Tips for Writing FR Essays in Science Read the question twice. Underline what the question is asking/key words and phrases. Prepare an outline. Answer question in the order it was asked. DO NOT restate the question or write an introductory paragraph.

4. Answer in complete sentences. Label each section as it is labeled in the question. Use a diagram to support your answer, but not as a substitute for your answer. Do not answer more than you are asked.

5. Prompt #1 Structure and function are closely related in living systems. For example, the structure of the carbon atom allows it to be the building block of a variety of organic compounds. 1.Explain the characteristics of carbon that allows its atoms to provide molecular diversity

6. 2. Choose three of the following categories of organic compounds and describe each in terms of the compound’s structure and function in living organisms. a)Carbohydrates b)Lipids c)Proteins d)Nucleic acids

7. Reread and underline Structure and function are closely related in living systems. For example, the structure of the carbon atom allows it to be the building block of a variety of organic compounds. 1.Explain the characteristics of carbon that allows its atoms to provide molecular diversity

8. 2. Choose three of the following categories of organic compounds and describe each in terms of the compound’s structure and function in living organisms. a)Carbohydrates b)Lipids c)Proteins d)Nucleic acids

9. Outline Main Topic: Carbon and organic compounds 1. Characteristics of carbon atom a. Characteristic #1 b. Characteristic #2 c. Characteristic #3

10. 2. Structure and function of a. Carbohydrates i. Structure ii. Function b. Lipids i. Structure ii. Function c. Nucleic acids i. Structure ii. Function

11. Prompt #2 The scientific method of problem solving is a useful tool for scientific investigation. Describe the components of the scientific method and cite two examples of how the scientific method has been used to make biological discoveries.

12. Reread and underline The scientific method of problem solving is a useful tool for scientific investigation. Describe the components of the scientific method and cite two examples of how the scientific method has been used to make biological discoveries.

13. Outline Main topic: Usefulness of the scientific method Components a. Name and describe (Question or problem… b. Name and describe (Hypothesis…) c. Name and describe (Research…) d. Name and describe (Experiment…) 1. How used in biological discovery #1 2. How used in biological discovery #2

14. Prompt #3 The rate of photosynthetic activity may change in various environmental conditions. 1.Describe how each of the following environmental conditions could impact the rate of photosynthesis in a terrestrial plant. a. Low levels of light b. High temperatures c. Low availability of water

15. 2. Select one of the conditions listed above and describe an adaptation that would allow a plant species to photosynthesize effectively in that specific environmental condition.

16. Apply Work alone to prepare an outline for the prompt. Use the “Tips for Writing FR Essays” on page 7 Compare your outline with your partner’s

17. Compare Main Topic: Changes in rate of photosynthesis 1. Descriptions a. How low levels of light affect the rate of photosynthesis b. How high temperatures affect the rate c. How low levels of water affect the rate 2. Adaptation to low levels of light a. Describe adaptation b. Give an example

18. Student’s Answer The rate of photosynthetic activity may change in environmental conditions. Some plants have special adaptations that allow them to survive in extreme conditions. Some plants have broad leaf surfaces to catch any available sun rays and can live in low light levels while some have thin leaves. Low light levels make it hard for plants to have enough solar energy to go through photosynthesis. Low amounts of water will harm plants. When temperatures get really high, plants lose too much water when they open their stoma, so some plants are adapted to opening their stoma at night to take in carbon dioxide to use in photosynthesis.

19. Analysis List four things this student could have done to improve the quality of this free response. Do not restate the question. Label answer sections to match the question. Describe the impact of each environmental condition. Give an example with the second part.

20. Sections labeled to match prompt 1. Descriptions Describes the impact a. Low light levels make it hard for plants to have enough solar energy to go through photosynthesis (so the rate of photosynthesis will go down in low light). b. Low amounts of water will (also reduce the rate of photosynthesis). c. When temperatures get really high plants lose too much water when they open their stoma (causing photosynthesis rate to decline) so some plants are adapted to opening their stoma at night in order to take in carbon dioxide to use in photosynthesis. 2. Some plants have special adaptations that allow them to survive in extreme environments (such as low levels of light). Gives an example Some plants have broad leaf surfaces to catch any available sun rays and can live in low light levels while some have thin leaves.

21. Revised Answer A. Low light levels make it hard for plants to have enough solar energy to go through photosynthesis so the rate of photosynthesis will go down in low light. Low amounts of water will also reduce the rate of photosynthesis. When temperatures get really high plants lose too much water when they open their stoma causing the photosynthesis rate to decline so some plants are adapted to opening their stoma at night in order to take in carbon dioxide to use in photosynthesis. B. Some plants have special adaptations that allow them to survive in extreme environments such as low levels of light. Some plants have broad leaf surfaces to catch any available sun rays and can live in low light levels while some have thin leaves.

22. Going forward… Follow up this activity in future lessons by including the outlining and/or writing of free response type questions in daily warm-ups, quizzes, homework assignments, and tests. Practice really works!!!