1. Article of the Week
An Introduction

2. What exactly will be doing with the article each week?
Almost every week, I will give the entire class a recent article. We will all read the same one so that we are able to have great, interesting discussions and debates about it.
You will have a whole week to read the article and complete the following activities:
1. Mark your confusion. Use a “?” if you don’t get something, or write questions.
2. Show evidence of a close reading through thoughtful annotations.
3. Write a well-developed paragraph (or more) to respond to a prompt about the article.

3. Why are we doing this?
Helps build a foundation of knowledge- important for other reading (and just being a person living in the world)
Non-fiction reading practice
Opportunities to build your own arguments and examine other writers’ arguments
Writing practice
SAT practice

4. What it means to “mark your confusion”
Often, readers do not understand everything they read immediately. Sometimes it takes a minute of reflection. Sometimes we have to look up more information. Sometimes we have to sit with the info for a while.
Marking our confusions helps us recognize that we don’t get something. We can come back to it, and, hopefully, work it out. We won’t just skim over it.

5. Annotating Thoughtfully
Your second task is to record your thinking as you read. Respond to the text, besides just identifying confusing spots.
THIS DOESN’T MEAN YOU SHOULD RECORD RANDOM, “EMPTY” COMMENTS!
Basically, don’t do this:
OMG=Shallow response.

6. Annotating Thoughtfully
Instead, record why you find something interesting, why you disagree with a statement, how this connects to something else you’ve seen/heard/read. You can write pretty much any type of response you want, as long as it reflects the in-depth thinking you are doing while reading.
Here’s what that looks like:
Asking a thought-provoking question= obvious deep reflection

7. How will I be graded on my writing?
Spelling and grammar count! Do your best. This isn’t a formal essay, so small errors will be acceptable, but it should be pretty obvious that you proofread and took your time if you want to earn a 6/6.
Reference the article directly. Give quotes or paraphrase! Be sure to support your response to the prompt with clear support from the article. Always keep the focus of your response on the prompt.

8. Let’s review the rubric
Please look over the rubric as I walk you through the expectations.
Annotations= 4 points
Writing= 6 points

9. Time to Practice
Please read through the article on concussions. As you read, practice annotating and marking your confusions.
Reflection: How does annotating or writing out questions help you think about the text more deeply?

10. Writing Response
Please take 10 minutes to respond to the prompt below (normally you would have more time):
Write a short paragraph that explains the central idea of the article. Use at least two details from the article to support your response.

11. How would you grade this paragraph?
What score would you give the paragraph below? Use your rubric and be ready to explain your scoring.

12. How would you grade this paragraph?
What score would you give the paragraph below? Use your rubric and be ready to explain your scoring.

13. How would you grade this paragraph?
What score would you give the paragraph below? Use your rubric and be ready to explain your scoring.

14. Self Reflection
Based on the scores of the sample paragraphs, how do you think YOUR paragraph would be scored (remember that you were on a time limit). What will you need to change or do in the future to earn the best possible score?