1. February 13, 2018 Get out your JOURNALS!

2. February
Journal Prompt: If a bear and a lion got in a fight, who would win? Explain your response

3. This week…
Learning Objective: to identify supporting evidence; to evaluate arguments; to participate in a class debate; to write a well-crafted argument essay
Key Skills: identifying arguments, speaking and listening, argument writing

4. Standards
ELAGSE7RI1: Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
ELAGSE7RI2: Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
ELAGSE7RI6: Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author distinguishes his or her position from that of others.
ELAGSE7RI8: Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient to support the claims.
ELAGSE7W1: Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.

5. Opinion vs. Argument vs. Persuasion
“Opinion” is the Common Core label given to argument writing in Grades K-5. It is the stepping stone to argument.
“Argument” It refers to logical arguments which are convincing because of their merit and reasonableness, rather than emotion or the credentials of the writer.
“Persuasion” conveys an appeal to the reader’s self-interest or emotions.

6. CLAIM VS COUNTERCLAIM
Claim: In literature, a claim is a statement that asserts something to be true. A claim can either be factual or a judgment. Claims can work on their own or in conjunction with other claims to form a larger argument.
Counterclaim: a claim made to rebut the original claim. For example, a person claims that we should have school uniforms. A counterclaim would be to NOT have school uniforms

7. Previewing Vocabulary Terms
1. legislation (lej-is-LEY-shuhn) noun ; Legislation is a law or set of laws made by a government. Legislation also refers to the action or process of making laws.
4. measure (MEH-zher) noun; Measure has a range of meanings. As it’s used in the article, a measure is an action taken to achieve a desired result. Giving you a “lights-out” time is a measure your parents might take to ensure you get enough sleep.
2. peripheral (puh-RIF-er-uhl) adjective ; The periphery (puh-RIF-er-ee) of something is the edge or outermost part of it.
5. simultaneously (sahy-muhl-TEY-nee-uhs-lee) adverb; The adjective simultaneous (sahy-muhl- TEY-nee-us) means “happening at the same time.” If Shawn Mendes announces a simultaneous release of his new music video and his new single, both the video and the single will come out on the same day. As an adverb, simultaneously describes actions that occur at the same time. A football game might be broadcast simultaneously on TV and the radio.
For example, there might be a fence around the periphery of your school’s property mandate (MAN-deyt) noun or verb ; As a noun, mandate is an official order or command to do something. Your town might have a mandate about recycling. As a verb, mandate means “to officially order, command, or make mandatory.” Most states mandate that kids wear a helmet while riding a bicycle.

8. “Should Texting & Walking Be Banned”
Let’s read the debate on banning texting and walking
As you read, look for the evidence to support the claim and counterclaim

9. Ticket Out the Door: Pick a side!
At the bottom of your t-chart, write a thesis statement for your mini argumentative essay!
Remember: thesis statements are NOT facts and have evidence to back it up

10. February 14, 2018 Get out your JOURNALS and the packet from yesterday!

11. What is the best gift to get on Valentine’s Day?
Journal Prompt:
What is the best gift to get on Valentine’s Day?
Pick which one and argue why it is the best gift
Candy, stuffed animal, or flowers

12. This week…
Learning Objective: to identify supporting evidence; to evaluate arguments; to participate in a class debate; to write a well-crafted argument essay
Key Skills: identifying arguments, speaking and listening, argument writing

13. Standards
ELAGSE7RI1: Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
ELAGSE7RI2: Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
ELAGSE7RI6: Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author distinguishes his or her position from that of others.
ELAGSE7RI8: Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient to support the claims.
ELAGSE7W1: Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.

14. How to Write a Thesis Statement
[Something] does something because of something.
Example: Dogs are the best pets because they are loyal.
Start with the topic of your paper as the beginning of your sentence.
Example: Texting and walking should be banned…
Now add the evidence
Example: Texting and walking should be banned because it is dangerous.

15. “Should Texting and Walking Be Banned?” DAY 2
Today, you will be given an article based on which side of the argument you chose.
Either, Texting and walking SHOULD be banned OR texting and walking SHOULD NOT be banned.
Read the article to find evidence to support and strengthen your argument
Complete pages 3-5 in your packet

16. Ticket Out the Door
what are the characteristics of argumentative writing? What should be included in your essay to create a solid argument?

17. Happy Thursday! February 15, 2018
Journal Prompt: When is an expository writing style most useful? When is an argumentative style most useful? Explain and refer to concrete examples.

18. Standards
ELAGSE7W1: Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
Introduce claim(s), acknowledge alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.
Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence.
Establish and maintain a formal style.
Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.

19. Notes: Claim: a statement supported by evidence that can be argued
Counterclaim: the opposite side of the argument
Evidence: directly supports the claim, MUST come from a credible source (does NOT come from your brain)
Explanation: must explain why or how the evidence connects back to the claim. Without an explanation, evidence just sits there with no logical connection which makes understand hard for readers.

20. Work Session:
Using your argumentative writing packet, you will write a mini essay
Must be three paragraphs
Introduction
Body Paragraph
Conclusion
Includes text evidence from the articles to support your argument
Use sentence stems!
The article states, “11,000 people were injured from distracted walking.”

21. Ticket Out the Door Highlight your claim/thesis statement
Highlight your text evidence