1. Bellringer: Monday, December 1, 2014
Look at the writing prompt below. Decide which text structure would best suit this prompt.
Write an informative essay that examines how native and introduced species have adapted to life in Australia.
Compare &
Contrast
Definition
Description
Main Idea & Details
Cause & Effect
Problem & Solution
Classification
Sequence & Order

2. We will use…
Compare/Contrast

3. Why? The prompt asks you to inform about two different items:
Native species
Introduced species
It’s also a format that you’re familiar with. (Let’s dress for success.)

4. Let’s Read. Annotate for… Adaptations for life in Australia.
One highlighter color for native species.
A Second highlighter color for introduced species.

5. Tuesday, December 2, 2014 When the bell rings, please: Be in your seat
Have your Performance Assessment book
Have something to write with
And some notebook paper (including your sheet from yesterday)

6. Bellringer: Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Copy down this time chart for the VLT on your paper from yesterday.
Component
Planned Time
Read the prompt and pick a text structure
5 minutes
Preview the text, Read, and Annotate
15 minutes
Plan
Write
60 minutes
Revise
Total
90 minutes

7. Additional Time
Additional time for students who are absent, late, or receive accomodations:
Tuesday, December 9, 2014, Lunch Tutoring
Wednesday, December 10, 2014, Lunch Tutoring
Thursday, December 11, 2014, Lunch Tutoring (for absences only)

8. Let’s Plan.
Australian Fauna
New to Australia

9. Today Move from Reading and Annotating to planning and writing.
You will have 40 minutes to work on your practice VLT today
Write an informative essay that examines how native and introduced species have adapted to life in Australia.

10. Wednesday, December 3, 2014 Today, you will need:
Your Performance Assessment book
Your essay
A writing utensil
Your essay should be completed today. Turn in your completed essay to the tray for your class.
Write an informative essay that examines how native and introduced species have adapted to life in Australia.

11. Thursday, December 4, 2014 Today, you will need:
Your performance assessment book
A sheet of paper
Writing Utensil

12. Conferences Quick Conference- Look at your essay Score your essay
Talk about 1 great thing
Talk about 1 opportunity for improvement

13. While I am conferencing…
Turn to page 38.
Read the 2 student examples.
ON YOUR OWN SHEET OF PAPER:
Complete page 42.
Number it as follows:
Topic
Text structure
3. Focus
4. Supporting evidence
5. Domain-specific vocabulary
6. Text features
7. Claim
8. Evidence.
When you’re finished, place it in the tray for your class.