1. Performance Task: Argument Writing ~ Grade 6-8~

2. Argument Topic: Traditional or Balanced School Calendars? Argument Topic: Traditional or Balanced School Calendars?

3. For this “Practice” Performance Task, you are going to… 1.Study 2 pie charts about 2 school calendars 2.Watch several videos discussing school calendars 3.Read several texts 4.Annotate your reading 5.Complete graphic organizers 6.Discuss and defend your ideas 7.Plan and write an essay that makes an ARGUMENT! For this “Practice” Performance Task, you are going to… 1.Study 2 pie charts about 2 school calendars 2.Watch several videos discussing school calendars 3.Read several texts 4.Annotate your reading 5.Complete graphic organizers 6.Discuss and defend your ideas 7.Plan and write an essay that makes an ARGUMENT!

4. An argument is: “ expressing a point of view on a subject and supporting it with evidence.” www.writingcenter.unc.edu Have you ever argued before?

5. Here are some questions to consider before you start watching the videos and reading the articles :

6. What is a traditional school calendar? What is a traditional school calendar?

7. What is a balanced school calendar? What is a balanced school calendar?

8. Which of these two is the best school calendar for students? Which of these two is the best school calendar for students?

9. Something to consider prior to writing: How do these school calendars affect my life as a student? Something to consider prior to writing: How do these school calendars affect my life as a student?

10. And will there still be time for this...

11. America’s Funniest Video- Summertime Fails –youtube.com For this video click on the link labeled Argumentative Video Slide #11 AFV Summer Fails Video

12. By the end of this Performance Task, you will have decided which school calendar is best, and you will be prepared to write an essay that is an argument. By the end of this Performance Task, you will have decided which school calendar is best, and you will be prepared to write an essay that is an argument. What is the point?

13. However, before you start there are a few things you will need to know/remember:

14. How to Deconstruct a Prompt Part I: 1. READ Read the prompt 2. THINK Create a "Do / What" Two Column Chart: 3. Re-Read the prompt and circle the verbs that tell you to do something. Then, write the verbs in the "Do" column: WRITE (i.e. "Do" — describe, support, revise, connect, check, etc. and "What" = ask what am I supposed to do — what am I describing, connecting, checking, etc.) See the next chart for an example of a “Do What Chart” and how it is filled out using a sample writing prompt. Remember these charts are very useful because they help you make sure you are completing all of the assignment. DoWhat 1 st You need to remember what a “Do What” Chart is

15. “Do What Chart” example Part I: I. Read the prompt: In the story, "The Hiking Trip," the reader learns about the main character, Jeff. Jeff’s personality and emotions are revealed through the actions and dialogue presented in the story. Write an essay in which you describe the personality and emotions of Jeff, the main character. How do his personal characteristics add to the events in the story? How does the author reveal this information about Jeff in the story? Use details and examples from the story to support your ideas. DoWhat writeAn essay describ e The personality and emotions of Jeff useDetails and examples from the story supportYour ideas Part 2: Create a “Do What” chart so that you know what is expected of you by carefully reviewing the directions/expectations found in the prompt.

18. Lets Begin! Phase 1: Reviewing the data.

19. Part 1: Let’s look at a school year in terms of 2 types of school calendars: Part 1: Analyzing calendar data

20. One type of school calendar is called a traditional calendar. Traditional Calendar

21. A second type of school calendar is a balanced calendar, or what we also call a year-round calendar. Balanced Calendar

22. Let’s read and study 2 pie charts to learn about 2 types of school calendars.

25. Record what you have learned on the graphic organizer: Two Types of School Calendars Take notes and reference back to the pie charts