Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Tuesday, January 28, 2014



Announcements and Reminders: 
1.  Have your January Book of the Month assessment finished, edited, and posted on Edmodo by Friday. 
Ms. Dorsey has looked at and given suggestions and/or compliments for all of those that are already posted.  

2.  Please encourage your parents to check their email listed on Skyward. Is it up-to-date so teachers can contact them?

3.  On February 3, we will take the Post-Test on Writing Paragraphs.  
    Be prepared to 
          --  Deconstruct the prompt  
              Remember RAFT: Role, Audience, Format, Task (verbs), Strong Key Words
                  Note: For most school-type audiences, you will avoid abbreviations, slang, dead words                               such as "Well, . . . ", and you will avoid or limit contractions. 
         --Write a complete paragraph with central idea sentence, evidence/supporting details,  and a                         concluding sentence. 
         -- Stay focused on your central idea and cut out any ideas that do not support it.
         -- Use transition words and phrases.
         --  Revise.
         -- Edit.


Today’s Agenda:
1. Individual reading of your Historical Fiction book.  (Next up will be nonfiction.)

2.  Writing a practically perfect paragraph:
          Instruction and practice




If you were absent:  See above.
Go through the practice materials provided.  Download these files and complete the exercises.  topics and topic sentences packet 2014.doc       candy contrast paragraph practice.doc

Also see the examples and information at  Paragraph -- Halloween Compare and Contrast and

Creating a Practically Perfect Paragraph -- Holiday Dinners.

  For the paragraph writing about two candies we used a Starburst and a Jolly Rancher.  You could use any two different types of candies.  
  See the sample before you begin your paragraph: 

Sample Paragraph for Candy-Contrast


     



Sample paragraphs:

Paragraph -- Halloween Compare and Contrast


This is a sample of a complete and contrasting paragraph:  (This is on a different topic, but shows a complete paragraph, with all needed parts and highlighted and underlined as directed.)
The topic sentence (central idea sentence) is marked in green.  The supporting details/evidence is marked in yellow.  The concluding sentence is marked in red.  The transitions are underlined. 



Hot chocolate and orange soda provide two very different drinking experiences for several reasons.  First, the hot chocolate is just that -- hot, while soda is best served cold.  Next, the hot chocolate smoothly glides through your mouth.  On the other hand, the soda bubbles and fizzes against your lips and in your mouth.  Color is another difference.  My favorite hot chocolate is a rich deep brown topped with clouds of white whipped cream.  Orange soda, in contrast, is a vibrant orange color.  Also, a generously sized mug holds the chocolate with whipped cream, but the soda is best from an ice cold and crystal clear glass bottle, just opened.  In conclusion, though hot chocolate and orange soda are different in temperature, texture, color, and in how they are served, either can quench your desire for a delicious drink.


____________________________________
Transitions:  This is a list of transitions that are useful for paragraphs that contrast.

Transitions show relationships and help your sentences to fit together.
Some of the transitions you could use in a paragraph that contrasts: conversely, instead, on one hand, on the other hand, on the contrary, rather, yet, but, however, still, nevertheless, in contrast, first, second, third, first of all, to begin with, in the first place, at the same time, in conclusion, with this in mind, after all, all in all, all things considered, briefly, in brief,  on the whole, in short, in summary, in the final analysis, on balance, to sum up, to summarize, finally


 iWrite:   Contrasting Candies
Contrast the two pieces of candy you are given.  
  • Do the best you can to create an effective contrasting paragraph.  
  • Include a topic sentence, at least three effective details, and a concluding sentence.  
  • Use your paragraph rubric to improve this paragraph.  Rubric for your paragraph test  

Write legibly.   


Preparation for Paragraph Post-Test:
Can you write a complete, correct paragraph?
deconstruct the prompt
topic sentence/central idea -- One sentence that states the central idea!
evidence/support
focus
conclusion
audience/purpose -- style
conventions
complete sentences

B8 -- also had a mini lesson with Ian about  colorful sentences.

Colorful Sentences