Saskatoon Public Schools places significant emphasis on literacy skills. Literacy is one of two core initiatives. LA consists of multiple strands. Each day one or more of them is addressed. Ongoing efforts to improve literacy skills this year will include:
- formal reading assessments
- specific instruction for reading strategies
- scheduled reading periods
- stories and novels read by me with response activities
- instruction and practice of various writing techniques such as the newspaper format, short essay, letter and poetry
Reading Requirements and Lists
Our classroom has a minimum reading requirement. All students must read and record at least 20 books, 20% of which must be non-fiction. The log is kept in the class. A sample version can be seen here. In class reading time is offered at least once, sometimes twice a week. Until the weather prevents it, we will make regular visits to Alice Turner Library. Home reading is necessary and expected.
Current Focus - Persuasive Essay
"Bad" is a dead word.
Other examples are good, pretty, big, blue, tired and fun. If a student has said the words "get" or "got" today, it was likely misused. And it's almost certain that any adjective prefaced by "very" is dead as well. Dead words are non-specific (vague), weak descriptors we use when we haven't developed a repository of richer, precise terms. All year we will focus on being purposeful about word choice. From there, we build into purposeful construction of sentences, then paragraphs and longer compositions.
Persuasive Essay
Over the next couple of weeks, you will learn the steps to building a persuasive essay. The essay is the foundational document in academics. The most important aspect of the essay is the outline. Think of it as your road map. Once a strong outline is composed, the hard work is done. Together we will look at the construction of a thesis and the format you will use to write an essay that seeks to shape your reader's opinion.
The outline is the key. Your outline brings your central idea to life through its step by step construction.
Activity 1 - an effective argument in outline form. Using the document below, state your position on the proposal in sentence form. Write three reasons your position is the correct one in point form. Then, support each reason with a bit of appropriate evidence. The strength of an outline is not the length, it's how clearly the argument is made.
Resources for your essay
Other examples are good, pretty, big, blue, tired and fun. If a student has said the words "get" or "got" today, it was likely misused. And it's almost certain that any adjective prefaced by "very" is dead as well. Dead words are non-specific (vague), weak descriptors we use when we haven't developed a repository of richer, precise terms. All year we will focus on being purposeful about word choice. From there, we build into purposeful construction of sentences, then paragraphs and longer compositions.
Persuasive Essay
Over the next couple of weeks, you will learn the steps to building a persuasive essay. The essay is the foundational document in academics. The most important aspect of the essay is the outline. Think of it as your road map. Once a strong outline is composed, the hard work is done. Together we will look at the construction of a thesis and the format you will use to write an essay that seeks to shape your reader's opinion.
The outline is the key. Your outline brings your central idea to life through its step by step construction.
Activity 1 - an effective argument in outline form. Using the document below, state your position on the proposal in sentence form. Write three reasons your position is the correct one in point form. Then, support each reason with a bit of appropriate evidence. The strength of an outline is not the length, it's how clearly the argument is made.
- video introduction to persuasive outlining
- outline assignment #1 - you can print this worksheet or just complete it on a piece of loose leaf. Use the following topic to create your mini-outline. We will discuss it on Thursday.
- In order to shorten the school day, the afternoon recess should be removed.
- Topic options - adjust the wording to persuade for OR against the statement
- Google is making us less intelligent
- phones should be left in the lockers at school
- owning a pet makes you a better person
- it's a good idea to have our electronics (e.g. phones, computers, game system) in the bedroom
- Topic selection
- short video on topic selection
- check Friday's email for more details. For Tuesday, create a list of six topics that would be of personal interest
- during Zoom
- think about writing that counters (opposes) a different opinion
- look at the full writing map and begin to consider an outline
- transitions list - helpful terms to move between paragraphs
Resources for your essay
- essay checklist - you can print this out checking off boxes to be sure everything is covered
- sample of full essay map
- you can use the transitions list and full essay map (above) to help plan your flow
Remember this?