First Leaf

The New York Time Learning Network came up with a graphic that describes when the First Leaf appears in every region of the continental United States.  All at once I thought of 5 ways to use this. See what you can do with it!

The New York Times Learning Network First Leaf

World Poetry Day March 21 Let's Celebrate!

The world will celebrate POETRY this Thursday!
Suggestions:

• read a poem
• discuss a poet
• explore a theme
• enjoy the spoken work

World Poetry Day is celebrated on 21 March, and was declared by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 1999. Its purpose is to promote the reading, writing, publishing and teaching of poetry throughout the world and, as the original UNESCO declaration says, to "give fresh recognition and impetus to national, regional and international poetry movements". - Wikipedia

Argument Writing Stems

Argument Writing Stems

Make a Point 

One aspect which explains (your topic) can be identified as (the idea you’re developing)...	Building on that idea (mention previous idea) , this section illustrates that (introduce new idea).
This paper will investigate/discuss/evaluate the impact of (your topic) in relation to (the ideas you develop)...	To further understand the role of (your topic), this section explores the idea that...
The current debate about (your topic) defines an interesting point of view (the idea you want to develop)...	Another common idea on (your topic) suggests that (introduce your new idea)....
The first/next/final section provides a general discussion of (the idea you want to develop)...	In discussions about (your topic) one issue that has been debated frequently is (idea)...

Offer a Contrasting View/Counter Claim 

However, other evidence suggests that (introduce another view/counter claim)...	Taking the opposite stance, many have claimed that (other view/counter claim)...
An alternative perspective on the topic of (your idea) is that (other view/counter claim)...	Some are convinced that (your topic) is false/inaccurate/outdated however...
Don’t believe me? You are not alone! Some people believe that (you topic) is not credible/viable/authentic...	Look at the alternative view (counterclaim) and think about what the experts say...

Sum it up and State You Conclusion(s) 

This evidence/discussion/information confirms the idea that (sum up idea)...	Common wisdom suggests that ...
There is general agreement that (sum up idea)..	The evidence presented in this paper has shown that (mention your conclusions)...
Clearly, this argument highlights solid reason to believe that (your conclusion)...	Many significant/important/salient issues have led to the conclusion that (you conclusion)...
Thinking through the issue, one could come to the conclusion that (your conclusion)...	It may be simple and direct but (your conclusion)...