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	Some are convinced that (your topic) is false/inaccurate/outdated however...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)...

Poetry Out Loud State Winner

Chelsea Anokye-Anygei has won the top spot in Delaware's Poetry recitation competition! 

Anokye-Agyei’s final recitation, “The Albatross” by Kate Bass, earned her high marks with the judges. The full poem can be found on the Poetry Foundation’s website.

For her winning presentation, Anokye-Agyei will receive $200 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington with a chaperone to compete at the national championship on April 29 – May 1. Hodgson Vo-Tech High School will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry materials. Samuel McGarvey, the first runner-up will receive $100, and Tall Oaks Classical School will receive $200 for its school library.

The Poetry Out Loud state competition, sponsored by the Delaware Division of the Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, is part of a national program that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance, and competition.

Social Studies Argument Writing

Kick Start Social Studies Claims with Evidence   What is the recursive nature of SS reading and writing? Reading and writing cannot be separated. Students who learn to read critically will become better writers. Writing and rewriting with source information makes better readers. Therefore, read, write, listen, speak, the literacy cycle is complete when paired with classroom structures that encourage deliberation, collaboration and peer interaction.   Resources Library of Congress primary source material Lessons and Links Videos Read Like a Historian: Guide for Historical Inquiry ·       What makes an effective inquiry question? ·       Why is it important to gather evidence on both sides? ·       How is asking a focus question different from stating a lesson objective? Read Like a Historian: Using Sources ·       Getting students to discern sources. ·       Analyzing primary source documents. ·       Speaking and listening through the lesson. Historical Detective Work: Collaboration toward Evidence ·       Mystery encourages thinking skills ·       Reading to discern the facts ·       Discussion and debate to determine the outcome.   Essential Elements/Skills when teaching writing from sources Paraphrasing must be taught!  Think about the essence of a source then change the actual words to ensure that the thought is a reflection. Quote sources correctly!  Introduce your quotations, cite your sources and explain your thinking within the writing. Referencing and attribution is taught in English classes but check to see what form and content are currently being used.   See the Cape Writing Handbook on the Cape Henlopen website for specific directions and links. "Claims, Reasoning, Evidence." Washou Schools. Summer, 2013. Web. 16 July 2018. <http://www.washouschools.net >

How Is Social Studies Argument Different? 1.     Social studies writings routinely utilize both primary and secondary sources for analysis. 2.     Social studies writing will also have to acknowledge alternate or opposing claims.  3.     Sources should be distinctive, well defined and specific.   Tracy Kidder’s on writing in Social Studies: “ The hardest thing was learning to write. I was 13, and the only writing I had done was for Social Studies. It consisted of copying passages right out of the encyclopedia.”