Agenda: MC practice Review synthesis essays Learning Target: I use relevant, specific, supporting details and synthesis information from a variety of sources in order to develop a position/argument toward a topic. Please place your (optional) April Annotated Bibliography assignments in the tray as your enter class.

Multiple-Choice Question Practice

Multiple Choice Practice 14. B 15. B 16. D 17. A 18. B 19. D 20. A 21. C 22. E 23. C 24. B 25. E 26. E 27. A Use the genius/imagination passage

Peer Evaluation of an Essay Read and annotate the student’s essay. Write both positive and negative comments as you read. Immediately assign it a score: 0 = off-topic from the prompt 1 = restated the prompt or did something weird related to the topic 2 = summarized the sources without taking his or her own position 3 = incomplete essay but some attempt made at taking a position; may have very poor use of language 4 = takes a position but lacks support, sounds repetitive, or relies too heavily on the sources 5 = position clear but offers weak or limited support in some places 6 = basic, but solid, argument 7 = proficient argument 8 = proficient argument with excellent use of language and sources 9 = unique argument and excellent use of language and sources Justify your score. Write a small paragraph summarizing why you assigned the score you did. Make sure to state what the student needs to change to improve his or her score.

Revise Timed Writing

On Demand Review

Individual Work For each prompt on the new few slides, write down the following: topic, mode audience, purpose, and form. Then, write in your own words how you would answer the prompt. Either write your thesis statement or a quick outline of what you would do.

#1 Prompt: Many schools and districts require students to take end-of-course standardized tests to measure student achievement. Proponents argue that these tests are a way to hold students and schools accountable for their achievement. Opponents argue that these tests are biased and do not accurately measure students’ ability. Task: Write a speech to your principal advocating for or against standardized testing. Make sure to give strong claims and reliable evidence to support your views.

#2 Prompt: The twentieth century has given us inventions that have changed our lives in many ways. Big inventions, like television, computers, or microwave ovens, have had such a great impact on our culture that they seem to overshadow the small ones, like ballpoint pens, headphones, or calculators. Task: Write a response in which you argue whether the “big” inventions or the “small” ones play a more important role in your daily life and provide reasons to support your position.

#3 Prompt: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” says Nelson Mandela. There are many ways in which one can get an education. Some people take a traditional path and attend college after high school, and perhaps even a Master degree or a Doctorate degree. They spend several years in classrooms learning a variety of topics from experts in their fields. With the cost of college rising every year, some people feel that it is better to take a vocational, career oriented path. With this life path, students can start their careers sooner, and not take on the financial burden of college. Task: Write an essay for your school newspaper informing students on what you think is the best educational path. Be sure to include examples of specific ways certain experiences help a person to become educated.

#4 Prompt: In the United States high school students’ test scores have been on the decline for the past few years. Some people blame the educational system for things such as standardized testing, overcrowded classrooms, or novice teachers, where as others see it as a sociological issue due to students living in poverty, limited access to computers, and lack of parental support. Task: Write a speech to the school board in which you argue whether decline in student performance is rooted in problems within the education system or within sociological issues.

Discussion Which category from the scoring guide do you think you do the best in ? Audience/Purpose, Idea Development, Organization, Grammar Which category from the scoring guide do you think you do the worst in ? Audience/Purpose, Idea Development, Organization, Grammar What do you want to work on the most before you take the on-demand test on May 8th?

Group Essay

On your own… Write down in your own words what the prompt is asking you to do. On Demand Practice Assessment Prompt In the United States high school students’ test scores have been on the decline for the past few years. Some people blame the educational system for things such as standardized testing, overcrowded classrooms, or novice teachers, where as others see it as a sociological issue due to students living in poverty, limited access to computers, and lack of parental support. Task Write a speech to the school board in which you argue whether decline in student performance is rooted in problems within the education system or within sociological issues.

Group Work With your group, you will need to write a complete on-demand essay response to the prompt. Each person in your group should be assigned a role. Roles: Entire Group: Introduction and Thesis Statement Group Member 1: You are in charge of creating topic sentences and concluding sentences for each paragraph. It is up to you to make sure the essay transitions properly and directly aligns with the order of your thesis. Group Member 2: You are in charge of identifying specific evidence for support. You make sure there is CONCRETE evidence as well as ABSTRACT ideas to support your claim/thesis. Group Member 3: You are in charge of the analysis and commentary for each paragraph. You should explain HOW the evidence provided supports the overall claim/thesis. Group Member 4: You are in charge of the refutation and counter-claims. You should consider any counter-claims to evidence and supporting reasons in each body paragraph and how to mention in and refute it. You should also decide if a refutation paragraph is necessary. If so, where should you include it? Entire Group: Conclusion Paragraph – Avoid merely restating the thesis or writing only a summary. What do you want to leave your audience to consider or take away from this essay. Remember your audience and form!

Reflection: What score would you give your group’s essay (1-4)? Why? Which part of the on-demand writing process do you need the most help with? Which part is the easiest for you? What could you do to make your on-demand better? What do you need to remember to do on May 8th?

Homework: Optional Rhetorical Analysis essay