Get Ready To Learn 1.Enter class quietly and get your binder off the shelf. 2.Unpack and place the following on your desk: 1.GMS agenda 2.Pencil/Pen 3.ELA Binder 3.Place your back packs underneath your desk. 4.Begin Calendar Journal Writing (10 minutes) Managers: On-Task : Ensure that everyone is quiet and doing their job. Attendance : Know who is absent from your group today. Supply: Pick up your group’s supply envelope. (Location: red basket by the printer Homework: None Retriever: Check your folder for graded work. (located in between the inboxes.) Collector: None

In today’s lesson, you will:  Be introduced to how to write an Opinion/Argumentative Essay.  Analyze a Mentor Text (Opinion/Argumentative Essay)  Review the Writing Process  Get Ready: Brainstorm for our Opinion/Argumentative Essay

Essential Question How can Opinion/ Argumentative writing be used to influence people?

What is an Opinion/Argumentative Essay? In an opinion/argumentative essay, you state your opinion/argument about an issue and try to persuade others to agree with you. Introduction Supporting Reasons Conclusion Introduce the topic in an interesting way. Clearly state your argument about it, as well as any opposing arguments or claims. Support your argument with at least three clear reasons and relevant evidence. Use facts and details from credible sources as well as your own experience. Restate your argument, and sum up the reasons that support it.

Analyze a Mentor Text Let’s take a look at an example of an effective opinion/argumentative piece by a seventh grader. After reading it, complete the activities in the box.

No Passion for Pennies! (Analyze a Mentor Text) 1.What is the writer’s argument? 2.What is the writer’s opposing claim? 3.What three clear reasons does the writer give as evidence?

No Passion for Pennies! (Analyze a Mentor Text) 4.What is the writer’s opposing claim? 5.What argument is restated in the conclusion?

Writing Process Now that you have read and analyzed an opinion/argumentative piece, it’s now time for you to create your own by following three simple steps in the writing process. Brainstorm Organize Step #1 Draft Revise Step #2 Edit Publish Step #3

Writing Assignment Using one of your December Calendar Journal Topics, you will write your own Opinion/Argumentative Piece. As you create the piece, remember the elements of the mentor text that were most effective. Copy your topic onto your lesson handout.

December Calendar Journal Topics (Routine Writing) MondayTuesday Wednesday ThursdayFriday 9 What do you think about the amount of violence on T.V. and in video games? 10 What do you think should be done to keep people who are under the influence of alcohol/drugs off the road? In other words, what should be done to keep people from driving drunk? 11 What do you think are the top three things Griffin Middle School needs to improve or make better? 12 What do you think every parent/guardian should know about raising a 7 th grader? (think about things you feel they do not understand) My Topic 13 What do you think about recycling? Should everyone be made to recycle? 16 What do you think about students having cell phones/devices here at GMS? 17 What do you think are the top three things that stress out middle school students? 18 What do you think about illegal immigrants not having health care/insurance? 19 What do you think is the most important subject in school? 20 What do you think is the most important thing/tradition that families should do during the winter holidays? Name: ______________________________ ELA 7-______ Group #: _____ Total Point Received: ____ I can write routinely for a shorter period of time (first 10 minutes of class) expressing my opinion on many different topics. (W.7.10) Directions: Place this handout in the “Calendar Journal” section of your binder. Beginning this month, you will write all of your entries in the notebook located in your binder. If you do not have a notebook, use loose leaf paper BUT place each entry in the “Calendar Journal” section of your binder. Journal expectations are located on the back of this handout.. Due date: 12/20/13. (Total points: 10)

Step #1: Brainstorm  Before you write an opinion/argumentative piece, carefully consider the claim you will make.  Hint: A claim is the argument that you will support/agree with.  Think about the good and the bad of each claim and then decide on the claim you will support.

Step #1: Brainstorm Example: Should the one dollar bill be replaced with a coin? The writer of the mentor text had to decide how he feel about the issue, and then write at least five paragraphs explaining and supporting his opinion. Here’s how the writer of the mentor brainstormed claims. Claim or ArgumentPositive Aspects (the good) Negative Aspects (the bad) We should continue producing and using pennies We have always used pennies. We need them to make exact change. Pennies are not worth much. People do not value them. We should stop producing and using pennies. Pennies are just clutter/trash. We can get along fine without pennies. If we don’t have pennies, the prices of many products might go up as much as four cents.

Homework All periods – Finish today’s classwork Complete “Brainstorm Graphic Organizer” – Located on the back of your class notes sheet » Claim or Argument » Positive Aspects » Negative Aspects

Step #1: Brainstorm Now that you have decided on a claim, you can use or create a graphic organizer to help you brainstorm ideas and details that will best support your argument. Consider arguments that could be made opposing your claim.