1. Vocabulary list Sept. 1 & 4, 2017 Review the list of words
Take this list home and study it
We will be working with these words for the next four weeks

2. Today’s Objectives
You will create goals for the first benchmark –Nov. 14th-- based on last year’s EOC scores
You will form groups based on strengths and weaknesses in order to choose appropriate roles for classroom work
You will review parts of an essay and be introduced to the specific parts of a persuasive essay by viewing a video, analyzing a graphic organizer, and discussing similarities and differences

3. Mindset and success
See video section

4. Turn-and-Talk
Discuss with your group a time when you worked really, really hard on a project or skill, surprising even yourself with your “grit.”
What made you work so hard?
Did you ever feel like giving up?
What kept you going?
How did it turn out?
What did you feel when it was all over?

5. Short response On the notecard answer the question:
What makes it so hard to believe in ourselves and to keep believing in ourselves?

6. We are here to grow and learn!

7. English II staar test breakdown
In the toolbox section of your group binder, after the grouping sheet, there is a paper that tells you what will be on your English II STAAR test this year
Pay attention as I go through it
Everyone else should pay attention to the board and/or paper so that you can familiarize yourself with your EOC test

8. Goal chart
We are going to look at your STAAR scores from last year and make some goals based on each part of the test
You need two different colored markers
One color should be for passing and one for not-passing
You are going to color code each section based on how well you did
If you did not STAAR test last year, you are going to pay EXTRA attention to what we are going to do so that you can create goals from what you learn about the test
After color-coding, you are going to make goals for your first benchmark test which will be Tuesday, November 14th on the bottom of the paper

9. Groupings
We will be working in groups for the majority of the time in this class
To choose groups, we are going to play a little game called four corners
If you like to being a leader, being in charge, and are extremely responsible, go to the assigned corner
If you like writing down ideas, using the dictionary and thesaurus, and verifying information, go to the assigned corner
If you are outgoing, like talking and explaining things to others, go to the assigned corner
If you are a more physical type of personal, if you like to get up and walk around, and keep people on task, make sure things are completed in a timely manner, go to the assigned corner

10. Group roles-15 mins.
This will be your group for the First six Weeks. You will be working with each other on many assignments, including your semester exam which I will explain in more detail later.
Now that you have a group, open the binder to the “Toolbox” section
Read the first page which describes your role and duties
As a group, fill out the binder cover page
Write your class period on the line
Choose a team name (something appropriate please!)
Create a team symbol
Determine your role and write your name on the appropriate line

11. Parts of an Essay refresher
Introduction: hook & thesis
Body paragraph 1: reason/example (ethos, pathos, or logos)
Body paragraph 2: reason/example 2 (ethos, pathos, or logos)
Conclusion: restatement of thesis (counterargument & call to action)

12. Fyi: the hook When writing an essay, I always save the hook for last
Why? Because once I finish the rough draft, I have a better idea of how I want to start the essay!
Beginning with figurative language is always awesome!

13. What is a Thesis statement?
A thesis statement usually appears at the end of the introductory paragraph of a paper, and it offers a concise summary of the main point or claim
We are going to learn how to write thesis statements for both the staar test and tsi
(Both the staar E2 and tsi writing test ask you to write a persuasive essay)

15. Persuasive techniques
Open the binder to the “toolbox” section and find the paper with the three types of appeals:
Ethos—credibility—spelling, grammar, personal example
Pathos—emotional appeal—anecdotal evidence
Logos—logical appeal—logical evidence

16. Persuasive triangle

17. End of period Put your name plate in the binder
If you have your folder, put your goal chart into the folder, and put your folder into the skills box
Materials Manager please place your group binder into the assigned milk crate

18. citations
Inspirtedmusic. “My Heart Will Go On (Instrumental) - James Horner (HD).” YouTube, YouTube, 5 Jan. 2013,
mikezigarelli. “An Introduction to Ethos, Logos and Pathos.” YouTube, YouTube, 30 May 2014,
shmoopdotcom. “How to Identify Ethos, Logos and Pathos by Shmoop.” YouTube, YouTube, 30 Sept. 2014,
Teaching Without Frills. “Persuasive Writing for Kids: What Is It?” YouTube, YouTube, 24 Jan. 2016,
TheKARAOKEChannel. “Angel in the Style of ‘Sarah McLachlan’ Karaoke Video with Lyrics (No Lead Vocal).” YouTube, YouTube, 2 May 2011,
“Yay Clipart.” ClipartBarn, 22 Dec. 2016, clipartbarn.com/yay-clipart/.