1. Edit-Me Monday: Expanding and Combining Sentences
Sentences that include details, descriptive words, and words with precise meanings give more information. Sentences that combine connected facts or ideas make clear important relationships. Just adding more words to a sentence doesn’t make it more effective, however. When you write, expand or combine sentences to help readers better understand what you are discussing. Read the paragraphs. (1). Which paragraphs more effectively presents key information? Explain how it presents the information and use examples from the text. (2). Choose one that is not written correctly and expand it.
The name hippopotamus means “river horse” in Greek. Hippos resemble pigs, but the are most closely related to whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
The ancient Greeks gave this remarkable creature the name hippopotamus, meaning “river horse”. Many of the hippo’s physical features, including its girth, teeth, and toes, resemble those of pigs. Advanced scientific analysis has shown, however, that the hippo’s closest relatives are not land animals; they are sea creatures—whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
Hippos are the third-largest land creature in size and weight; only elephants and rhinoceroses are largest. Hippos live in warm regions of Africa and spend their days submerged in rivers, lakes, or ponds; the water keeps them cool and helps support their enormous weight.
Hippos are huge. They live in warm parts of Africa. They stay underwater during the day.
Hippos emerge from the water at dusk each evening to feed. These herbivores prefer to graze on short grasses, but they eat many other types of plants as well. A feeding session can last as long as six hours.

2. Write the evidence that suggests the point of view of how Liz feels.
Test Prep Tuesday
Read the passage “Homecoming” by H.P. Phillips
“Kate probably hates us right now.” Liz said as she and Oscar watched the old car roll to a stop in their driveway. “She probably had her heart set on going to that concert.”
Oscar put an arm around Liz’s shoulders. “Yeah, I know, but I have a feeling she will have no trouble forgiving us about one hour from now.”
Kate honked the horn to get their attention, and Liz and Oscar quickly loaded their empty suitcases into the trunk before sliding into the passenger seats.
“Hey, cousin,” Oscar said cheerfully. “Thanks again for picking us up. Figures that my car would break down just before our flight, without any time to call a cab.”
“No problem,” Kate sighed. “Family always comes first, I guess.” She glanced at the clock on the dashboard. If I can manage to drop them off at the airport by eight, she thought desperately, I might be able to catch the end of the concert.
Write the evidence that suggests the point of view of how Liz feels.
Write the evidence that suggests the point of view of how Oscar feels.
Write the evidence that suggests the point of view of how Kate feels.
Now, write any evidence that affects the reader’s perspective on the characters and their situation.
How does the reader’s point of view toward story events differ from that of the characters?

3. Word Work Wednesday
Directions: Write each phrase, then write the word you choose as the antonym to the bolded word.
1. A worthy adversary undertaking, opponent, ally, cause 2. A dearth of ideas lack, association, source, abundance 3. venal arrangements workable, honorable, corrupt, helpful 4. an overly indulgent parent energetic, unconcerned, strict, confident 5. a callous attitude sensitive, hostile, surprising, distant
6. a quiescent volcano dormant, imposing, active, small 7. A loquacious person tight-lipped, openhanded, farsighted, narrow-minded 8. perpetuate a family tradition defend, observe, discontinue, question 9. retrogress in ability fall behind, advance, fail, bask 10. the placid water of the lake peaceful, agitated, polluted, sparkling

4. Warm Up: Thoughtful Thursday
Making Claims Precise
Of the three claims listed, label one that is most precise (clear with enough details).
Revise the other two claims to make them more precise (detailed).
Claim
People should encourage students to do their homework because it will help them.
Do some teachers already give extra credit to students for showing school spirit?
High schools should require students to volunteer 20 hours per year in the community.

5. Poetry Friday
The opposite of hyperbole is understatement. With hyperbole, someone exaggerates to the extreme. With understatement, someone plays down what he or she is describing.
Read the paragraph.
Then rewrite it, using hyperbole.
Then rewrite the paragraph again, using understatement (opposite of hyperbole). Make any other necessary changes.
Hannah rode her bike to school. She stowed it in the rack. She was late, so she ran to homeroom, a clear violation of hallway policy. When she got there she found that she was later than she had thought; the lunch bell rang.