Feature Article - Introduction

Make a copy of this file.

Feature Article Unit

Make a copy of this file.
End of Year Grammar Review

The Feature Article

H/W - For all classes
Bring a hard copy of an article from a magazine. If you do not want to tear out the article, then bring the entire magazine. You will need this for Friday's class. See example below. -On ANY topic. One or two pages long.

Driving Questions Tips

You'll driving question should fall into one of the categories below. You should be able to identify both your audience the 'who' part of the question and the 'purpose' the for part of your driving question

📐 Solve a Problem: There’s a real-world predicament with multiple solutions.

• How can we stop phantom traffic jams?
• How can we beautify the vacant lot across the street for $200?
• What’s the best way to stop the flu at our school?
• Design a better lunch menu for our school.
• Design a safe and sturdy bridge to replace one in our city.

🎓 Educational: The purpose of the project is to teach others.

• How can we teach second graders about helpful insects.
• Create a campaign to teach senior citizens how to use an iPad.
• What do the students at our school need to know about being respectful?

👍 Convince Others: Students persuade a specified audience to do something or change their opinions.

• Create a public service announcement (PSA) that persuades teens to drink more water.
• Drive yourself to define a question and then Prove It to your classmates.
• Convince grocery shoppers to return their shopping carts.
• How can we convince our principal that we should have a party in December?

🌏 Broad Theme: The project tackles big ideas.

• What does it mean to read?
• How does conflict lead to change?
• How does math influence art?
• How do writers persuade others?
• How are good and evil depicted in different cultures?

💬 Opinion: Students need to consider all sides of an issue in order to form and justify their opinions.

• Should pets be allowed to attend class?
• Why has a woman never been a U.S. president?
• What makes a good astronaut?

🚥 Divergent: Students make predictions about alternative timelines and scenarios.

• What if Rosa Parks gave up her seat?
• What if the world ran out of oil tomorrow?
• How might your city change if the climate became an average of 10°F warmer?
• What if the USA switched to the metric system?

🚀 Scenario-Based: Students take on a fictional role with a mission to accomplish.

• You’re a NASA engineer, and you are in charge of building a moon base. What are the ten most important things to include and why?
• Imagine that you are King George. What would you have done differently to keep American part of England?
• You are the CEO of a company that is designing a new social media app. Present a business plan to your investors that explains how your company will make money.
• You’ve been hired to revamp your local shopping mall. Come up with a plan to increase business.
• How would you spend $1,000,000 to help your community?

My Temporary Absence

As many have you may already know, I am going to be absent from school for the next few weeks. I apologize for not being able to tell you this in person, but I was surprised at how quickly my wrists deteriorated. (Membean word) I do not know exactly how long it will be out, but I'm hoping I will be back sooner than later. I have my first surgery on one of my wrists on Monday.

As I always argue the importance of having a plan B, I was preparing for this event and hope that I will still be able to grade your work using some oral new feedback systems that I have been piloting. Next week you will receive an email from me that asks you to copy and paste your final realistic fiction story into the document I share with you. I will also be sending you a document for you to use for your work in your next reading response. More to follow on this later in the week. Please make sure you have added your name and email address to these forms.

C/D Class
E/F Class
G/H Class

 On the surface, being away from school seems pretty cool, but after one day at this, it is very boring. Therefore, I am really looking forward to reading your wonderful final realistic fiction stories!!! We have selected an excellent substitute teacher for you guys, and you will still have a pretty rigorous and engaging program. Passion project are coming soon. I will be really excited to know what you guys come up with! You will start your dystopian fiction book clubs on April 17th after you finish your next reading response. Regularly, I will be provided with a detailed update on how you are all doing. Of course, I know that each of you will continue to strive for absolute excellence and use this opportunity to show how far you have come as independent workers and passionate learners.

And to my Homebase. I sincerely hope that we win some of those dodgeball games!! I know you can be champions!

Take care - and finish strong!

Ending Techniques

Sentence Clause: Retake TEST

• Endings scene - MUST be finished FRI ( i know this scene is out of order. Remember, if you know where you're going, it is easier to get there!)
• Membean test Thur
• Remember BIG due dates next week.