WEDNESDAY: Today the students took a few notes pertaining to the three goals of closing paragraphs, and then they analyzed four closing paragraphs to evaluate their effectiveness. After that, the students simulated the pressure of having to complete a closing paragraph within the last few minutes of allotted writing assessment time. I gave them six minutes to come up with the best closing they could, and to my surprise, many of them did quite well! Several students had the opportunity to share their closings aloud so that their classmates could benefit from hearing both the strengths and weaknesses of their peers' writing. (ELA8W2.g Student includes a detailed summary linked to the purpose of the paper)
The students re-read their initial benchmark papers today for the first time since August. Many students were shocked at the lack of organization, limited development of the controlling idea, and various grammar and convention errors that the first writing assessment contained. Everyone felt that the last few weeks of review has prepared them to revise with purpose tomorrow.
Download Intro - closing paragraph-2011
Download Closing Paragraph Practice1
THURSDAY: Today the students will use all of the knowledge gained this quarter to revise the benchmark writing assessment. If they have completed all of the required assignments up to this point, they will have revised drafts of an intro, three body paragraphs, and a closing that will be rewritten into final draft form.(ELA8W1, ELA8W2, and ELA8W3)
FRIDAY: Today the students will read and prepare for Reading Activity #3 which is due next Thursday. There will also be a spelling quiz over the words from DGP 3 & 4.
