8B ONLY - "Abuela Invents The Zero" and Essay Smart - DUE MONDAY FEB 3rd

8B ONLY

"Abuela Invents The Zero" pg 445

1. Read the story
2. Chart the PLOT Elements using the fictional plot roller coaster graphic organizer
3. complete all in-margin questions

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Write an Essay - see specific instructions:

To access EssaySmart,

1) log onto www.classzone.com

2) create your student account with your school sign-in I.D. and password

3) log in your student Activation Code: 3767769 60

4) Click the Expository arrow

5) Choose prompt #5

Through the years new inventions have changed the way we live. Think about one invention that has had an impact on the way you live. Now write to explain to your teacher how this invention has changed your life.

1) show your essay outline plan. (20 pts)
2) write your actual 5-paragraph essay - typed, 2 copies printed.(20 pts)
3) use the color code system we discussed in class and analyze your essay by color coding focus and detail sentences. (20 pts)
 
-green or blue highlights for Focus (restatement of the prompt, thesis and topic sentences)
-bright color like orange or red to show specific details that support the topic sentence
-remember, watch out for loosely related or extraneous details.  If you discover them, revise and reprint!

I am excited! ...can't wait to read your essays. 

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For students who were absent, here are the steps to access EssaySmart:

1) log onto www.classzone.com

2) You are at the Home page.

3) Select Language Arts Middle; Florida; and then "Go"

4) Look at the top row and choose the middle book (McDougal/Grade 8)

5) Look at the top row and choose Writing and Grammar & then click EssaySmart

6) Choose Create a Student Account and complete

7) Click Activation Code and key in 3767769 60

8) Now, you will return to home page and repeat steps 3-5

 

 

Reference tools are printed below: Essay Framework and Scoring Rubric

ESSAY FRAMEWORK

Introduction:

Engaging beginning (Hook)

Background Knowledge

Restate important parts of the prompt

Transitional sentence

Thesis statement (Explicit or Implied)

 

Body Paragraph 1

Topic Sentence Statement (Aligned with Thesis point #1)

Support sentence

Elaboration (choose your combination of FRIES) that provides insight: FRIESS & use transitions to connect ides

1. Facts/details

2. Reasons

3. Incident

4. Example/Explain/Experience

5. Statistics (Plausible)

6. Sensory Details

+ Anecdote

Closure/transition sentence

 

Body Paragraph 2

Topic Sentence Statement (Aligned with Thesis point #2)

Support sentence

Elaboration (choose your combination of FRIES) that provides insight: FRIESS & use transitions to 1. Facts/details

2. Reasons

3. Incident

4. Example/Explain/Experience

5. Statistics (Plausible)

6. Sensory Details

+ Anecdote

Closure/transition sentence

 

Body Paragraph 3

Topic Sentence Statement (Aligned with Thesis point #3)

Support sentence

Elaboration (choose your combination of FRIES) that provides insight: FRIESS & use transitions to 1. Facts/details

2. Reasons

3. Incident

4. Example/Explain/Experience

5. Statistics (Plausible)

6. Sensory Details

+ Anecdote

Closure/transition sentence

 

Conclusion

Transitional Sentence reminding reader of the details of the prompt

Restate thesis, topic sentence, prompt, and important details

Provide a fresh closing

 

FCAT Writing Rubric — Grade 8

The rubric further interprets the four major areas of consideration into levels of achievement.

6 Points The writing is focused, purposeful, and reflects insight into the writing situation. The paper conveys a sense of completeness and wholeness with adherence to the main idea, and its organizational pattern provides for a logical progression of ideas. The support is substantial, specific, relevant, concrete, and/or illustrative. The paper demonstrates a commitment to and an involvement with the subject, clarity in presentation of ideas, and may use creative writing strategies appropriate to the purpose of the paper. The writing demonstrates a mature command of language (word choice) with freshness of expression. Sentence structure is varied, and sentences are complete except when fragments are used purposefully. Few, if any, convention errors occur in mechanics, usage, and punctuation.

 

5 Points The writing focuses on the topic, and its organizational pattern provides for a progression of ideas, although some lapses may occur. The paper conveys a sense of completeness or wholeness. The support is ample. The writing demonstrates a mature command of language, including precision in word choice. There is variation in sentence structure, and, with rare exceptions, sentences are complete except when fragments are used purposefully. The paper generally follows the conventions of mechanics, usage, and spelling.

 

4 Points The writing is generally focused on the topic but may include extraneous or loosely related material. An organizational pattern is apparent, although some lapses may occur. The paper exhibits some sense of completeness or wholeness. The support, including word choice, is adequate, although development may be uneven. There is little variation in sentence structure, and most sentences are complete. The paper generally follows the conventions of mechanics, usage, and spelling.

 

3 Points The writing is generally focused on the topic but may include extraneous or loosely related material. An organizational pattern has been attempted, but the paper may lack a sense of completeness or wholeness. Some support is included, but development is erratic. Word choice is adequate but may be limited, predictable, or occasionally vague. There is little, if any, variation in sentence structure. Knowledge of the conventions of mechanics and usage is usually demonstrated, and commonly used words are usually spelled correctly.

 

2 Points The writing is related to the topic but includes extraneous or loosely related material. Little evidence of an organizational pattern may be demonstrated, and the paper may lack a sense of completeness or wholeness. Development of support is inadequate or illogical. Word choice is limited, inappropriate, or vague. There is little, if any, variation in sentence structure, and gross errors in sentence structure may occur. Errors in basic conventions of mechanics and usage may occur, and commonly used words may be misspelled.

 

1 Point The writing may only minimally address the topic. The paper is a fragmentary or incoherent listing of related ideas or sentences or both. Little, if any, development of support or an organizational pattern or both is apparent. Limited or inappropriate word choice may obscure meaning. Gross errors in sentence structure and usage may impede communication. Frequent and blatant errors may occur in the basic conventions of mechanics and usage, and commonly used words may be misspelled.