Unit 5: Just the Facts

We have started our new unit: Just the Facts. Our overarching concept is Looking Beyond Myself. In this unit, we will challenge students to ask and answer the following questions: 

1. How do we know what is true?
2. How do we make meaning of our world?  
3. Why is it important if it’s not important to me?

In addition, we will explore, analyze, and discuss various informational texts that deepen students' ability to look beyond themselves. We will deconstruct what we read and hear to determine how we know what is true, and explore how we make meaning of our world. We will examine the importance of things outside our own personal world through research to broaden our understanding of our overarching concept. 

PARCC Testing

Tomorrow begins our mandatory state testing known as PARCC. Please refer to the PARCC website or the Colorado Department of Education website for more information on this test.

Students will take the test on the following days for the indicated class periods. They will be in their regular classes otherwise.

Tuesday, March 22 Testing: Periods 1-3	Friday, March 25 Testing: Periods 1-2
Thursday, March 24 Testing: Periods 3-4	Monday, March 28 Testing: Periods 1-3

On days students test during period 1, they will not be allowed into class if they arrive late, and will need to sit in the office until a time is determined that they can enter the class without disrupting other students. All missed state tests are mandatory to be made up unless your child has been opted out. If your child misses state testing and has not been opted out, they will miss class to make up the test and need to make up missed classwork as well. It is much easier to be on time and present each testing day.

Please be sure your child gets to bed at a decent time, has a good breakfast, brings headphones or earbuds, and leaves their phone OFF and in their lockers during testing. Encourage them to do their best and that their best IS good enough! Do not stress the test! They are well-prepared as long as they try hard and focus.

Please note: there will NOT be Language Arts homework assigned the nights before PARCC testing.

Non Fiction Text Features Games

Non-fiction Jeopardy -- Play with at least 2 people (together)

Quia: Non-fiction text features

TRY*:
kahoot.it -- at least 2 people must be playing (separately or together)

Game pin: 516834
Game pin: 740955

*We have not been able to connect, but it's worth a shot!

For Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Please click here:

https://sites.google.com/a/adams12.org/6la-practice/

The Power of Arguments Activities

You must choose one of these activities to complete in class today.  If you finish one, you may choose another, but only ONE is required to be turned in today as classwork.

1. PROPAGANDA

Directions:
Create propaganda about the topic you chose to fight for (the topic of your essay). Propaganda can be posters, flyers, letters, or cards designed to get people to agree with your stance.

What you will turn in: 
You can create something on paper or on the computer. Put any online work in your Language Arts folder so that it is shared with Ms. Peoples. DOUBLE CHECK that it is shared!

Examples of propaganda:


2. SPEECHES

Directions:

1. Choose TWO of the following speeches. After listening to/reading both, on a Google Doc:
2. Identify the argument of each speech.
3. What techniques did the speaker use to convince his listener?
4. Was it convincing to you? Why or why not?
5. Write a short paragraph comparing and contrasting the speeches.

John F. Kennedy: Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You
Ronald Reagan: Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down The Berlin Wall
President Bush: We Are At War with Iraq
Winston Churchill: This Is Their Finest Hour (WWII)

What you will turn in: 
Create the Google Doc in your Language Arts folder so that it is shared with Ms. Peoples. DOUBLE CHECK that it is shared!

3. PARTNER DEBATE

Directions:

1. Choose from the following topics.
2. Assign a "side" to each partner (one partner is FOR and one is AGAINST).
3. Each partner has 10 minutes to research as many arguments that support your "side."
4. Create a list on a Google Doc.
5. Compare your lists and debate who found the stronger argument.

• Homework should be banned.
• Children should not be allowed to drink soda.
• The Internet should be banned from schools.
• All parents should be required to attend parenting classes before having kids.
• Statewide tests (like PARCC) should be abolished.
• Teachers should be replaced by computers.
• The government should provide wireless service for everyone, free of charge.
• Parents should be allowed to choose their baby's gender.

What you will turn in: 
Create the Google Doc in your Language Arts folder so that it is shared with Ms. Peoples. DOUBLE CHECK that it is shared!

4. SCAVENGER HUNT

Directions:

1. Find each of the following. 
2. For each item you find, describe how it is argumentative. 
3. Create a Google Slides presentation that showcases the items you have found. 

• A song that has an argumentative message.
• An article that argues both sides of an issue.
• A news article that convinces you of something.
• A persuasive advertisement.
• A piece of propaganda.

What you will turn in: 
Create the Google Slides in your Language Arts folder so that it is shared with Ms. Peoples. DOUBLE CHECK that it is shared!