Lesson 2:

Vocabulary Prediction handout for students:

Vocabulary Predictions
Directions: Download a copy of this document to work on the Vocabulary Predictions task.

1. factual evidence 2. argument 3. thesis

4. point of view 5. convince 6. stubborn

7. essay 8. paragraphs 9. conclusion

10. claim 11. support 12. explanation

Noun Verb Adjective UNKNOWN/Not Sure

Questions

GIST Statement

Discover
Evaluative Criteria:
Check: Student categorizes the vocabulary words
X: Student does not categorize the words
Lesson 3:
 Create A Prediction!

Hero

Damsel

Imagination

“Happily ever after”

Wicked witches

“Once upon a time”

Bad influence
Using these keywords, work with a partner to create a prediction story about what argument
topic we are going to begin discussing next…

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After reading the article in class, check off the words you used correctly in your prediction. Circle

the words that you need more clarification on.

Hero

Damsel

Imagination

“Happily ever after”

Wicked witches

“Once upon a time”

Bad influence

Homework
Using the words from class today in our pre-reading activity, write a summary of the article read
in class today. Be sure to include all of the words.

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Evaluative Criteria:

3: Student uses formal language, highlights the main points of the article, and does not copy the

author’s work. The summary should answer questions such as who, what, when, where, why.
2: Student uses personal pronouns, does not properly highlight main points, and uses most of

the authors work.

1: Student does not write the summary.

Lesson 4:

Evaluative Criteria for Graphic Organizer

- 3 points: all boxes are filled out except the conclusion box, all evidence is from the text,
all statements have valid evidence to support it
- 2: Only one box is left blank, statements have evidence to support the claim, the evidence
is valid and from the text
- 1: more than one box is blank, statements do not have evidence to support, evidence is
not from the text
- 0: organizer was not attempted.

Lesson 5:

Create a Thesis Statement:

After reading the two short articles about Disney movies, work with your partner to
create a thesis statement similar to the ones we reviewed in the PowerPoint. (You and
your partner do not have to agree, just select an article at random to create your thesis).
Be sure to include a strong claim with at least three supporting details!

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Create a Thesis Statement:

After reading the two short articles about Disney movies, work with your partner to
create a thesis statement similar to the ones we reviewed in the PowerPoint. (You and
your partner do not have to agree, just select an article at random to create your thesis).
Be sure to include a strong claim with at least three supporting details!

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Homework:
Read these two articles about Elon Musk and his successes. After your reading, write a
thesis statement as we did in class. Be sure to include a strong claim with at least three
supporting details! Write your thesis on the lines below.

Pro: Elon Musk's accomplishments in 2021 warrant great praise, write Ball, Kluger and
De La Garza of Time Magazine. All in all, his companies are making breakthroughs that
will benefit all of humanity. First off, his electric vehicle company, Telsa, is growing and
innovating constantly, accelerating the switch towards green energy. Not only do the
cars sell like hotcakes, Musk's success has made the whole industry pivot towards
electric vehicles. His space company, SpaceX, got a NASA contract to put astronauts on
the Moon for the first time since 1972. Divisive, visionary and edgy, Musk has had a
huge impact on humanity and deserves this award.

Con: Elon Musk is a terrible choice for Time Magazine's Person of the Year, argues Paris
Marx of NBC News. He is presented as having created the electric vehicle industry,
which isn't true; big car companies were designing their own models at the same time
as Tesla. Much of his success is taxpayer-funded; his companies have relied on billions
in government subsidies. Without that support, he would have achieved a fraction of
what he did. Meanwhile, he has gamed the tax system, paying minimal taxes on his
unfathomable wealth. His companies stand accused of fostering toxic work cultures.
Such a man does not deserve this kind of praise.

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Evaluative Criteria For Homework:

3 points: Student takes one clear position based on the topic. Student has three pieces
of supporting evidence for their claim.
2: Student makes a broad claim. Student has 2 pieces of supporting evidence.

1: Student does not make a claim. Student does not have evidence.

0: Student did not attempt.

Lesson 6:

“Sum it Up” Activity

Instructions for the activity

Sum It Up Instructions
Get a “Sum It Up” sheet.

Read the entire selection (chapter, article, handout, primary source, etc.) and, as you
read, list the main idea words on the “Sum It Up” sheet.

Write a summary of the selection using as many of the main idea words as possible. Put
one word in each blank. Imagine you have only $2.00 and that each word you use is
worth ten cents.
You’ll “sum it up” in 20 words!

Homework:
Write an argumentative paragraph that includes a strong claim and three supporting pieces of
evidence. The paragraph should be written formally, using no personal pronouns.

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Grading Scale for Homework:

3: Student writes an argumentative claim that is clear and only in favor of one side of the

argument. Student has three pieces of supporting evidence from the text that backs up their

claim.

2: Student has a clear argumentative claim that is only in favor of one side of the argument.

Student has only one or two pieces of supporting evidence.

1: Student does not have a claim. Student does not have any evidence to support their claim.