Perfect Timing!

Spring break certainly seems to come at just the right time, doesn't it?  This will be a short post as I don't want to waste anyone's precious spring break moments.  I hope you've all had an amazing break with your kids.  I know we've had lots of fun and relaxation in our household.  Here's what we've been up to in our classroom:

Argument Writing

All students have now completed the District 36 Argument Writing Pre-Assessment.  For the pre-assessment, students were asked to read three articles and watch one video.  They took notes while they read and watched, and then they pre-wrote to make a plan for an argument essay.  Students had ample time to do their best writing in their essays.  This pre-assessment will be used to help me plan the unit lessons, and it will be a great tool to use to see the growth the students make as they learn more and more about argument writing.

We've been preparing ourselves for the argument unit by participating in mini-debates.  The week before spring break, students read, analyzed and debated multiple topics.  For each debate, they had to be prepared to argue in favor of either side.  This is to prepare them for the "counter-claim" they'll be responsible for in seventh grade.  After each debate we debriefed to discuss the different debate tactics used, best arguments our opponents made and how it felt to argue a side you don't personally support.  Here's a peek into the debates:

For the debate, we practice being civil, talking with
our hands but not at our opponent, and listening
to understand.

One important way we learn the structure of argument is through a mock trial.  During the PARCC (see schedule in email) testing window, students will be putting together a mock trial of The Lorax by Dr. Seuss.  For the trial, we're looking for jurors.  If you can join us for the entirety of the trial and deliberate with the other jurors at the end, please sign up to be on the jury!  Both trials will be on Wednesday, April 12th.  Warners will be from 9:50-10:37; Barbaros will be from 10:48-11:35.

Characteristics of Civilizations Research

We continued our research of the characteristics of civilizations right up to spring break.  On Monday, March 20th, we visited the Winnetka Public Library.  They have so much to offer!  Students were able to browse their book collection, and we learned about their online databases.  The databases were really helpful, and you don't need to be at the library to access them.  If you (or your child) has a library card, you can access them from your computer at home!

This amazing resource tool will come in handy as students continue to finish their research over the two weeks after spring break at home, before school, at lunch and during RISE time (when we have it).  We do not have anymore time to research in class, so students will need to do the rest of their research on their own time and be prepared to move on with the project on April 17th.