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  2. Weekly High 5's
  • Summer 2022: High 5 Summer Collection


    Make use of these prompts in the first 5 minutes of class to build students’ writing fluency through engagement in current events and timely issues. Set the expectation that students will write in complete, grammatically correct sentences, and use GrammarAid to check their work automatically. Each prompt includes optional background information that may help students develop and support their responses. A choice of two prompts provides the option of enabling students to use sentence starters for additional support.

    Consider these strategies to extend the High 5 experience:

    • Individual Review: Have students evaluate and revise their work using the rubric criteria or the grammar check function.
    • Peer Feedback: Have students share their sentences with others to get star ratings evaluating how well they meet the rubric criteria.
    • Spotlights: Display student work that represents well-crafted sentences and insightful thinking as a way to spark discussion.
    • Extension Activities: Use student responses as the basis for a paragraph or Essay exploring the topic in more depth..

    • June 6: Imagination Vacation

      June 6: Imagination Vacation

      This week's assignment asks students to identify an interesting place to visit and explain what is interesting about it. Use this High 5 activity during the first 5 minutes of class or anytime you want to assign a quick write.

      SKILLS (2):Elaborate (Info), Support with Reasons & Evidence
      RUBRICS:Writable Middle
      STANDARDS:W.7.2.b
      FORMAT:High Five
      PROMPTS (2)
      Skills in this Assignment
      • Elaborate (Info)
      • Support with Reasons & Evidence
      Standards in this Assignment
      • W.7.2.b
    • July 4: Independence Day

      July 4: Independence Day

      This week's assignment asks students to reflect on what the Fourth of July holiday means to them. Use this HIgh 5 Quick Write during the first 5 minutes of class, or anytime you want to assign a quick write. 

      SKILLS (1):Establish a Claim
      RUBRICS:Writable Middle
      STANDARDS:W.7.1.a
      FORMAT:High Five
      PROMPTS (2)
      Skills in this Assignment
      • Establish a Claim
      Standards in this Assignment
      • W.7.1.a
  • May 2022: Weekly High 5's


    Make use of these prompts in the first 5 minutes of class to build students’ writing fluency through engagement in current events and timely issues for the month of May, 2022.

    • May 2: School Dances

      May 2: School Dances

      This week's assignment asks students to take and support a position on the tradition of formal school dances. Use this High 5 activity during the first 5 minutes of class or anytime you want to assign a quick write. 

      SKILLS (4):Cite Evidence from Text (LR), Demonstrate Comprehension (LR), Demonstrate Understanding, Cite Text Evidence
      RUBRICS:Writable MS
      STANDARDS:W.7.9, W.7.1.b
      FORMAT:High Five
      PROMPTS (2)
      Skills in this Assignment
      • Cite Evidence from Text (LR)
      • Demonstrate Comprehension (LR)
      • Demonstrate Understanding
      • Cite Text Evidence
      Standards in this Assignment
      • W.7.9
      • W.7.1.b
    • May 9: Happy Place

      May 9: Happy Place

      This week's assignment asks students to describe a place, real or imagined, in detail. Use this High 5 activity during the first five minutes of class or any time you want to assign a quick write.  

      SKILLS (3):Choose Words Carefully, Consider Language and Word Choice, Use Precise Words
      RUBRICS:Quick Write
      STANDARDS:W.7.3.d
      FORMAT:High Five
      PROMPTS (2)
      Skills in this Assignment
      • Consider Language and Word Choice
        • Choose Words Carefully
        • Use Precise Words
      Standards in this Assignment
      • W.7.3.d
    • May 16: High Stakes Tests

      May 16: High Stakes Tests

      This week's assignment asks students to take and support a position on high stakes testing. Use this High 5 activity during the first 5 minutes of class or anytime you want to assign a quick write. 

      SKILLS (1):State an Opinion or Point of View
      RUBRICS:Writable Middle
      FORMAT:High Five
      PROMPTS (2)
      Skills in this Assignment
      • State an Opinion or Point of View
    • May 23: Puerto Rico Statehood

      May 23: Puerto Rico Statehood

      This week's assignment asks students to take and support a position on statehood for Puerto Rico. Use this High 5 activity during the first 5 minutes of class or anytime you want to assign a quick write. 

      SKILLS (1):State an Opinion or Point of View
      RUBRICS:Writable Middle
      FORMAT:High Five
      PROMPTS (2)
      Skills in this Assignment
      • State an Opinion or Point of View
    • May 30: Summer Work

      May 30: Summer Work

      This week's assignment asks students to use a formal style to share their qualifications for a summer job or internship. Use this High 5 activity during the first 5 minutes of class or anytime you want to assign a quick write. 

      SKILLS (1):Use Voice/Style/Tone
      RUBRICS:Writable Middle
      STANDARDS:W.7.1.d
      FORMAT:High Five
      PROMPTS (2)
      Skills in this Assignment
      • Use Voice/Style/Tone
      Standards in this Assignment
      • W.7.1.d
  • April 2022: Weekly High 5's


    Make use of these prompts in the first 5 minutes of class to build students’ writing fluency through engagement in current events and timely issues for the month of April, 2022.

    • April 4: Disability in the Media

      April 4: Disability in the Media

      This week's assignment asks students to watch a short video and then share an opinion about representations of people with disabilities in popular media. Use this High 5 activity during the first 5 minutes of class, or anytime you want to assign a Quick Write.

      SKILLS (3):Cite Evidence from Text (IR), Cite Text Evidence, State a Claim, Opinion, or Point of View
      RUBRICS:Writable ES
      STANDARDS:W.7.1.b, W.7.1.a
      FORMAT:High Five
      PROMPTS (2)
      Skills in this Assignment
      • Cite Evidence from Text (IR)
      • Cite Text Evidence
      • State a Claim, Opinion, or Point of View
      Standards in this Assignment
      • W.7.1.b
      • W.7.1.a
    • April 11: Effects of Covid-19

      April 11: Effects of Covid-19

      This week's assignment asks students to reflect on one way in which the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has changed their lives, for better or worse. Use this High 5 activity during the first 5 minutes of class or anytime you want to assign a Quick Write.

      SKILLS (2):Use Voice/Style/Tone, Choose Words Carefully
      RUBRICS:Quick Write
      STANDARDS:W.7.3.d
      FORMAT:High Five
      PROMPTS (2)
      Skills in this Assignment
      • Use Voice/Style/Tone
      • Choose Words Carefully
      Standards in this Assignment
      • W.7.3.d
    • April 18: Favorite Musical Artist

      April 18: Favorite Musical Artist

      This week's assignment asks students to write a brief argument explaining what they like about a favorite musical act, and addressing a reason why someone might disagree with their choice. Use this High 5 activity during the first 5 minutes of class or anytime you want to assign a quickwrite.

      SKILLS (1):Consider & Refute Counterclaims
      RUBRICS:Writable Elementary
      FORMAT:High Five
      PROMPTS (2)
      Skills in this Assignment
      • Consider & Refute Counterclaims
    • April 25: Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety

      April 25: Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety

      This week's assignment asks students to explain one way to make a specific route safer for bicyclists and pedestrians. Use this High 5 activity during the first 5 minutes of class or anytime you want to assign a Quick Write. 

      [Note: The optional link provides a general event overview for National Walk, Bike, & Roll to School Day.]

      SKILLS (1):Demonstrate Understanding
      RUBRICS:Writable MS
      STANDARDS:W.7.9
      FORMAT:High Five
      PROMPTS (2)
      Skills in this Assignment
      • Demonstrate Understanding
      Standards in this Assignment
      • W.7.9
  • March 2022: Weekly High 5's


    Make use of these prompts in the first 5 minutes of class to build students’ writing fluency through engagement in current events and timely issues for the month of March, 2022.

    • March 7: Dealing with Stress

      March 7: Dealing with Stress

      This week's assignment asks students to describe a strategy they use to handle stress. Use this HIgh Five Quick Write during the first 5 minutes of class, or anytime you want to assign a Quick Write experience. Students consider a topic and write from their own experience. Students should write in complete sentences.

      SKILLS (1):Follow the Prompt
      RUBRICS:Writable Middle
      STANDARDS:W.7.4
      FORMAT:High Five
      PROMPTS (1)
      Skills in this Assignment
      • Follow the Prompt
      Standards in this Assignment
      • W.7.4
    • March 14: World Conflicts

      March 14: World Conflicts

      This week's assignment asks students to weigh in on US international policy as it relates to the current conflict in the Ukraine. Use this HIgh Five Quick Write during the first 5 minutes of class, or anytime you want to assign a Quick Write experience. Students watch a video and respoind to a prompt based on this important topic in the news. 

      SKILLS (1):State a Claim, Opinion, or Point of View
      RUBRICS:Writable MS
      STANDARDS:W.7.1.a
      FORMAT:High Five
      PROMPTS (1)
      Skills in this Assignment
      • State a Claim, Opinion, or Point of View
      Standards in this Assignment
      • W.7.1.a
    • March 21: Climate Change

      March 21: Climate Change

      This week's assignment asks students to state their opinions about the climate change crisis, based on a new scientific report published by the UN. Use this HIgh 5 Quick Write during the first 5 minutes of class, or anytime you want to assign a Quick Write experience. For additional background information, students may read a brief article before responding to the prompt.

      SKILLS (1):State a Claim, Opinion, or Point of View
      RUBRICS:Writable MS
      STANDARDS:W.7.1.a
      FORMAT:High Five
      PROMPTS (1)
      Skills in this Assignment
      • State a Claim, Opinion, or Point of View
      Standards in this Assignment
      • W.7.1.a
    • March 28: Daylight Saving Time

      March 28: Daylight Saving Time

      This week's assignment asks students to state their opinions about Daylight Saving Time, based on a possible new legislation that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent. Use this HIgh 5 Quick Write during the first 5 minutes of class, or anytime you want to assign a Quick Write experience. For additional background information, students may read a brief article before responding to the prompt.

      SKILLS (3):Cite Evidence from Text (IR), Cite Text Evidence, State a Claim, Opinion, or Point of View
      RUBRICS:Writable ES
      STANDARDS:W.7.1.b, W.7.1.a
      FORMAT:High Five
      PROMPTS (1)
      Skills in this Assignment
      • Cite Evidence from Text (IR)
      • Cite Text Evidence
      • State a Claim, Opinion, or Point of View
      Standards in this Assignment
      • W.7.1.b
      • W.7.1.a

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