The theme of this collection of skills activities is Sending a Message. Each selection focuses on how people communicate. In this activity, students activate their prior knowledge about this theme by considering various means of interpersonal communication. They write a one-paragraph Quick Write Argument in favor of their preferred method for staying in touch with a good friend who lives far away. This lesson includes three prompts at different levels of scaffolding. In Level 1, students write their Quick Write Paragraphs on their own. In Level 2, students are given Sentence Starters to scaffold their writing. In Level 3, students can use Sentence Starters as well as Write On Line hints to support their work. This short activity helps students prepare for the Skills Activities by considering the theme and beginning to write in the Argument genre.

Duration: 30-45 minutes

Persuasive Speech: In this activity, students read the Student Sample, “Keep On Reading,” an argument written by a 10th-grade student. Then they write their own three-paragraph Persuasive Speech to school officials, arguing for or against a 10-minute Sustained SIlent Reading period in class. Students focus on crafting a clear claim and strong introductory hook. Before writing, students complete graphic organizers to analyze the introduction and claim of the Student Sample and plan their Persuasive Speech.

Duration: one class period

Poetry Review: In this activity, students read the poem, “Oh, oh, you will be sorry for that word,” by Edna St. Vincent Millay. Then they write a three-paragraph Poetry Review in response to this question: Is the poet’s use of literary devices, including sarcasm, effective in communicating the narrator’s feelings to readers? Students focus on finding evidence in the text including quotations and other examples. Level 1 is an on-level lesson. Before writing, students complete Graphic Organizers guiding them to analyze the poem and plan the Reviews. Level 2 is for students who may require additional support in text analysis and writing. Students are supported in drafting their Poetry Reviews by completing Graphic Organizers with Sentence Starters and other scaffolds. Level 3 is for students who perform below-grade level in text analysis or writing, or may speak English as a Second Language, and require additional support. Students are supported in drafting their Poetry Reviews by completing Graphic Organizers which, along with their drafting areas, provide Sentence Starters and fill-in-the-blank scaffolds. These scaffolds help students to develop proficiency in analysis and writing skills, enabling them to move to greater levels of independence.

Duration: one week

Letter to the Editor: In this activity, students read the Student Sample, an argument written by a 12th-grade student. Then they write their own three-paragraph Letter to the Editor of their student newspaper, arguing for or against a student dress code. Students focus on organizing their points logically and using transitions to connect their ideas. Before writing, students complete graphic organizers to analyze the Student Sample and plan their Letters. Level 1 is an on-level lesson. Before writing, students complete Graphic Organizers guiding them to analyze the text and plan their Letters. Level 2 is for students who may require additional support in text analysis and writing and provides sentence starters to scaffold student writing. Level 3 is for students who perform below-grade level in text analysis or writing, or may speak English as a Second Language, and require additional support. Students are supported with Sentence Starters and fill-in-the-blank scaffolds, enabling students to move to greater levels of independence.

Duration: one week

Persuasive Letter - with Differentiation: In this activity, students read “Guess What I'm Thinking,” an article about telepathic communication. They then write a three-paragraph Persuasive Letter to a friend or family member, in favor of using telepathy via a telepathic communication service. Students focus on crafting a convincing claim and on responding effectively to possible objections. Before writing, students complete graphic organizers to demonstrate their comprehension of the selection and plan their Persuasive Letters.

Duration: one week

Petition: In this activity, students read “Students Stand Up, Rally Against Cyberbullying,” and then write a three-paragraph Petition demanding that app developers or their school take action against the problem. Students focus on crafting a conclusion that follows logically from their argument, and on ending with a clear call to action. Before writing, students complete graphic organizers to analyze the selection and plan their Petition.

Duration: one class period

Quick Write Informative Paragraph: The theme of this collection of skills activities is Inventions. Each reading selection focuses on a topic related to inventors, their inventions, and the innovations that have made a mark on history. In this assignment, students activate their prior knowledge about this theme by writing a Quick Write Informative Paragraph about an invention that has affected their lives. This lesson includes three prompts at different levels of scaffolding. In Level 1, students write their Quick Write Paragraphs on their own. In Level 2, students are given Sentence Starters to scaffold their writing. In Level 3, students can use Sentence Starters as well as Write On Line hints to support their work. This brief activity will help students consider the theme and prepare for writing in the Information genre.

Duration: 30-45 minutes

Introductory Paragraph: In this assignment, students read "Virtual Reality Field Trips Give Students Advanced Adventure," an article about virtual reality field trips. They plan their own virtual reality field trip and write the Introductory Paragraph to a marketing brochure advertising the virtual field trip. Students focus on the skill of introducing a topic, including hooking the reader and crafting a clear thesis statement. This lesson includes three prompts at different levels of scaffolding. In Level 1, students write their Introductory Paragraphs on their own. In Level 2, students are given Sentence Starters to scaffold their writing. In Level 3, students can use Sentence Starters as well as Write On Line hints to support their work. Before writing, students complete graphic organizers to analyze the selection and plan the brochure and Introductory Paragraph.

Duration: one week

Literary Analysis: In this activity, students read "To a Locomotive in Winter," a poem by Walt Whitman. Then they write a Literary Analysis about what Whitman conveys about the locomotive through the use of descriptive language and personification. Students focus on the skill of analyzing a text and providing examples to support their ideas. Level 1 is an on-level lesson. Before writing, students complete Graphic Organizers guiding them to analyze the poem and plan their Literary Analyses. Level 2 is for students who may require additional support in text analysis and writing. Students are supported in drafting their Literary Analyses by completing Graphic Organizers with Sentence Starters and other scaffolds. Level 3 is for students who perform below-grade level in text analysis or writing, or who may speak English as a Second Language, and require additional support. Students are supported in drafting their Literary Analyses by completing Graphic Organizers which, along with their drafting areas, provide Sentence Starters and fill-in-the-blank scaffolds. These scaffolds help students to develop proficiency in analysis and writing skills, enabling them to move to greater levels of independence.

Duration: one week

Consumer Research Report: In this activity, students read the selection "The Farmboy Who Invented Television." Then they write a Consumer Research Report for an inventor, describing a problem for the inventor to solve. Students focus on the skill of developing a topic with facts, examples, and quotations. Level 1 is an on-level lesson. Before writing, students complete Graphic Organizers guiding them to analyze the article and plan their Consumer Research Reports. Level 2 is for students who may require additional support in text analysis and writing. Students are supported in drafting their Consumer Research Reports by completing Graphic Organizers with Sentence Starters and other scaffolds. Level 3 is for students who perform below-grade level in text analysis or writing, or who may speak English as a Second Language, and require additional support. Students are supported in drafting their Consumer Research Reports by completing Graphic Organizers which, along with their drafting areas, provide Sentence Starters and fill-in-the-blank scaffolds. These scaffolds help students to develop proficiency in analysis and writing skills, enabling them to move to greater levels of independence.

Duration: one week

Short Article: In this activity, students read "Light Pollution Increasing Around the Globe," a news article about problems caused by artificial light. Students write a Short Article about another invention with unintended consequences, focusing on the skills of organizing their writing logically and using linking words to connect ideas. Level 1 is an on-level lesson. Before writing, students complete Graphic Organizers guiding them to analyze the article and plan their Short Articles. Level 2 is for students who may require additional support in text analysis and writing. Students are supported in drafting their Short Articles by completing Graphic Organizers with Sentence Starters and other scaffolds. Level 3 is for students who perform below-grade level in text analysis or writing, or who may speak English as a Second Language, and require additional support. Students are supported in drafting their Short Articles by completing Graphic Organizers which, along with their drafting areas, provide Sentence Starters and fill-in-the-blank scaffolds. These scaffolds help students to develop proficiency in analysis and writing skills, enabling them to move to greater levels of independence.

Duration: one week

Informational Speech: In this activity, students read the selection, a news article titled "Students Turn Food Into Nonperishable Powder." Students write an Informational Speech that precisely describes a favorite food to people who have never tasted it. Students focus on using precise language to describe the food. Level 1 is an on-level lesson. Before writing, students complete Graphic Organizers guiding them to analyze the article and plan their Informational Speeches. Level 2 is for students who may require additional support in text analysis and writing. Students are supported in drafting their Informational Speeches by completing Graphic Organizers with Sentence Starters and other scaffolds. Level 3 is for students who perform below-grade level in text analysis or writing, or who may speak English as a Second Language, and require additional support. Students are supported in drafting their Informational Speeches by completing Graphic Organizers which, along with their drafting areas, provide Sentence Starters and fill-in-the-blank scaffolds. These scaffolds help students to develop proficiency in analysis and writing skills, enabling them to move to greater levels of independence.

Duration: one week