Introducing a Topic

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In this seminar you will learn how to develop and introduce an informational writing piece.  Sometimes figuring out what you want to write about is the hardest part. You will learn how to find a topic that interests you. You will recognize the importance of knowing your audience and who will be reading your writing. You will also learn how to hook the reader in the beginning of your writing piece. StandardsCC1.4.4B Identify and introduce a topic in informative writing.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Tracy Rains

Keep the Facts Coming

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In this seminar you will understand the importance of choosing your topic and researching and naming facts about your topic. You will also learn how to figure out your subtopics that you will be using to write your informational piece of writing. You will be able to tell the difference between a fact and an opinion. Time order words are also very important when you are writing a multi-paragraph piece.  You will learn how to quickly organize your thoughts and your writing. StandardsCC.1.4.4 C Develop the topic with facts definitions, concrete details, quotations and other information and examples related to a topic including illustrations and multimedia.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Tracy Rains

Building a Conclusion

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In this seminar you learn how to communicate an effective conclusion for an informational form of writing with clarity and precision.  You will learn the three key points that must be in your writing in order to effectively conclude your thoughts and ideas.  You will make a comic book, read informational pieces that are also learning activities to enhance your social studies and science curriculum.StandardsC.C.1.4.4D Group related information in paragraphs and sections, linking ideas within categories of information using words and phrases; provide a concluding statement or section.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Tracy Rains

Problem Based Module: Informational Writing

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In this project, you will explore a real-world problem, and then work through a series of steps to analyze that problem, research ways the problem could be solved, then propose a possible solution to that problem. Often, there are no specific right or wrong solutions, but sometimes one particular solution may be better than others. The key is making sure you fully understand the problem, have researched some possible solutions, and have proposed the solution that you can support with information / evidence.Begin by reading the problem statement in Step 1. Take the time to review all the information provided in the statement, including exploring the websites, videos and / or articles that are linked. Then work on steps 2 through 8 to complete this problem-based learning experience.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Tracy Rains

Read, Analyze, and Cite Evidence - Cactus Jam

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In this seminar you will learn how to read and analyze a story about making cactus jam. You will be able to communicate in writing the steps that it takes to make cactus jam by using evidence from the story to help you to support your answer to the questions that will follow.StandardsC.C.1.2.3 B Ask and answer questions about the text and make inferences about the text; refer to text to support response.C.C.1.3.5B Cite textual evidence by quoting accurately from the text to to explain what the text says explicitly and make inferences. 

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Tracy Rains

Read, Answer Questions, and Cite Evidence- Because of Winn Dixie

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Completion of this seminar will allow you to understand and use the R.A.C.E.S. strategy for answering text dependent analysis questions. This is a well-known strategy to use in the second paragraph of a TDA response. You will read, answer questions, and learn how to communicate effectively by writing and citing evidence about a story called Because of Winn Dixie.StandardsC.C. 1.2.3B Ask and answer questions about the text and make inferences about the text.  Refer to the text to support your answers.C.C.1.3.5 B Cite textual evidence by quoting accurately from the text to explain what the text says explicitly and make inferences.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Tracy Rains

Read, Analyze, and Cite Evidence - 2 Stories

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In this seminar you will learn how to read, compare, and analyze two stories. You will be able to communicate in writing by comparing and contrasting two stories, and by citing evidence from the story to help you to support your answer to the questions that will follow.  This is a fun fictional story for you to read, this will help you to be able to analyze and show evidence for your position on many things that affect the world that you live in today.StandardsCC.1.3.5.B Cite textual evidence by quoting accurately from text to explain what the text says explicitly and make inferences.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Tracy Rains

Problem Based Module: Relationship Between Poverty and Violence

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In this project, you will explore a real-world problem, and then work through a series of steps to analyze that problem, research ways the problem could be solved, then propose a possible solution to that problem. Often, there are no specific right or wrong solutions, but sometimes one particular solution may be better than others. The key is making sure you fully understand the problem, have researched some possible solutions, and have proposed the solution that you can support with information / evidence.Begin by reading the problem statement in Step 1. Take the time to review all the information provided in the statement, including exploring the websites, videos and / or articles that are linked. Then work on steps 2 through 8 to complete this problem-based learning experience.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Tracy Rains

Determining Purpose

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In this seminar you will be engaged by video, text, and activities that will help you determine (identify/label) the author’s purpose in printed material. You will be using habits of mind which focus on clarity in communication, as well as accessing prior knowledge to make new decisions regarding the purpose of text. Realize that authors of any printed material have a reason for writing. Understanding this purpose will help you develop your own comprehension and writing skills.StandardsCC.1.2.6.D - Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Tracy Rains

Evidence of Purpose

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In this seminar you will be engaged by video, text, and activities that will help you identify evidence that shows support for a particular author's purpose in printed material. You will be using habits of mind which focus on clarity in communication, as well as accessing prior knowledge to make new decisions regarding the purpose of text. Realize that authors of any printed material have a reason for writing. Understanding this purpose will help you develop your own comprehension and writing skills.StandardsCC.1.2.6.D - Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Tracy Rains

Author’s Purpose: Identify and Explain PIE

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In this seminar you will be engaged by video, text, and activities that will help you identify and explain the “Author’s Purpose” of printed material. You will be using habits of mind which focus on clarity in communication, as well as accessing prior knowledge to make new decisions regarding the purpose of text. Realize that authors of any printed material have a reason for writing.  Understanding this purpose will help you develop your own comprehension and writing skills.StandardsCC.1.2.6.D - Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.  

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Tracy Rains

Problem Based Learning Module: What’s the Point!

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In this project, you will explore a real-world problem, and then work through a series of steps to analyze that problem, research ways the problem could be solved, then propose a possible solution to that problem. Often, there are no specific right or wrong solutions, but sometimes one particular solution may be better than others. The key is making sure you fully understand the problem, have researched some possible solutions, and have proposed the solution that you can support with information / evidence.Begin by reading the problem statement in Step 1. Take the time to review all the information provided in the statement, including exploring the websites, videos and / or articles that are linked. Then work on steps 2 through 8 to complete this problem-based learning experience.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Tracy Rains

Identifying Text Features

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For this seminar, your attention will be focused on text features. You want to walk away from this seminar with a better understanding of text features and how they assist in understanding information. You will develop your skills of gathering data, as well as an understanding of the importance of accuracy. You will be asked to read or watch related content, and you will have the opportunity to create slides, board games, writings, and posters, etc., to show your understanding of text features.StandardsCC.1.2.3.EUse text features and search tools to locate and interpret information.CC.1.2.3.GUse information gained from text features to demonstrate understanding of a text.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Tracy Rains

Locating Information Using Text Features

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Your focus in this seminar will be on using text features to locate and better understand information.  These “habits of mind,” gathering data, and the importance of accuracy, will be connected throughout the seminar. You will have the opportunity to read, watch, listen, and create items that will lead to an effective understanding of how text features are used in various forms to deepen understanding.StandardsCC.1.2.3.EUse text features and search tools to locate and interpret information.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Tracy Rains

Use Text Features to Demonstrate Mastery of Text

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This seminar will help you understand how to use text features to reach a mastery level of understanding of an article, text, or other printed item. You will be looking at effective ways to gather information or data from text features, as well as the importance of their accuracy, which are to important “habits of mind.”  You will also have the opportunity to create, watch, and read materials that will deepen your understanding of text features, and how they improve comprehension for you the reader.StandardsCC.1.2.3.GUse information gained from text features to demonstrate understanding of a text.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Tracy Rains

Problem Based Learning Module: Text Features & Illiteracy

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In this project, you will explore a real-world problem, and then work through a series of steps to analyze that problem, research ways the problem could be solved, then propose a possible solution to that problem. Often, there are no specific right or wrong solutions, but sometimes one particular solution may be better than others. The key is making sure you fully understand the problem, have researched some possible solutions, and have proposed the solution that you can support with information / evidence.Begin by reading the problem statement in Step 1. Take the time to review all the information provided in the statement, including exploring the websites, videos and / or articles that are linked. Then work on steps 2 through 8 to complete this problem-based learning experience. 

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Tracy Rains

Alliteration, Onomatopoeia, and Idiom

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This seminar will introduce three of eight types of figurative language (alliteration, onomatopoeia, and idiom).  Through mainly fictional texts( tongue twisters, comics, songs, etc.), you will  identify these types of figurative language, determine their meanings, and  formulate project-based activities to prove your understanding of these common figurative language types.StandardsCC.1.2.5.F  Determine the meaning of words and phrase as they are used in grade-level text, including interpretation of figurative language. 

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Author: Tracy Rains

Figurative Language: Hyperbole/Exaggeration/Adage/Proverb

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During this seminar you will be exposed to the last of the figurative language types (hyperbole,  exaggeration, adage and proverb).  This seminar is unique because depending where you research will affect how you perceive them.  Some sites express them as different;  hyperboles vs. exaggerations  and adages vs. proverbs.  On the other hand, some websites view them as one and the same.  A hyperbole is a type of exaggeration and an adage is a type of proverb.  Regardless of how you view them, the most important piece of this seminar is to be able to interpret their meanings when used in texts, songs, movies, life experiences, etc. StandardsCC.1.2.5.F  Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in grade-level text, including interpretation of figurative language.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Tracy Rains

Similes, Metaphors, and Personification

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This seminar will introduce three of eight types of figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification).  Through song lyrics, poems, videos, interactive activities, and collaboration, you will learn to recognize, determine meanings, and identify comparisons within similes, metaphors, and personification examples.StandardsCC.1.2.5.F  Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in grade-level text, including interpretation of figurative language.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Tracy Rains

Problem Based Learning Module: The Act of Communicating

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In this project, you will explore a real-world problem, and then work through a series of steps to analyze that problem, research ways the problem could be solved, then propose a possible solution to that problem. Often, there is no specific right or wrong solutions, but sometimes one particular solution may be better than others. The key is making sure you fully understand the problem, have researched some possible solutions, and have proposed the solution that you can support with information / evidence.Begin by reading the problem statement in Step 1. Take the time to review all of the information provided in the statement, including exploring the websites, videos and / or and articles that are linked. Then work on steps 2 through 8 to complete this problem-based learning experience.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Tracy Rains