An Interview with Dave Eggers/Teaching Chess, and Life Magazine Article and Newspaper Article

An Interview with Dave Eggers/Teaching Chess, and Life

Magazine Article and Newspaper Article

Introducing the Selection

Informational Text Focus: Evaluating Primary Sources

Writing Skills Focus: Preparing for Timed Writing

Feature Menu

How can helping others change the way you view yourself?


Introducing the Selections

What do you do when you face a tough challenge?

Do you think you could turn it into something positive for yourself—and for others?



When Dave Eggers was 21 years old, both of his parents died within five weeks of each other.

He stepped up, raised his brother on his own, and wrote a memoir, a firsthand account, of his experience.

He then used his fame as a writer to open a writing center for kids.



Carlos Capellan lives in a tough New York City neighborhood, where he saw many kids wind up as drug dealers, in gangs, in jail, or dead.

Carlos credits his chess coach with teaching him important life lessons.

Now Carlos works as an assistant chess coach, hoping to mentor other children.



What hobbies or interests inspire you?

How could you share your knowledge and enthusiasm by helping others?



[End of Section]

The magazine article “An Interview with Dave Eggers” is a primary source, a firsthand account or document in which the writer shares his or her

• experiences

• opinions

• and ideas



When you research a subject, you will often gather information from multiple sources.



When you evaluate sources, you see how the information supports the author’s claims.

By gathering information from different sources, you can form a new understanding about the subject.



Follow these steps to get the most out of your sources.

Analyze

Look for the main idea. How does the author

support it?

Evaluate

Is the author presenting you

with facts or opinions?

Elaborate

Compare the sources. What are your own ideas on

the topic?



Into Action: Use a chart like this one to help you organize your thoughts about your sources.

Main Idea

Audience

Purpose

Similarities/Differences

Article 1 Article 2

[End of Section]



J.D. Salinger wrote The Catcher in the Rye, which is the best novel of all time.

Preparing for Timed Writing

As you read, look for the facts and opinions in each article.


Writing Skills Focus

J.D. Salinger wrote The Catcher in the Rye,

FactThis

statement can be proven true.

OpinionThis cannot be proven

because it is a personal belief.

In a notebook, record examples of each.[End of Section]

Vocabulary


Vocabulary

unconventional adj.: not conforming to customary, formal, or accepted practices.

enabled v.: provided with means, opportunity, power, or authority.

“An Interview with Dave Eggers”

“Teaching Chess, and Life”

mentorship n.: advice or lessons from a mentor, or wise teacher.

Unconventional means not following the crowd or doing what is commonly expected.

Which of these outfits would probably be considered unconventional?


Vocabulary

You’re probably less likely to see someone wearing a top hat and bell bottoms than someone in a collared shirt and khaki pants. This outfit is definitely unconventional.


Vocabulary

Ms. Sanders is known for her unconventional methods of teaching her American history students. Based on this description, which of the following might you expect in her class?

a. a lecture about the life of Abraham Lincoln

b. a video about Lincoln’s presidency

c. a reading of the Gettysburg Address by an Abraham Lincoln impersonator


Vocabulary

Ms. Sanders is known for her unconventional methods of teaching her American history students. Based on this description, which of the following might you expect in her class?

a. a lecture about the life of Abraham Lincoln

b. a video about Lincoln’s presidency

c.a reading of the Gettysburg Address by an Abraham Lincoln impersonator


Vocabulary

When you are enabled by someone, that person allows or empowers you to do something.

By giving her a big raise, Nancy’s boss enabled her to accomplish her dream of owning a home.

Has anyone ever enabled you to reach an important goal? What did he or she do?


Vocabulary

a. supported

b. prevented

c. ignored

Alex’s mother enabled his improvements on the field by driving him to practice and watching game footage with him.

Which word would be the best substitute for enabled?


Vocabulary

a.supported

b. prevented

c. ignored

Alex’s mother enabled his improvements on the field by driving him to practice and watching game footage with him.

Which word would be the best substitute for enabled?


Vocabulary

A person who’s involved in a mentorship shares advice or lessons with others.

Anna Maria was selected for the mentorship: She will assist new bilingual students.

Describe a mentorship in which you would like to be involved.


Vocabulary

a. investment

b. lessons

c. partnership

Coach Gallegos’s mentorship of Lorenzo really improved his performance during the last game.

Which word would be the best substitute for mentorship?


Vocabulary

a. investment

b.lessons

c. partnership

Coach Gallegos’s mentorship of Lorenzo really improved his performance during the last game.

Which word would be the best substitute for mentorship?


Vocabulary

[End of Section]

The End

Documents

An Interview with Dave Eggers/Teaching Chess, and Life Magazine Article and Newspaper Article