Performance Task: Argument Writing ~ Grade 6-8~

Performance Task:Argument Writing~ Grade 6-8~

1Argument Topic:Traditional or BalancedSchool Calendars?

2For this Practice Performance Task, you are going to

Study 2 pie charts about 2 school calendarsWatch several videos discussing school calendarsRead several textsAnnotate your readingComplete graphic organizersDiscuss and defend your ideas Plan and write an essay that makes an ARGUMENT!3An argument is: expressing a point of view on a subject and supporting it with evidence. www.writingcenter.unc.eduHave you ever argued before?4Here are some questions to consider before you start watching the videos and reading the articles:

5What is a traditionalschool calendar?

The answer to this question will come from the charts the students will analyze, the videos the student will watch and the articles the students will read. 6What is a balanced school calendar?

The answer to this question will come from the charts the students will analyze, the videos the student will watch and the articles the students will read.

7Which of these two is the best school calendarfor students?

Students will be able to answer this question after analyzing the charts, videos and articles assigned 8Something to consider prior to writing: How do these school calendars affect my life as a student?9And will there still be time for this . . .

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Americas Funniest Video- Summertime Fails youtube.comFor this video click on the link labeled Argumentative Video Slide #11AFV Summer Fails VideoBy the end of this Performance Task, you will have decided which school calendar is best, and you will be prepared to write an essay that is an argument.What is the point?12However, before you start there are a few things you will need to know/remember: How to Deconstruct a PromptPart I:1. READ Read the prompt 2. THINK Create a "Do / What" Two Column Chart:

3. Re-Read the prompt and circle the verbs that tell you to do something. Then, write theverbs in the "Do" column: WRITE (i.e. "Do" describe, support, revise, connect,check, etc. and "What" = ask what am I supposed to do what am I describing,connecting, checking, etc.)See the next chart for an example of a Do What Chart and how it is filled out using a sample writing prompt.

Remember these charts are very useful because they help you make sure you are completing all of the assignment. DoWhat1st You need to remember what a Do What Chart isDo What Chart examplePart I:I. Read the prompt:In the story, "The Hiking Trip," the reader learns about the main character, Jeff. Jeffs personality and emotions are revealed through the actions and dialogue presented in the story.

Write an essay in which you describe the personality and emotions of Jeff, the main character. How do his personal characteristics add to the events in the story? How does the author reveal this information about Jeff in the story? Use details and examples from the story to support your ideas.DoWhatwriteAn essaydescribeThe personality and emotions of JeffuseDetails and examples from the storysupportYour ideasPart 2: Create a Do What chart so that you know what is expected of you by carefully reviewing the directions/expectations found in the prompt.

Lets Begin! Phase 1: Reviewing the data. Part 1: Lets look ata school year in terms of2 types of school calendars:

Part 1: Analyzing calendar data19One type of school calendaris called atraditional calendar.

Traditional Calendar20 A second type of school calendar is abalanced calendar,or what we also call ayear-round calendar.

Balanced Calendar21Lets read and study 2 pie charts to learn about 2 types of school calendars.

The following charts provide two possibilities for school calendars. They compare the distribution of days in school and days on break on the nine-month traditional calendar vs. the distribution of school days on a balanced or modified calendar (year-round calendar). Weekends are excluded from the charts, with both models detailing a typical year of 258 work days (Monday through Friday). Both charts represent a standard school year of 180 days.Traditional Calendar vs. Balanced Calendar (Year-Round Calendar) (link to one page printable, colored document: http://www.nayre.org/pie_printable.htm)

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Notes a student might observe in the Traditional School Calendar: There is a large summer break- 2 months of no learning. Then we have just over 2 months of learning with a few days off for thanksgiving and a small amount of learning time before break. Students might note this small 15 day learning period would be difficult to learn in because it usually also correlates with the end of the semester. Maybe this is testing and finals time so less learning is happening. The spring break really does not seem like much either- it is almost as if you have a 95 day learning period

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Can the students see why this is called a balanced school calendar? The learning days seem to be similar to each other. The summer break is only twice as long as the fall, spring and winter breaks so the actual school day periods are more equal or balanced. Because of the short amount of days given to Thanksgiving Break, the span between Fall and Winter is really still 45 learning days before their break. 24Record what you have learned on thegraphic organizer:Two Types of School Calendars

Take notes and reference back to the pie charts 25