“We want young people to become independent and capable, yet we structure their days to the minute and give them few opportunities to do anything but answer multiple-choice questions, follow instructions and memorize information. We cast social interaction as an impediment to learning, yet all evidence points to the huge role it plays in their psychological development. That’s why we need to rethink the very nature of high school itself. I recently followed a group of eight public high school students, aged 15 to 17, in western Massachusetts as they designed and ran their own school within a school. They represented the usual range: two were close to dropping out before they started the project, while others were honors students. They named their school the Independent Project.”

In this interview about her book, ““Red Flags or Red Herrings: Predicting Who Your Child Will Become,” Susan Engel expresses her views on learning and independence. ExplainExplain the author’s argument. Then, discussdiscuss to what extentextent you agree or disagreeagree or disagree. SupportSupport your position with ReasonsReasons and relevant details from the text, your Observations, Examples Examples, Reading, and personal Knowledge.

I agree/disagree because

Evidence Makes me think thatDetails from text:“women become victims, men become oppressors”; “95% of prison pop is male”; “87% of that group was raised in a fatherless home”

ReadingIn Of Mice and Men, it doesn’t seem that George or any of the guys are connected to one parent, let alone 2.

ObservationsI have a friend, Astrid, who grew up without a dad, in that he was mostly in Hong Kong for business, but her parents were still married and they skyped a lot. She became a teacher.

I have another friend whose parents divorced and she tends to dress more maturely than she should at her age. She seems boy-crazy.

-definitely a large statistic to make me sit up straight and pay attention.-wonder if it would be the same if it was mothers instead? What about kids raised by a mom and grandma? What about military kids? What about same-sex parent duos?

-seems to support the author’s argument b/c the guys are “bindle stiffs”, no home, family, place of their own, tendency to drink, seek out prostitutes, get in trouble with the law or with the “boss.”

So, this dad wasn’t physically there, but he was emotionally there. She seemed to turn out confident and independent.

This friend is still in high school, but I am worried about her. Her grades are low and her mom is strict, while her dad is very lax with the rules. It seems like the parents not being on the same page is harmful to my friend.

DisagreeAgree

(HOOK – ATTENTION GETTER, SAVE A FEW LINES

AND TIME BY WRITING THIS AT THE END OF THE TIMED

ESSAY PERIOD). Author (first name last name) argues that

(the problem/topic presented in the prompt) is

(tone/attitude of author toward problem/topic). Because of

(reason you agree or disagree ) and (second reason you

A/D), I, too, believe that (state argument of the writer in

your own words or from your perspective). When (explain

effects/consequences of problem), one should always

consider (value, moral, principle, truth of human nature).

Even if this view seems (preview the claim 3 rebuttal),

remembering that (underlying principle proving your thesis)

can (positive results) (*Notice the parallel discussion of effects – this is

the “so what” – why this matters.. The so what effects are helpful in the conclusion).

(HOOK – ATTENTION GETTER, SAVE A FEW LINES

AND TIME BY WRITING THIS AT THE END OF THE TIMED

ESSAY PERIOD). Author (first name last name) argues that

(the problem/topic presented in the prompt) is

(tone/attitude of author toward problem/topic). Because of

(reason you agree or disagree ) and (second reason you

A/D), I, too, believe that (state argument of the writer in

your own words or from your perspective). When (explain

effects/consequences of problem), one should always

consider (value, moral, principle, truth of human nature).

Even if this view seems (preview the claim 3 rebuttal),

remembering that (underlying principle proving your thesis)

can (positive results) (*Notice the parallel discussion of effects – this is

the “so what” – why this matters.. The so what effects are helpful in the conclusion).

THESE FOUR LINES REPRESENT THE REST OF THE ESSAY. OBVIOUSLY, THEY AREN’T REALLY THIS SMALL.

(HOOK – ATTENTION GETTER, SAVE A FEW LINES

AND TIME BY WRITING THIS AT THE END OF THE TIMED

ESSAY PERIOD). Author Don Miller argues that homes

without fathers are missing the key to a child’s well-being,

growth, and maturation toward a successful adult life.

Because of the challenges single parents face and because

a team of rivals is better than a team of one, I too, believe

that two parents in a home allow for a child to be better

supervised and nourished emotionally and physically.

When an adult is beset with challenges like violence, illness,

homelessness, or instability, one should always consider

whether this individual was nurtured by two parents during

childhood or simply dragged along for the ride by one

parent. Even if this view seems to exclude same-sex

parents or homes where grandparents serve as the primary

adults, remember that two minds, even in disagreement

can nurture a child better than one parent who has no one

with whom he or she can share ideas, strategies, or

frustrations.

(HOOK – ATTENTION GETTER, SAVE A FEW LINES

AND TIME BY WRITING THIS AT THE END OF THE TIMED

ESSAY PERIOD). Author Don Miller argues that homes

without fathers are missing the key to a child’s well-being,

growth, and maturation toward a successful adult life.

Because of the challenges single parents face and because

a team of rivals is better than a team of one, I too, believe

that two parents in a home allow for a child to be better

supervised and nourished emotionally and physically.

When an adult is beset with challenges like violence, illness,

homelessness, or instability, one should always consider

whether this individual was nurtured by two parents during

childhood or simply dragged along for the ride by one

parent. Even if this view seems to exclude same-sex

parents or homes where grandparents serve as the primary

adults, remember that two minds, even in disagreement

can nurture a child better than one parent who has no one

with whom he or she can share ideas, strategies, or

frustrations.

THESE FOUR LINES REPRESENT THE REST OF THE ESSAY. OBVIOUSLY, THEY AREN’T REALLY THIS SMALL.

It’s Like Sorting In Kindergarten Math…

EXPLAIN, DISCUSS/PROVIDE THESIS STATEMENT AND REASONS (BECAUSE CLAUSE

AND OR CONCESSION CLAUSE)

EXPLAIN, DISCUSS/PROVIDE THESIS STATEMENT AND REASONS (BECAUSE CLAUSE

AND OR CONCESSION CLAUSE)

SUPPORT YOUR POSITION ONE: REASON (CLAIM) AND EVIDENCE (EXPLAINED WITH 3+

SENTENCES OF COMMENTARY)

SUPPORT YOUR POSITION ONE: REASON (CLAIM) AND EVIDENCE (EXPLAINED WITH 3+

SENTENCES OF COMMENTARY)

CONCLUDE BY REVIEWING SUPPORTING CLAIMS, THESIS, AND REFERRING TO THE BIRDS EYE VIEW, THEME, OR UNDERLYING PRINCIPLE, APPLYING IT

BEYOND THE ARTICLE’S TOPIC AREA.

CONCLUDE BY REVIEWING SUPPORTING CLAIMS, THESIS, AND REFERRING TO THE BIRDS EYE VIEW, THEME, OR UNDERLYING PRINCIPLE, APPLYING IT

BEYOND THE ARTICLE’S TOPIC AREA.

SUPPORT YOUR POSITION TWO: REASON (CLAIM) AND EVIDENCE (EXPLAINED WITH 3+

SENTENCES OF COMMENTARY)

SUPPORT YOUR POSITION TWO: REASON (CLAIM) AND EVIDENCE (EXPLAINED WITH 3+

SENTENCES OF COMMENTARY)

SUPPORT AMD STRENGTHEN YOUR POSITION BY CONSIDERING AND EXPLAINING EITHER:A)A CONCESSION: A CIRCUMSTANCE OR REASON WHY YOUR THESIS MIGHT NOT ALWAYS BE CORRECT/APPLICABLE. OrB)A REBUTTAL RESPONSE TO AN ARGUMENT YOU THINK SOMEONE MIGHT MAKE IF THEY DISAGREED WITH YOUR THESIS AND CLAIMS.

SUPPORT AMD STRENGTHEN YOUR POSITION BY CONSIDERING AND EXPLAINING EITHER:A)A CONCESSION: A CIRCUMSTANCE OR REASON WHY YOUR THESIS MIGHT NOT ALWAYS BE CORRECT/APPLICABLE. OrB)A REBUTTAL RESPONSE TO AN ARGUMENT YOU THINK SOMEONE MIGHT MAKE IF THEY DISAGREED WITH YOUR THESIS AND CLAIMS.

Quick List1. Read the prompt, highlight key

details or phrases.2. Write your “explain sentence”:

-The author, ________, argues… -Because of the recent ________

(describe the problem), writer ________ concludes that…..3. Jot down evidence ideas.4. What does the evidence infer?5. Now you have commentary and

evidence that point to….6. Your thesis (Discuss the extent to

which you agree or disagree).7. Draft the body paragraphs, each

one a reason for your position with evidence, commentary, and conclusion.