Should School Be Year-Round? Two Persuasive Essays

[Pages:2]Should School Be Year-Round? Two Persuasive Essays

Level U/50

other schools added to the calendar

Both

Awakened to the

problem

Become expanded-

time schools

some schools lengthened their day

Lengthen the School Year Before It's Too Late!

Vocabulary

? Use synonyms to determine word meaning: What does the word occupations mean in this book? Look for clues for the meaning of this word on page 13. (Answer: jobs; Clues/evidence: if U.S. students want to compete for these jobs)

Find It! Level 1 Comprehension

? Identify facts and details: Summer learning loss happens to . . . (all students: high achievers and those who struggle, page 11)

? Identify facts and details: Many parents are opposed to . . . (cutting summer vacation time, page 15)

Look Closer! Level 2 Comprehension

? Identify stated main idea: What sentence best states the main idea of the first paragraph on page 10? (Child psychologists consistently argue that children who have structure in their lives are happier, healthier, and better behaved.)

? Compare and contrast: How are schools who have responded to the problem the same? How are they different? Use a Venn diagram for help in answering the question. (they have both awakened to the problem at hand; they have both become expanded-time schools; some have lengthened their day; others have added days to their calendar, page 15)

Prove It! Level 3 Comprehension

? Make inferences: Look at page 10. What clues support the inference that limiting video, television, and Internet time and reading books during the summer is not enough? (Clues/evidence: Yes, many of us parents limit our children's video, television, and Internet time; And yes, many of us demand that our children read books during the summer; But even these children lose knowledge and skills during the long summer break.)

? Using graphic features to interpret information: What does the chart on page 12 tell you about the number of days of school in the United States compared to the other countries on the chart? (Answer: the United States has the least number of days of school of all the countries on the chart; Clues/evidence: the graph shows a list of countries; it shows the number of days of school for each; the number of days is arranged in decreasing order; the United States is at the bottom of the list)

Take It Apart! Level 4 Comprehension

? Evaluate author's purpose: Why did the writer probably include the chart on page 14? (to show where the United States ranks in literacy, mathematics, and science with other countries)

? Evaluate author's purpose: Why does the writer probably end the essay by saying that students will be the ones to thank you the most for adding more days to the school year? (to call parents and teachers to action)

Summer Vacation is a Learning Experience Too!

expands perspective on

world

realize not everyone like

them

visit foreign country

appreciate other customs

and values

view themselves as part of community

Readers' & Writers' Genre Workshop ?2011 Benchmark Education Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This card may be photocopied for classroom use only. Based on the Comprehension Through Deductive Reasoning Model developed by Margaret Kilgo.

Vocabulary

? Use descriptions to determine word meaning: What does the word internships mean in this book? Look for clues for the meaning of this word on page 23. (Answer: a time for training; Clues/evidence: these students will meet and work alongside lawyers throughout the summer)

Find It! Level 1 Comprehension

? Identify facts and details: What words describe some of the sports children learn at sports camp? (soccer, tennis, golf, or another sport, page 19)

? Identify facts and details: It is normal in Japan for kids to be in school for . . . (243 days of the year, page 27)

Look Closer! Level 2 Comprehension

? Identify stated main idea: What sentence best tells the main idea of the first full paragraph on page 19? (Summer is the time when young people experience life firsthand.)

? Identify cause and effect: What happens when kids visit a foreign country? Use a cause-and-effect chart for help in answering the question. (it expands their perspective on the world; they realize not everyone is exactly like them; they develop an appreciation of other customs and values; they begin to view themselves as part of a global community, page 24)

Prove It! Level 3 Comprehension

? Draw conclusions: What clues support the conclusion that learning a sport benefits kids in all parts of their lives? (Clues/evidence: no one will deny that learning a sport provides children with advantages on and off the field; not only do young people improve their fitness level, but they gain self-esteem; by being part of a team they learn to cooperate and get along with all kinds of people, pages 19?20)

? Make inferences: What clues on page 26 support the inference that people who take longer breaks from work are better workers? (Clues/evidence: Chances are, those who have had a longer break from work are more energized and engaged in the workplace.)

Take It Apart! Level 4 Comprehension

? Analyze text structure and organization: The writer uses questions to help readers think about what they did during the summer when they were young. On what page do you find this? (page 18)

? Evaluate author's purpose: Why does the writer probably use subheads on pages 19, 22, 24, 25, and 26? (to tell readers what subjects will be covered in the text that follows)

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