Review and In-Class Essay Prep

Starter

Think back to all of the topics/sources we’ve consumed in this "in search of a sustainable classroom" mini-study:

1. What idea/concept/quote/ has stood out the MOST to you or resonated the most with  you? Explain why.
   
2. What idea/concept/quote has resonated the least with you, or you disagreed most with?

Class Biz

1. ​Turn in Bears Ears Forms!!
2. Ashley's note on HoHCP seminar preps: keep my feedback! Use for later writing growth conversations and store in a writing portfolio!  

​Agenda

Synthesis of past week's content:  Guided Group Coaching 
See your groupings below.  Gather together then open the above linked document and follow steps 1-4.  Discuss and take notes as you go along. I’d recommend making a copy of this document and sharing it among your group.  If you decide to “divide and conquer” just know that you will NOT be absorbing all of the ideas as thoroughly and thus not setting yourselves up for as much success on the essay.

​Whole Class Discussion/Review

• Go over questions about the essay
• Clarify understanding of how sustainability relates to classroom culture
• Any confusions about the thesis statements/main ideas?

Individual In-Class Essay Brainstorm

• Draft your thesis statement-- remember, that's your main argument and usually falls at the end of introduction paragraph.
• Journal on what YOU think are the most compelling practices for creating a sustainable classroom culture that emerged from the various sources, as well as from your own experience. Write down everything that most resonates with you-- make a list or a mind map (see the whiteboard example).
• Now, go through and narrow the list down to the top 3-4 ideas.  More than 4 is probably too many to write about in your essay. 2 is probably too few, unless you can go really in-depth on those two.
• Now, link evidence to those ideas.  See the requirements below again to make sure you’ve got all your bases covered!
• Halfway through brainstorm time, we’ll pause and look at some student examples for how people are organizing their ideas (linear outlines? Tables? Visual diagrams? No CLUE?)

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In Class Essay Tips and Tricks:

1. Come in with a thesis and evidence already chosen
2. Keep an eye on time- finished and imperfect is better than unfinished with 2 perfect paragraphs
3. Focus more on argumentation and critical thinking than grammar and spelling
4. Leave yourself 10-15 minutes at the end to proofread and edit

​REMINDER ON ESSAY REQUIREMENTS

1. General Requirements:
   1. 750-1000 words
   2. Cites evidence (parenthetically) from at least two texts and one other resource from class
   3. Brings in personal experience as well as texts and outside evidence
   4. Typed and spell-checked/proofread
   5. Graded on the Writing Rubric
2. Additional Honors Requirements:
   1. Cites evidence (parenthetically) from at least four texts and two other resources from class
   2. Graded on the Honors Writing Rubric​

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​Homework Reminder

Finish brainstorming or outlining for Tuesday's in-class essay

Groupings for today's essay coaching activity

Block 3/4
Group 1:  Lydia, Charlie, Amaya, Aidyn
Group 2: Lance, Abby,  Finn, Eli
Group 3: Lucius, Alan, Steven, Corbin, Ari
Group 4:  Sammy, Owen,  Ella, Emma
Group 5: Marilyn, Evan, Emery, Cole

Block 5/6
Group 1: Ce, TJ, Janey, Sadie, Joe, Alma
Group 2: Henry, Claire, Ryan, 
Group 3: Andy, Faith, Nyana, Josie
Group 4: Amanda, Tanner, Luke