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    Blog Post

    Bend the Rules to Teach the Rules

    English Language Arts: 
    Grammar
    Sentence Fragments
    Fragments
    Sentence
    Fluid Sentences
    Sentences

    Blog Post

    Take Note of Podcasts

    English Language Arts: 
    Logical Organization
    21st Century Skills: 
    Media Literacy
    Listening
    Technology Literacy
    Information Literacy

    Blog Post

    How to Evaluate Media

    English Language Arts: 
    Reading
    21st Century Skills: 
    Media Literacy
    Information Literacy
    Reading

    Blog Post

    4 Writing Activities for Celebrating Black History

    English Language Arts: 
    Writing
    Reading
    21st Century Skills: 
    Critical Thinking
    Creative Thinking
    Researching

    Student Writing Model

    Grandpa, Chaz, and Me

    Cody, a fourth grader, writes about his wish that his little brother could have known their grandfather.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Narrative
    Theme: 
    Family
    Love
    Home
    People
    Personality

    Student Writing Model

    The Day I Took the Spotlight

    Fifth-grader Kelli begins this personal narrative with a question that captures the reader’s interest.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Narrative
    Theme: 
    Education
    Goals
    Life
    Self

    Student Writing Model

    My Dad

    Dylan, a second-grade writer, shares his very personal feelings in an honest, direct way. His first and last sentences tell the whole story; and the middle sentences give the reader important, heartfelt details about Dylan’s experience.

    Level: 
    Grade 2
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Narrative
    Theme: 
    Family
    Love
    Life

    Student Writing Model

    The Horrible Day

    This is a fun story with lots of details.

    Level: 
    Grade 2
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Narrative
    Theme: 
    Family
    Life
    Home

    Student Writing Model

    Ladybugs

    This report was submitted by Brittany, a second grader. The ending of Brittany’s report shares exactly how she feels about her subject.

    Level: 
    Grade 2
    Mode: 
    Research Writing
    Form: 
    Report
    Theme: 
    Animals
    Science
    Nature

    Student Writing Model

    Horses

    Second-grade writer Kirsten shares many interesting facts in her report. Notice how she ties everything together by mentioning the horse’s good eyesight in both the first and last paragraphs.

    Level: 
    Grade 2
    Mode: 
    Research Writing
    Form: 
    Report
    Theme: 
    Animals
    Science
    Nature

    Student Writing Model

    Ant Poem

    Second-grader Pheba wrote a small poem that tells in just a few words what her subject does and how she feels about it.

    Level: 
    Grade 2
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Poem
    Theme: 
    Animals
    Science
    Nature

    Student Writing Model

    If I Were President

    Austin, the second-grade writer of this expository paragraph, introduces his subject—how to be a good president—in an interesting way.

    Level: 
    Grade 2
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Explanatory Paragraph
    Theme: 
    Government
    Goals

    Student Writing Model

    One Great Book

    This book review is well organized and shares interesting details related to the book.

    Level: 
    Grade 2
    Mode: 
    Response to Literature
    Form: 
    Book Review
    Theme: 
    Books
    Animals

    Student Writing Model

    A Fable

    This writing shows that the writer has a real grasp of the meaning of a fable. It has some delightful details.

    Level: 
    Grade 2
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Story
    Theme: 
    Animals
    Life

    Student Writing Model

    Winter Words

    Jess uses his senses to describe winter in this poem.

    Level: 
    Grade 2
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Poem
    Theme: 
    Environment
    Seasons
    Nature

    Student Writing Model

    The Missing Coin

    This story is well organized, and the sentences flow smoothly. There are lots of details and excellent word choices.

    Level: 
    Grade 2
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Story
    Theme: 
    Imagination
    Money
    Holidays

    Student Writing Model

    Caught in the Net

    Kim’s essay uses narration and definition to focus on Internet addiction. This essay predates Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Skype, and smart phones. How has our definition of Internet addiction changed?

    Level: 
    Grade 9
    Grade 10
    Grade 11
    Grade 12
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Definition
    Theme: 
    Technology
    Health

    Student Writing Model

    Internet Plagiarism

    Dan writes a problem-solution essay that focuses on one of the great temptations of the digital age: stealing intellectual property via the Internet. The essay begins by explaining the problem in detail and then shifts to recommending a set of solutions.

    Level: 
    Grade 9
    Grade 10
    Grade 11
    Grade 12
    Mode: 
    Persuasive Writing
    Form: 
    Problem-Solution
    Theme: 
    Education
    Technology
    Rules
    Rights

    Student Writing Model

    It’s a Boy!

    This model recounts an embarrassing public experience that provided the writer with new insight into teen pregnancy, single parenthood, and social stigmas. The voice of the piece shows the writer's personality and easily connects with readers. Many vivid details make the experience come to life.

    Level: 
    Grade 9
    Grade 10
    Grade 11
    Grade 12
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Narrative
    Theme: 
    Family
    Education
    Community

    Student Writing Model

    The Climb

    Amy, the author of this personal narrative, effectively uses voice to convey the fear she feels as she ascends a path to an area above a 100-ft. waterfall. Her expert choice of words helps to paint a beautiful picture of her surroundings.

    Level: 
    Grade 9
    Grade 10
    Grade 11
    Grade 12
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Narrative
    Theme: 
    Exercise
    Recreation
    Travel
    Goals
    Sports

    Student Writing Model

    Adam’s Train of Ghosts

    In this vintage essay, Abigail expresses her thoughts and feelings about the songwriter and lead singer of the band the Counting Crows, who are still making music a quarter century on. She analyzes the themes in Adam Duritz’s songs from the '90's and offers her interpretation of symbolism present in them.

    Level: 
    Grade 9
    Grade 10
    Grade 11
    Grade 12
    Mode: 
    Response to Literature
    Form: 
    Music Review
    Theme: 
    Music
    Art
    Imagination
    Entertainment
    Personality

    Student Writing Model

    My Interpretation of The Joy Luck Club

    Amy Tan’s book The Joy Luck Club explores the relationships between four Chinese American daughters and their often-misunderstood, more traditional Chinese mothers. By sharing quotations from the book, Fawn, the author of this literary analysis, intends to show how, as they grew up, the daughters came to understand, respect, and appreciate their mothers more.

    Level: 
    Grade 9
    Grade 10
    Grade 11
    Grade 12
    Mode: 
    Response to Literature
    Form: 
    Literary Analysis
    Theme: 
    Books
    Literature
    Culture
    Life

    Student Writing Model

    Rosa Parks

    This historical profile presents accurate information about a famous person and is written in an active, lively manner. Alita, the writer, immersed herself in the life of Rosa Parks until she could “feel” the person and events. She found ways to communicate these feelings to readers.

    Level: 
    Grade 9
    Grade 10
    Grade 11
    Grade 12
    Mode: 
    Research Writing
    Form: 
    Research Report
    Theme: 
    Community
    Goals
    History
    Freedom

    Student Writing Model

    The Killer Bean

    This report is timely, revealing, and engaging; it flows smoothly with effective transitions between paragraphs. The author has clearly gained a thorough understanding of the subject.

    Level: 
    Grade 9
    Grade 10
    Grade 11
    Grade 12
    Mode: 
    Research Writing
    Form: 
    Research Report
    Theme: 
    Health
    Law
    Environment
    Science

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