Bell Ringer: Vocab Section!

BELL RINGER: VOCAB SECTION! DIRECTIONS: 1. Write the following

sentence in your Vocab section. 2. Using your context clues, compose your own definition of imperative.

Context Clues: “It is imperative that we never lose sight of our goals,” Ms. Armour intoned.

Imperative (adj.) =

We’ll check on the next slide.

BELL RINGER: VOCAB SECTION! DIRECTIONS: 1. If the following

definition differs from yours, replace it with this one. 2. Write your own original sentence using “imperative.”

Imperative (adj.) = absolutely necessary

Example: Obey the law; it’s imperative!

BELL RINGER: VOCAB SECTION! DIRECTIONS: 1. Write the following

sentence in your Vocab section. 2. Using your context clues, compose your own definition of significant.

Context Clues: Their decision to get married was significant because it changed their lives forever.

Significant (adj.) =

We’ll check on the next slide.

BELL RINGER: VOCAB SECTION! DIRECTIONS: 1. If the following

definition differs from yours, replace it with this one. 2. Write your own original sentence using “significant.”

Significant (adj.) = important or noteworthy

A significant moment

THESIS STATEMENT BEE!

SWBAT quickly brainstorm STRONG thesis statements.

WRITING A STRONG THESIS Review: What’s that formula, again?

Thesis = Position + because + Reason 1, Reason 2, and Reason 3.

WRITING A STRONG THESIS

A GOOD Thesis Statement…

A STRONG Thesis Statement…

Contains your position and three main points

Might repeat itself a bit

Might provide slightly ambiguous (unclear) arguments

Contains your position and three main points

Demonstrates logical reasoning!

Is never ambiguous Provides three

separate reasons (you don’t repeat yourself!)

Uses parallel construction

WRITING A STRONG THESIS Which thesis statement is stronger?

I think we should because teens need to be responsible, they have places to go, and drive safer than old people.

I think Arkansas should not raise the driving age because teens need driving experience in order to learn responsibility, they have places to go, and they often drive more safely than older people.


The State of Arkansas should not raise the legal driving age because teens may need to drive due to jobs, significant others, and potential emergencies.

The State of Arkansas should not raise the legal driving age because teens have jobs, we have places to go, and what if there is an emergency?


Arkansas should raise the legal driving age because teens are crazy, they need more experience behind the wheel, and they need to focus more on school anyway.

We should raise the legal driving age because teens are crazy, teens don’t know how to drive, and we need more time to drive.


I think we should not raise the legal driving age for many reasons. First, we should not because it would make parents mad. Second, it would not effect teens’ ability to drive and teens have places to go. Third, what if there was an emergency and the teen was the only person around that could drive?

Arkansas should not raise the legal driving age because teenagers need to drive for their parents, to their jobs, and possibly in cases of emergency.

WRITING A STRONG THESIS Brief Guided Practice: What is your

favorite possession? Why?

because…

Position:

WRITING A STRONG THESIS Brief Independent Practice: What is your

favorite song? Why?

because…

Position:

GAME TIME! It’s your turn to take the spotlight. It’s

time for “LIGHTNING THESIS”!

LIGHTNING THESIS SETUP The class will be divided into teams (my choice). Teams will take

turns answering. When it is your team’s turn, you are called the “team on deck.”

When I offer a prompt, teams will have up to two minutes to develop a thesis statement together. You’ll whisper and write it down: Thesis = Opinion/position + because + reason 1, reason 2, and

reason 3. Team on deck ONLY: Slap your desk if ready before two minutes

have elapsed.

If the thesis statement is STRONG, the team will earn a point. If the thesis statement is NOT strong, the question will pass to the opposing team.

Be sure to pay attention when other teams are working – if they miss the answer, you’ll be ready!

TWO-TEAM LIGHTNING THESIS SETUP

The class will be divided into two teams (my choice). Teams will take turns answering. When it is your team’s turn, you are called the “team on deck.”

Teammates will line up as directed. When I offer a prompt, the next player in line must respond with an effective thesis statement written in the following format: Opinion/position + because + reason 1, reason 2, and reason 3.

If the thesis statement is correct, the team earns a point. If the thesis statement is not correct, the question passes to the next player on the other team.

Make sure you write a thesis statement for each of the questions, just in case we cycle through all of the players to you!

QUESTION 1 REMINDER: Quietly work on the question with your

group just in case your team gets to answer!

What is your favorite possession and why?



What is your favorite song and why?



What is the best birthday present you could ever receive and why?



What is your favorite book and why?



What is the best advice you ever received and why?



What is your favorite month and why?



Could you live without TV? Why or why not?



If you could be any animal on earth, what would you be and why?



There is only one hot dog left on the plate and three people, including yourself, have not eaten. Do you take the hot dog? Why or why not?



What would you do if someone cut ahead of you in line at the movies, and why?



What would you do if you found a magic wand?



What would you do if someone told you it was alright to steal from a large department store?



If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?



If you were principal of this school, what would you do?



If you were five years older what would you do?



If you owned a store, what would you do to discourage people from stealing from you?



If your friend told you of a secret plan to run away from home, what would you do and why?



What do you think someone your age can do to help reduce the amount of pollution in our environment?



Do you believe in ghosts? Why or why not?



What TV or movie star would you like to invite to your birthday party and why?



What are you afraid of and why?



What is more important to you, appearance or personality? Why?



What would happen if children ruled the world?



What would happen if you found gold in your backyard?



What would you do if you woke up in another country and no one could understand you? Why?



If you could only take 3 people with you on a trip around the world, who would you take and why?



If you had to describe yourself as a color, which would you choose and why?



How do you have the most fun—alone, with a large group, with a few friends—and why?



How would you change the world to make it better?



Which place would you most like to visit—Africa, China, or Alaska—and why?



Which holiday has the most meaning for you—The Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, or Christmas—and why?



Which is least important to you—money, power, fame—and why?



Which is most important to you—being popular, accomplishing things, being organized—and why?



Where would you prefer to be right now—mountains, desert, beach—and why?



Why is it important to be honest?



Why is it important to have good manners?



Why is it not wise to waste all of your money?



Is there too much fighting on T.V.? Why or why not?



Should there be a dress code in places such as school, restaurants, and places of business? Why or why not?



Would you like to be famous? Why or why not?



Documents

Bell Ringer: Vocab Section!