Intermediate+Reading+and+Writing


 * CAUSE AND EFFECT in SCIENCE and HEALTH**

We did a unit on cause and effect and chain reactions in science and health. This included reading articles about the effects of sweet soda drinks on health, and the causes and effects of climate change in Glacier National Park. For each of these parts, students first read the articles, then did a graphic organizer showing the causes and effects, then wrote a paragraph to summarize, using signal words that show cause and effect.

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK Chain Reaction Graphic Organizer Climate Change Student Scaffolded Draft Paragraph Climate Change Final Student Paragraph


 * COMPARE and CONTRAST in CULTURE and IMMIGRATION**

We did a unit on comparing and contrasting different cultures and immigrant groups. To help learn the signal words and vocabulary needed to compare and contrast, I wrote song lyrics with student input and made a rap video. We then made a video with student voices singing the same lyrics. The unit culminated with students choosing two articles about different immigration topics: Hmong farmers who settled in Fresno, California, Somali women who started businesses in Minneapolis, and Latinos who first worked in Detroit factories before opening restaurants and shops.

Venn Diagram Graphic Organizer Compare and Contrast Paragraph Instructions Compare and Contrast Final Student Paragraph