Page 40 - SpringBoard_ELA_CA_Smapler_Flipbook

Saying Too much or Too little?
aCTIvITy 3.15
acTIVITY 3.15
Learning Targets
• Identify and use transitions to improve the coherence of writing.
• Revise writing by using transitions, deleting, and creating complex sentences to clarify claims, reasons, and evidence.
Giving and Interpreting Directions
You will work in pairs to give directions and draw a picture. One person will give directions while the other person listens and follows the directions to draw a picture.
1. As the person giving directions, think about what you will say and the best way to communicate what is to be drawn by your partner. Make any notes below.
2. As the person following the directions, was your drawing successful? What did your partner say that helped you draw correctly? What additional information would have been helpful?
Directions were given clearly, concisely, in a logical order
Directors used transitional words/phrases such as . . .
Directors did not give extra steps or details that were unnecessary or confused the drawer.
Revising for Coherence
As you learned in the preceding exercise, explaining clearly makes a difference in how well your audience understands your meaning. In Unit 1, you learned that the term coherence refers to the logical organization of an essay. A coherent essay ties ideas together to flow smoothly from one sentence to the next and from one paragraph to the next, making the essay easy to follow for the reader.
An effective way to revise for coherence is to use transitions, both within and between paragraphs. Transitions help you move from one sentence or thought to another.
Certain words and phrases in the English language are typical transitions. These transitions are outlined in the table on the next page. Read the information in the table, and place a star (*) next to the words or phrases you used or heard in the drawing activity.
my Notes
PLaN
Materials: blank computer or poster paper, markers
Suggested Pacing: 2 50-minute class periods
cOMMON cOre STaTe STaNDarDS
Focus Standards:
M 9781457304620_TCB_LA_SE_L6_U3_P4.indd 239
W.6.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in
which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
W.6.5: With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
Additional Standards Addressed: RI.6.1; W.6.1c; W.6.10; SL.6.1b; L.6.2b
learNING STraTeGIeS:
Visualizing, Rereading, Marking the Text, Adding, Replacing, Deleting
Unit 3 • Changing Perspectives 239
1 Pair students, and assign one student to be the “director” and one student to be the “drawer.” Give each pair a blank piece of computer or poster paper and a marker. In this activity, students will discover the importance of creating coherence through the use of transitional words and phrases and the avoidance of repetitive, meaningless ideas.
2 Tell the “directors” privately that they will be giving verbal directions to the “drawer” to draw a house. The directors should then give careful step-by-step directions (e.g., first draw a large square, next make
a triangle on top of the square, etc.). The drawers may not ask any questions or talk. They may only rely on what the directors are telling them to do. Limit the time for this to 3–5 minutes.
3 Allow pairs to show their drawings with the class, and debrief using these questions: Do you
think the drawing is successful? What did the director say or not
say that helped or hindered your success? As students point out what contributed to successful drawings, chart their points on the board or
a poster visible to the class. Make the connection between the points made and the concept of coherence in argumentative writing.
4 Direct students to read the information titled “Revising for Coherence” and mark on the table the transitional words or phrases they used during the previous drawing activity.
Teach
13/04/15
4:34 PM
Unit 3 • Changing Perspectives 239
© 2017 College Board. All rights reserved.
© 2017 College Board. All rights reserved.