Page 257 - SpringBoard_ELA_Grade8_Flipbook

aCTIvITy 3.16
continued
Students Taking action
GraMMar USaGe
Commas
A comma after an introductory element in a sentence indicates a pause before the main part of the sentence. Look at these examples.
Introductory participial phrase: Inspired by Charlie, . . .
Introductory adverbial phrase: While in college, . . .
Introductory prepositional phrase: At age 14, . . .
Look for introductory elements like these as you write, and use a comma to punctuate them.
My Notes
Student 3: Jordan Coleman State: NJ Issue: Education
Jordan was angry when he learned that fewer than half of African American boys graduate from high school. He’s an actor, so he decided to make a movie called Say It Loud (at age 13) to raise awareness about the importance of education. He toured with the film to spread his message to young people in community centers and schools around the country. He even got to speak at an education rally during the Presidential Inauguration in 2009!
Student 4: Evan Ducker State: NY Issue: Discrimination
Evan was born with a large birthmark on his face. At age 14, he decided to educate the public about the medical and psychological issues facing kids born with these kinds of birthmarks through his book, Buddy Booby’s Birthmark, and his annual International Buddy Booby’s Birthmark Read-Along for Tolerance and Awareness.
3. In the My Notes section, summarize the kinds of kids that are featured and how they have made a difference.
4. Form a personal response to connect to the text by answering these questions:
• To which student do you most relate? Why?
• Which student do you most respect? Why?
5. Create a web to brainstorm issues of community, national, and global significance that you are aware of and/or care about.
6. Choose a cause from the website dosomething.org to explore as a group.
Our Cause:
7. Have each person in your group focus on a different issue related to your cause. For example, if your cause is “Animals,” you can have one person research animal testing, another animal cruelty, and a third animal homelessness. (You will find links to different issues under each cause.)
My Issue:
• Complete the first row of the graphic organizer on the next page by taking notes on the what, why, and how of your issue. Add your own ideas as well as the ones you find on the website.
• Present your issue to your group members. As group members present their issues, take notes in the graphic organizer.
WorD CoNNeCTIoNS
Word Relationships
Cause and issue are two related words. Cause is used to refer to an often broad area of concern that needs to be addressed. An issue refers to a specific item under that cause. For example, global warming, overpopulation, and pollution are all issues within the cause of helping the environment.
230 SpringBoard® English Language Arts Grade 8
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