Grammar/Conventions
Revise the following sentences, placing the dash in the correct place. Explain Reasoning.
I want to visit New York City, which is known for its vibrant culture and diverse neighborhoods, next summer.
I want to visit New York City—known for its vibrant culture and diverse neighborhoods—next summer.
Reason Why: Dashes set off non-essential information, providing emphasis or additional detail.
Identify the key terms, task and what text will be used.
Write a 1 sentence thesis statement.
What specific rhetorical devices does Martin Luther King Jr. employ in "Letter from Birmingham Jail" to effectively convey his argument for civil disobedience and the urgency of addressing racial injustice?
Key Terms: Argument for civil disobedience and the urgency of addressing racial injustice?
Task: Analyze the rhetorical devices employed to effectively convey argument.
Text Used: "Letter from Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King Jr.
Thesis Statement:
In "Letter from Birmingham Jail," Martin Luther King Jr. employs rhetorical devices such as pathos, alongside powerful imagery and repetition, to effectively argue for civil disobedience and stress the urgent need for action against racial injustice.
The chef's culinary creations were truly exquisite, with each dish showcasing a unique blend of flavors that left the diners utterly delighted. What does the word exquisite mean? Use context clues to infer the words meaning.
What is well-made, superb, and enjoyable in a highly pleasing manner.
What part of the test is best to start with?
Start with the hardest section!
Based on data, ECR/SER is where you should start.
How many hours do you have to take the STAAR?
7 Hours
Revise the following sentence placing a comma and conjunction in the correct place. Explain Reasoning.
She was excited to start her new job she had been waiting for this opportunity for months.
She was excited to start her new job, for she had been waiting for this opportunity for months.
Reason Why: The comma is placed before the conjunction "for" to separate two independent clauses.
Identify the key terms, task and what text will be used.
Write a 1 sentence thesis statement.
Read the excerpt from The Tragedy of Macbeth. Based on the information in the excerpt, write a response to the following:
Write an essay analyzing how Shakespeare uses imagery and supernatural elements in this scene to reflect Macbeth’s increasing ambition and moral corruption. Use evidence from the excerpt to support your analysis.
Key Term: How Shakespeare uses imagery and supernatural elements in this scene to reflect Macbeth’s increasing ambition and moral corruption
Task: Analyze/ Use Evidence to support analysis
What Text is being used: The Tragedy of Macbeth
Sample Thesis Statement:
In The Tragedy of Macbeth, Shakespeare uses dark imagery and supernatural elements to illustrate Macbeth’s growing ambition and the moral decay that leads to his downfall.
What is the denotation and connotation of the following words based on their context.
1)Ms. Garcia never leaves her home; she is a hermit.
2. The majestic eagle soared across the sky.
3. Melea is very graceful .
4. The hallway was narrow.
5. He was reckless in the face of danger.
Hermit
Denotation: A person who lives in solitude, often for religious reasons.
Connotation: The word "hermit" carries a negative suggesting loneliness, isolation, or a deliberate withdrawal from society.
Majestic
Denotation: Having beauty, or dignity.
Connotation: The word "majestic" has a positive connotation, evoking feelings of awe, admiration.
Graceful
Denotation: Having elegance or beauty in movement or form.
Connotation: The word "graceful" carries a positive connotation. In this case, meaning ease in appearance and movement.
Narrow
Denotation: Limited in width.
Connotation: The word "narrow" can have a negative connotation. In this case, it may imply cramped, confining, or uncomfortable, suggesting a less-than-ideal or restrictive space.
Reckless
Denotation: Without thinking about the consequences; careless or irresponsible.
Connotation: The word "reckless" has a strongly negative connotation, implying danger, foolishness, or a lack of regard for safety or rules. It suggests a risky or thoughtless attitude.
What is the process for ECR/SER's writing?
SER Outline/Guide
A.C.E. Method (Answer, Cite Evidence, Explain)
ECR Outline/Guide
I. B1/B2. C. -
(Introduction - Hook, Background Information, Thesis Statement)
(Body Paragraph 1 & 2 - Topic Sentence, Cite Evidence, Explain Reasoning)
(Conclusion - Restate Thesis Statement, Summarize Key Points from Body Paragraphs, Final Thoughts)
How many parts are on the STAAR and how is the test broken down?
What is 3 parts to the STAAR
Test Breakdown:
1) Multiple Choice
2) SER (Short Ended Response)
3) ECR (Extended Constructed Response)
Revise the following sentence so it reads in a formal tone.
"I think we should totally look into getting more feedback from the team."
I believe it would be beneficial to gather additional feedback from the team.
Reasoning Why:
1) "I think" is replaced with "I believe" for a more formal tone.
2)"Totally" is informal and removed for a more professional tone.
3)"Look into getting" is rephrased to "gather" to use a more direct, formal verb.
4)"More" is clarified as "additional" to sound more precise and formal.
Identify the key terms, task and what text will be used.
Write a 1 sentence thesis statement.
Read the excerpt from From Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass, an American Slave by Fredrick Douglass. Based on the information in the excerpt, write a response to the following:
Write an essay arguing whether the actions of Mr. Auld or Mrs. Auld had a greater impact on Douglass's determination to learn to read and pursue freedom. Use specific examples from the autobiography to support your answer.
Key Term: Whether the actions of Mr. Auld or Mrs. Auld had a greater impact on Douglass's determination to learn to read and pursue freedom.
Task: Argue/ Use specific examples from the autobiography to support your answer.
What Text is being used: Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass, an American Slave
Sample Thesis Statement:
Sure! Here's a breakdown of the prompt, followed by a one-sentence thesis statement.
Key Terms:
Actions – Refers to the behavior or influence of Mr. Auld and Mrs. Auld.
Impact – The effect their actions had on Frederick Douglass.
Determination to learn to read – Douglass’s drive or motivation to become literate.
Pursue freedom – His desire and efforts to escape slavery and gain independence.
Task:
Write an essay that argues whether Mr. Auld or Mrs. Auld had a greater impact on Douglass's determination to learn to read and pursue freedom.
Use specific examples from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass to support your argument.
Text:
The excerpt from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass.
Thesis Statement (1 sentence):
Although Mrs. Auld initially encouraged Frederick Douglass’s literacy, it was Mr. Auld’s harsh warning and insistence that reading would "ruin" a slave that most powerfully ignited Douglass’s determination to learn to read and ultimately seek his freedom.
Which of the following words has the most negative connotation?
A. Confident
B. Arrogant
C. Assertive
D. Bold
B. Arrogant
What are best practices when tackling multiple choice?
1) Process of elimination
2) Have evidence to support your final answer
What is the writing process for an Extended Constructed Response (ECR)/Short Ended Responses (SER)?
1) Read & Deconstruct the prompt.
2) Brainstorm and Outline Essay (YOU MUST PLAN BEFORE YOU WRITE!)
3) 1st Draft
4) Revise & Edit
5) Final Draft
Edit the inverted sentences so that the subject comes before the verb.
In the living room were the kids playing games.
Before dinner will she finish her homework.
Through the trees howled the wind.
On time completed he the project.
Last weekend went they hiking.
The kids were playing games in the living room.
She will finish her homework before dinner.
The wind howled through the trees.
He completed the project on time.
They went hiking last weekend.
Identify the key terms, task and what text will be used.
Write a 1 sentence thesis statement.
Using the mentor text (for structure and formatting) Joyas Voladoras as a by Brian Doyle, write an explanatory essay about a specific aspect of nature and our relationship to it.
Key Term: Specific Aspects of Nature and Our Relationship to it
Task: Write an Explanatory Essay
Text: Mentor Text - Joyas Voladoras by Brian Doyle
Sample Thesis Statement:
The ocean's tides not only shape the shorelines of our world but also mirror the emotional rhythms of human life, showing how deeply connected we are to nature's movements.
Which of these words shares the same denotation but has a positive connotation?
Original Word: Cheap
A. Inexpensive
B. Low-quality
C. Stingy
D. Shoddy
A. Inexpensive
What are best practice reading strategies?
1)Identify the type of text your reading (genre)
2)Chunk your passages
3) Write the gist for each chunk
4) Annotate the text based on the key concepts from multiple choice or writing prompts
Where do you write your outline?
On my scratch paper - it will be collected!
Identify the pronoun and the antecedent in the sentence. Do they agree? Explain.
1. The teacher gave her students their assignments.
2. Everyone should submit his or her project by Friday.
3. Neither of the boys brought his lunch.
4. These cats have their own beds.
The teacher gave her students their assignments.
Pronouns: her (refers to the teacher), their (refers to the students)
Antecedents: her → teacher, their → students
Agreement: Yes, they agree. "Her" refers to the singular teacher, and "their" refers to the plural students.
2. Everyone should submit his or her project by Friday.
Pronouns: his or her (refers to "everyone")
Antecedent: Everyone
Agreement: Yes, they agree. "Everyone" is singular, and "his or her" is a singular pronoun pair, used to maintain gender neutrality.
3. Neither of the boys brought his lunch.
Pronouns: his (refers to "neither of the boys")
Antecedent: Neither
Agreement: Yes, they agree. "Neither" is singular, so "his" is correctly used to match the singular antecedent.
4. These cats have their own beds.
Pronouns: their (refers to "cats")
Antecedent: cats
Agreement: Yes, they agree. "Cats" is plural, so "their" correctly agrees with the plural subject.
Identify the key terms, task.
Write response using the ACE Method.
How does language shape our perception of people, places, or ideas? Use specific examples of words with different connotations or denotations to support your claim.
Key Terms: How does language shape our perception of people, places, or ideas?
Task: Use specific examples of words with different connotations or denotations to support answer.
Sample Answer:
A – Answer the question:
Language shapes our perception of people, places, or ideas by influencing the emotions and attitudes we associate with them.
C – Cite evidence/examples:
For example, calling someone “confident” versus “arrogant” describes a similar behavior—someone who believes in themselves—but the connotations are very different. “Confident” has a positive connotation, suggesting self-assurance and poise, while “arrogant” has a negative connotation, implying rudeness or an inflated sense of self. Similarly, describing a location as “homey” versus “cramped” can change how we view a space. Both words may describe a small area, but “homey” suggests warmth and comfort, whereas “cramped” suggests discomfort and a lack of space.
E – Explain the connection:
These examples show how word choice can shape the way we view and interpret the world. Positive or negative connotations can influence our feelings toward people, places, and ideas—whether we see them as appealing or unappealing, strong or weak, trustworthy or suspicious. Therefore, the language we use has the power to subtly shape our beliefs and attitudes.
Identify the word that best matches the neutral denotation of "talkative" but has a negative connotation.
A. Chatty
B. Outgoing
C. Loudmouth
D. Sociable
C. Loudmouth
What are best practices for the night before and morning of the STAAR?
1)Get 8hrs. of sleep
2) Charge your chromebook the night before
3) Get to school 10-15 mins early.
4) Eat a good breakfast!
What day do you take the STAAR?
Thursday, April 10th.