linking ideas like molecules

HARMON DARIS ELA Department Putnam Academy

LONG COMP WRITING STRATEGY

Objective: You will understand how to developdescriptive details in Long Comp essays using a writing strategy called Sentence Molecules.

Mini Lesson

Student Engagement

ActivatorWrap Up

Prior knowledge on what graphic organizers have been used or learned for Long Comp

Define it: Overview of Essay, define Sentence Molecule Model it: The 4 steps of Writing Prompts Partner: write a paragraph from the example Sent. Molecule Independent: annotate writing prompts

Create a 3D sentence molecule using the Clay Model Graph. (Repeat 3 times for each body paragraph of the essay)

AGENDA

Overview of the

essay

MINI LESSON DEFINE IT. part 1

All of our applicants are unique. Every individual is different. In a carefully written essay, please tell our reading committee what makes you you. How are you unique within your family? How are you unique among your group of friends? How are you unique from those with whom you participate in your favorite activity?

Step 1 Active Read the Writing Prompt

Body paragraph 1. How I am unique within my family

Body paragraph 2. How I am unique within my group of friends

Body paragraph 3. How I am unique in my favorite activity

Step 2 Identify Body Paragraphs

MINI LESSON DEFINE It. page 2MINI LESSON DEFINE IT. part 2

That little line connecting the circles has a very IMPORTANT invisible phrase hiding inside it and that phrase is, “which means that.”

This phrase is the KEY to knowing your next sentence. So, you decided you were unique in your family because you are the oldest.

That’s the TOPIC of the first body paragraph.

Start by writing that phrase in a bubble.

Then attach a line and say to yourself or out loud, “which means that” and answer the question.

Put that answer in the next bubble.

If you must know, by doing this, you are creating a LOGICAL, SEQUENTIAL, SERIES of sentences that go from general to more detailed.

SENTENCE MOLECULE MINI LESSON 3Step 3 MINI LESSON DEFINE IT. part 3

Step 4Now write

a paragraph out of the sentence molecule.

Compare yours to the one

on the next page.

MINI LESSON PARTNER. part 1

Parnter

An example paragraph out

of the Sentence Molecule

on the previous page:

MINI LESSON PARTNER part 2

Following are examples to show how to apply the Molecule Sentence Generator.Standardized Test Writing Prompts for 10th Grade Often in works of literature, a character takes part in a great battle or conflict, either literally or figuartively. From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character who takes part in either a literal or a figurative battle.

Often in works of literature, a character learns an important lesson. From a work of literature in or out of school, select a character who learns a less about one of the follow ideas: compassion, forgiveness, perseverence and truth. In a well developed composition, identify the character, descirbe how he or she learns the lesson, and explain how the lesson is important to the work as a whole.

Independent: Annotate Writing Prompts MINI LESSON INDEPENDENT part 1

Common AppSome students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that

is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?

Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

first circle, underline & highlight each prompt, then list body paragraphs for each promptIndependent: Annotate Writing Prompts

List body paragraphs to go with each prompt:

MINI LESSON INDEPENDENT part 2

Materials needed: • clay • tape • toothpicks • small square blank papers • 25 copies Clay Model Graph • 25 copies Rough Draft WorksheetDirections:

Arrange clay balls next to Clay Model Graph

Write each part of the essay on a small sheet of paper and secure it to the toothpick with a piece of tape

Continue to fill in the Model Clay Graph with all the elements of the essay using the key

When the Model Clay Graph is filled in completely, use the Rough Draft Worksheet

Once it’s complete, you will have a 10 sentence paragraph. Record the 10 sentences on your Rough Draft Worksheet. Slip the papers off the toothpicks, and repeat 2 more times.

Read the Sentence Molecule Mini Lesson

What it should look like:

Student Engagement Activity

An example of this is…

this means that

this means that

this means that

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

89

10

Key

topic sentence

this means that

support

support

Body Paragraph Molecule

support

evidence

transition

CLAY MODEL GRAPH

To connect first paragraph to second:

♦ To begin with,♦ In the first place,♦ Firstly,♦ The first reason…

To connect the second paragraph to the third:♦ Additionally,♦ Another reason why,♦ Secondly,♦ Next,♦ Pursuing this further,♦ Also,

To connect the third paragraph to the fourth:♦ Lastly, ♦ Yet another reason why,♦ In the same way…♦ Pursuing this further…♦ One last reason why…♦ Also,♦ Thirdly

HANDOUT

Body Paragraph

1

Body Paragraph

2

Body Paragraph

3

ROUGHT DRAFT WORKSHEET