"Letter to a Playground Bully"

Analyze "Letter to the Playground Bully from Andrea (age 8)" by Andrea Gibson using the following prompt.

Prompt: Choose one section of the poem that was especially effective at engaging the view. How did the poet capture the viewer's attention? Use specific details from the text that discuss the poet's use of language, subject, or delivery to support your analysis.

Your writing style may be conversational (less formal, more natural); HOWEVER, your reply must be thorough and readable. Demonstrate that you've thought critically about this poem. You can do this by:

• Using at least two text details, which you explain.
• Checking that your reply contains complete thoughts/sentences.
• Checking that your reply uses punctuation well.
• Checking that your reply addresses the prompt.

Rubric for evaluation:

Category	2	1
Thoroughness	At least two text details Text details are explained Text details connect to the prompt Text details are specific	One text detail OR text details are too general Text detail explanations are too general Text details are unconnected to the prompt
Readable	Thoughts/sentences are complete Punctuation allows reader to understand thoughts	Incomplete sentences/thoughts Lack of punctuation makes thoughts hard to follow

Resources:

"Letter to the Playground Bully" text
Guiding Questions

Extension/Extra Credit Resources:

1. Interview with Andrea Gibson

Read the interview with Andrea Gibson and write a paragraph that describes how Gibson approaches the process of writing and performing his poetry.

2. Develop a question related to the poem to research. Use at least two credible sources and write a short response that details what you've learned.

Resource: CARS (helps evaluate a website for use)

"A.D.D."

Evaluate the spoken word poem, "A.D.D." by Rafael Casal using the following prompt.

Prompt: Does this poem effectively engage the viewer? Cite at least two text details that focus on the poet's specific use of language, delivery, and subject.

Your writing style may be conversational (less formal, more natural); HOWEVER, your reply must be thorough and readable. Demonstrate that you've thought critically about this poem. You can do this by:

• Using at least two text details, which you explain.
• Checking that your reply contains complete thoughts/sentences.
• Checking that your reply uses punctuation well.
• Checking that your reply addresses the prompt.

Rubric for evaluation:

Category	2	1
Thoroughness	At least two text details Text details are explained Text details connect to the prompt Text details are specific	One text detail OR text details are too general Text detail explanations are too general Text details are unconnected to the prompt
Readable	Thoughts/sentences are complete Punctuation allows reader to understand thoughts	Incomplete sentences/thoughts Lack of punctuation makes thoughts hard to follow

Resources:

"A.D.D." text

Guiding Questions for "A.D.D."

Extension/Extra Credit Resources:

1. Interview with Rafael Casal

Read the interview with Rafael Casal and write a paragraph that describes how Casal approaches the process of writing and performing his poetry.

2. Develop a question related to the poem to research. Use at least two credible sources and write a short response that details what you've learned.

Older posts following this are related to the March, 2012 Arts in Education focus, which was modern dance.

AIE Writing Task 5

Writing Focus: Argument

Prompt: Write a well-constructed paragraph about your opinion on one of the videos that we watched yesterday. The paragraph should address at least two dance concepts as they are used in the video. Each concept should be explained and described as a way to support your opinion about the piece. The text (video, in this case) must be referenced specifically. 

Planning: Use your T-chart to record dance concept & description and  your thinking. Use the Effective Argument Graphic Organizer (link in the resources below) to plan your paragraph.

Key Components of a Good Response:

• There is a topic sentence that restates the prompt.
• There is an awareness of audience (teacher, classmates, and community) and use proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• The paragraph is 6-8 sentences long, at least.
• The paragraph uses dance concepts correctly to reference specific textual evidence from the video to support the writer's argument.
• The paragraph uses interesting words that "bump up" their vocabulary and engage the reader. These words are IN ALL CAPS. You should include at least 2 "bumped-up" words.

Resources:

• You received a "mini-thesaurus" with many different descriptive words. Reference that to find words to use to enhance your vocabulary.
• This is an online reference of descriptive words from Allan Hancock College.
• Thesaurus.com
• Links to the videos: The Cold Song and RIP Soda Pop
• Link: "The Cold Song" lyrics
• Link: Graphic organizer for paragraph
• Link: Dance Terms/Concepts Defined

Due Dates:

• You must post your response by Wednesday, March 7 at 9 P.M.
• You must respond to a classmate's post by Thursday, March 8 at 9 P.M.

AIE Writing Task 4

Expository Writing Focus: Description

Prompt: Write a well-constructed paragraph that describes the experience of watching the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company perform. Incorporate references to the dance concepts we have been discussing with Meg, such as: time, space, negative space, levels, unison, non-unison, pathways, etc. You may speak about the performance in general or comment on a small part of it. Your writing should allow the reader to visualize the event.

Planning: Create a list of three adjectives that describe the experience. Try to use the resources to "bump-up" your vocab. Brainstorm what you remember from the performance: costumes, music, movements, energy, etc.

Key Components of a Good Response:

• There is a topic sentence that restates the prompt.
• There is an awareness of audience (teacher, classmates, and community) and use proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• The paragraph is 6-8 sentences long, at least.
• The paragraph allows the reader to visualize the performance
• The paragraph uses interesting words that "bump up" their vocabulary and engage the reader. These words are IN ALL CAPS. You should include at least 2 "bumped-up" words.

Resources:

• You received a "mini-thesaurus" with many different descriptive words. Reference that to find words to use to enhance your vocabulary.
• This is an online reference of descriptive words from Allan Hancock College.
• Thesaurus.com

Due Dates:

• You must post your response by Friday, March 2 at 9 P.M.
• You must respond to a classmate's post by Monday, March 5 at 9 P.M.

AIE Writing Task 3

Expository Writing Focus: Compare and contrast

Prompt: Write a well-constructed paragraph that compares and contrasts for the reader one of the two videos we watched yesterday. Although each dance is a different style, what similarities exist? What differences are apparent? Consider the dance vocabulary we have been using: time, space, negative space, levels, unison, non-unison, pathways, etc.


Planning: Create a Venn diagram in which to take notes as you view the videos. Watch each video at least once more.

Key Components of a Good Response:

• There is a topic sentence that restates the prompt.
• There is an awareness of audience (teacher, classmates, and community) and use proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• The paragraph is 6-8 sentences long, at least.
• The paragraph allows the reader to understand the similarities and differences between the videos.
• The paragraph uses interesting words that "bump up" their vocabulary and engage the reader. These words are IN ALL CAPS. You should include at least 2 "bumped-up" words.

Resources:

• You received a "mini-thesaurus" with many different descriptive words. Reference that to find words to use to enhance your vocabulary.
• This is an online reference of descriptive words from Allan Hancock College.
• Thesaurus.com
• Link to eBoard with videos:  http://www2.eboard.com/eboard/servlet/BoardServlet?ACTION=NOTE_SHOW&ACTION_ON=NOTE&OBJECT_ID=5423606&SITE_NAME=newlebanoncsd&BOARD_NAME=kobrien&SESSION_ID=amuacwdrhrkwa291289&TAB_ID=621700

Due Dates:

• You must post your response by Wednesday, February 29 at 9 P.M.
• You must respond to a classmate's post by Friday, March 2 at 9 P.M.

AIE Writing Task 2

Expository Writing Focus: Sequence

Write a well-constructed paragraph that describes to the reader the sequence of events for yesterday's Arts in Education. You can either describe the chronological sequence of events or you can focus on a step-by-step sequence of how to do something that you learned yesterday.

Key Components of a Good Response:

• There is a topic sentence that restates the prompt.
• There is an awareness of audience (teacher, classmates, and community) and use proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• The paragraph is 6-8 sentences long, at least.
• The paragraph allows the reader to understand clearly the sequence of the day.
• The paragraph uses interesting words that "bump up" their vocabulary and engage the reader. These words are IN ALL CAPS. You should include at least 2 "bumped-up" words.

Resources:

• You received a "mini-thesaurus" with many different descriptive words. Reference that to find words to use to enhance your vocabulary.
• This is an online reference of descriptive words from Allan Hancock College.
• Thesaurus.com

Due Dates:

• You must post your response by Thursday, February 16 at 9 P.M.
• You must respond to a classmate's post by Friday, February 17 at 9 P.M.

AIE Writing Task 1

Expository Writing Focus: Description

Write a well-constructed paragraph that describes to the reader one of your first days in Arts in Education. How did you feel? What did you experience? How did your experience influence your thoughts and feelings about the program?

Key Components of a Good Response:

• There is a topic sentence that restates the prompt.
• The paragraph allows the reader to visualize the experience.
• The paragraph uses descriptive words that "bump up" their vocabulary and engage the reader. These words are IN ALL CAPS.

Resources:

• You received a "mini-thesaurus" with many different descriptive words. Reference that to find different words to use to enhance your vocabulary.
• This is an online reference of descriptive words from Allan Hancock College.
• Thesaurus.com

Due Dates:

• You must post your response by Friday, February 10 at 9 P.M.
• You must respond to a classmate's post by Monday, February 13 at 9 P.M.