Essay Writing Support Practice | Middle School Centers Stations
If your Middle School students are struggling with adding the right kinds of support into their essays, then they need these practice centers! Engaging and interactive, these centers create a friendly competition that will have them wanting to practice this valuable skill!
What's included:
✅ Two original texts about Stonehenge with a prompt
✅ Sentence starter collection notebook foldable
✅ Center #1: Relevant vs. Irrelevant evidence sort
✅ Center #2: Writing commentary to explain the evidence
✅ Center #3: Anticipating Opposing Claims
✅ Possible Answers Included!
Please see the preview for a closer look!
Your students will love the interactive activities and you will love that they have a way to practice without writing another essay for you to grade!
How to use the centers:
I have set these centers up so that students can work in competitive teams:
1. All students read the two texts and then the prompt before working in centers.
2. Students rotate through the centers building a “case” using one of the 3 charts provided. (The teacher decides which teams get which charts, of course! :) )
*The blank chart is for use if you can rotate the students through in order from evidence to commentary to opposing claims. Otherwise, use the charts that already have evidence pre-printed on them and complete the evidence sort as a partner/whole class activity before handing out the charts. Then students will fill in the commentary and opposing claims in preparation for the class debate/seminar.
3. Host a small class debate/seminar where teams can present their evidence, commentary and work with opposing claims. I suggest holding the type of debate where as students hear the information, they choose a side or corner of the room that represents the team that is most convincing.
*Alternately, you could simply vote after all groups have presented as to which group was the most convincing.
Your students will love the competition and you will love that they are practicing and learning this valuable skill with less work for you!
TEACHERS LIKE YOU SAID:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Katrina L. said, "I love stations! Can't wait to use with my students. Thanks for the time saver!"
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sarah T. said, "This activity was really engaging for my 6th grade ELA class!"
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ann M. said, "Best. Ever. "
SUPPORTS COMMON CORE STANDARDS:
CCRA.W.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
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Thanks, and Enjoy!
