2012 Schoolwide Writing Assignment

2012 SCHOOL-WIDE WRITING ASSIGNMENT
Each year the school will focus on a different type of writing. 2012's writing genre is expository compare and contrast writing. The school will collect a sample of that writing at the December LR Meeting, then score according to the school rubric, and save as our school writing samples. All students may participate, but 2nd to 11th graders, and any 12th graders who have not yet passed the CAHSEE ELA are required to participate. The school hopes to improve everyone's writing skills through this process.
Compare & Contrast: Essential Handouts ESs should give each parent/student the handouts in this column below.	Compare & Contrast: Instruction and Practice Materials ESs need to make sure each parent/student is aware of the Instruction & Practice Materials in this column, that each parent/student is shown these links, and that the ES prints and provides the materials to any parent/student who wants them. The Writing Assignment graphic organizers a necessary to show the writing assignment expectation.	Compare & Contrast: Web Links ESs need to make sure each parent/student is aware of the Expository Compare and Contrast Web Links in this column. These Web Links are resources only, and provide optional support.	General Writing: Web Links ESs need to make sure each parent/student is aware of the General Writing Web Links in this column. These Web Links are resources only, and provide optional support.
1. Directions 2. School Writing Assignment Expectations (It is very important that you know the writing assignment expectations by looking at the writing assignment GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS, and the SCORING RUBRICS) 3. Practice Checklists 4. "Mock" Practice Assignments K-12 (Highly recommended, but optional) 5. Writing Assignments K-12 (Required) 6. Scoring Rubrics	Compare/Contrast Recorded WebEx Parent Workshop 9/2011 NOTE: This recording requires a WebEx Player. Download Here The Expository Writing Standards What is Expository Compare/Contrast Writing? Writing Assignment Graphic Organizers Grade 2: Five Sentences Graphic Organizer Grade 3: One Paragraph Graphic Organizer Grades 4: Three Paragraph Graphic Organizer Grades 5-12: Five Paragraph Graphic Organizer "How To Write" Compare/Contrast Essays (High Stakes Exams) 1. Analyze the Prompt 2. Practice With a Blank Graphic Organizer Grade 2: Five Sentences Blank Organizer Grade 3: One Paragraph Blank Organizer Grades 4: Three Paragraph Blank Organizer Grades 5-12: Five Paragraph Blank Organizer 3. Plan Your Writing Introduction Paragraph -Hook -Topic -Thesis Body Paragraphs Conclusion Paragraph Transitions 4. Use Sentence Variety -Sentence Types -Clauses -Run-On Sentences -Incomplete (Fragment) Sentences 5. Use Correct Spelling, Grammar, & Punctuation.	Compare/Contrast Writing Instruction Web Links The Five Paragraph Essay The Audience The Thesis Introduction Paragraph Body Paragraphs Conclusion Paragraphs More Compare/Contrast Writing Practice Prompts Grades 1-3 Grades 4-6 Grades 7-12 Compare/Contrast Writing Samples Grades 1-3 Grades 4-6 Grades 7-12	Five Paragraph Essay: Writing Instruction by Topic for All Writing Online Writing Resources Comprehensive Writing Guides Comprehensive Grammar Guides Elements of Style, by Strunk Online Dictionary Online Thesaurus Bartlett's Familiar Quotations California Writing Genres Genre definition School year(s) genre is emphasized