Year-round School Essay

Don't let this be you!

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Are You a Good Writer?

The Grammarly Blog has an article that might help answer that question.  It starts:

Have you ever wondered if your writing is any good? It’s a common question most writers have, especially early in their careers. It’s natural to have moments of doubt; you wouldn’t be human otherwise! Here are six signs your writing is on the right track.

You can read the article HERE.

A Test for Students

Today I am a student. I am attending the Ohio Educational Technology Conference. This is a chance for me to learn new and sometimes innovative ways to use technology in our language arts class. I will be attending many classes all focusing on different ways that teachers are using technology to help students better learn.

This is a test for Reading Workshop students. They are working on an Argumentative Essays about year-round schools. When I come back on Friday, I will see what they have accomplished while I was gone. This is always interesting to me because it shows who is motivated to be successful.

So what about it Reading Workshop students? How hard are you working? Are you driving for success? I am anxious to see how you do on your essays. Put in a great effort and make us both proud!

A Good Argument

Students recently completed an Argumentative Essay Project. The following essay was written by Emma A. She did an excellent job of organization and supporting her opinion.

I think parents should limit social media use. I think they should because too much time on social media can put teen’s mental health in jeopardy. Social media can be addictive. Studies show that 63% of people log on to Facebook daily, and about 40% log on multiple times a day.

Social media also leads to a higher risk for cyberbullying. Sixty-seven percent of cyberbullying comes from instant messaging. Peer pressure is another thing that cyberbullying leads to. That affects our mental health because too much pressure can cause teens and people of any age to make bad decisions such as smoking, doing drugs, and drinking alcohol.

Using social media can also lead to low self-esteem. This can cause depression and anxiety.  The University of Michigan collected data about Facebook users and how it changed their moods. It showed that people who use Facebook daily have shown lower satisfaction for their life and Facebook as they use it more and more. It can also lead to fear of missing out, or FOMO. It is a form of social anxiety.

Social media is sometimes a good idea, but it can be very bad in some ways. The good things about using social media, such as Facebook, Instagram and many more improves your heart rate because it relaxes you,  and increases productivity. Just a 10 minute break can make employees happier and they will get more work done. They are many more ways that social media can be good, but not bad.

In conclusion, I think that social media use should be limited not only for teens, but for everyone. Too much time on social media can cause mental disorders, social anxiety, and peer pressure, and many more. Social media can be good as well, but for the most part it is bad for teens, especially. So I think social media use should be limited not only for teens but for everyone.

Year-round Schools Argumentative Essay Organization

Reading Workshop students, your task is to write an editorial stating your position on year-round schooling.

Be sure to include:

• An engaging opening that states your opinion

• At least two separate supporting arguments/reasons, with supporting details from at least two sources

• An explanation of the other side and your reasoning against it

• A conclusion restating your opinion and a call to action (what you want people to do)

• Citation of your sources at the end of your essay

Listed below is an organizational/format aid.

Introduction

1. Statement of opinion--Students would/would not benefit from year-round schools.

2. Two or three sentences that provide background information to the reader (you may want to do this after you write paragraphs two and three).

Body First Paragraph

1. Topic sentence that tells the topic of supporting evidence you will use in this paragraph. It might sound something like, Students that attend school year-round . . .

2. Supporting sentences with facts and/or information from sources.

Body Second Paragraph

1. Topic sentence that tells the topic of supporting evidence you will use in this paragraph. It might sound something like, Another benefit/detriment of year-round school . . .

2. Supporting sentences with facts and/or information from sources.

Body Third Paragraph

1. Topic sentence that tells the opposing viewpoint. It might sound something like, Some people might say . . .

2. Supporting information of the opposing viewpoint

3. Your rebuttal--reasons that this viewpoint is wrong

Conclusion

1. Restate the statement of opinion from the introduction

2. Wrap up your essay with final points that sum up your argument. 

Year-round Schools or Not?

Listed below are some resources. Feel free to find other sources to support your position.

http://childparenting.about.com/od/schoollearning/a/year-round-school-pros-cons.htm
http://www.ehow.com/info_8131173_disadvantages-yearround-schools.html
http://vimeo.com/35900457
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/05/AR2009060501971.html
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/year-round-school-pros-and-cons.html
http://neatoday.org/2014/09/04/districts-weigh-pros-and-cons-of-year-round-schools-2/
http://education.seattlepi.com/yearround-school-advantages-disadvantages-2521.html
http://www.theprospect.net/all-day-every-day-the-pros-and-cons-of-year-round-schools-12111

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