Happy New Year to Everyone!!
Welcome back to Crossroads! I hope your Holiday Break was relaxing and peaceful, and that you were able to spend some time with family and friends in harmony. Today you will create a journal entry (Weebly.com) that will help you to explain how you are going to be a better overall person this year. We all try to make resolutions and keep them, but rarely to they turn into habits that last longer than a few weeks. Please read the following article "New Year's Resolutions for Teens" and open a new Journal Entry (Weebly) describing (2-3 Sentences Each) how you might set and keep at least two new Resolutions.
NEW PROJECT: Letter To The Editor
Today you will be introduced to "Letters To The Editor". This project will help you to understand the meaning of the 1st Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Think about an important issue in your world today. Find an article online that has an opinion on this article. You will use the following tools to complete your letters:
STEP 1: Read "Write an Opinion Piece or a Letter to the Editor for Your Local Newspaper"
You must also read the following article from the New York Times about how to get your letter published: NYTIMES ARTICLE (Click Here)
STEP 2: Find An Article on an issue that is important to you online. Use the worksheet "Newspaper Article Summary Questions" to outline your article. Turn in the Worksheet for credit.
(Email The Link to hscribnercaa@gmail.com)
STEP 3: Use the following tools to help you outline the article and write the letter.
READWRITETHINK Persuasion Map
READWRITETHINK Letter Generator
STEP 4: Review the following websites to understand how the media may influence the reporting of subjects and events.
ACLU ACTION CENTER
FAIR.ORG
STEP 5: Re-Type the letter you created in the format we have been using in MS Word and SAVE it as a PDF in MS Word and save them as a PDF. Email your PDF to me at the email above (Step 2) In your email, include a two paragraph written explanation about why you chose the article and why this topic is important to you.
Your final email should include the link to the article, your Letter to the Editor, and your explanation. I hope this project gets you thinking about something important and helps you to focus your opinions.
Enjoy!!
- Mr S
Grading RUBRIC
Deliverables (Items That Must Be Turned In):
1. Email with link to article must be addressed to hscribnercaa@gmail.com
Subject: Letter To The Editor Article
Email Main Body: (Paste the link to your article)
2. Complete the Newspaper Article Summary Questions Worksheet about your article.
(Handwritten with your name on it)
3. Final Emails should include the following items:
Persuasion Map (PDF), Letter Creator (PDF), MS Word "Letter to the Editor" (PDF and DOCX)
Body of Email: 2-3 Paragraph Explanation of why you chose this article/topic and paste the link to article
again for reference purposes. MS Word letter must be in the class format (See Example Above), include
proper formatting, date, address, topic, and greeting. The letter must be no less than 11 font and include
introduction paragraph, at least two supporting paragraphs, a conclusion paragraph and finish
appropriately. The letter must also contain proper grammar, spelling, capitalization and punctuation.
You will be graded using the following rubric:
10 pts - Initial Email with link to article.
15 pts - Newspaper Article Summary Worksheet (Handwritten)
15 pts - Persuasion Map (PDF)
05 pts - Letter Creator (PDF)
55 pts - MS Word "Letter To The Editor"
5 pts - Both docx and pdf formats sent
5 pts - Proper heading and addressing.
20 pts - Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling, and Capitalization
25 pts - Timely, Appropriate Theme, and Complete Content
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