Learning Log for November 28th

Hi guys,

Sorry this is so late. Hannah told me that she couldn't write today's post, so I am.

What We Did:

-Wrote Persuasive Paragraphs
We had to do Exercise 1, where you had to choose one of the following sentences:

a. Dress codes should (not) be required at all elementary and secondary schools.
b. All car occupants should (not) be required by law to wear seat belts.
c. People who have more than enough to eat have (do not have) an obligation to contribute to those who can not feed themselves.

Then you had to give about four or five reasons (sentences) to support your chosen sentence. It also had to have a concluding sentence.

We also had to do Exercise 2 where you chose a subject from either the list of subject's on our Paragraph Booklet, which are listed below:

1. The driving age should be increased.
2. Students should (not) wear school uniforms.
3. Smoking should (not) be allowed in public places. 
4. Men are (not) stronger than women.

Or something from our heart maps. Then we had to write a persuasive paragraph on the subject that we chose. A persuasive paragraph is a paragraph of 5 - 9 sentences where the author is arguing a point, and they are trying to convince the reader that their view is correct. They must also give supporting reasons. A good persuasive writer should be able to write about a view that they do not necessarily believe in; they should be able to argue the point by using reliable facts, even if they do not believe in what they are trying to convince the readers.

You had to do an outline and a good copy for Exercise 2, while you just had to do a draft for exercise 1.

-Worked on a Note-Taking booklet
You had to highlight the key words and terms in the booklet. We also had to do the Exercise 1 Outline on page 22, the Exercise 2 Web on page 24, and the Exercise 3 Abbreviations and Symbols on page 25.

Why We Did It:

- Persuasive Paragraphs
We did this because when writing, we need to be able to write different types of paragraphs, and argue points we ourselves might not believe in, because it could be used in our jobs.

- Note-Taking Booklet
We did this because it helps us to be able to take mental or physical notes on a subject in class, so that we can retain important information. Also, trying out different types of notes helps us learn what method we prefer, and what type of learner we are, whether it be visual, oral, or something else.

Connections/Reflections:
- Persuasive Paragraphs
Doing this can help us with our debating skills because we have to persuade someone. This can be useful when you are in the Debate club, Mock-trial club, or even if you work as a Lawyer when you are older! Also, it helps us with our visualization skills, because we have to comprehend the ideas in our heads, and put them into an outline, and then format them into paragraphs, so if we were to become artists, writers, or achitects we could take an idea in our head and put it on canvas, paper, or even make a whole building out of a teensy-weensy idea!

- Note-Taking Booklet
This will help us during classes, because we can take notes in the format that best suits us, so that we remember information well. This would help us in many jobs where you have to retain important information, like an assistant would.

Homework:

- Exercise 1 (draft) and Exercise 2 (outline and [draft if you wish] good copy) of the Persuasive Paragraph

- Note-Taking Exercise 1 Outline on page 22, the Exercise 2 Web on page 24, and the Exercise 3 Abbreviations and Symbols on page 25.

- Portfolio's if you are not done. Make sure you go to flex on Wednesday or Thursday in the morning or at lunch.

Tips:

- Highlight all the key words in your Persuasive Paragraph Sheet (not the actual paragraph, the sheet that we got) and Note-taking booklet.

- Use "sparkly" words that pop in your paragraph. When you use interesting words, it makes people more interested and open to your ideas.

- If you want to be extra thorough, when you write your paragraph do the outline, then write out a bare paragraph (not your best work, not many sparkly words), then type out a non-spellchecked draft (sparkly words included, all the mistakes high-lighted and corrected once printed), and then type out your good copy (no spelling errors, sparkly words in place). This will show the process behind your work, and it will also show improvement.

Next day Hannah will have the honour of writing our Learning Log!

I hope that helped if you were confused! :)

Kia