Setting Clear Expectations for Argumentative Writing Richmond County

Setting Clear Expectations for Argumentative Writing Richmond County Schools Presented by Breck Steele rbs 7@uga. edu The Georgia Center for Assessment Copyright 2020, The University of Georgia

Objective Deepen understanding of the expectations argumentative writing by: • • • Understanding the GMAS rubric for argumentative writing (which reflects Writing Standard 1)* Explore mentor texts representing each score point on these rubrics (creates a pathway for students to get closer and closer to meeting or exceeding the standard ) Practice scoring a few responses in each genre * - these are very similar to Richmond County’s rubrics in these genres. 2

Passage A 3

Passage A, continued 4

Passage B 5

Grade 8 Extended Response An important issue has been brought to your state congressional representative. This representative must decide whether or not to allow a small-protected forest (250 acres) found in the coastal plain region of Georgia to be developed for commercial use. Write an argumentative essay stating whether or not the congressional representative should allow the protected forest to be developed for commercial use. Be sure to: • • • Introduce your claim. Support your claim with reasons and evidence from BOTH passages. Acknowledge and counter alternate or opposing claims. Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify relationships among claim, counterclaims, reasons, and evidence. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument. 6

Trait 1: Idea Development, Organization, and Coherence 7

Score Point 4 The student’s response is a well-developed argument that effectively relates and supports claims with clear reasons and relevant text-based evidence. • • Effectively introduces claim(s) Uses an organizational strategy to present reasons and relevant evidence logically Supports claim(s) with clear reasons and relevant evidence using specific, well-chosen facts, details, or other information from credible sources and demonstrates a good understanding of the topic or texts Acknowledges and counters opposing claim(s), as appropriate Uses words, phrases, and/or clauses that effectively connect and show direct, strong relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence Establishes and maintains a formal style that is appropriate for the task, purpose, and audience Provides a strong concluding statement or section that logically follows from the argument presented 8

Score Point 4 Imagine a beautiful forest disappearing. This has already been the case in many regions, and it could become reality in Georgia’s coastal plains. Some may think that allowing the forests of the coastal plains to be developed is a beneficial decision, but this is incorrect. The congressional representative should not allow the protected forest to be developed into commercial timberland. One reason logging should not continue in the Coastal Plains region is that it contains a lot of wildlife. The region contains 150 -300 plant species per acre, more birds than any other Georgia forest type, and 60% of the amphibian and reptile species found in the Southeast (passage 1). This is a huge amount of wildlife that could be lost if the forest was to be developed. The ecosystem of the coastal plain would suffer greatly as a result from these harmful actions, which is why they must be prevented. This protection of wildlife is an important reason for the preservation of the forest, but there is another point that is of equal significance. 9

Score Point 4, Continued It is beneficial to Georgia and its residents to keep the forest undeveloped. Georgia’s protected forest lands are worth an estimated $37 billion annually to Georgia by remaining undeveloped (passage 1). This is because the forests provide clean water, carbon storage, wildlife habitats, and recreation sites for many people (passage 1). If water weren’t cleaned naturally, the state would have to spend more money to clean it. If the state lost recreation sites to logging, they would also lose money from people who pay to camp and visit state parks. Some may still argue that it is wise to allow the forest to be logged. They claim that the timber industry provides jobs to the coastal plains region that benefit its economy. However, as Passage 2 explains, “… as the pulp and paper industry expands, the fishing industry decreases due to pollution caused by paper mills. ” This proves that while the timber industry provides some jobs, it also takes away jobs in other industries. Therefore, its benefits are limited and possibly ineffective. 10

Score Point 4, Continued All in all, it is clear from the examples provided that the congressional representative would be making a big mistake in allowing the protected forest to be developed into commercial timberland. The forest provides a unique set of resources to plants, animals, and humans, and it would be detrimental to the coastal plain region for this beautiful ecosystem to be destroyed. So, consider the facts and make the right decision regarding the development of the forest: support its continued protection. Score = 4 (The claim is clear and effectively introduced. It is developed with logical reasons, which are supported with specific evidence from the texts and further elaboration. The writer acknowledges and counters an opposing claim that the economy may be negatively impacted. The conclusion effectively summarizes the ideas presented, ending with a call to action) 11

Score Point 3 The student’s response is a complete argument that relates and supports claims with some textbased evidence. • • Clearly introduces claim(s) Uses an organizational strategy to present some reasons and evidence Uses specific facts, details, definitions, examples, and/or other information from sources to develop claim(s) Attempts to acknowledge and/or counter opposing claim(s), as appropriate Uses words and/or phrases to connect ideas and show relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence Uses a formal style fairly consistently for task, purpose, and audience Provides a concluding statement or section that follows from the argument presented 12

Score Point 3 If a state congressional were to bring me an issue on deciding whether or not to allow a small-protected forest found in the coastal plain region of Georgia to be developed into commercial timberland, I would say no. One reason is that commercial timberland causes more pollution for Georgia. Another reason is that, it would be taking away from environment filters. To begin with, commercial timberland cause more pollution for Georgia. Paper mills are needed in commercial timberland, and Passage A says that they use this chemical called dioxin that is one of the most deadly pollutants which can pollute the air, water, and soil which makes it harder for us humans to live. Since paper mills create so much pollution, making more commercial timberland would harm more of our animals and plants , and could worsen the animals and plants that we have on protected list. Passage A says that Georgia has 111 animals and 103 on the protected list and if we have more pollution those and more species may be harmed. So as far as environment wise more commercial timberland would be bad for Georgia. 13

Score Point 3, Continued Another reason I wouldn't allow more commercial timberland is that it would be taking away from our environmental filters. Passage B says that "wetlands of the coastal plain reduce floods by absorbing rain water and provide fresh water for local communities; they are also able to absorb and filter some toxins and pollutants. " and by constantly cutting down the trees there would be no roots in the ground that will absorb all of the rainwater and there will be more floods in that area and there the water will be less filtered. Since the water will be less filtered then that would mean that there would be less clean water for the surrounding communities and that they have a higher risk for catching a disease from the polluted water. So if I were in a surrounding community I would not want the to make that area of the forest commercial timberland because I would want to be able to drink clean water like everyone else. 14

Score Point 3, Continued There are some who believe that developing this timberland would have benefits to the economy, but, I would not approve of allowing a small-protected forest found in the coastal plain region of Georgia to be developed into commercial timberland. It would make a whole lot more pollution and take away from our natural environmental cleaners. So really that is a common sense question if you think about it. Would you want more money or would you want your environment to stay clean and for you to be able to breathe? Many would say more money, but I think that would be just being selfish and greedy. Score = 3 (Overall, this is a complete essay. The claim is clear and is developed with relevant reasons. Each reason is supported with relevant textual evidence and further elaboration. In the conclusion, the writer acknowledges a counter-claim but does not respond to it). 15

Score Point 2 The student’s response is an incomplete or oversimplified argument that partially supports claims with loosely related text-based evidence. • • Attempts to introduce claim(s) Attempts to use an organizational structure which may be formulaic Develops, sometimes unevenly, reasons and/or evidence to support claim(s) Makes little, if any, attempt to acknowledge or counter opposing claim(s) Attempts to support claim(s) with facts, reasons, and other evidence sometimes, but logic and relevancy are often unclear Uses few words or phrases to connect ideas; connections are not always clear Uses a formal style inconsistently or an informal style that does not fit task, purpose, or audience Provides a weak concluding statement or section that may not follow the argument presented 16

Score Point 2 The congressman should not let the protected land be cut. the land is protected for a reason. The effect it will have on the ecosistum. This are two of the resons that the timber should not be allowd to be cut. Cutting the timber could be providing jobs for people. The land is protected for a reason. The forest is home to animals that could be edagered or almost extenct. These animals habitaes being destryed could off set the pouplation of that animals spiceas. The 250 acreas could be a recratinal spot for hickers and bickeres. Cutting down this forest could have a majot effect on the envierment. The cutting operation could desstry the suroideng envierment. Thr veachels that are used to bring in the equtiment will destry the roads. If one of the machines from the cutting crew brecks the fluides that could spill out could harm the envierment. The crew could cut more than they were supposed to. The travling in and out constiltly could destrey the surroding roeds. the veachels they use way up wards of 15, 000 tons with a full loed. these machenes that are used to cut the timber could destry the cutting land itself. But these could provide jobs for people. 17

Score Point 2, Continued The timber would have to be cut by somebody. A timber cutting compony would be contacted and imployed to cut the timber. Then you would have to hire a trucking compony to hall the logs off to the mill. If any of the equtiment bracks you would have to hire someone to fix it. Then if anyone quit you would have to hire someone new. Before all that you would have to hire someone to wwalk around and mark the edge of the 250 aceres and the trees you would leave. the effect and cost of the land being cut would not be worth cutting the timber. the effct on the ecosystm would be to great. the amount of damage would be hard to reverse. so the senater should not allow them to cut the timber. Score = 2 (Suggested feedback: The claim is clear, and it is developed with reasons and details from background knowledge. However, the writer includes limited textual details to support these reasons, leaving the response incomplete. Using the Richmond County rubric, this response might earn a higher score in organization than in development). 18

Score Point 1 The student’s response is a weak attempt to write an argument and does not support claims with adequate text-based evidence. • • May not introduce claim(s)/claims(s) must be inferred May be too brief to demonstrate an organizational structure, or no structure is evident Has minimal support for claim(s) Makes no attempt to acknowledge or counter opposing claim(s) Uses minimal or no words or phrases to connect ideas Uses a very informal style that is not appropriate for task, purpose, or audience Provides a minimal or no concluding statement or section 19

Score Point 1 The congressional shod not let the commercial timber people have there way, because it will effect wild life in that land. It will also let more trees grow and let birds nest in safe place and other animals. Score = 1 (The claim is clear, and the writer includes a relevant reason: It will affect wild life in that land. This reason is not further developed, though. There is too little evidence of original writing to determine an organizational structure). 20

Score Point 0 The student’s response is flawed for various reasons and will receive a condition code: • • • Blank Copied Too Limited to Score/Illegible/Incomprehensible Non-English/Foreign Language Off Topic/Off Task/Offensive 21

Score Point 0 The congressional representative should allow the protected forest to be developed for commercial use. Commercial logging is simply just the harvesting of timber (wood) from forest. In some places commercial logging and large-scale timber extraction began in the mid 1800's. Soon, increasing the technology for cutting down and processing timber. In today's time, much of the worlds demand for timber-based-products come from commercial logging is generally categorized into two categories: selective and clear -cutting. Despite it's importance, global demand for timber-based-products, commercial logging is often perceived as unsustainable, and appears to have a particular negative impact on rain forest. Even if selective logging is used only to remove certain trees, most high-value timber are slow-growing and occur at low densities instead of high like most. The reason for this is because large continuous areas impact forest and make it hard for maintain viable populations. There's a more change of forest to be clear-cut and converted for commercial agriculture. As seen 22

Score Point 0 Continued in an example of topics, the particular risk of commercial logging perhaps due to the particular logging of machines. But instead, the economic forces at work (which make certain kinds of harvesting) still use commercial logging. Score = 0: Copied (Plagiarized from an internet source: https: //globalforestatlas. yale. edu/forest-use-logging/commercial-logging) 23

Trait 2: Language Usage and Conventions 24

Score Point 3 The student’s response demonstrates full command of language usage and conventions. • Effectively varies sentence patterns for meaning, reader/listener interest, and style • Shows command of language and conventions when writing • Any errors in usage and conventions do not interfere with meaning 25

Score Point 3 Imagine a beautiful forest disappearing. This has already been the case in many regions, and it could become reality in Georgia’s coastal plains. Some may think that allowing the forests of the coastal plains to be developed is a beneficial decision, but this is incorrect. The congressional representative should not allow the protected forest to be developed into commercial timberland. One reason logging should not continue in the Coastal Plains region is that it contains a lot of wildlife. The region contains 150 -300 plant species per acre, more birds than any other Georgia forest type, and 60% of the amphibian and reptile species found in the Southeast (passage 1). This is a huge amount of wildlife that could be lost if the forest was to be developed. The ecosystem of the coastal plain would suffer greatly as a result from these harmful actions, which is why they must be prevented. This protection of wildlife is an important reason for the preservation of the forest, but there is another point that is of equal significance. 26

Score Point 3, Continued It is beneficial to Georgia and its residents to keep the forest undeveloped. Georgia’s protected forest lands are worth an estimated $37 billion annually to Georgia by remaining undeveloped (passage 1). This is because the forests provide clean water, carbon storage, wildlife habitats, and recreation sites for many people (passage 1). If water weren’t cleaned naturally, the state would have to spend more money to clean it. If the state lost recreation sites to logging, they would also lose money from people who pay to camp and visit state parks. Some may still argue that it is wise to allow the forest to be logged. They claim that the timber industry provides jobs to the coastal plains region that benefit its economy. However, as Passage 2 explains, “… as the pulp and paper industry expands, the fishing industry decreases due to pollution caused by paper mills. ” This proves that while the timber industry provides some jobs, it also takes away jobs in other industries. Therefore, its benefits are limited and possibly ineffective. 27

Score Point 3, Continued All in all, it is clear from the examples provided that the congressional representative would be making a big mistake in allowing the protected forest to be developed into commercial timberland. The forest provides a unique set of resources to plants, animals, and humans, and it would be detrimental to the coastal plain region for this beautiful ecosystem to be destroyed. So, consider the facts and make the right decision regarding the development of the forest: support its continued protection. Score = 3 (Sentences are varied and correct. The elements of usage and mechanics are consistently correct) 28

Score Point 2 The student’s response demonstrates partial command of language usage and conventions. • Varies some sentence patterns for meaning, reader/listener interest, and style • Shows some knowledge of languages and conventions when writing • Has minor errors in usage and conventions with no significant effect on meaning 29

Score Point 2 The representatives should not allow a small protected-forest be developed into a commercial timberland. If they do develop it into a commercial timberland, that means they would have to clear the forest, and that means getting rid of scarce trees in Georgia. In Passage A it states, "Georgia's coastal plain is threatened, however. Almost the entire coastal plain region was once covered in longleaf pine forests; since 1800, 98% of those forests have been destroyed due to human activity. " If we were to cut down more trees we will also affect animals that live there in danger too. In Passage A it states that "The effects of human activity could be costly, not only to animals and plants but to humans as well. On Georgia's Protected Species List there are 111 animals and 103 plants, the majority of which live in the coastal plain ecosystem. " This shows that because of cutting down trees gets rid of animals and plants, adding more to the list of Georgia's Protected Species List. 30

Score Point 2, Continued Although some might say that "Georgia's second largest manufacturing employer is the forest-related industry. Forest-related industries provide over 108, 00 jobs each year in Georgia. "(Passage B) that doesn't mean that undeveloped forests aren't costly. In Passage B it states that "There are some concerns about protecting the natural resources in the coastal plains region, however. Georgia's protected forest lands are worth an estimated $37 billion annually to Georgia by remaining undeveloped. The forests provide clean water, carbon storage, wildlife habitats, and recreation sites for many people. " If these forests were to be destroyed, that would make many people upset because there wouldn't be any trees for a forest. Forests are very important because they are homes to many animals and recreation sites for people. 31

Score Point 2, Continued In conclusion, representatives should not allow a small-protected forest to be developed into a commercial timberland. If they do, they're getting rid of homes of animals, giving them no home to live in and causing them to get into the list of Georgia's Protected Species List, and getting rid of many recreation sites. Score = 2 (There is occasional loss of control of longer sentences. ) 32

Score Point 1 The student’s response demonstrates weak command of language usage and conventions. • Has fragments, run-ons, and/or other sentence structure errors • Shows little knowledge of languages and conventions when writing • Has frequent errors in usage and conventions that interfere with meaning 33

Score Point 1 The congressional shod not let the commercial timber people have there way, because it will effect wild life in that land. It will also let more trees grow and let birds nest in safe place and other animals. Score = 1 (Shows little knowledge of language usage and conventions due to limited original student writing. ) 34

Score Point 0 The student’s response is flawed for various reasons and will receive a condition code: • • • Blank Copied Too Limited to Score/Illegible/Incomprehensible Non-English/Foreign Language Off Topic/Off Task/Offensive 35

Let’s Practice ❑ Read the response. ❑ Using the rubric, INDEPENDENTLY decide how you would score the paper. ❑ When everyone has finished, compare the scores at your table. ❑ Discuss results. 36

Practice 1 I think the state congressional representative should make the land into and commercial timberland because even though it will pollute the land destroy habitats its only taking 250 acres out of 24. 4 which is available for timberland so its not an huge portion of the forests plus for every acre of timberland the state will make 97$ an year multiply that by 250 you get 14, 250$. The coastal plain is critical to Georgia's economy in total it makes 20 billion dollars an year and that only the. 4 million Georgia is using even though the forest underdeveloped makes 37 billion dollars an year Georgia could be making much more if they used some more land they could make god knows how much plus the 108, 000 jobs that timber land is needing their can be much more jobs available if you could give it to commercial timberland it could make an boom in the Georgia economy. Their are many endangered plants and animals in these areas but if we just took the time to move them to an different part of the coastal plain and cut down on the pollution everything will be fine for the animals because you don't need an huge portion of the forest to make an major profit the will still have 24 million acres of land to work with and for recreational use. 37

Practice 2 Paper mills are third largest polluters in the United States. The forest related industry provide jobs for many Georgians who need them. There are many different plant species in the forest, in the coastal region. Every acre in the forest is worth, on average, $97 per year. The protected forest should not be developed into commercial timberland. The different animals and species in the forest need to be, and stay, protected. Without keeping a small-protected forest protected those different animals and plants won't have a place to live, their homes will be destroyed. In Passage A: Environmental Facts About Georgia's Coastal Plain it states, "The growth on the ground under the long leaf pine forest contains 150 to 300 plant species per acre, more birds than any other Georgia forest type, and 60% of the amphibian and reptile species found in the Southeast. ' The Southeast have many species that live in the forest. In Passage B: Economic Facts About Georgia's Coastal Plain it explains, "The forests provide clean water, carbon storage, wildlife habitats, and recreation sites for many people. " Without some small-protected forest these animals would be left alone without a home. The tools used for commercial timberland cause lots of pollution, for example 38

Practice 2, Continued paper mills. If the a forest found in the coastal plain region becomes commercial timberland, there would be more pollution populating the state. In Passage A: Environmental Facts About Georgia's Coastal Plain it says, "Paper mills are third largest polluters in the U. S. , releasing pollutants into the air, water, and soil. " Paper mills are a very harmful effect, they effect the air Georgians breath. Pollution cause long term effects on people, like lung disease. Some may disagree and say the small-protected forest found in the coastal plain should be developed into commercial timberland. These individuals believe since commercial timberland provide jobs that there should be more of this. In Passage B: Economic Facts About Georgia's Coastal Plain it shows that, "Forest-related industries provide over 108, 000 jobs each year in Georgia. " The jobs the industry provides is oneof the few good effects of the commercial timberland. In the end some species might not always be here. Commercial timberlands is causing species start to die, more pollution, as well as recreation sites to be destroyed. Animals can't fight for themselves. The protected forest should not be developed into commercial timberland. 39

Practice 3 Georgia's coastal plain contains one of the most diverse populations of plant and animal life. This statement makes me think that the congressional representative shouldn't allow the protected area to be turned into a commercial timberland. The coastal plain shouldn't be turned into a commercial timberland because this would destroy all wildlife living there, destroy the ecosystem surrounded by the timberland, and would use up all of the protected area's natural resources. Making the protected land a commercial timberland would destroy all of the wildlife living there. The coastal plain is home to many unique animals and plants that rely on that specific ecosystem. If that area was turned into a commercial timberland, those animals would be driven out. In Passage A the author states, " Almost the entire coastal plain region was once covered in longleaf pine forests; since 1800, 98% of those forests were destroyed due to human activity. " This explains why we must be careful about the wildlife that we disturb. In conclusion, by building a commercial timberland we would be destroying all wildlife in that vicinity. By creating a commercial timberland in the protected land we would destroy the ecosystem inside that land. Humans are known to destroy ecosystems for their resources. In 40

Practice 3, Continued Passage A the author states, " The forests provide clean water, carbon storage, wildlife reserves, and recreation sites for many people. " By destroying this ecosystem, we would be destroying some of these too. To conclude, by creating something helpful for the human use, we would be destroying something beautiful that is for animal use. While using a commercial timberland we would be using up all of the ecosystem's resources. The coastal plain provides Georgia with many of its state resources. If we don't stop just taking from that area we will eventually run out of what we had in the first place. This is stated in passage B by the author saying, " It is clear that Georgia's coastal plain region is critical to the economy of the entire state. " This explains what could happen if we don't take care of our regions. Nevertheless, creating a commercial timberland would be bad for that region of the coastal plain's resources. Others may say that the timberland would still be helpful because of all the paper and pulp it would produce. Many would disagree with this, however, because of how much the negatives of the pollutants outweigh the positives of the production of paper and pulp. A solution to this would be to do this in a more open and non-resource surrounded area. Another solution to this would be to not use all of the tree resources surrounding this area. 41

Practice 3, Continued The negatives on this matter very highly outweigh the positives, so I would not recommend that a commercial timberland be built in this area. The area is too important to waste for paper production and is important to all wildlife surrounding that area. Therefore, a commercial timberland would destroy the ecosystem of that area and would kill most wildlife, and that is not beneficial. 42

Practice 4 i think we should so we can get more money that way so we can make a bigger town and city. and more stores and skate parks and just parks dog parks. we can make more daycares schools stuff for schools. its good for every body for books librarys pencils papers. for kids clothing hotpitals medicians like pills suraps. we can make restraunts houses. 43

Practice 5 I believe that the small forest should not be added to the millions of commercial use for many reasons. Like when its states in Passage B "Georgia has 24. 8 million acres of forest, and 24. 4 million acres of this forest is available as timberland, which is more than any other state". Also timberland is a commercial use industry where any trees they own can get cut down to make stuff. Why would they just make this little forest with animal living in it go to timberland when they already have 24. 4 million acres of trees. Which you may have not known but Paper mills are extremely bad for the earth. It states in article A " Paper mills are third largest polluters in the U. S. , releasing pollutants into the air, water, and soil". This shows how there is no need to keep polluting the earth for commercial purposes. But the paper mills industry does create thousands of jobs for people making the unemployment rate lower. It just means more people have to cut down more and more trees. So the company's will keep growing and need more trees to stay in business. All of those forests are being destroyed where all types of animals live there. So in conclusion why would this forest that has potential to grow and help habitats expand be cut down by timberland to make new fancy wooden toys or wood furniture. 44

Practice 6 Have you ever wondered why people cut down so many trees? Well the real answer is because it makes money for those people who cut them down, it really isn't that bad for the environment. I think that the 250 acres of land should be developed into commercial timberland for multiple reasons. The first reason I think the 250 acres should be developed is because we make a lot of money off of it. In Passage B it says "The pulp and paper production industry produces $28 billion in revenue each year. " The paper industry is making us billions of dollars and is one of our top providers of money. It also gives around 108, 000 people in Georgia jobs. Our unemployment rate is lower than the average rate of 10%. This will really help the economy of Georgia. This is a big reason why we should develop the land. Another reason why we should develop the land is because the growth of trees will grow and not decrease. According to Passage B "Timber land farmers in Georgia grow 38% more trees than they harvest. " If they grow more trees than they harvest than they really are helping the forest grow. Some people say that when we cut down those trees we are hurting 45

Practice 6, Continued our forest but if we plant more trees than we harvest than we are doing the right thing. The forest will continue to grow. There will always be new trees growing. The final reason we should develop the land is because there is a lot of land that still is forest. Many people say that because we are cutting down trees we are ruining our forest. We won't have that much forest left. But stated in Passage B "60% of Georgia's coastal plain is covered in forest. " It won’t hurt to take a small part of that forest last and develop it. There will still be plenty of forest land left. So according to that we still have a lot of forest and we wont be ruining it all. In conclusion I say that the land should be developed. Some may argue that the paper mills are destroying and polluting our coastal plain, but in Passage B it says "Many paper mills are working to reduce the amount of pollutants they produce today. " So they should develop the land for all of these reasons. 46

Practice 7 The congressional representative wants to know whether or not to put a small protected forest in a commercial. I think the state representative should put the small protected forest in the commercial. There are two reasons why I think the representative should. The first reason I think the representative should allow the small protected forest to be the developed in the commercial is because people would be able to see the forest. People in the community could help protect the forests in many ways. They would probably help keep this forest environment safe if the representative allows the forest to be developed into a commercial. Some of the things people do causes areas around them to be polluted, but if the representative develops it into the commercial people may not do the thins that normally cause pollution. This is the first reason why I think the representative should develop the small forest into a commercial. The second reason why I think the representative should develop the small forest into a commercial is because if the forest is polluted, the people should fix it. They should fix it because some animals may live there. Most animals can be harmed by pollution. For this 47

Practice 7, Continued reason, I say people should help if the forest becomes polluted. This is the second why I think the congressional representative should consider developing the small forest into a commercial. The representative should consider developing the forest into a commercial. There all sorts of reasons why he could consider doing it. For this reason, I still believe he should consider developing the small forest into a commercial. 48

Practice 8 We should have a small-protected forest in the coastal plain region of Georgia. The One of the many reasons i think the should is because our forests are getting destroyed over time in passage A it states "almost the entire coastal plain region was once covered in long leaf pine forest ; since 1800 , 98% of those forest have been destroyed due to human activity". So almost all of our forest are cut down and i think we should try to save them while we can because once there gone for a while. Alot of our state animals live there and i we keep destroying our forests they aren't gonna have anywhere to live so they will die. proof for this is in passage A the author tell us that our state reptile, the gopher tortoise, lives in pine habitats so i we keep cutting down our pines there will be no more tortoises and we will have a very bad reputation and so far we have a good reputation to uphold. 49

Practice 8, Continued Now, i get that people aren't trying to just cut down forest for no reason , i mean "Georgia has 24. 8 million acres of forest, and 24. 4 million acres of this forest is available as timberland, which is more than any other state", As stated in passage b. But also stated in passage B " pine timberland forests need 25 years of growth before they can be harvested". So if we keep cutting down our trees it will take 25 years till we can have the honnor of owning the most timberland forest. In conclusion i think that the congresional represenatives should make a small-protected forest in the coastal plain region of Georgia. 50

Practice 9 The congressional representative should not allow the 250 acres of protected forest to become commercial timberland. The forest should stay protected, since animals and plants already make their homes there and could go extinct because of the farming of commercial timber. The fishing industry could also collapse, since factories leave the pollution to flow into lakes, rivers, and even the ocean. It could also lead to more pollution as factories are built and smoke and carbon dioxide are released into the air. Making a protected area means that no hunting, gathering, or construction can go on in the protected area. Protected areas are important because they provide homes for plants and animals. Passage A states that, "On Georgia's protected species list, there are 111 animals and 103 plants, the majority of which live in the coastal plain ecosystem. " This means that hundreds of endangered plants and animals are calling these protected areas home. If these forests are destroyed, then the animals will have nowhere to go, and the plants will be crushed and go extinct if you tried to make a protected area a commercial timberland farm. 51

Practice 9, Continued The fishing industry is also at risk if you allow more commercial timberland farming to take place. Passage B states that, "Furthermore, as the pulp and paper industry expands, the fishing industry decreases due to pollution caused by paper mills. " This means that as paper industry grows, the fishing industry will continue to shrink. Pollution is getting into the fish's habitat, which is causing the fish to eat the pollution as they search for oxygen in the water. This can cause the fish to die in mass numbers, which could land multiple fish species on the endangered or extinct lists. If a fisherman so happens to catch a polluted fish, and nobody notices the fish is unhealthy, and they serve it to a customer, that customer has now eaten pollution. This could cause the person to get sick, the restaurant to close, and the restaurant’s workers to all lose their jobs. This is just one of many unintended consequences of not protecting the forest land. However, opponents may argue that "Paper mills provide million of jobs a year. We should make the protected area available for commercial timberland. " This is not a good idea though. Passage A states that, "Paper mills are third largest polluters in the U. S. " 52

Practice 9, Continued This means that paper mills are one of the largest reasons pollution is so bad. To make paper, you have to cut down a tree. What most people don't know is that trees take in lots of Carbon Dioxide and release Oxygen into the air. When you cut the trees down, all that Carbon Dioxide will now be released into the air, increasing global warming. That Carbon Dioxide then only adds to the warming on the Earth. Keeping even the smallest areas protected from timberland helps the Earth stop warming up so fast. The 250 acres of protected land should not be turned into commercial timberland areas. That protected area is home to endangered plants and animals, which could go extinct if we farm trees there. Fishing industries could stop, and all the pollution the factories are making could end up going either into the air for us to breathe in, or into the water where the fish we eat live. Polluted fish can cause death if eaten. By stopping more paper mills from being created, less pollution will be pumped into the air for us to breathe in. Paper mills are one of the worst polluters in the U. S. The request to turn 250 acres of protected land into commercial timberland should be denied. That land should remain protected. 53

Do this Exercise with Students! Graham, Harris, and Santangelo (2015) reviewed several studies showing that discussing mentor texts with students deepens their understanding of the expectations for each genre and leads to increased achievement. 54

Looking Ahead The Afternoon With deeper knowledge of the expectations for the 3 major writing standards, the focus this afternoon is on providing concise feedback. Meet students where they are. Provide just enough feedback to help them improve 1 score point on the rubric from draft 1 to draft 2. Realistic, manageable improvement! 55

Reference Graham, S. , Harris, K. R. , & Santangelo, T. (2015). Research-based writing practices and the common core: Meta-analysis and metasynthesis. The Elementary School Journal, 115(4), 498 -522. 56

Practice Answer Key Practice 1 = 2/1 (lacks completeness; some organization is demonstrated (Intro, economy, conclusion) writer demonstrates a lack of control of sentence correctness) Practice 2 = 3/3 (could use more elaboration; writer acknowledges an opposing claim but does not effectively counter that claim) Practice 3 = 4 -/3 (although elaboration is somewhat repetitive at times, the response fits the 4 rubric more than the rubric for a 3; the writer does acknowledge and counter an opposing claim; the response may be stronger in organization than development; conventions are consistently correct in a wide variety of contexts) Practice 4 = 1/1 (claim is not clear; no textual evidence; no organizational structure; frequent and severe errors in conventions) Practice 5 = 2/2 (some organizational structure; limited use of evidence from texts; partial command of conventions: a mix of correct and incorrect sentences) 57

Practice Answer Key Practice 6 = 3/2 (has completeness; organization is demonstrated (intro, three distinct reasons, conclusion); two opposing claims addressed; evidence cited from both texts; partial command of conventions; a mix of correct and incorrect sentences) Practice 7 = 1+/2 (the writer’s claim is unclear; argument undeveloped; control of organization, although formulaic, is stronger than control of development; does not use evidence from the text; partial command of conventions) Practice 8 = 2/1 (an incomplete or oversimplified argument; although intro and conclusion are ineffective, the writer does demonstrate some control of organization; though unsuccessful, there is an attempt to address an opposing claim; the writer demonstrates a lack of control of sentence correctness and usage) Practice 9 = 4/3 (fully developed with elaboration and an opposing claim refuted; evidence cited from both passages; full command of conventions) 58