Argument Paragraph

Mrs. Gillmore's Topic: Six-Year High School

Claim = Topic Sentence:

Experiencing a six-year school would be beneficial for many students.

Chunk 1: Counterclaim = Does NOT Agree with TS

• Signal Phrase + Verb + "Evidence"
  • Opposing this, professor of psychology Jeffrey Jensen Arnett at Clark University in his editorial "At 18, It's Time for a Change," counters, "They [high school seniors] have a strong sense of being ready to move on to a new life stage in which they will have more independence and freedom to make their own decisions."
  • Commentary 1
    • His research illustrates the thoughts of many students today who even think they would benefit from not having to attend their senior years.
  • Commentary 2
    • These soon-to-be graduates relate to this as many of them already have mounting bills and secured to jobs to assist in their financially supporting themselves.

Chunk 2: Rebuttal = DOES Agree with TS

• Signal Phrase + Verb + "Evidence"
  • Even President Obama, though, as reported in "Obama, at Brooklyn School, Pushes Educational Agenda" supported a six-year school when he spoke,"If you think education is expensive, wait until you see how much ignorance costs."
  • Commentary 1
    • In other words, those not furthering their education will make less money and, in many instances, cost the taxpayers more money.
  • Commentary 2
    • Thus, promoting such educational increases also add to our economic growth as a nation.

Concluding Sentence

Therefore, secondary institutions across the land should consider this shift in a non-traditional school setting.


Current Connection 1.1

• Bold transitions
• Highlight sentences 2 and 5 - signal phrase and "evidence" sentences.

8-Sentence Paragraph

Experiencing a six-year school would be beneficial for many students. Opposing this, professor of psychology Jeffrey Jensen Arnett at Clark University in his editorial "At 18, It's Time for a Change," countered, "They [high school seniors] have a strong sense of being ready to move on to a new life stage in which they will have more independence and freedom to make their own decisions." His research illustrates the thoughts of many students today who even think they would benefit from not having to attend their senior years. These soon-to-be graduates relate to this as many of them already have mounting bills and secured to jobs to assist in their financially supporting themselves. Even President Obama, though, as reported in "Obama, at Brooklyn School, Pushes Educational Agenda" supported a six-year school when he spoke,"If you think education is expensive, wait until you see how much ignorance costs." In other words, those not furthering their education will make less money and, in many instances, cost the taxpayers more money. Thus, promoting such educational increases also add to our economic growth as a nation. Therefore, secondary institutions across the land should consider this shift in a non-traditional school setting. Therefore, secondary institutions across the land should consider this shift in a non-traditional school setting.

Current Event: Giraffe, Please!

My 2017 Spring Break

Again, time flies by, this time in the form of Spring Break.  Five days away from my normal routine.  Five days of choosing and completing projects.  Five days of going here and there and nowhere.  Five days that equaled a break...just for me.

Picture this:  traveling around the world, going to unknown destinations, conquering enemies I did not even know I had, all because I chose to read.  A book.  Then two.  Just a few more...for a total of six in one week (well, actually, two complete reads and four that I had previously started.)  These adventures were probably what I enjoyed the most about this Spring Break.  Yes...time to just sit and read.

I am not sure that I would change much about this year's Spring Break, a time afforded to me as this was just what the tired brain needed,  a time of few deadlines, lots of hazelnut coffee, good-byes said to friends moving to another state, time to bring put away St. Patrick and bring out the Easter bunny.  No, this Spring Break was just what I needed.

Now, back to eight more weeks of stamping out ignorance!  Here, we go, flshing back to 1984, looking forward to high scores on the ACT Aspire...and just maybe...just maybe...a pan or two of Gillmore Brownies to bring to an end what has been a very interesting year spent with the Seniors of 2019.

2017's My One Word

INTRODUCTION:  My one word for 2017 is diligent, continuing a now seven-year tradition from which I have gained much more insight about myself.  In what ways do I need to become more diligent, more conscientious?  I suspect in many, including personal and professional areas of my life.

CHUNK 1:  In some ways, some would say that I chose this word.  Maybe I did, for as the month of December rolled around, I did begin thinking of what my next word would.  I think.  I read.  I ponder. I listen.  I read some more.  I awake at night...and think.  This time, no word came.  Until.  Until New Year's Eve...about 10:30.  Then, I knew.  My one word would be diligent.

CHUNK 2:  I would say, though, that diligent chose me.  So how does a word choose me? Hummm...it just happens.  (I know...I am not supposed to use the word it.  That's right...I am counting on my students NOT reading this!)  So how does a word choose me?  I just feel that nudge, that conviction.  When I think of another word...and I did...my brain just immediately shifts back to this word.  As I assigned this word choice assignment to my students, this method worked for some of them, for before I was finished, I heard some saying, "My word is..."  Words do choose people.  Ask them.

CHUNK 3:  Some harbingers that might suggest this word's success in my life would be my diligence in completing tasks I begin in a timely manner.  This is already occurring as I continue to clean out areas of my life within my house, including closet, some boxes of papers, but, no...not my books.  Maybe this will occur throughout this year as I progressively work with this word...but I love books.  I own too many.  I have stacks I have never read, but I need them in case one day I want to read that particular book that I bought once upon a time that even, unfortunately, I cannot remember where nor why nor when.  Sooo...I will remain diligent as I continue to clean...for the most part, that is.

CONCLUSION:  For these reasons, I look forward to the results of this word diligent in my life...both its impact on me and the ways in which this word will affect others in my life.  From my previous years' experience, I know this is a life-changing experience...if taken seriously.  Just the other day, a lady shared with me her word...and then her two previous words and the impact they had had on her.  Awesome!