Semester Long Argumentative and Informational Writing with DBQs

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Course Description:
This self-pace and subscription Language Arts course does not have any live meetings. The course is aligned to the national standards of citing text evidence, argumentative writing, informational writing, and collaboration and discussion. 

This course combines the “5 Paragraph Argumentative Writing with DBQs” and “5 Paragraph Informational Writing with DBQs” courses into one course. In this 8-week course, learners will use DBQs (document-based questions) to write five paragraph papers. Learners will construct three argumentative papers and three informational papers. The writing pieces will be shared with the teacher and will be scored with feedback and returned to the learner. 

National Standards:
-RI.5.1, RI.6.1, RI.7.1, RI.8.1, RI.9.1 - Citing Text Evidence
-W.5.1, W.6.1, W.7.1, W.8.1, W.9.1 - Argument Writing
-W.5.2, W.6.2, W.7.2, W.8.2, W.9.2 - Informational Writing
-SL.5.1, SL.6.1, SL.7.1, SL.8.1, SL.9.1 - Collaboration and Discussion

Course Format:
Learners will first build background knowledge on topic before completing the DBQ documents. SDAIE (Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English) strategies are used to help build background knowledge. These strategies are specifically designed for ESL/ELL students, however, all students can benefit from these strategies. The documents will be checked via a lesson video. Learners will use the documents to write either and argument or informational piece. There are three argument and three informational pieces learners will write during this course. A link to the writing piece will be shared with the teacher for feedback or a grade (if requested before the end of the first week of the course).

The teacher will be available throughout the week via Outschool to answer any questions and give feedback. 

Course Schedule (Subject to Change):

Unit 1: Argument Writing

Week 1 (Lessons 1-4):
-Citing Text Evidence Lesson
-Argumentative Writing Lesson

Week 2 (Lessons 5-8):
-Claim Lesson
-DBQ and argument based around the question: Valley Forge: Would you have quit?

Week 3 (Lessons 9-11):
-DBQ and argument based around the question: Should your town ban the sale of plastic water bottles?

Week 4 (Lessons 12-14):
-DBQ and argument based around the question: Why should we protect the wolf?


Unit 2: Informational Writing

Week 5 (Lessons 15-16):
-Informational Writing Lesson

Week 6 (Lessons 17-20): 
-DBQ and informational paper based around the question: Why does our Hindu-Arabic number system work so well?

Week 7 (Lessons 21-23):
-DBQ and informational paper based around the question: Why is freedom of the press essential to a democracy?

Week 8 (Lessons 24-26):
-DBQ and informational paper based around the question: Why are hurricanes so dangerous?