Suggested Activity

1. Depending on the time and computer access available and writing comfort of the students, assign a paragraph or multiple paragraphs for classwork or homework.  (Estimate approximately 20 minutes per paragraph).
2. Encourage the students to read and take notes on 2 or 3 articles to provide details for each paragraph.
3. Remind them to put their notes in their own words.
4. If students have practice citing sources, remind them to give credit to the authors of the articles for the information that they use, especially direct quotes.
5. As the teacher, direct them to write their paragraph(s) as you prefer them - hand-written or word-processed and printed to turn in or submitted as an email.

 Alternate Activity 1 - group paragraphs

1. Print copies of the articles linked on the Supporting Ideas page.  PDF versions of set of articles are available here.
   Topic Sentence 1
   Topic Sentence 2
   Topic Sentence 3
   Topic Sentence 4
2. Form groups of approximately 5 students.  Each group will focus on a different topic sentence.  The group should appoint a note-taker, paragraph writer, and a reader
3. Give each student in the group a different article about their topic.
4. Students will take time to read individually.
5. Students should discuss how their article relates to the topic sentence.  Meanwhile the note-taker will write down notes.
6. The group will review the notes and compose a paragraph together.  The writer will serve as the secretary as the others compose.
7. Return to the large group.
8. The paragraph readers will read their paragraphs to the class.  Encourage discussion as time permits.