Tuesday: Topic Sentences

1/22/2013

The students are learning about the standard 5 paragraph essay and are writing about their goals for the new year. They have learned about catchy introductions (hooks), the standard structure, plans and outlines, thesis statements, plans, and topic sentences. We will be learning more about body paragraphs tomorrow and the students will continue working on their supporting details. I'm looking forward to seeing what types of examples, statistics, and quotes the students find in their research.

1.) MATH 6: Complete workbook questions Chapter 6 Lesson #1 and Pg 180-181 Qu.# 6, 8, 10, and #14. Mark your textbook questions using the answers in the back of your textbook. Watch this video to prepare for tomorrow's class. It is about 14 minutes. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!

MATH 7: Any assigned work.

2.) WRITE A RESPONSE #1:

Visit the Overseeker's e-folio and check out his entire site.
Leave at least 3 comments/feedback/questions for him on his 'BLOG' sections
Leave at least 3 comments/feedback/questions for him on his 'LEARNING REFLECTIONS'

3.) WRITE A RESPONSE #2:

Post your 3 topic sentence for your first, second, and third body paragraphs (ESSAY). Remember to keep it simple, include a transition word, and do not provide any of the details that will go into your supporting sentences.

VIDEO LINKS:

Khan Academy - Introduction to Ratios 2

ghost link

1/22/2013 01:54:10 am

grade 6's this is a good source of transition words:
http://jc-schools.net/write/transition.htm

noonoo

1/22/2013 10:23:50 am

@ all gr.6's!!!!! I need the math questions! I wasn't here for the math period so I didn't bring the text book home. please help me!! plz + thx!

Sandy link

1/22/2013 01:54:54 am

If anyone needs a transition word list, you can check out this link.
http://www.smart-words.org/transition-words.html
:)

Slender Man

1/22/2013 01:54:55 am

http://www.studygs.net/wrtstr6.htm

Mr. Hong link

1/22/2013 07:49:20 am

@ Slender Man - Don't forget to put your website link into the form. Also, what is that link for? You forget to mention what it leads to. :)

Greg Heffley link

1/22/2013 07:51:57 am

To begin with, I will be more respectful to my parents.
To begin with, I will show my parents I care.
To begin with, I will spend more time with my parents.

Greg Heffley link

1/22/2013 07:52:25 am

FIRST TO DO THE RESPONSE :D

Mr. Hong link

1/22/2013 09:57:17 am

@ Greg Heffley - Please review one of the links the students posted above or this one http://www.smart-words.org/transition-words.html You will see which transition words are appropriate. You should never start your body paragraphs with the same transition words. Also, here is an example:

To begin, it is very important to be respectful to your parents.
Secondly, it is also very important to show your parents you care.
Finally, spending more time with your parents should be a priority.

Does that make sense? Remember, these topic sentences will basically introduce what your body paragraphs will be about.

Greg Heffley link

1/22/2013 10:12:25 am

Okay, thanks Mr.Hong!

Greg Heffley link

1/23/2013 01:41:21 am

Firstly, I will be more respectful to my parents.
Next, I will show my parents I care.
Lastly, I will spend more time with my parents.

Percy

1/22/2013 08:04:41 am

Firstly, I will be more organized
Also, I will study more
Next, I will finish my work on time

Percy

1/22/2013 08:05:01 am

2nd AWWWW YEAH

Mr. Hong link

1/22/2013 09:58:35 am

@ Percy - Please review the link I gave Greg Heffley above and revise your post.

Percy

1/22/2013 01:02:17 pm

Firstly, I will be more organized with my work
Next, I will study more to improve
Lastly, I will finish all my work on time

SpongeBob link

1/22/2013 08:35:37 am

Firstly, I will listen more to the teacher is speaking.

Secondly, I will read more chapter books.

Lastly, I will be more interactive in class.

Rainbow Factory Dash

1/23/2013 12:54:14 am

AllI can suggest is to see the link Mr. Hongs posted on Greg's post, and revise your post off of that.

Princesa

1/23/2013 12:59:04 am

Well they are good but you might want to stop talking about your self.

Ghost link

1/23/2013 01:00:26 am

@ sponge bob

I really enjoyed reading your posts but I only have one suggestion for you maybe you can use a different transition word at the beginning.

SpongeBob

1/23/2013 01:01:38 am

Firstly, listening to the teacher is important.

Secondly, reading chapter books is key to a great language.

Lastly, talking to others good is a good way to interact.

SpongeBob

1/23/2013 01:12:14 am

Revised

To begin, listening to the teacher is important.

Also, reading chapter books is key to a great language arts mark.

To end of, talking to peers is s great way to interact.

SpongeBob

1/22/2013 08:36:00 am

3rd to post.

cole link

1/22/2013 08:43:58 am

First off, studyings helps your brain.
Secondly, listening can be hard sometimes.
Thirdly,trying hard is hard.

Cole link

1/23/2013 01:13:04 am

Revised
Firstly, Studying helps you.
Secondly, listening to the teachers important.
Finally, trying hard is hard.

Pooh Bear

1/22/2013 09:09:32 am

1.) To begin with, I will find different ways to not procrastinate.
2.) Secondly, I will not do unnecessary things throughout the day.
3.) Lastly, I will keep my day organized.

Princesa

1/22/2013 09:10:17 am

1. to start, I am going to be nicer.
2. to begin with, I am going to stop making trouble.
3. thirdly, I am going to avoed fighting with them.

Princesa

1/22/2013 09:12:06 am

5 to post. YAAAAAAAAAAAA

Mr. Hong link

1/22/2013 09:59:27 am

@ Princessa - As discussed in class, please capitalize the first word of all your sentences. This should be automatic.

Princesa

1/22/2013 12:30:07 pm

Whoops
1. To start, I am going to be nicer.
2. To begin with, I am going to stop making trouble.
3. Thirdly, I am going to avoed fighting with them.

Noonooo

1/23/2013 01:03:16 am

@ Princesa - avoid is spelt AVOID not AVOED. Otherwise, pretty good.

Percy

1/22/2013 01:05:05 pm

Number 2 and number one both say firstly or around the same. So you could say Next,Secondly, and also you can see more here: http://www.smart-words.org/transition-words.html

Princesa

1/23/2013 01:02:35 am

Whoops
1. Firstly, I am going to be nicer.
2. Secendly , I am going to stop making trouble.
3. Thirdly, I am going to avoed fighting with them.

SpongeBob

1/23/2013 01:05:11 am

@ princesa Maybe you should try and find a different transition word for the second topic sentence because up it sounds like it should be in the first sentence.

Princesa

1/23/2013 01:08:04 am

Whoops
1. Firstly, I am going to be nicer.
2. Secendly , I am going to stop making trouble.
3. Thirdly, I am going to avoid fighting with them.

Princesa

1/23/2013 01:18:42 am

What I learned is that for topic sentiences you need to have first, secondly, to begin with, to start, all of those and more. You can't make your sentience to detailed.

Lio link

1/22/2013 09:11:11 am

Now I am going to start off telling you some ways to help me stop using electronics.
First, I am going to be reading more.
Secondly, I am going to write more.
Thirdly, I am going to try and get active more.

Gary

1/23/2013 12:54:52 am

Good job on your sentences but why do you have the sentence above the first one?

Lio link

1/23/2013 12:57:46 am

The first sentence is just an introduction to the 3 bodies.

Slender Man link

1/23/2013 01:00:14 am

I think you could change some vocabulary because it seems that you repeated some words, different words mean different feel.

Li0

1/23/2013 01:08:18 am

@Slender - Ok.
Now I am going to start telling you some ways to help me stop using electronics.
First of all, I am going to try and read more books
Secondly,I will make sure I write more.
Finally, I will try to get more active.

Noonoo

1/23/2013 01:11:55 am

@ Li0 - If you're going to say that you'll read and write, either do, "Now
First, I am going to read more. Secondly, I am going to write more. Thirdly..."

Or: "First, I am going to be reading more. Secondly, I am going to be writing more. Thirdly..." Ok?

~ NooNoo

Li0 link

1/22/2013 09:28:28 am

Check this out guys! Mr. Hong posts at 1:51AM!
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B34g2fcAPVs0SlVkWkptcVN3bXc/edit

Mr. Hong link

1/22/2013 10:00:40 am

@ Lio - Mr. Hong is a robot! ;) He doesn't need sleep.

Li0

1/22/2013 10:03:09 am

HAHAHA! SO FUNNY!

Sandy link

1/22/2013 09:39:01 am

To start off, I can improve my learning by maintaining my website.
Next, I can improve my learning by staying organized.
Finally, I can improve my learning by being more productive.
:)

Mr. Hong link

1/22/2013 10:23:48 am

@ Sandy - Good work! I see that you remember what you learned last year! Here is a challenge: Can you create topic sentences without using the obvious transition words? See if you can be creative and not use a transition in your topic sentences! Do you accept the challenge? ;)

Sandy link

1/22/2013 12:14:39 pm

I accept the challenge.
:P

Different transition words:
To start off, I can improve my learning by staying organized.
Another equally important way to improve my learning is by staying organized.
To end off with, I can also improve my learning by being more productive.

*Probably I failed this challenge, at least I tried*
1.) A way I can improve my learning is by maintaining my website.
2.) Another way I can improve my learning is by staying organized.
3.) And the final way I can improve my learning is by being more productive.

Did I complete the challenge?
:)
Another good link to use for transition words:
http://larae.net/write/transition.html

Sandy link

1/22/2013 12:15:44 pm

Also, thank you!
:)

Sandy link

1/22/2013 09:40:45 am

@Mr.Hong, I was wondering (because it is a little unclear to me) do we post 3 topic sentences each, or just one for each?

Mr. Hong link

1/22/2013 09:42:42 am

@ Sandy - Just write one topic sentence for each. Don't forget to use transition words. :)

Sandy link

1/22/2013 09:53:05 am

Oh okay, thanks.
:)

noonoi

1/22/2013 09:46:30 am

@ Mr Hong - I wasn't here for the math period and didn't take home the text book. should I still do it and ask for a picture of the questions?

Mr. Hong link

1/22/2013 09:52:04 am

@ NooNoo - Sure! See how resourceful you can be! :) However, if nobody sends it to you, I'll show you how to do it tomorrow. Please watch the video that was posted today.

NooNoo

1/22/2013 10:21:23 am

@ Mr. Hong - I did watch the video and I'll ask people for the questions!

5AM

1/22/2013 09:47:17 am

I am interested in being a carpenter because my dad has been a carpenter for the last 14 years. And i also go to work with him for the whole summer break. I have found this great link on how to become a carpenter. http://blogs.payscale.com/salarystories/2007/10/carpenter-salar.html

Mr. Hong link

1/22/2013 09:53:08 am

@ 5AM - I hope you are feeling better and we see you in class tomorrow! I've always admired carpenters for their skills. I wish I had the skill to build my own house! :)

NoonOo

1/22/2013 10:18:17 am

My New Year's Resolution: To be Friends With My Brother By 2014

1. First off to achieve my resolution I have to not fight with him. To do this I will think about my answer when he teases me. This is what usually starts our fights. but if I take the high road and just walk away, not saying anything, sooner or later he'll realize that it's stupid to tease me without a reaction, which is what he wants.

2. Second, to achieve my goal I will be nicer to him. this will be hard because if I'm nice he will not be nice back and that will feel mean, but the nicer I am, the nicer he'll be, and the faster we'll stop fighting.

3. Similarly to not fighting, I can't let him push my buttons. I will also have to try not to START a fight as well as not letting HIM start a fight. I'll do this by letting things that he did wrong (which is what makes me start fights) pass.

Gary

1/23/2013 01:07:26 am

@noonoo you are supposed to do only your topic sentence not the whole paragraph.

Noonoo

1/23/2013 01:14:31 am

I didn't do the whole paragraph

Spongebob Squarepants

1/22/2013 10:20:36 am

Resolution opening paragraphs
Organization: Firstly, To do better in school I will stay more organized.
Getting homework done: Secondly, to do better I will get my homework done on time.

Mr. Hong link

1/22/2013 10:22:17 am

@ Spongebob Squarepants - Where is your third topic sentence for body paragraph #3? ;)

Spongebob Squarepants

1/23/2013 12:55:54 am

Resolution opening paragraphs
Organization: Firstly, To do better in school I will stay more organized.
Getting homework done: Secondly, to do better I will get my homework done on time.
Ask questions: To do netter I will ask more questions so I understand

Minnie Mouse

1/23/2013 12:58:09 am

@Spongebob Squarepants
Good job SpongeBob, but you should go back and re-read the criteria. Your first sentence and second sentence is good, but you need a third sentence.

Gamer

1/23/2013 01:07:43 am

You could use different transition words such as and firstlee

Rainbow Factory Dash

1/23/2013 01:09:27 am

All I can say is to look over the link Mr. Hong posted on Greg's post, and revise your choice of transitions after reading through it.

Spongebob Squarepants

1/23/2013 01:14:00 am

What I learned about topic sentences is that you have to hook the reader but in the least amount of details as possible

noonoo

1/22/2013 10:23:09 am

@ all gr.6's!!!!!! I need the math questions! I wasn't here for the math period so I didn't bring the text book home. please help me!! plz + thx!

Mr. Hong link

1/22/2013 10:38:57 am

@ NooNoo - I have a feeling that Lio may email it to you. :)

noonoo

1/22/2013 10:59:59 am

i checked he didn't:(

Li0

1/22/2013 12:18:08 pm

I was done at I left it at school... dorry

Li0

1/23/2013 01:00:34 am

*sorry

ghost link

1/22/2013 10:31:51 am

1.) Firstly I will pay more attention in class.
2.) Secondly I will try my hardest.
3.) Lastly I will check over my work when I complete an assignment.

Mr. Hong link

1/22/2013 10:40:40 am

@ Ghost - Try using more general statements and staying away from the first person. Try not to use 'I' statements. My suggestions:

1.) Firstly, paying attention in class is one of the most important things a student should do.

Does that make sense? Let me know if you have any questions. Please revise your topic sentences.

Princesa

1/23/2013 12:55:09 am

They are good but like what mr.hong said you might want to stop talking about you and you forgot you comas.

SpongeBob

1/23/2013 12:55:38 am

Try and remove the I will.

Ghost link

1/23/2013 01:20:58 am

My reflection is: I learned that you can not have a detailed topic sentence. Also you have to add a transition word at the beginning of the Sentence.

G Heffley link

1/22/2013 10:32:05 am

1) First of all, in order to complete my goal I will need to stay more organized.
2) Secondly I will need to focus more.
3) And thirdly, I need to be more productive in school.

Mr. Hong link

1/22/2013 10:41:56 am

@ G Heffley - Read the comments I left for Ghost just above your comment.

My suggestion:

1.) First of all, in order for anyone to complete their goals, they must be well organized.

Does that make sense? Let me know if you have any questions. Please revise your topic sentences.

Juliette

1/23/2013 12:57:23 am

You are missing a comma in the second intro paragraph.

Tarantula

1/23/2013 01:07:16 am

I don't think you need the: in order to complete my goal.

Gary link

1/22/2013 10:37:34 am

To begin with, I will practise on my speed.
To begin with, I will practise more on my ball control.
To begin with, I will practise more on my agility.

Mr. Hong link

1/22/2013 10:42:49 am

@ Gary - Please read all the other posts and read the link I provided near the top. You should never use the same transition words for each body paragraph. Look at the list I posted and use different ones for your second and third topic sentences.

Gaia

1/23/2013 01:02:47 am

@gary

You might want to use different transition words for each sentence

Slender Man link

1/23/2013 12:56:27 am

I really think Mr.Hong is right on this one. I think you should change the transitions words because they give out variety, say the same thing over and over again and you could lose your reader.

Li0

1/23/2013 12:59:36 am

Hey.
I think you should try and use different transitions.

Gary

1/23/2013 01:00:46 am

To begin with, I will practise more one my speed.
Firstly, I will practise n my ball control.
Lastly, I will practise more on my agility.

Bobby Orr link

1/23/2013 01:06:38 am

Great job, but you spelt on wrong also you spelt practice wrong. That's all great job.

Gary link

1/23/2013 01:20:30 am

Reflection:
I learned that the topic sentences cannot have much detail in them. We should only try to talk about that one topic.

noonoo

1/22/2013 10:57:48 am

@ all gr.6's!!!! I need the math questions! I wasn't here for the math period so I didn't bring the text book home. please help me!! plz + thx!

Oreo

1/22/2013 11:25:25 am

First off, I will try to practice math everyday.
Next, I will study hard when I have a test.
Lastly, my goal is to get a B in math.

Juliette

1/23/2013 01:01:22 am

Maybe you should change "my goal is to get a b in math" to "My goal Is too get a good grade in math"
Other than that good job Oreo!

Gaia link

1/22/2013 11:58:40 am

to begin I will get more organised.

second of all i will not let my mind wander off.

thirdly I will ask questions if I have any.

Mr. Hong link

1/22/2013 01:44:10 pm

@ Gaia - Re-read your post and see if there is anything missing?

Gaia

1/23/2013 01:08:46 am

Thanks mr.hong ~REVISED~ To begin I will get better with my organizing Secondly I will not let my mind wander off. Finally I will ask questions if I have any.

Gaia

1/23/2013 01:14:25 am

REFLECTION

I learned that you can not make topic sentence's to detailed.

B0bby 0rr link

1/23/2013 01:01:10 am

Good job, for next time maybe add your capitals at the start of the sentences. And maybe you could say to begin with at the start of your sentence.

Hello Kitty

1/22/2013 11:59:19 am

1.) Firstly, I will try to stay organized.
2.) To begin, I will study throughout the week.
3.) Lastly I will get better grades in school.

Cole link

1/23/2013 12:57:31 am

You forgot the comma after lastly. Everything else is good.

Mr. Hong link

1/22/2013 12:19:28 pm

@ Everyone - Our Apple Photostream is just being updated. Check it and show your parents the photos! Email me if you are not on the Photostream yet.

Tarantula

1/22/2013 12:53:04 pm

To go out Side more
Do more parkour
Turn off the electronics

Mr. Hong link

1/22/2013 12:54:03 pm

@ Tarantula - Please edit/revise your work. You have not used complete sentences or transition words. Please read through the entire conversation stream before reposting.

Oreo

1/23/2013 12:59:11 am

Outside is one word, and maybe add some transition words and a period to end the sentence.

Tarantula

1/23/2013 01:13:45 am

To begin, I will go outside more.
Secondly, I will do more Parkour.
Lastly, turn off the electronics.

I learned that the topic sentence isn't detailed at all

Tarantula

1/23/2013 01:21:11 am

Reflection
I learned that topic sentence is short and not detailed and to begin you use a transition word.

G Heffley link

1/23/2013 01:22:24 am

You should add more details to your sentences and post about the resolutions.

Gamer

1/22/2013 02:04:14 pm

1 Earth is the third rock from the Sun; but as far as we know earth is the only planet with life. Where Life is oxygen breathing and carbon based.

2 Making up my own acronyms ar fun; my first try at this is “dogs are katanas some are sharper than others”

3 Did you know that Black Widow spiders eat their mate? This is one of the reason spiders are so different from from mammals and bird where the mated animals work together.

Mr. Hong link

1/22/2013 02:17:11 pm

@ Gamer - Can you post your topic sentences for your New Year's Resolution essay please?

Ghost link

1/23/2013 01:06:03 am

@ gamer

Great response but maybe you could take out some detail. Because Mr. Hong told us not to put detail. But overall great job.

Minnie Mouse

1/22/2013 02:09:24 pm

Firstly, I will study more
Secondly, I will practice more often
Thirdly, I will get help when I need it.

Rainbow Factory Dash

1/23/2013 12:57:08 am

All I can say is to look over the link Mr. Hong posted on Greg's post, and revise your choice of transitions after reading through it.

Judy Moody link

1/23/2013 01:02:55 am

You did a really good job, but to Improve, instead of thirdly, maybe you can write finally or lastly. :D

Spongebob Squarepants

1/23/2013 01:03:02 am

@ Minnie Mouse,
All your topic sentences are the same pretty much, maybe you could make the ideas a little more different. Also on the last one it would sound better if you did lastly.

Minnie Mouse

1/23/2013 01:15:50 am

I learned that you need to have transition words to make it more interesting.

Juliette

1/22/2013 02:15:57 pm

1.) last but not least I will try to pay extension in class.
2.) Furthermore, I will study more.
3.) to start, I will get better organized.

Mr. Hong link

1/22/2013 02:19:29 pm

@ Juliette - Remember, you need to use appropriate transition words. Please review the link I posted near the top of this conversation stream and edit/revise. :)

Tarantula

1/23/2013 01:02:10 am

I think you forgot a comma.

Cole link

1/23/2013 01:05:05 am

Try to use different transition words.

Juliette

1/23/2013 01:09:08 am

1.) next, I will try to pay attention in class.
2.) Furthermore, I will study more.
3.) to start, I will get better organized.
Thanks for the helpful comment @Mr.Hong and Tarantula

Juliette

1/23/2013 01:11:24 am

I leaned that. Shouldn't add to much detail to our intro paragraphs and that we should mention what we are going to talk about.

Juliette

1/23/2013 01:19:16 am

I learned that we Shouldn't add to much detail to our intro paragraphs and that we should mention what we are going to talk about.

Bobby Orr link

1/22/2013 02:20:24 pm

First of all I will put more detail into my writting:
Firstly I will put more effort in my work by.....
To start with I will take my time by......

Li0 link

1/23/2013 12:56:40 am

Your intros are all "firstly" or firstly in other words.
You could use other transitions like, secondly, and finally.

Bobby Orr

1/23/2013 01:10:22 am

Thank you I will try that for next time

Slender Man link

1/22/2013 03:00:10 pm

1.) Helping - To start, helping people is a great conversation starter.

2.) Interaction/Participation - Firstly, interaction can lead to meeting
new people.

3.) Positive Thinking - One real helper is positive thinking.

Gary

1/23/2013 12:57:58 am

Good job slendy but maybe you could fix up the last sentence. I don't really get it?

Slender Man link

1/23/2013 01:10:33 am

Revised

1.) Helping - To start, helping people is a great conversation starter.

2.) Interaction/Participation - Firstly, interaction can lead to meeting
new people.

3.) Positive Thinking - For a start, one real helper is positive thinking.

Slender Man link

1/23/2013 01:22:35 am

Reflection

Some things that I learned about topic sentences is that details a for later, you only write about the main topic and you would put a transition word some where.

Judy Moody link

1/23/2013 12:52:52 am

To begin with I will exercise more.
Firstly, I will stop eating "out" so much.
Lastly, I will make sure I eat more healthy.

Spongebob Squarepants link

1/23/2013 01:07:43 am

@ Judy Moody
On the first one you forgot to put a comma after " to begin with". But otherwise good job

Judy Moody. link

1/23/2013 01:16:03 am

~Revised~
To begin with, I will exercise more.
Next, I will try not to eat out as much.
Finally, I will make sure I eat more healthy.

Judy Moody link

1/23/2013 01:20:20 am

~Reflection~
I learned that you are not supposed to add detail in to the topic sentence. And you have to add a transition word followed by a comma.

Gaia

1/23/2013 12:59:27 am

@slender man
I think you might have forgot your transition words in sentence 3.

Theoverseeker link

1/23/2013 01:06:51 am

To begin with earth is the only thing with life that we know of.
First off some dogs including mine are razor sharp like katanas but others are the dullest in the kitchen.
North America is where the Mounties live, where else do you think
You will find us eh?

Gamer

1/23/2013 01:10:13 am

Theoverseeker you pout lees detal

Oreo

1/23/2013 01:13:53 am

I learned that you have to add transition words in the topic sentence and you can't have to much detail in the topic sentence.

Rainbow Factory Dash~

1/23/2013 01:16:30 am

I learned that topic sentences help guide you down the right path when writing a essay, and when transition words are added into the mix, they make a wonderful rail for great paragraphs and intro's.

Bobby Orr link

1/23/2013 01:19:58 am

My reflection I learned to not take my topic sentences into a lot of detail. And also to use transition words

Gamer

1/23/2013 01:21:56 am

What did I learn about topic sentences it was different than I expected it be

Comments are closed.

Tuesday: Topic Sentences

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