Methods of Elaboration --- Take Notes (in your spiral)

1. Methods of Elaboration --- Take Notes (in your spiral) • Elaboration = expanded detail about red or other pinks • It’s basically PINKS in the body paragraphs. The introduction and conclusion has the colors BLUE, GREEN, and YELLOW, but we’re not worrying about that today. Focus is on BODY PARAGRAPHS.

2. Notes for Methods of Elaboration (boxes)

3. Notes for METHODS of ELABORTION in spiral:

7. Elaboration Examples Fill in the questions on your worksheet – page after the notes.

8. A. Body Paragraph --- Green = skills for school success Being a good student requires organization. The first step for middle school kids is to set up their locker. In order to be efficient, the locker should be clean and books should be on the shelves. 1. I know my locker was messy in sixth grade so I was sometimes tardy to class just because I couldn’t find a book or pencil. 2. So, with materials in hand, it is important to get to class. For most classes, kids always need pencils and paper. In some classes, like science, a textbook might be required. In Mrs. Smith’s class, it is very important to have the spiral each day. 3. Last year, I forgot mine for three days in a row. That, of course, meant I didn’t glue in the papers in order and didn’t finish the homework so my grade suffered. Along with having an organized locker and bringing the appropriate materials to class, students should organize their time. In regards to academics, it is important to know the due dates for all assignments. The best way for students to have success in this area is for them to write in and check their calendars frequently. 4. My mom still goes over my calendar with me each Sunday so I don’t forget any homework I might have. If students cannot remember the due dates, most teachers at Jefferson Middle School have websites showing due dates and upcoming assignments. It’s another great way to stay organized and be sure to turn in assignments on time so as to earn maximum points instead of getting late points taken off. Finally, using time well means that kids need to study a little bit each day instead of waiting until right before a quiz or a test. Again, the websites can be helpful here. 5. I often used Mrs. Smith’s website to study for vocabulary since she uploaded review games for kids to play. Basically, it’s critical kids don’t leave studying until the last minute as it may adversely affect their school performance.

9. B. Body Paragraph --- Green = skills for school success Being a good student requires organization. The first step for middle school kids is to set up their locker. In order to be efficient, the locker should be clean and books should be on the shelves. 1. “Wow, Brenda, “ I would often hear other students comment. I know my locker was messy in sixth grade so I guess other kids noticed, too. I was sometimes tardy to class just because I couldn’t find a book or pencil. 2. So, with materials in hand, it is important to get to class. 3. For most classes, kids always need pencils and paper. In some classes, like science, a textbook might be required. In Mrs. Smith’s class, it is very important to have the spiral each day. Last year, I forgot mine for three days in a row. That, of course, meant I didn’t glue in the papers in order and didn’t finish the homework so my grade suffered. 4. Upon coming home one day, I heard my mom yell, “Brenda, get in here!” I knew that wasn’t good because she’d found out my grades were less than stellar. Along with having an organized locker and bringing the appropriate materials to class, students should organize their time. In regards to academics, if students cannot remember the due dates, most teachers at Jefferson Middle School have websites showing due dates and upcoming assignments. 5. 80% of students at JMS report using a teacher’s website at some point during the school year. It’s another great way to stay organized and be sure to turn in assignments on time so as to earn maximum points instead of getting late points taken off. Finally, using time well means that kids need to study a little bit each day instead of waiting until right before a quiz or a test. Again, the websites can be helpful here. 6. I often used Mrs. Smith’s website to study for vocabulary since she uploaded review games for kids to play. Basically, it’s critical kids don’t leave studying until the last minute as it may adversely affect their school performance.

10. Paragraph C -- GREEN = Person I Admire 1. My wonderful mom provides for me. 2. First of all, she buys me the necessities. Whether is clothing or school supplies, my mom always has me prepared. Even the things I don’t need, my mom will sometimes buy for me “just because”. 3. Just this weekend, we went to the mall and my mom bought me some earrings to match my new dress so that I can wear them on Thanksgiving this year. While my mom provides for all my financial needs, even more important, she provides for my emotional needs. She is always there for me to talk. When I have a problem at school, I can always talk to my mom and I will feel better. If I don’t feel better right away, my mom is great about coming up with solutions to solve my dilemma. 4. Last year, when I had trouble in my geometry class, my mom convinced me to talk to Mrs. Janis, my teacher, about the issues and class got better for me immediately. 5. Finally, my mom is extremely fun. We watch movies together on the weekend. Our favorite, The Sound of Music, is on each year. 6. So each winter vacation, we get our popcorn ready and snuggle up for three hours of television time. 7. About half of the time, my brother even watches with us.

11. Paragraph D = Green = Person I Admire First of all, my aunt Gwen is a caring person.1. For example, she remembers me during special events. She never fails to send me a wonderful birthday card and a gift, and I always enjoy reading what she has to say. What I usually get as a birthday gift is money or a Macy’s gift card. 2. Last year, I was able to buy three pairs of jeans with the money she gave me. Some other holidays she always remembers are Christmas, New Year’s, and Thanksgiving.3. But no matter what, my aunt will always call on holidays and say “How’s my favorite niece?”. As well as remembering special events, my Aunt Gwen is displays her affection for me. She enjoys receiving pictures of me and puts them on her refrigerator. Whenever I go visit, she never fails to be happy to see me. 4. She talks about me to her neighbors, telling them “cute” stories. In addition, she takes time out of her busy schedule to attend my volleyball games whenever she can. Lastly, Gwen physically cares for me at times. 5. Once, when I was little, she helped take care of me for two weeks while my mom was in the hospital. 6. Even though I spit up greenish-yellow vomit after ingesting piles of chewy, cheesy, garlic filled pizza, she didn’t even seem to be upset. 7. Since I was only two and sick to my stomach, she also had to change my disgusting, foul-smelling, runny, brownish diapers. Now that’s love!

12. Paragraph E – BODY PARAGRAPH 1. Being a good student requires organization. The first step for middle school kids is to set up their locker. In order to be efficient, the locker should be clean and books should be on the shelves. 2. I know my locker was messy in sixth grade so I was sometimes tardy to class just because I couldn’t find a book or pencil. 3. So, with materials in hand, it is important to get to class. For most classes, kids always need pencils and paper. In some classes, like science, a textbook might be required. 6. In Mrs. Smith’s class, it is very important to have the spiral each day. 4. Last year, I forgot mine for three days in a row. That, of course, meant I didn’t glue in the papers in order and didn’t finish the homework so my grade suffered. Along with having an organized locker and bringing the appropriate materials to class, students should organize their time. In regards to academics, it is important to know the due dates for all assignments. The best way for students to have success in this area is for them to write in and check their calendars frequently. 5. My mom still goes over my calendar with me each Sunday so I don’t forget any homework I might have. If students cannot remember the due dates, most teachers at Jefferson Middle School have websites showing due dates and upcoming assignments. It’s another great way to stay organized and be sure to turn in assignments on time so as to earn maximum points instead of getting late points taken off. 6. Finally, using time well means that kids need to study a little bit each day instead of waiting until right before a quiz or a test. Again, the websites can be helpful here. 7. I often used Mrs. Smith’s website to study for vocabulary since she uploaded review games for kids to play. Basically, it’s critical kids don’t leave studying until the last minute as it may adversely affect their school performance.

13. Paragraph F --- BODY PARAGRAPH 1. My wonderful mom provides for me. 2. First of all, she buys me the necessities. Whether is clothing or school supplies, my mom always has me prepared. Even the things I don’t need, my mom will sometimes buy for me “just because”. 3. Just this weekend, we went to the mall and my mom bought me some earrings to match my new dress so that I can wear them on Thanksgiving this year. While my mom provides for all my financial needs, even more important, she provides for my emotional needs. She is always there for me to talk. When I have a problem at school, I can always talk to my mom and I will feel better. If I don’t feel better right away, my mom is great about coming up with solutions to solve my dilemma. 4. Last year, when I had trouble in my geometry class, my mom convinced me to talk to Mrs. Janis, my teacher, about the issues and class got better for me immediately. 5. Finally, my mom is extremely fun. We watch movies together on the weekend. Our favorite, The Sound of Music, is on each year. 6. So each winter vacation, we get our popcorn ready and snuggle up for three hours of television time. 7. About half of the time, my brother even watches with us.

14. Read the two paragraphs below. • Elaboration – Apple Pie • A. As I walked into the kitchen, I could smell the apple pie baking. It smelled really good and I couldn’t wait to have a piece of dessert. The apple smell filled the air and it reminded me of other times I’d had wonderful desserts like pie. I could smell the many spices and bread-like crust my mom always included in her baking. Yum – just a few more minutes and I’d be able to dig in! • B. As I strolled into the kitchen, the smell of apple and cinnamon wafted above my head and drifted in through my nostrils. Delicious, I thought. My mom, preparing a wonderful dinner, had included a fresh baked, homemade apple pie on the menu. The tantalizing aroma made my taste buds water and my stomach growl with anticipation. The air was slightly smoky as a piece of crust fell to the bottom of the oven with a fizzzzing sound. Crack, crack were the next sounds coming from the oven as the pie crust bubbled up and turned slightly golden brown. Sprinkled with cinnamon, the criss-crossed dough pattern over the sliced apples reminded me of the pies my grandmother baked for me on every birthday. Just a few more minutes and I’d be able to devour every tangy, sweet, sugary bite of my first pie piece of the holiday season.

15. Answer the questions (in sentences, please…restate the question)… write these answers below the Elaboration Worksheet Page you’ve been on • 1. What was clearly better about the second paragraph (B)? • 2. Write five words that were vivid (very descriptive) from the paragraph B.

16. Fix the paragraph below • Although October and November are fabulous months of the year, I love Christmas time the best for many reasons. First of all, I really enjoy the decorations. The holiday lights are bright and the trees everywhere are great to see. While I like decorations, I also like the food. Among the foods I enjoy the most are apple pie, turkey, and mashed potatoes. Each year, we eat a big meal at my grandma’s house. The activities are also great. I participate in Christmas caroling each year. I go many places. Also, my friend usually has a party and invites tons of people. All in all, December is a great time of year. • DIRECTIONS: For the above paragraph, add: (ALL of these can be made up, of course) • *One sensory detail (needs to be many words/a sentence or two type of thing) • *one quote (can be made up) * one anecdote (little story) • *for each underlined word, change it to a BETTER word (more vivid/descriptive) • --- Your new paragraph will be longer and more descriptive… you can move words around and add and subtract a bit to make it work. • ---HIGHLIGHT the methods you use (underline with colored pencil using the same colors we did on the other page…the one about Thanksgiving). Write your paragraph below↓↓↓↓

17. Now, please work on these items in your spiral: 1st: Birthday paragraphs (blue and white) 2nd: Thanksgiving paragraph…remember to highlight with colored pencils at the end 3rd: Elaboration practice (under Thanksgiving paragraph) The two topics are: 1. Favorite Activity 2. Favorite Holiday 4th: When all that is complete, you may play the vocabulary game or work on other work or play Free Rice.