The Art of Brazilian Lace

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

The Art of Brazilian Lace

Concepts to Look For

​Standards RI2, RI6, RI4

We'll review central idea, how to determine the meaning and purpose of words and phrases in context, author's purpose and claims, and recognizing strong textual evidence before you read the text.

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Central Idea

On the next 4 questions, read the text and find the central idea.

• Repeated ideas

• Big concepts

• Supporting details that make a point

​What to Look For

Central idea is what the text is about, or what the author wants readers to understand about the text

​The main point of an informational text

Multiple Choice

People often refer to taxes in terms of their being much too high. In reality, they are probably even higher than you think, because in addition to the federal income tax we are now studying, there are many other Federal, State, and local taxes, including sales taxes, inheritance taxes, state income taxes, personal property taxes, real estate taxes, and others. These are just some of the most obvious ones. 

• Taxes are much too high. 

• We pay more taxes than we may realize. 

• Inheritance taxes and real estate taxes are unfair. 

• Some taxes are hidden. 

Multiple Choice

Most children have an interest in learning to play a musical instrument at one point or another during their growing-up years. Parents need to take advantage of that urge to play when it appears. Some very small children become intrigued with music because they see their parents or their older siblings play. The Suzuki method of instruction capitalizes on that early willingness to learn by involving the parent and the child in the child’s instructions. Elementary-aged youngsters often are exposed to stringed instruments or band instruments in their school music classes. Because kids like to do what other kids do, parents who are not musicians themselves can take advantage of both instruction and enthusiasm. It is at the middle school level, however, that peer pressure can really work to the benefit of parents who want to hear the sound of music around the house.
What is the Main Idea?

• most children have an interest in learning to play a musical instrument during their growing-up years.

• some very small children become intrigued with music because they see their parents or siblings play

• at various points, parents can take advantage of their children’s desire to play a musical instrument. 

• middle-school children take delight at selecting and learning to play an instrument along with their friends.

Multiple Choice

 There is some evidence that colors affect you physiologically. For example, when subjects are exposed to red light respiratory movements increase; exposure to blue decreases respiratory movements. Similarly, eye blinks increase in frequency when eyes are exposed to red light and decrease when exposed to blue. This seems consistent with intuitive feelings about blue being more soothing and red being more arousing. After changing a school’s walls from orange and white to blue, the blood pressure of the students decreased while their academic performance improved

• There is some evidence that colors affect you physiologically 

• Similarly, eye blinks increase in frequency when eyes are exposed to red light and decrease when exposed to blue.

• After changing a school’s walls from orange and white to blue, the blood pressure of the students decreased while their academic performance improved. 

Multiple Choice

 Imagine testing glass by throwing chickens at it? Sometimes fast moving airplanes fly through flocks of birds. If the birds hit the windshield of a plane, the glass could shatter and cause a crash. Airplane manufacturers have made a chicken cannon that fires rubber chickens at glass windshields. If the windshield doesn't break when the rubber chicken hits it, the designers know that the glass can withstand the force of a real crash.

• Why birds can be dangerous to airplanes

• How a chicken cannon checks glass

• How the Chicken cannon works

• How big a bird can hit a plane and bring it down

Multiple Choice

Every year hungry deer do millions of dollars' worth of damage to young pine trees. Scientists in Washington have found a way to protect the trees. They use a substance called selenium. Selenium produces a bad smell when dissolved. A bit of this element is put in the ground near trees. Rain dissolves the selenium, and the trees absorb it. The bad smell keeps the deer away until the trees are fully grown.

• Deer damage trees every year

• Selenium in an important mineral

• How we can protect trees from deer

• Why deer eat pine trees

A statement or idea that an author attempts to prove in a text.

​Claim

The reason the author wrote a text. At the most basic, it may be to inform, entertain, or persuade (but there is much more depth than this)

​Author's Purpose

Author's Purpose and Claims

The next questions will be about author's purpose and claims.

Multiple Choice

Nothing to do tonight? Why not see a play? The theater is alive and well, and tickets are available. Call the ticket hotline now and reserve your seats.

• persuade

• inform

• describe

• explain

Multiple Choice

The next time you turn on the water tap, consider the people around the world—and even in your own country— who are suffering from a lack of water. Everyone, including you, must do his or her part to conserve water.

• persuade

• inform

• describe

• entertain

Multiple Choice

Many people dream of an acting career, but few have the followthrough to take the steps that will make that dream a reality. The first step to becoming an actor is to train. Actors are not born with acting skills; they study and practice. Next, have professional photos taken of yourself. Whenever you audition for a part, leave behind a photo.

• describe

• persuade

• explain

• inform

Multiple Choice

In a recent survey of parents of children in grades 1-8, more than half of the parents agreed that students are overburdened with homework. These parents favored mandating less homework in local schools.

• persuade

• describe

• explain

• inform

Multiple Choice

Lewis stared at the blank screen. Dead. His computer was dead. “I have to finish my paper tonight,” he thought, as panic slowly sunk in. “How am I going to do that?” Lewis’s mind raced. He tried to think of how he could get his work done. His little sister wandered by. “How long will it be?” she asked. Lewis looked at her blankly. “Until the power comes back?” she said. Lewis sighed with relief.

• Persuade

• Inform

• entertain

• describe

Multiple Choice

What is a claim?

• what draws people in and initially grabs their attention

• the message and overall moral idea applicable to multiple stories

• the main idea of the piece and what is being argued

• the evidence used to support your main argument

Multiple Choice

What is wrong with the following claim? What someone says is more powerful than just their actions because words have a longer psychological impact, but actions also have a long lasting impact on others.

• It does not state a clear position or opinion.

• It does not state a topic.

• It does not provide a reason for their position or opinion.

• It states evidence instead of reasoning.

Multiple Choice

What is wrong with the following claim? Actions are more important because Emma Gonzalez stood up for student rights.

• It does not state a clear position or opinion.

• It does not state a topic.

• It does not provide a reason for their position or opinion.

• It states evidence instead of reasoning.

Multiple Select

What must be included within a claim to make it a claim?

• the topic from the prompt or question

• the position or opinion on the topic

• reasoning for your opinion

• examples and evidence to prove your position

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of a strong claim?

• Rock music is the best.

• Drake is better than Tupac because I listen to him more often.

• The music industry has taken a downfall, with artists copying each other and lack of vocabulary.

• Mariah Carey is better than Beyonce because she is the oldest.

Vocabulary in Context

​Every Word Is Chosen for a Reason

Authors choose their words very carefully (this is called diction) in order to make their writing clear, interesting, and to make the point they wish to make. Look for connotations, figurative language, and how words work together within a text.

The next questions look at word choice.

Multiple Choice

Language that allows the reader to form a visual image

• connotation

• imagery

• slang

Multiple Choice

Language that we use in everyday speech, casual and relaxed

• formal

• informal

• slang

Multiple Choice

Language that is free of slang, idioms, colloquialisms, and contractions; often contains polysyllabic words and sophisticated syntax; used in professional meetings, speeches, academic writings, and so forth.

• formal

• informal

• slang

Multiple Choice

Which term refers to the feelings that a word evokes - positive, negative, or neutral?

• denotation

• connotation

• shades of meaning

Multiple Choice

The dictionary definition of a word

• denotation

• connotation

• shades of meaning

Multiple Choice

Which word carries a more positive connotation?

We saw ________ fauna and flora on our walk through the forest.

• weird

• strange

• interesting

Multiple Choice

Which word carries a more negative connotation?

The fresh paw prints - that our guide identified as belonging to a black bear - ___________me.

• scared

• frightened

• unsettled

Multiple Choice

Choose the word which would convey the greatest emotional intensity.

I was _________ when my best friend came back to visit after moving away.

• ecstatic

• happy

• pleased

Multiple Choice

Informal language that is ever-changing, and often particular to a certain group, used to create identity and exclude outsiders.

• colloqialism

• slang

• jargon