On-Demand 9

Writing Situation:
Your science class has just completed a life science unit studying six body systems. In a few weeks you will take part in a frog dissection where you will be able to observe how these systems all work together.
Writing Directions:
After reading “Skeletal and Muscular Systems” and “Having Healthy Bones,” write an article for your class website explaining the purpose of your bones in the skeletal system and how you can take care of them.
***This would be a 90-minute piece with articles to read.***

• informative
• opinion
• narrative

Writing Situation:
Your social studies class has been studying about civic responsibilities such as voting. Because of the upcoming election, the local newspaper would like to include articles about voting from your students at your school.
Writing Directions:
Write an article to the local newspaper informing readers about the importance of civic responsibilities such as voting. Encourage adults to get out and vote on election day!

• informative
• opinion
• narrative

Writing Situation:
People are often put into leadership positions. They are expected to guide their team in organization, time management, and positive interactions with each other.
Writing Directions:
Think about a time you were put in charge of a situation. Write a letter to your teacher telling about this time and what you learned from the experience. Be sure to use details describing this event. This story can be real or imagined.

• informative
• opinion
• narrative

Writing Situation:
Being lost can be a frightening experience for a child. It can happen on a trip, in the woods, or even in the grocery store. Parents can help their children by preparing them for what to do if they get lost. But still, it can be a scary situation.
Writing Directions:
Think about a time you have been lost. Write an article for your school newspaper telling about this event. Be sure to describe how you felt and what you learned from the experience.

• informative
• opinion
• narrative

Writing Situation:
Teachers have been having a discussion over cell phone use during the school day. Some teachers think that students should be able to carry their cell phones, others believe that students should not be allowed to carry cell phones. They are seeking some opinions.
Writing Directions:
After reading the two articles, “Should Schools Allow Cell Phone Use During the School Day?” and “Cell Phones in School-Yes?”, write a report in which you share your opinion on cell phone use in schools. Give multiple examples from the articles to support your opinion.
***This would be a 90-minute piece with articles to read.***

• informative
• opinion
• narrative

Writing Situation:
Today marks a monumental day for South Africa: the anniversary of the first South African multiracial elections. In 1994, for the first time in the history of South Africa, the nation’s approximately 18 million blacks voted. This marked the end of many years of white minority rule in that country (Whites ruled the nation and did not let blacks vote). How would you feel if your class elected a class president, but only six students out of 26 were allowed to vote- and you weren’t one of them? What kind of problems do you think South Africa had with the old kind of voting system?
Writing Directions:
After reading the situation, write an essay in which you answer the two questions. Give several examples to support your opinion. *

• informative
• opinion
• narrative