As JP had questions on the preparation of the synthesis essay homework , today I provided instruction and modeling on the synthesis essay . I first directed attention to the standard AP prompt language wherein the student is asked to develop a thesis bases on the sources. I explained the difference between developing a thesis or position and merely summarizing a position of one of the source writers. I then modeled a thesis based on the sources again noting how the modeled thesis did more than summarize a source . We then worked on identifying the best evidence from the 4 provided sources and composing commentary that supports the thesis. I assisted JP in formulating ideas/comments and in employing formal academic sentence structure and diction. By the end of the session JP had completed commentary on his first piece of evidence and will complete the assignment tonight by drafting commentary on his second evidentiary source.
Today we continued working with adding and subtracting rational expressions. We reviewed factoring types GCF, trinomial, difference of squares, and grouping. We used these techniques to simplify. JPaul knows what to do, but his factoring skills could be improved. We will continue to see factoring throughout this Chapter, so we pulled difficult factoring problems from the internet and I had JPaul work them out, one by one. This was a good review for him.
Outline and discuss the effect on the species variety of algae along the New England coast by increases, decreasing, and intermediate snail population disturbances. View the results on a graph of species variety vs. snail population disturbance. Outline the reasons why the intermediate disturbance will produce a greater variety of species than the other two.
Review Module 8 questions
We reviewed JP's "commentary" essay and his synthesis essay exercise. Regarding the commentary essay, I noted his strong thesis and relevant commentary but focused on my written comments suggesting the need to improve sentence structure and diction. We further reviewed how to correct run-on sentences as well as subject-pronoun agreement. As JP encountered difficulty with the synthesis exercise, I further provided additional instruction on citing and incorporating the evidence from the provided sources and drafting commentary explaining the relevance of the source or commenting on the source's credibility.
JPaul had difficulty with his homework, so we stayed on the subject of adding/subtracting rational expressions. JPaul had the right idea in factoring, but he made errors incorrectly simplifying before he combined. I had JPaul fix his errors. Then we tried similar problems. This time, JPaul understood what to do. He independently factored, found the least common multiple, worked to combine fractions, then simplified appropriately.
Today we outlined the requirements for Assignment 3. JP will be working on a formal essay focused on principles that distinguish social entrepreneurship from traditional entrepreneurship.
