Name: ________________________

Date: _________________

Advisory: ______________________

6th Grade ELA Thanksgiving Break Packet

#canyoudigit?

Complete the following work included in this packet:

Read the The Blackstone Valley Prep Project narrative prompt
Complete the Multi-paragraph Essay Organizer to plan your response
Write a rough draft of your journal entry
Edit/Revise your response using the checklist provided
Write a final copy of your journal entry
Complete the Site Map and Data Recording assignment
Complete the Reading Log and Reflection AND get it signed by a parent/guardian

Multi-Paragraph Organizer
Prompt

Write a journal entry to reflect on Fridays excavation. Remember, you are an archaeologist from the future who is
part of The Blackstone Valley Prep Project team. Your journal entry should include a description of what the daily
life of the people who inhabited the area was like based on artifacts and evidence located at the site. You can use a
humorous or serious tone, and you must include vocabulary learned in this unit. What did you find interesting? Why
did you find it interesting? What are you excited about? What parts of the location do you want to "dig deeper" into?
Brainstorm & Break Down the Prompt
Define challenging words
Put the prompt in your words
Organize the essay to best answer
the prompt
(How many paragraphs? What will
you discuss in each paragraph?)
Introduction
Context
Introduce and summarize the site
area

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Thesis
State what you believe the site was
used for (description of daily life)

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Preview
Introduce what artifacts and features
will be discuss to prove your thesis

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Body Paragraph 1

Topic Sentence(s)
State the topic of the paragraph

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Evidence
Introduce the artifact or feature
being discussed

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Analysis
Explain where the artifact/feature
was found
Explain the context of the
artifact/feature
Explain your classification of the
artifact/feature
Explain your interpretation of the
artifact/feature
Concluding Sentence(s)
Explain significance of the
artifact/feature
Transition to next paragraph

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Body Paragraph 2
Topic Sentence(s)
State the topic of the paragraph

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Evidence
Introduce the artifact or feature
being discussed

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Analysis
Explain where the artifact/feature
was found
Explain the context of the
artifact/feature
Explain the classification of the
artifact/feature
Explain your interpretation of the
artifact/feature
Concluding Sentence(s)
Explain significance of the
artifact/feature
Transition to next paragraph

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Body Paragraph 3

Topic Sentence(s)
State the topic of the paragraph

________________________________________________

Evidence
Introduce the artifact or feature
being discussed

________________________________________________

Analysis
Explain where the artifact/feature
was found
Explain the context of the
artifact/feature
Explain the classification of the
artifact/feature
Explain your interpretation of the
artifact/feature
Concluding Sentence(s)
Explain significance of the
artifact/feature
Transition to next paragraph

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Conclusion
Summarize the thesis and arguments
from the body paragraphs

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Show the reader why the topics in

your essay are important for others
to understand

________________________________________________

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Rough draft of essay:

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Revising/Editing Checklists:
Revise and edit your rough draft using the checklists below. Your rough draft should show the
changes that you make. Feel free to use pen when revising and/or editing.

Revise
Find at least two places in your writing that need more detail. Add those details.
Look at the paragraphs. If you dont have paragraphs, divide your writing up by topic or events.
Look for transition words. If you dont use transition words, add them into your writing.
Does your introduction hook the readers attention? If not, make changes so that it does.
Is your conclusion satisfying and/or thoughtful? If not, make changes so that it is.
Replace average words (good, nice, cool, awesome) with words that are interesting and specific.
Read the response out loud to see if sentences flow and start in different ways. If not, change
them.
Does your unique personality show through your writing? If not, add some of your voice and
style.

Edit
Check the spelling of challenging words
Check the spelling and capitalization of names and titles (proper nouns)
Check that the first letter of each sentence is capitalized
Check that ending punctuation is used correctly (period, question mark, exclamation point)
Check that commas are used correctly
Check for correct use of homonyms
there, their, and theyre
Check for correct use of homonyms
to, too, and two
Check for correct use of homonyms
your and youre

Write your final copy here:

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Site Map:
Draw a visual representation of the area of the dig that you excavated.
Include the key features and artifacts that are mentioned in your journal response.

Name: _______________________________
___________________

Date:

Directions:
For each day of reading, fill out the
date, title & author, exact pages read (ex. 12-26),
and exact amount of time spent reading (ex. 5:32 pm-6:24 pm).Make sure to complete the written
response each week (see back). Happy reading and reflecting!
Date

Title & Author

Pages Read

Time Spent
Reading

1.
11/22
2.
11/23
3.
11/24
4.
11/25
5.
11/26
6.
11/27
7.
11/28

I completed ______ days of reading and read for at least 30 minutes per day. I completed one thoughtful,
written response. I put forth my best effort toward becoming a better reader.

Scholar Signature: ________________________________

Date: ______________

Parent Signature: _________________________________

______________

Date:

Select
one
prompt and write a response. A thorough, detailed response will be at least two
paragraphs.
1. Write about something that surprised you
2. Describe something you liked or disliked and explain why you feel that way
3. Describe an interesting or important character
4. Explain something that puzzled you or made you ask questions
5. Discuss your thoughts about the authors message or theme
6. Discuss the language the author used and what you think about it
7. Discuss anything particularly interesting or skillful about the authors writing
8. Describe a problem or challenge that characters must overcome
9. Summarize your reading
10. Connect what you read to a personal experience or another text
*Feel free to come up with your own prompt for reflecting on reading. Please approve the prompt with a teacher first!
Response #: ___________
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