B. Analyze Model and Plan Proof Paragraphs – W.8.5 (25 minutes)

• Review the learning target relevant to the work to be completed in this section of the lesson:

“I can plan Proof Paragraphs for an informative essay that include relevant details, examples, and evidence that support my focus statement.”

• Display and invite students to retrieve their Informative Writing checklist. Point out the following characteristics:
• “W.8.2b: I use relevant facts, definitions, details, quotations, and examples to explain my thinking.”
• Tell students that as they plan their Proof Paragraph 1, they should remember to support their ideas with evidence from the texts they read and listened to throughout their independent research study in Lessons 1–5. Remind students that the primary focus of instruction will be on the Model Essay: “GMOs.”
• Prompt partners to read aloud Proof Paragraph 1 from the Model Essay: “GMOs.” Invite students to Turn and Talk about the model:

“What is the first point that supports the focus statement of the Model Essay: ‘GMOs’?” (There are many cases in which GMOs seem to improve Americans’ access to healthy foods.)

• Direct students to retrieve their Informative Writing Plan graphic organizer. Invite students to Turn and Talk about their own essays:

“What is the first point that supports the focus statement you planned in your Informative Writing Plan graphic organizer?” (Responses will vary, but students should read and reference the first point of their focus statement they identified in the previous lesson.)

• Have students write the first point that supports their focus statement in the spot on their Informative Writing Plan graphic organizers under Proof Paragraph 1. 
• Direct partners to refer to their assigned model essay, and ask students to Think-Pair-Share:

“What evidence is used in your Model Essay to support and explain the main point in Proof Paragraph 1?” (GMOs: “A review of 6,000 studies between 1996 and 2016 showed that GMOs had increased production of corn by up to 25 percent [Dovey, 2018].” and “GMO canola oil has fewer trans fats than regular canola oil [bestfoods.org]. Canola oil is used to make many other foods. This means that GMOs may actually increase people’s access to healthy food. Finally, the new genes in some corn make it harder for harmful insects to survive. This means that farmers who grow the GMO corn have been able to use fewer pesticides [Brody, 2018].” CSAs: “Food that comes from far away is older. It has traveled many miles, and has probably sat in a warehouse, before you buy it [Grobinger, University of Vermont, 2010].” and “Once produce is harvested, its optimal nutritional value decreases, specifically in vitamins A, B, C and E” [Cleveland Clinic, 2016].” and “Besides the benefit of being so fresh, food from a CSA gives the consumer many choices [Cleveland Clinic, 2016].” and “Depending on the time in the growing season, the weekly CSA box contains many different types of fruits and vegetables. In early summer, the customer may get berries, lettuce, and asparagus. Later, foods could include potatoes, watermelon, and apples. The local CSA also gives out information and recipes about how to use this variety of fresh food [Cleveland Clinic, 2016].”)

• Help students notice that the model essay includes evidence in Proof Paragraph 1 that directly supports the first point of the focus statement.
• Focus students on their Access to Healthy Food: Independent Research note-catcher.
• Turn and Talk:

“How will your Access to Healthy Food: Independent Research note-catcher help you in planning your Proof Paragraphs?” (The evidence for each Proof Paragraph will come from the research recorded on the note-catcher.)

“What evidence will you use in Proof Paragraph 1 to support and explain your point?” (Responses will vary, but students should locate and reference evidence gathered in previous lessons.)

• Inform students that another important aspect of a Proof Paragraph is the elaboration of the evidence. This often directly follows the evidence and acts to further support the writer’s focus. Point students to the first piece of evidence in the Model Essay: “GMOs” located in Proof Paragraph 1. Read it aloud, directing students to follow along silently, starting with “First, GMO corn . . .” and ending with “. . . increased production of corn by up to 25 percent.”
• Next, read the elaboration aloud, starting with “This is important because . . .” and ending with “. . . more people have dependable access to food.”
• Think-Pair-Share:

“What purpose does this elaboration section serve in the Proof Paragraph?” (It further explains the evidence and/or relates the evidence to the focus of the essay.)

• Direct partners to underline the additional elaboration sections in Proof Paragraph 1 of the Model Essay: “GMOs.”
• Using total participation techniques such as equity sticks, call on students to share out the additional elaboration sections they found. (“Canola oil is used to make many other foods. This means that GMOs may actually increase people’s access to healthy food.” and “This means that farmers who grow the GMO corn have been able to use fewer pesticides.”)
• Ask students to Think-Pair-Share:

“Why is it necessary to elaborate on the evidence in a Proof Paragraph?” (Without elaborating on the evidence, readers might not fully understand the evidence or might not be able to connect the evidence back to the focus statement. The elaboration clarifies the writer’s message.)

• Stress the importance of the elaboration section, and explain that orally rehearsing how explaining the evidence included, and how the evidence connects to the focus statement, is a critical aspect of writing a successful informative essay. Invite students to work with a partner, once they have compiled evidence, to orally rehearse their elaboration.
• Display Model Essay: “CSAs,” and direct students to retrieve their copies. Refer to Model Essay: “CSAs” (example for teacher reference), as needed, to support students. Have them read Proof Paragraph 1 silently. Cold-call on students to discuss:

“How is this Proof Paragraph 1 similar to Proof Paragraph 1 in Model Essay: ‘GMOs’?” (It also includes evidence that supports the first point and elaboration that ties the evidence to the focus.)

• Help students notice that Proof Paragraph 1 in both model essays are similar. The evidence in Proof Paragraph 1 of each essay directly supports the first point of the focus statement, and elaboration sentences help the reader connect back to the focus.
• Explain to students that they will now examine Proof Paragraph 2 of the model essays. Remind students that some of them have topics that describe only one impact (either an increase or decrease), and some have topics that describe both an increase and a decrease of access to healthy food. The primary place where this is evident is in Proof Paragraph 2 of each essay. Have students identify the model essay that is most applicable to their own independent research. Tell students they will use this model essay to guide the rest of the analysis they do as they plan their informative essay.
• Direct students to find a partner who is using the same model essay, and prompt partners to read Proof Paragraph 2 aloud to one another. Lead students through the following series of questions using the Back-to-Back and Face-to-Face protocol:

“What is the second point that supports the focus statement of your model essay?” (Model Essay: “GMOs” — “Although GMOs seem to improve access to healthy food, questions about the safety of using GMOs still remain.” Model Essay: “CSAs” — “In addition to increasing access to healthy food through freshness and variety, CSAs increase access to healthy food by having a positive impact on the use of fossil fuels.”)

“What point will you be addressing in your Proof Paragraph 2?” (Responses will vary depending on research topic.)

• Direct partners to bracket the evidence used in Proof Paragraph 2 of their model essay. Prompt partners to join another pair focusing on the same model essay, forming quads, and comparing the evidence and elaboration they identified in their model essay. Prompt quads to discuss the following question:

“How is Proof Paragraph 2 in each model similar to and/or different from Proof Paragraph 1 in each essay?” (They are similar in structure and organization. However, they are different in content.)

• Ask students to Think-Pair-Share about their own essays:

“What evidence will you use in your essay in Proof Paragraph 2 to support and explain your thinking? Read that evidence aloud to your partner.” (Responses will vary, but should reference evidence gathered in previous lessons.)

“What elaboration sentences will tie your evidence together and support your point in a clear way for your reader?” (Responses will vary.)

• Tell students they are now ready to plan the Proof Paragraphs of their own independent research essays, including the evidence and elaboration. Remind students to use the model essay that is most applicable to their own independent research.
• Prompt students to refer to their Access to Healthy Food: Independent Research note-catcher as a guide to select and add evidence that supports their first and second points of their focus to their Informative Writing Plan graphic organizer.
• Circulate to support students as they plan. If necessary, prompt by asking questions such as:

“How does this increase (or decrease) access to healthy food? What impact did it have?” 

“What is the strongest evidence that supports this point?”

“How will you elaborate on the evidence you plan to use? In your own words, how does the evidence you chose help to support your point?”

• Invite students to retrieve the following materials:
• Access to Healthy Food: Independent Research note-catcher
• Informative Writing Plan graphic organizer
• Informative Writing checklist
• Painted Essay® template
• Tell students they are now ready to plan Proof Paragraph 2 of their own independent research essays, including the evidence and elaboration. Prompt students to refer to their Access to Healthy Food: Independent Research note-catcher as a guide to select and add evidence that supports their second point of their focus to their Informative Writing Plan graphic organizer.
• Circulate to support students as they plan. Refer to the Informative Writing Plan graphic organizer (example for teacher reference) as needed. As students work, provide opportunities for them to orally rehearse how they will connect and explain their evidence with a partner as a way to plan effective elaboration. 
• If necessary, prompt by asking questions such as:

“How does your topic decrease (or increase) access to healthy food?” 

“What is the strongest evidence that supports this point?”

“How will you elaborate on the evidence you plan to use?”

• Prompt students to Think-Pair-Share:

“Which evidence in your plan will most effectively support and explain your thinking?” (Responses will vary.)

• Using total participation techniques, such as equity sticks, call on students to share out with the class about their evidence and how it will further support and explain their thinking.
• Invite students to reflect on their progress toward the relevant learning target, using a checking for understanding technique—for example, showing thumbs-up or traffic light signal cards. Scan student responses, and make a note of students who might need support. Check in with them moving forward.