Opinion: California people

Here are two texts about John C Fremont. The writing objective here is for students to be able to compare two different texts against the rubics that you use in your own classroom.  One activity I like to do with students is for them to judge which one is the better one and explain why. There are other activities on the end. The history objective here is for students to learn about John C Fremont that also leans towards their PBL.

Here are some sentences to sort for groups of students about Kit Carson.   Use the slideshow to guide students in writing their own paragraph.  Then, use my full essay at the end of it.  

The model essay is very well-structured: Opinion, Reason, Evidence, Opinion.  Some good writing techniques... However,  there is some very weak evidence in the second paragraph.  I argued that taking land from someone else was a good thing!  I want students to catch that weak reason, with weak evidence and change it!

Same kind of modeled essay but for Estanislao, an indigenous chief who led lots of peaceful raids on the missions.  This is written to show that he had a negative influence, because I want students to ARGUE with me!  HA!  

This is about Narcissa Whitman, if your class needs more practice with elaborating.  There is a ten minute video at the end, if you wanted to get more in-depth.

Modeled Text on Sarah Winnemucca, a Paiute advocate.

Modeled Text on James Marshall