State of Arizona

 

Reading and Writing Standards*

 

PaperToolsProª, when used according to the directions given in the Tutorial, helps students meet many of the reading and writing standards.

 

Reading Standard Articulated by Grade Level: Grade 9-12

 

Strand 1: Reading Process

 

Concept 6: Comprehension Strategies 

Employ strategies to comprehend text.   

 

PO 1.  Predict text content using prior knowledge and text features (e.g., illustrations, titles, topic sentences, keywords).   

PO 2.  Generate clarifying questions in order to comprehend text.   

PO 3.  Use graphic organizers in order to clarify the meaning of the text.  

PO 4.  Connect information and events in text to experience and to related text and sources.   

PO 5.  Apply knowledge of organizational structures (e.g., chronological order, sequence-time order, cause and effect relationships, logical order, classification schemes, problem-solution) of text to aid comprehension.

 

PaperToolsProª helps students develop these reading skills:

á       Ideas Page lists keywords used in the research process to help generate questions and predictions for further reading.

á       Textbox to put notes in own words is used for summaries and paraphrases in order to comprehend and interpret what students are reading.

á       Ideas Page lists ideas from all sources used so that ideas can be easily seen, evaluated, and synthesized.

 

Strand 3: Comprehending Informational Text   

Comprehending Informational Text delineates specific and unique skills that are required to understand the wide array of informational text that is a part of our day-to-day experiences. 

 

Concept 1: Expository Text 

Identify, analyze, and apply knowledge of the purpose, structures, and elements of expository text.   

 

PO 1.  Critique the effectiveness of the organizational pattern (e.g., logic, focus, consistency, coherence, visual appeal) of expository text.  

PO 2.  Determine the accuracy and truthfulness of one source of information by examining evidence offered in the material itself and by referencing and comparing the evidence with information available from multiple sources.   

PO 3.  Evaluate the evidence used to support the author's perspective contained within both primary and secondary sources. (Connected to Research Strand in Writing)   

PO 4.  Compare (and contrast) readings on the same topic, by explaining how authors reach the same or different conclusions based upon differences in evidence, reasoning, assumptions, purposes, beliefs, biases,  and argument.      

PO 5.  Identify an author's implicit and stated assumptions about a subject, based upon evidence in the selection.

 

PaperToolsProª helps students develop these reading skills:

á       Evaluating Sources from Resources menu helps evaluate and choose good and appropriate sources.

á       Textbox to put notes in own words is used for summaries and paraphrases in order to comprehend and interpret what students are reading.

á       Ideas Page lists ideas from all sources used so that ideas can be easily seen, evaluated, and synthesized.

 

 

WRITing Standard Articulated by Grade Level: Grade 9-12

 

PaperToolsProª, when used according to the directions given in the Tutorial, helps students meet many of the reading and writing standards.  

 

Strand 1: Writing Process

 

Concept 1: Prewriting

Prewriting includes using strategies to generate, plan, and organize ideas for specific purposes.

 

PO 1.  Generate ideas through a variety of activities (e.g., brainstorming, notes and logs, graphic organizers, record of writing ideas and discussion, printed material or other sources).

PO 4.  Establish a controlling idea appropriate to the type of writing.

PO 5.  Use organizational strategies (e.g., outline, chart, table, graph, Venn Diagram, web, story map, plot pyramid) to plan writing.

PO 6.  Maintain a record (e.g., lists, journals, folders, notebooks) of writing ideas.

 

PaperToolsProª helps students effectively in preparing an oral, written, or visual project through pre-writing strategies:

á       Ideas Page provides a place for brainstorming and listing ideas that can be worked into a sentence outline.

á       Thesis Statement text box keeps the focus of the entire project in front of the student.

á       Note card format of program focuses on gathering and documenting notes as quotations and/or information in the studentsÕ own words so that the project is based on accurate research.

á       Bibliography information is entered in text boxes for each kind of source; from these entries PaperToolsProª creates bibliography/works cited lists and in-text citations in MLA, APA, ACS, CBE, AAAS, and Chicago Manual styles.

 

Concept 2: Drafting

Drafting incorporates prewriting activities to create a first draft containing necessary elements for a specific purpose.

 

PO 1.  Use a prewriting plan to develop the main idea(s) with supporting details.

PO 2.  Sequence ideas into a cohesive, meaningful order.

 

PaperToolsProª helps students effectively create first drafts

á       Thesis Statement text box keeps the focus of the entire project in front of the student.

á       Ideas Page provides a place for brainstorming and listing ideas that can be worked into a sentence outline, which becomes the basis of a draft with topic sentences from the sentence outline.

á       When creating a sentence outline from the Ideas Page, the student sees all the main ideas of the research in one place so that a logical organization can evolve.

á       Notes can be organized using a search query based on text in the notes, descriptors, or keywords so that elaboration can be thorough, accurate, and documented; organized notes with citations can then be copy/pasted or drag/dropped into the exact location in the outline or draft where the information is used and developed.

 

Concept 5:  Publishing

Publishing involves formatting and presenting a final product for the intended audience.

 

PO 1.  Prepare writing that follows a format appropriate for the purpose (e.g., for display, sharing with others, submitting to a publication).

 

PaperToolsProª assists students in ethically presenting their final researched project in correct format.

á       Bibliography information is entered in text boxes that are provided for each kind of source; from these entries PaperToolsProª creates bibliography/works cited lists and in-text citations in MLA, APA, ACS, CBE, AAAS, and Chicago Manual styles to communicate researched information appropriately and ethically to any audience.

á       For any literacy community, PaperToolsProª safeguards students against unintentional plagiarism so that their work can ethically reflect their knowledge, reflections, creativity, and critical thinking.

á       The software provides instruction on the seriousness of plagiarism, what it is, and how to avoid it on the Avoiding Plagiarism Resource menu.

 

 

Strand 2:  Writing Elements

 

Concept 1:  Ideas and Content

Writing is clear and focused, holding the readerÕs attention throughout.  Main ideas stand out and are developed by strong support and rich details.  Purpose is accomplished.

 

PO 1.  Maintain a clear, narrow focus to support the topic.

PO 3.  Provide sufficient, relevant, and carefully selected details for support.

 

PaperToolsProª helps students develop ideas and content:

á       Thesis Statement text box keeps the focus of the entire project in front of the student.

á       Notes as quotations or own words can be inserted into appropriate part of text of draft in a word processing page

á       Ideas Page provides the skeleton for the paper on which notes can be copy/pasted or drag/dropped from PaperToolsProª and around which the writer composes the paper in a word processing page.

 

Concept 2:  Organization

Organization addresses the structure of the writing and integrates the central meaning and patterns that hold the piece together.

 

PO 3.  Place details appropriately to support the main idea.

PO 5.  Employ a variety of paragraphing strategies (e.g., topical, chronological, spatial) appropriate to application and purpose.

 

PaperToolsProª helps students develop structure and organization for their project.

á       Ideas Page lists ideas from all sources used so that ideas can be easily seen, evaluated, and synthesized.

á       Ideas Page provides the skeleton for the paper on which notes can be copy/pasted or drag/dropped from PaperToolsProª and around which the writer composes the paper in a word processing page.

á       Notes as quotations or own words can be inserted into appropriate part of text of draft in a word processing page

 

 

Concept 6:  Conventions

Conventions address the mechanics of writing, including capitalization, punctuation, spelling, grammar and usage, and paragraph breaks.

 

PO 12,  Use appropriate format, according to type of writing, to cite sources (e.g., Chicago, APA, MLA, UPI, any other recognized style manual)

 

PaperToolsPro ªcreates correctly formatted in-text citations and bibliography/works cited lists of sources entered into the bibliography entry text boxes in MLA, APA. ACS, CBE, AAAS, and Chicago Manual styles.

 

 

Strand 3: Writing Applications

 

Concept 2:  Expository

Expository writing includes non-fiction writing that describes, explains, or summarizes ideas and content.  The writing supports and thesis based on research, observation, and/or experience.

 

PO 1.  Write a multi-paragraph essay (e.g., analysis, deduction/induction, problem/solution, extended definition) that

a.        includes background information to set up the thesis (hypothesis, essential question), as appropriate

b.       states a thesis (hypothesis, essential question) with a narrow focus

c.        includes evidence in support of a thesis (hypothesis, essential question) in the form of details, facts, examples, or reasons

d.       communicates information and ideas from primary and/or secondary sources accurately and coherently, as appropriate

e.        attributes sources of information as appropriate

f.         includes a topic sentence for each body paragraph

g.       includes relevant factors and variables that need to be considered

h.       includes visual aids to organize and record information on charts, data tables, maps and graphs, as appropriate

i.          includes an effective conclusion

 

PaperToolsProª provides the means to research, document, organize, outline, and compose a multi-paragraph essay.

á       Thesis Statement text box keeps the focus of the entire project in front of the student.

á       Ideas Page provides a place for brainstorming and listing ideas that can be worked into a sentence outline.

á       Note card format of program focuses on gathering and documenting notes as quotations and/or information in the studentsÕ own words so that the project is based on accurate research.

á       Bibliography information is entered in text boxes for each kind of source; from these entries PaperToolsProª creates bibliography/works cited lists and in-text citations in MLA, APA, ACS, CBE, AAAS, and Chicago Manual styles.

á       When creating a sentence outline from the Ideas Page, the student sees all the main ideas of the research in one place so that a logical organization can evolve.

á       Notes can be organized using a search query based on text in the notes, descriptors, or keywords so that elaboration can be thorough, accurate, and documented; organized notes with citations can then be copy/pasted or drag/dropped into the exact location in the outline or draft where the information is used and developed.

á       Students can drag into a program folder any graphic, sound, or video file and then write note cards in their own words for each file, including a descriptor and key words, and enter bibliography information so that the notes can be documented in the final project.

 

Concept 4: Persuasive

Persuasive writing is used for the purpose of influencing the reader. The author presents an issue and expresses an opinion in order to convince an audience to agree with the opinion or to take a particular action.

 

PO 1.  Write a persuasive composition (e.g. speech, editorial, letter to the editor, public service announcement) that:

a.   states a position or claim

b.   presents detailed evidence, examples, and reasoning to support effective arguments and emotional appeals

c.   attributes sources of information when appropriate

d.   structures ideas

e.   acknowledges and refutes opposing arguments

 

PaperToolsProª provides the means to research, document, organize, outline, and compose a persuasive essay.

á       Thesis Statement text box keeps the focus of the entire project in front of the student.

á       Ideas Page provides a place for brainstorming and listing ideas that can be worked into a sentence outline.

á       Note card format of program focuses on gathering and documenting notes as quotations and/or information in the studentsÕ own words so that the project is based on accurate research.

á       By using terms like ÒproÓ and ÒconÓ as keyword entries, notes for and against the argument can be sorted

á       Bibliography information is entered in text boxes for each kind of source; from these entries PaperToolsProª creates bibliography/works cited lists and in-text citations in MLA, APA, ACS, CBE, AAAS, and Chicago Manual styles.

á       When creating a sentence outline from the Ideas Page, the student sees all the main ideas of the research in one place so that a logical organization can evolve.

á       Notes can be organized using a search query based on text in the notes, descriptors, or keywords so that elaboration can be thorough, accurate, and documented; organized notes with citations can then be copy/pasted or drag/dropped into the exact location in the outline or draft where the information is used and developed

 

Concept 6: Research

Research writing is a process in which the writer identifies a topic or question to be answered. The writer locates and evaluates information about the topic or question, and then organizes, summarizes, and synthesizes the information into a finished product.

PO 1.  Write a research product that:

a.        incorporates evidence in support of a thesis or claim

b.       integrates information and ideas from multiple primary and secondary sources

c.        makes distinctions between the relative value and significance of specific data, facts, and ideas

d.       includes visual aids to organize and record information on charts, data tables, maps and graphs, as appropriate

e.        integrates direct quotes

f.         uses internal citations

g.       includes a works cited, bibliography, or reference page

 

PaperToolsProª provides desktop space to gather, document, and make meaning from information researched from a variety of sources:

á       Evaluating Sources from Resources menu provides students with questions to ask about paper and electronic sources in order to establish and apply criteria for choosing good and appropriate sources that contain the kind of information they need.

á       Access to Internet is available through pre-set URLs or by entering a URL.

á       Note taking ability allows students to gather information from an unlimited number of sources from all kinds of paper, electronic, interview, and artifact sources.

á       Notes can be organized using a search query of text from the notes, quotations, descriptors, or keywords.

á       Ideas Page provides a place for brainstorming and listing ideas, questions, and problems to consider.

á       Ideas Page lists keyword history to help generate questions and predications for further reading.

á       Ideas Page lists ideas from all sources used so that researched material can be synthesized and developed into a sentence outline of connected and related information.

á       Bibliography information is entered in text boxes that are provided for each kind of source; from these entries PaperToolsProª creates bibliography/works cited lists and in-text citations in MLA, APA, ACS, CBE, AAAS, and Chicago Manual styles to communicate researched information appropriately and ethically to any audience.

 

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* Arizona Department of Education: Standards-Based Teaching and Learning Academic K-12 Standards.

       04-APR-2005 < http://www.ade.state.az.us/standards/language-arts/default.asp>.