Miami-Dade County Public Schools Extended Learning Module

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS EXTENDED LEARNING MODULE

SUBJECT: Language Arts/Reading

GRADE: 6th

MANUAL: Teacher Manual/Answer Key

TUTORING SESSION 3

Benchmark Focus Lesson:

LA.6.1.7.3- Main Idea/Essential Message

LA.6.1.7.2- Author’s Purpose

FCAT Instructional Passage:

FLORIDA EXPLORER MAGAZINE:

Visit Florida Caverns: Vacation Recommendation

THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA

Ms. Perla Tabares Hantman, Chair

Dr. Martin Karp, Vice Chair

Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall

Ms. Susie V. Castillo

Mr. Carlos L. Curbelo

Dr. Lawrence S. Feldman

Dr. Wilbert "Tee" Holloway

Dr. Marta Pérez

Ms. Raquel A. Regalado

Ms. Krisna Maddy, Student Advisor

Mr. Alberto M. Carvalho

Superintendent of Schools

Milagros R. Fornell

Chief Of Staff

Marie L. Izquierdo

Chief Academic Officer

Office of Academics and Transformation

Dr. Maria De Armas

Assistant Superintendent

Academics, Accountability and School Improvement

Office of Academics and Transformation

Karen Spigler

Administrative Director

Department of Language Arts/Reading

Benchmark Focus Lesson 1: Main Idea/Essential Message

Explain main idea- the most important idea that the writer is conveying to the reader. Use the following paragraph to illustrate identifying the main idea.

Jogging is a great activity. Running early in the morning as the birds are chirping and the air is fresh and crisp sets the tone for the entire day. When passing the familiar faces of other dedicated runners, a smile or a nod of the head is commonly offered signaling membership in a special organization. Only other runners understand the difficulty a runner endures and the sense of accomplishment and exhilaration when crossing the finish line.

What is the main idea? Jogging is a great and enjoyable exercise enjoyed by many people.

Activity: Pair students and ask them to write a short paragraph about a hobby or sport they enjoy during their spare time. Have each pair identify the main idea of the paragraph. These will be shared with the group and other students will be asked to identify the main ideas presented in the paragraphs.

Pre-reading strategies (refer to the Teacher Resource Guide)

Introduce Concept of Definition Map. Divide students into groups of 3 or 4. Each group will complete a concept of definition map for one of the following vocabulary words. Maps will be shared with the class. Use the following map to model the strategy.

Office of Academics and Transformation - Department of Language Arts/Reading

2013-2014

Benchmark Focus Lesson 2: Author’s Purpose

When author’s write, they usually have a purpose in mind and this is based on the following three reasons:

• To persuade: to convince readers to think or act a certain way
• To inform: to explain something, give information or directions
• To entertain: to make readers get in touch with emotions such as fear, joy, or sadness.

Read the following article. Think about the author’s purpose for writing. Then answer the questions related to the passage.

Sports are popular in all regions of the world. In Alaska, the most popular sport is dog sledding, and the most famous dog sledding race is called the Iditarod. It is an annual race that is over 1,000 miles in length. The level of commitment that is required of the dogs and mushers is intense due to the extreme weather and length of the course. It takes a great deal of time to prepare and practice for this race.

Many people wonder how the dogs that participate in this challenge are trained. Sled dogs are identified and begin their training as young as three months of age. First, they begin running behind a team of dogs. There are certain commands they most know from the beginning such as hike (which means to go) and easy (which means to slow down). They also practice by pulling light weights with a harness, which lets them learn how to keep the tug line tight. Quickly, the trainers learn which dogs will be successful due to intelligence and self-control and which ones won’t.

1. What was the author’s purpose of writing this article?

A. to persuade

B. to entertain

C. to inform

2. What is the author’s point of view about the Iditarod?

F. It is a sport that requires a lot of dedication from the dogs and the mushers

G. It is a sport that doesn’t require a great deal of time to prepare for

H. It is a silly sport

J. It is inhumane to have dogs work this hard

1. Where would the author encourage students to obtain further information

about this sport?

A. Newspaper

B. Internet

C. Encyclopedia

D. All of the above

DIRECTIONS: Read the article “Visit Florida Caverns,” and answer numbers 1 - 7.

FLORIDA EXPLORER MAGAZINE:

Visit Florida Caverns: Vacation Recommendation

By: Amanda Murphy

Florida Caverns State Park, in Marianna, Florida, is considered by many to be one of the “crown jewels” of the Florida Parks system. Perfect for a weeklong camping trip, a weekend stay, or a day trip, the Caverns offer a fun time for the whole family. From scenic walks and amazing rock formations to camping and picnicking facilities, everything about this 1,319-acre state park is fun. I recently spent a weekend exploring the park with my family and really enjoyed my stay. Anyone looking for a great vacation experience should consider the Florida Caverns State Park.

Tour the Florida Caverns

The cavern tour is the reason most people come to the park. Certainly, my favorite part of our trip was the cavern tour. The friendly guides provide lots of useful information about the geology of the region surrounding the park. We learned about how the caves were formed and what makes the North Florida region favorable for cave formations. The guide was happy to answer all of our questions, including whether we might see bats. (The answer, to my delight, was yes, but unfortunately we didn’t see any during our tour.) The tour begins about 60 feet below the surface and winds through the limestone on a lighted path. The cave is filled with fascinating forms and shapes: stalactites, stalagmites, pillars, drapery formations, fossils, pools of water, and terraces. Many of the rocks have been given names that help describe their appearance, such as “the church organ,” “the bacon rock,” and “the wedding cake.”

These fragile formations are made of calcite, a mineral dissolved from limestone rock when surface water trickles through the rock into the caves. The mineral-rich water meets the air inside the caves, creating layers of calcite. These formations are created over tens of thousands of years. Science is my favorite subject in school, and I really enjoyed learning how caves are formed and why Florida has so many sinkholes and springs. I’ve taken the cavtour several times and learned something new

My family and I have visited other caves around the country, and at first thought the Florida Caverns couldn’t compare to, say, Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. But we were wrong. Mammoth Cave may have enormous chambers, but the guided tours are generally more demanding and can get tiring.

Mammoth Cave National Park also offers hiking trails and access to a river, much like the Florida Caverns. However, Mammoth Cave cannot match the beauty of the Florida Caverns. And, while the Florida Caverns offer a quiet, peaceful setting, Mammoth Cave is usually crowded with tourists. Of special importance to the state’s residents, Florida Caverns State Park offers the opportunity to learn about the geology of Florida and the history of important periods in our state’s past.

Explore the River

In addition to the caves, the park also offers the opportunity to explore the Chipola River. The canoeing can be difficult, however, as the Chipola’s logjams—formed by fallen trees—are difficult to get around. Thanks to the river, the park has a lovely swimming area. Located near the campground, the Blue Hole swimming area consists of a spring fed by the river. This provides a great way to cool down during the summer.

Wander the Nature Trails

Florida Caverns State Park has several miles of trails. A wide variety of animals, including woodpeckers, barred owls, beavers, alligators, rare Barbour’s map turtles, and snapping turtles, live in the park. Visitors can enjoy a walking tour of the area and bike or ride horses on several multi-use trails (however, bring your own; the park doesn’t currently rent horses or bikes.)

Region: Northwest FLORIDA CAVERNS STATE PARK

3345 Caverns Road Marianna, Florida 32446 Jackson County 850-482-9598

Directions: State Park is located 3 miles north of Marianna, off the U.S. 90 on S.R. 166. From I-10, take Marianna Exit 136 or 142 North and follow the signs to the park.

Park Features: Picnicking facilities, swimming, visitor’s center, playground, boat ramp, canoe rentals, full facility camping (water and electric hook ups), primitive camping, golf course, horse trails and stables (horses not available to rent), and hiking rails.

DIRECTIONS: Based on the article “Visit Florida Caverns,” answer numbers 1- 7.

1. How do the subtopics in the article “Visit Florida Caverns” support the main idea of the article?

A. They emphasize the importance of the cave tour.

B. They arrange information according to what might interest readers.

C. They emphasize the natural beauty of Florida Caverns State Park.

D. They convince readers that most people come to the park to tour the cave.

2. In the section, Tour the Florida Caverns, the author compares the Florida Caverns to Mammoth Cave. What is the author’s purpose in making this comparison?

F. to persuade readers that the Florida Caverns are as enjoyable as Mammoth Cave

G. to persuade readers that Mammoth Cave and Florida Caverns are similar

H. to persuade readers that Mammoth Cave is worth the drive to Kentucky

J. to persuade readers that Mammoth Cave has difficult tours

3. The author states that the Florida Caverns State Park offers “a fun time for the whole family.” Which sentence supports the author’s statement?

A. The park is considered a “crown jewel” in the Florida parks system because of the beautiful soda straws, draperies, columns, stalactites, and stalagmites.

B. The park is very similar to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky because it offers cave tours, hiking, swimming, and horseback riding.

C. The park provides science lessons twice a day involving discussions of calcite, limestone, sinkholes, and mineral-rich water.

D. There are many activities adults and children can enjoy, including camping, swimming, boating, hiking, and touring caves.

4. Which of the following statements best supports the author’s opinion about Florida Caverns State Park?

F. Science is my favorite subject in school. I really enjoyed learning how caves are formed and why Florida has so many sinkholes and springs.

G. The Blue Hole swimming area consists of a spring fed by the river. This provides a great way to cool down during the summer.

H. The guide was happy to answer all of our questions, including whether we might see bats. The answer, to my delight, was yes . . .

J. From the scenic walks and amazing rock formations, to camping and picnicking facilities, everything about this 1,319-acre state park is fun.

5. What advantage does Florida Cavern State Park have over Mammoth Cave National Park? Use details and information from the article to support your answer.

_Florida Caverns State Park is much prettier than Mammoth Cave National Park.

Tourists who visit the Florida Park don’t have to bother with the crowds like the

tourists who visit Mammoth Cave National Park. In addition, Florida Caverns

State Park gives visitors the opportunity to learn about geology and history of

Florida. ______

6. Read this sentence from the selection called Explore the River.

The canoeing can be difficult, however, as the Chipola’s logjams – formed by fallen trees- are difficult to get around.

What does the word logjam mean in this sentence?

A. a wooden dock

B. a bridge built of logs

C. a pile-up of canoes

D. a blockage of timber

7. Based on all the information given, what might a family do on a vacation to Florida Caverns State Park? Use details and information from the article to support your answers.

A top response score would include: A family could plan a vacation to Florida Caverns State park that would include many different activities. They could spend part of their time swimming, hiking, and boating. They could even rent canoes. If they had a camper, there are facilities. There is a golf course and trails for horseback riding. Visitors could also spend time on guided tours in the actual caverns and learn how the caverns were formed as well as the important periods of Florida’s past.

Anti-Discrimination Policy

Federal and State Laws

The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida adheres to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment and educational programs/activities and strives affirmatively to provide equal opportunity for all as required by:

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended - prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, or national origin.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 - prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender.

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) as amended - prohibits discrimination on the basis of age with respect to individuals who are at least 40.

The Equal Pay Act of 1963 as amended - prohibits gender discrimination in payment of wages to women and men performing substantially equal work in the same establishment.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - prohibits discrimination against the disabled.

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) - prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, public service, public accommodations and telecommunications.

The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) - requires covered employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to "eligible" employees for certain family and medical reasons.

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 - prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.

Florida Educational Equity Act (FEEA) - prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, gender, national origin, marital status, or handicap against a student or employee.

Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 - secures for all individuals within the state freedom from discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status.

Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) - Prohibits discrimination against employees or applicants because of genetic information.

Veterans are provided re-employment rights in accordance with P.L. 93-508 (Federal Law) and Section 295.07 (Florida Statutes), which stipulate categorical preferences for employment.

Rev. (01-11)

Office of Academics and Transformation - Department of Language Arts/Reading

2013-2014