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How does the light absorption process of the cryptophyte algae differ from other plants, and why is this important to study?
CERCA Slides are…
Research-based practices that lead to accelerated reading and writing growth.
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TEACHER GUIDE
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TEACHER GUIDE
SKILLS FOCUS | CLOSE READING AND WRITING LESSON | |||
SESSION 1 40 minutes | SESSION 2 40 minutes | SESSION 3 40 -80 minutes | SESSION 4 40-80 minutes | SESSION 5 60 minutes |
Direct instruction Lesson | Overview and Connect | Read, Check, Analyze and Summarize | Develop / Build | Draft and Review / Create |
Build Your Vocabulary Cornell Notes | Find Your Purpose for Learning Share Your Personal Connection | Share Your Reflections Test Prep Strategy Highlight and Annotate Write a Summary | Share Your Argument Builder | Peer Editing Activity Writing Reflection Optional Extensions |
This Type of Algae Absorbs More Light for Photosynthesis Than Other Plants — Lesson Overview
ThinkCERCA Platform
(Online)
ThinkCERCA Student Guide Tools
(Off-app, optional)
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What will students know, understand, and be able to do through this lesson?
Knowledge
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants get energy; chlorophyll pigment is crucial in the photosynthesis process
Understanding
All living things, including plants, need energy to survive; energy can change forms during chemical reactions including photosynthesis
TEACHER GUIDE
Skills
Explain the process of photosynthesis; identify how different wavelengths of light can affect photosynthesis
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What standards will this lesson help students practice?
TEACHER GUIDE
CCSS CCSS.CCRA.R.3; CCSS.W.11-12.2; CCSS.RI.11-12.1; CCSS.RI.11-12.2; CCSS.RI.11-12.3; CCSS.RI.11-12.4; CCSS.RI.11-12.6 | BLOOM BLOOM.2.5; BLOOM.2.4; BLOOM.4.2; BLOOM.2.1; BLOOM.4.3 |
TEKS TEKS.ELAR.E3.4(F); TEKS.ELAR.E3.5(D); TEKS.ELAR.E3.7(D)(ii); TEKS.ELAR.E3.2(B); TEKS.ELAR.E3.8(A); TEKS.ELAR.E4.4(F); TEKS.ELAR.E4.5(D); TEKS.ELAR.E3.4(D)(ii); TEKS.ELAR.E4.2(B); TEKS.ELAR.E4.8(A) | NGSS NGSS.HS-LS1-1 |
BEST BEST.ELA.K12.EE.3.1; BEST.ELA.11.R.3.2; BEST.ELA.11.R.3.1; BEST.ELA.11.V.1.3; BEST.ELA.11.R.2.3; BEST.ELA.12.R.3.2; BEST.ELA.12.R.3.1; BEST.ELA.12.V.1.3; BEST.ELA.12.R.2.3 | Learning for Justice Social Justice Standards NA |
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This Type of Algae Absorbs More Light for Photosynthesis Than Other Plants
How does the light absorption process of the cryptophyte algae differ from other plants, and why is this important to study?
This Type of Algae Absorbs More Light for Photosynthesis Than Other Plants
How does the light absorption process of the cryptophyte algae differ from other plants, and why is this important to study?
Date | Focus/Step | On ThinkCERCA (Online) | Student Guide |
X/XX | Build Your Vocabulary Direct Instruction | Complete the Direct Instruction lesson and check your comprehension | Build Your Vocabulary Direct Instruction Cornell Notes |
X/XX | Overview and Connect | Read the Topic Overview; Write a brief personal reflection in Connect | Find Your Purpose for Learning Share Your Personal Connection |
X/XX | Read and Check | Complete a close reading and answer the multiple choice questions | Pause and Reflect Test Prep Strategy (optional) |
X/XX | Analyze / Engage with the Text | Analyze / Engage with the Text | Highlight and Annotate |
X/XX | Summarize | Summarize the Reading | Write a Summary |
X/XX | Develop / Build | Develop your claim, evidence, and reasoning | Collaborate: Share your argument builder |
X/XX | Draft and Review / Create | Complete final draft | Peer Editing Activity�Reflect on Your Writing |
X/XX | Extension Activities | | Activity: The Color of Leaves (optional) Inquiry to Research (optional) |
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SKILLS FOCUS
Vocabulary Building and Direct Instruction
Student Guide
learn.thinkcerca.com
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VOCABULARY BUILDING
Frayer Model
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DIRECT INSTRUCTION GUIDE
Cornell Notes: Analyzing Connections within Informational Texts
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CLOSE READING AND WRITING
Overview and Connect
Student Guide
learn.thinkcerca.com
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OVERVIEW
Find Your Purpose for Learning
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CONNECT
Share Your Personal Connection
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CLOSE READING AND WRITING
Read and Check
Student Guide
learn.thinkcerca.com
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READ
Share Your Reflections
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CHECK
Test Prep Strategy (optional)
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CLOSE READING AND WRITING
Analyze / Engage with the Text
Student Guide
learn.thinkcerca.com
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ANALYZE / ENGAGE WITH THE TEXT
Highlight and Annotate
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CLOSE READING AND WRITING
Summarize
Student Guide
learn.thinkcerca.com
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SUMMARIZE
Write a Summary
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CLOSE READING AND WRITING
Develop / Build
Student Guide
learn.thinkcerca.com
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DEVELOP / BUILD
Share your Argument Builder
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CLOSE READING AND WRITING
Draft and Review / Create
Student Guide
learn.thinkcerca.com
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DRAFT AND REVIEW / CREATE
Peer Editing Activity
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DRAFT AND REVIEW / CREATE
Reflect on Your Writing
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CLOSE READING AND WRITING
Extension Activities
Student Guide
learn.thinkcerca.com
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OPTIONAL EXTENSION : ACTIVITY
Research: The Color of Leaves
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OPTIONAL EXTENSION : INQUIRY TO RESEARCH
Ask Questions of the Texts
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Visual Teacher’s Guide
What does a day and a week look like?
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TEACHER GUIDE
SKILLS FOCUS
Session 1: Direct Instruction and Vocabulary
Purpose: The Skills Focus session provides skill and vocabulary building paired with the lesson, preparing students to engage in the reading and writing activity.
In This Session
In This Session
Analyzing Connections within Informational Texts
Delivery: Synchronous or Asynchronous. See notes below.
Time: ~30-45 min
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TEACHER GUIDE
CLOSE READING AND WRITING
Session 2: Overview and Connect
Purpose: Students read the Overview to build background knowledge. In Connect, they make personal connections to key themes in the lesson, helping them find their purpose for learning.
In This Session
In This Session
Time: ~30-40 min
This Type of Algae Absorbs More Light for Photosynthesis Than Other Plants
Delivery: Synchronous preferred. See notes below.
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TEACHER GUIDE
CLOSE READING AND WRITING
Session 3: Read, Check, Analyze, and Summarize
Purpose: Students encounter the CERCA question. They Read closely and Check their comprehension. Then they Analyze and Summarize the text to think critically and deepen learning.
In This Session
In This Session
Time: ~40-80 min
This Type of Algae Absorbs More Light for Photosynthesis Than Other Plants
Delivery: Primarily Asynchronous. See notes below.
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TEACHER GUIDE
CLOSE READING AND WRITING
Session 4: Develop / Build
Purpose: In the Develop / Build step, students review the CERCA question and build an argument using evidence from the reading. Discussion clarifies thinking and improves support and organization.
In This Session
In This Session
Time: ~40-80 min
This Type of Algae Absorbs More Light for Photosynthesis Than Other Plants
Delivery: Synchronous or Asynchronous. See notes below.
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TEACHER GUIDE
CLOSE READING AND WRITING
Session 5: Draft and Review / Create
Purpose: Students pull their work from the previous step into a Draft, adding an introduction and conclusion to complete their writing. Peer Editing and teacher feedback help with revision.
In This Session
In This Session
Time: ~60 min
This Type of Algae Absorbs More Light for Photosynthesis Than Other Plants
Delivery: Synchronous or Asynchronous. See notes below.
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Ways to Do It
In the App
Time: varies
TEACHER GUIDE
CLOSE READING AND WRITING
Share Feedback
Feedback from teachers has a positive impact on student growth. Opportunities for providing feedback abound within ThinkCERCA routines and on the platform.
Praise the positive and use our Growth Focus Tool to personalize learning. This video shows you how.
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TEACHER GUIDE
Flexible and Resilient Routines
Goal-Setting and Community Building
Curriculum Planning
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