A targeted two-part fall-themed writing intervention sequence for 7th-grade small groups with IEP goals in paragraph generation, evidence citation, and tool-assisted revision. Students analyze curated autumn evidence dossiers, construct supported blueprints, and apply systematic inspection checklists.
Prompt: "Who gave you this fact? Put their name right after 'According to' so the reader knows who said it."
Issue: Quoting without explaining ("So what?")
Prompt: "You quoted the 94% moth statistic. Now write one sentence starting with: This matters because..."
Issue: Reading comprehension overwhelm
Direct student to focus only on Paragraph 2 (for wildlife) and Paragraph 4 (for landfill waste). Chunk the reading.
Next Session Preview: Quality Inspection Station Keep today's completed worksheets and the reading article! Students will cross-reference both during Session 2 revision.
Session 1 Complete
Evidence Sourcing Text
¶4
The Plastic Bag Catastrophe
Source: EPA Solid Waste Report
Where do raked leaves end up? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), yard trimmings account for 10.5 million tons of municipal solid waste each year, peaking at 13% of total landfill volume in autumn. When leaves are sealed inside black plastic garbage bags and buried in landfills, they are deprived of oxygen. Instead of decomposing into healthy dirt, they produce methane gas—a greenhouse pollutant 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping atmospheric heat.
¶5
The Counter-Argument: Public Safety Hazards
Source: Director Marcus Vance
However, letting leaves lie wherever they fall carries real municipal dangers. According to Marcus Vance, Director of City Public Works, wet leaves on asphalt create a traction loss equivalent to black ice. Vance’s department recorded a 28% increase in pedestrian slip-and-fall injuries and numerous bicycle accidents when wet leaves were left on city sidewalks. Furthermore, thick piles of leaves clog storm drains during heavy fall rainstorms, causing street flooding and costing cities thousands in emergency clearing operations.
¶6
The Modern Compromise: Mulch in Place
Is there a middle path between pristine lawns and hazardous streets? Many horticulturalists advocate for "mulch mowing"—using an ordinary lawnmower to chop leaves into dime-sized flakes directly over grass. These micro-pieces settle into the soil in under two weeks without smothering the lawn. Homeowners can rake surplus leaves into garden flower beds to create designated winter wildlife zones while keeping sidewalks and roadways completely clear.
Evidence Citation Practice (How to Cite in Your Worksheet): Citation Formula
Citation Frame 1: "According to [Author / Organization] in Paragraph [Number], [Fact / Data]..."
Example: "According to Dr. Elena Rostova in Paragraph 2, over 94% of native moths hibernate under leaves."
Source Attributions Available:
• Dr. Elena Rostova, Wildlife Ecologist (¶2)
• Cornell Soil Health Lab (¶3)
Additional Sources Available:
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (¶4)
• Marcus Vance, Public Works Director (¶5)
Reading Complete: Ready to Cite in Your Blueprint Keep This Article Open for Both Days!
Take a flat fact and add the researcher name and paragraph number:
Flat: "Leaves save $180."
Lifted: "According to Cornell Soil Lab in Paragraph 3, mulched leaves save $180..."
2
Workout 2: The Power Press
Always attach an expansion sentence that answers: "So what?":
Flat: "Leaves cause slippery roads."
Pressed: "This matters because pedestrian injuries spike 28% without cleared walkways."
Complete both gym workouts on Worksheet Page 1 before rewriting your final draft!
Today's Inspection Protocol
30-Min Timeline
00:00 - 08:00
1. Autopsy & Gym
Repair the 4 flaws in Station 1 and complete the 2 Citation Gym workouts on Page 1.
Gym Done
08:00 - 22:00
2. Polish Draft
Use ARMS and CUPS checklists to inspect your Session 1 draft. Publish your polished paragraph on Page 2.
Publishing Sprints
22:00 - 30:00
3. Certification
Audit your citations, complete your reflection, and record your score on the IEP progress tracker!
Certified
Open Inspector Toolkit Worksheet and grab your red editing pencil. Let's inspect!
