Post on 03-Jun-2018
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A Model for Teaching
Writing to
Struggling Writers
Examples
Anita L. Archer, Ph.D.
These examples are based on the programREWARDS Writingcurrently in development.
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-t as dus/ hen e entered the tin0
grocer0 store on the edge of the deserted
road. The store as lit '0 a single 'ul'
hanging near the entrance. The aisles in
the store ere narro alloing onl0 one
shopper at a time. Ancient ooden
shel%es lining the aisles ere cluttered
ith dust1co%ered cans and 'oxes.
(elloed la'els on the cans held the
secret of the store.
Example #" 5riting !rame for Emerging 5riters
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6y favorite city is 777777777777777.
This city is located in the state of 77777777.
8 li9e this city because 7777777777777777
7777777777777777777777777777777777.
/ne of my favorite things to do in this city is
7777777777777777777777777777777777.¬her activity that 8 en:oy in 7777777777
is 7777777777777777777777777777777777
77777777777777777777777777777777777.
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Example # 5riting !rame to &ccommodate Emerging 5riters
77777777777777777777770;tate2
7777777777777777777 is a very fascinating state. 8t is found
in the 77777777777777777777777 part of the s economy is manufacturing.
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The follo$ing products are produced in 777777777777777777777=
777777777777777777777777 7777777777777777777777777777
and 7777777777777777777777777777. 77777777777777777777
is the product most often associated $ith this state. 8f you visited
this state and purchased either an agricultural or manufacturing
product you $ould probably buy 77777777777777777777777777.
There are many recreational opportunities in 777777777777.
!irst there are a number of large state and federal par9s. 6y
favorite par9 is 777777777777777777777777777. This par9
$ould be a great place to visit because 777777777777777777777
7777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777.
These are some of the recreational activities you might en:oy in
7777777777777= 77777777777777 77777777777777777777
77777777777777777777 and 7777777777777777777777777.
/f these 8 $ould particularly en:oy 777777777777777777777.
/ne thing that this state is noted for is 77777777777777
77777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777.
This is note$orthy because 777777777777777777777777777
77777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777.
?o$ever 8 thought the most interesting thing about thisstate $as 77777777777777777777777777777777777777777.
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Example #$ 5riting frame for a story"problem explanation in math
8n this problem $e $ere as9ed to figure out 7777777777777777
77777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777.
;ome information $as already given including 777777777777777
777777777777777777777 and 7777777777777777777777777777.
5hen creating a plan to solve this problem 8 decided to follo$ a
number of steps. !irst 8 777777777777777777777777777777777
77777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777.
Next 8 77777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777
77777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777.
Then 8 77777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777
77777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777.!inally 8 777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777.
&fter follo$ing these steps 8 determined that ans$er to this
problem $as 777777777777777777777777777777777777777777.
To chec9 this ans$er 8 7777777777777777777777777777777777
77777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777.
@ased on my verification of the ans$er 8 am (uite certain that it is
accurate.
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Example # 2 3 ;ummariAation " Narrative
7777777777777777777777777777 too9 place
inBat 77777777777777777777777777777777777777777.
The main character of this story $as 7777777777777777.
?isBher ma:or problem $as 777777777777777777777777
77777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777.
77777777777 tried to solve this problem by 77777777777
77777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777.
8n the end 777777777777777777777777777777777777777
77777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777
77777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777.
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Example 2 continued 3 ;ummariAation " Narrative
7777777777777777 title77777777777777777$as a narrative
selection about 777777777777777777theme
77777777777777. 8n this story 77777777777name77777777
aBan77777777
777777777777777777777777777777777777 $as the main
character. /ther critical characters included= 777name777
77777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777
and 77777name777777777 7777777777777777777777777777777.
8n this story 7777777name77777777777777777>s ma:or
problemBconflictBgoal $as 77777777777777777777777777777777
77777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777.
!irst 777777name7777777777777777777 tried to resolve this
problemBconflictBgoal by 77777777777777777777777777777777
7777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777.
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8n the end the follo$ing happened= 77777777777777777777777
77777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777.
Example # 6 Summarization Expository
Viruses
Viruses have some characteristics of _________ things
and ________________ things. In some cases, viruses are
_________________, but they can live and _____________.
To live and reproduce, viruses must invade a ____________
and use it. Viruses are NOT _____________ but have
genetic ____________________. Different viruses need
different ______________. The ___________ coat helps
the virus detect the right kind of host cell. In ____________,
the virus attaches to the outside of a host cell. In _________,
the virus injects genetic information into the host cell. During
_____________ and ____________, the host cells enzymes
obey the viruss genetic instructions. During __________
new virus particles leave the _________________ in search of
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new host cells.
Example # 7- Writing Frame - Academic Language
(Compare and Contrast)
_______________ and __________________ are similar
in a number of ways. First, they both _____________________
___________________________________________________.
Another critical similarity is ___________________________.
An equally important similarity is ________________________.
Finally, they ________________________________________.
The differences between ________________________
and _________________ are also obvious. The most important
difference is ________________________________________.
In addition, ___________ and _____________ are __________
___________________________________________________.
In the final analysis, ____________ differs from _____________
in two other major ways: 1)______________________________
and 2) ____________________________________________.
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1%
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Example #4 continued 0
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Example # 4 continued
ree9 Theater
" began as a religious ceremony
1
" honored the ree9 god Dionysus
" beliefs in Dionysus began to spread
south$ard
% " choruses chanted lyrics
' " actors :oined the choruses
" the Dionysus festival in &thens became a
drama competition
)
" amphitheaters $ere built
" performed tragedies that taught lessons
+
" performed comedies that made fun of life
, "declined $hen play$rights died and thegovernment changed
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Example #4 continued
The roots of modern theater can be
found in early ree9 theater. ree9 theater
began as a religious ceremony that honored
the ree9 god Dionysus. &t first choruses
chanted lyrics. 5hen actors $ere added to
interact $ith the chorus theater $as born.
Cater the Dionysus festival in &thens
became a drama competition and
amphitheaters $ere built to accommodate
the event. @oth tragedies $hich taught
lessons and comedies $hich made fun of
life $ere performed. ree9 theater declined
$hen the great play$rights died and the
government changed.
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5u'ric1
Summar0
Student
5ating
Teacher
5ating
1. Did the author state the topic and the main
idea in the first sentence
Yes !ix up Yes No
%. Did the author focus on the important
details
Yes !ix up Yes No
'. Did the author combine details in some of
the sentences
Yes !ix up Yes No
). 8s the summary easy to understand Yes !ix up Yes No
+. Did the author correctly spell $ords
particularly the $ords found in the article
Yes !ix up Yes No
,. Did the author use correct capitaliAation
capitaliAing the first $ord in the sentence
and proper names of people places and
things
Yes !ix up Yes No
-. Did the author use punctuation including a
period at the end of each sentence
Yes !ix up Yes No
1,
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Example #9
Compare/Contrast Think Sheet
Su'9ect:
SAME Groups
&ategories St. Bernard 7efoundland
6se 5escue Rescue
Height
Full grown males
same
Full grown males
same
Type of Fur Smooth dense thatprotects from cold Smooth dense thatprotects from cold
DIFFERENT Groups
&ategories
Weight 22 3 ;! pounds $! 3 2! pounds
Place of Origin Siss Alps Newfoundland
Different
&lients Climbers and skiers
People in Atlantic
Ocean
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Example #
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Example #< continued" *ompareB*ontrast Thin9 ;heet
Compare/Contrast Think Sheet
Su'9ect:
SAME Groups
&ategories
DIFFERENT Groups&ategories
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Example #10 (Essay to Persuade)
Essay Rubric
Author Essa0 Topic
=uestionStudent or
Partner 5ating
Teacher 5ating
INTRODUCTION
1. Does the introduction tell the topicof the essay
%. Does the introduction state the author>s positionon the topic'. Does the introduction give t$o or more convincing reasonsfor the
position). Does the introduction grab the reader>s attention
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o
BODY
+. Does the body include at least three ma9or reasonsthat supportthe author>s position
,. Does the author elaborate on and explaineach of the ma:or
reasons using logical arguments evidence and examples-. Did the author ac9no$ledge and respond to the opposing side>s
%ie?
. &re the paragraphs ell1organi+edand eas0 tounderstand3. &re transition ords and phrases used to connect ideas $ithin
and bet$een paragraphs
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o
CONCLUSION
10. Does the conclusion summarize the authors position?11. Does the essay have a definite conclusion
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o
&*7@E7T-*7S
11. Did the author correctl0 spell$ords
1%. Did the author use correct capitali+ation
1'. Did the author use correct punctuation?
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o&*7TE7T
1). Did the essay hold the reader>s attentionfrom beginning to end1+. 8s the essay clear and easy to understand
1,. Did the author stay focusedon the same position throughout the
paper
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o
(es 7o
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Example #! continued 0Example " Essay to Persuade2
Prompt:In order to fight the rise of violence and use of drugs in schools, some faculties
have implemented random searches of bacpacs, boo bags, locers, and!or dess for
"eapons and drugs# Do $ou agree "ith these random searches or do $ou disagree%Write a letter to the facult$ members at a school stating $our opinion and &ustification for
that opinion# 'egin the letter "ith these "ords( Dear )acult$ *embers#
Dear !aculty 6embers
8 am $orried about the ne$ random search policies that have
been implemented at many schools in our area. 8 understand the
danger of illegal drugs and $eapons on campus but 8 am more
afraid of the conse(uences that these searches $ill cause. 8 9no$
these policies only come from a real concern for the safety and(uality of our school campus but 8 thin9 that they $ill cause more
problems than solutions. Random searches threaten personal
privacy and erode a student>s trust in the faculty $ithout solving
the heart of the issue.
Random searches through a student>s boo9 bag loc9er or
des9 are a clear invasion of personal privacy. /ur des9s boo9
bags and loc9ers are essentially our home a$ay from home. Thus
they contain very personal items that are part of our non"academiclife such as diaries notes from boy or girl friends pictures from
non"school events cosmetics and dental retainers. 5e had no
intent that anyone $ould ever see or touch these items but no$ a
teacher or security guard is holding it up for all to see. Do you
realiAe ho$ embarrassing this $ould be to a shy sensitive student
?o$ $ould you li9e the principal going through your des9 purse
or car
Not only do these searches overstep boundaries of a person>s
private space they brea9 do$n valuable trust bet$een students and
teachers the heart of that relationship. 8n order for a student to
learn they need to be comfortable $ith their teachers. 8f students
are al$ays $orried about $hether or not their teachers $ill loo9
through their boo9 bags or loc9ers they $ill be too anxious to
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learn. ;chool faculty $ill become intimidating figures that
students don>t trust. Education is supposed to help students gro$
up not bring them do$n and ma9e them feel vulnerable. Random
searches $ould dramatically change the environment of a school
from academic to suspicious.!inally searches $ill not solve the problem on a permanent
basis. There>s no doubt that $idespread random searches $ill
uncover some illegal $eapons or drugs in the beginning but that
doesn>t mean that it is actually effective in the long run. Rather it
$ill force offending students to be snea9ier. 6a9ing more rules
doesn>t get to the root of the problem but ma9es problems become
more concealed. 8f students have drugs they $ill :ust find different
places to hide them. Even though these search efforts are $ellintentioned they do little to solve the problem of illegal drugs and
$eapons in the school and may actually punish the innocent. !or
example $hat if a nail file is found in a girl>s loc9er and the
security guards consider it a $eapon 5ould her future be
:eopardiAed over a little manicure tool 5hat if a boy has Tylenol
in his bac9pac9 because of a sprained an9le These searches could
punish the innocent $hile the guilty thin9 of ne$ and snea9ier
$ays to hide their contraband.8nstead of random bac9pac9 searches maybe schools could
offer alternate solutions li9e counseling or advertising for
anonymous help"lines. 8f students are using drugs or feel the need
for $eapons they obviously need real help. ;chools should point
troubled 9ids to safe solutions instead of (uic9 punishment. This
$ay the students that aren>t doing anything $rong $on>t be treated
li9e criminals and schools can 9eep their focus on academics and
education. F %44- &. &rcher G 6. leason
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Example # ! continued 0*ompleted Thin9 ;heet2
PrepareTopic= random searches !orm= letter 77essay 77other
&udience= faculty members Type of preparation= thin9 /R
777collect evidence
Purpose= Persuade 77Pro *on @rainstorm and select convincing
reasons.
*rgani+e-ntroduction
Position on Topic: I disagree with having random searches of desks,
lockers, and backpacks.
5eason A. 5eason 8. 5eason &.Invades personal privacy Destroys trust between Doesnt solve
students and faculty problem8od0 A. Explain 8od0 8. Explain 8od0 &. Explain
1-desks, book bags, 1- not comfortable with
teachers
1- bad students sneakier
lockers are students
home !- hide drugs in new "# faculty intimidating places
- contain personal items-diaries ! # students worried " # may punish innocent
-notes about searches
! -pictures $ # e%ample # nail file
-retainers $ # feel vulnerable
& # e%ample - 'ylenol
& # changes school
- dont want people to see environment
"
- dont want people to touch
$ - embarrassing
&onclusion
77;ummariAe 77 *onvince ;uggest an &ction
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Thin/ Sheet 3 Essa0 to persuade
PrepareTopic= 7777777777777777777777 !orm= 77 letter 77essay 77other
&udience= 7777777777777777777 Type of preparation= 777thin9 /R
77collect evidencePurpose= Persuade 77Pro 77*on @rainstorm and select convincing
reasons.
*rgani+e-ntroduction
Position on Topic:77777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777
777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777
777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777
Reason &. Reason @. Reason *.7777777777777777777777 77777777777777777777777 77777777777777777777
7777777777777777777777 77777777777777777777777 77777777777777777777
7777777777777777777777 77777777777777777777777 77777777777777777777
8od0 &. Explain 8od0 @. Explain 8od0 *. Explain
&onclusion
77 ;ummariAe 77 *onvince 77 ;uggest an &ction
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Example # 3 Thin/ Sheet 3 Essa0 to Explain
PrepareTopic= 7777777777777777777777 !orm= 77 letter 77essay 77other
&udience= 7777777777777777777 Type of preparation= 777thin9 /R777collect
evidence
Purpose= ExplainBReport @rainstorm and select three or more
ma:or reasons or points
*rgani+e-ntroduction
Position on Topic:
777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777
777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777
ReasonBPoint &. ReasonBPoint @. ReasonBPoint *.
7777777777777777777777 77777777777777777777777 777777777777777777777
7777777777777777777777 77777777777777777777777 777777777777777777777
7777777777777777777777 77777777777777777777777 777777777777777777777
8od0 &. ;upporting Details 8od0 @. ;upporting Details 8od0 *. ;upporting Details
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&onclusion
77 ;ummariAe 77 *onvince 77 ;uggest an &ction
Example # continued " Essay to Explain
Than/sgi%ing 3 A Da0 of ratitude
(Introduction)
My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving for anumber of reasons. First, Thanksgiving gives me anopportunity to visit and play with friends and familymembers. Of course, Thanksgiving is also a great day to
enjoy a variety of wonderful foods. In addition, it is a chanceto stop and express gratitude for the richness of our lives.
(Body)
First, Thanksgiving affords me the gift of gathering withfriends and family members. Normally, I celebrateThanksgiving on the Friday after the official holiday. Twenty-five to fifty people generally attend my Thanksgiving party.My guests include my sister and her family and an array of
friends from across the country. We spend much of our timejust visiting, but we also engage in numerous activities. Forexample, we entertain each other by telling a story, playingthe piano or guitar, or singing a song. Guests who dontwant to perform make up the attentive audience. As agroup, we also sing traditional Thanksgiving songs andhymns. After eating, we play games, go on a group strollthrough the neighborhood, and continue our conversations.
Thanksgiving is not only an excellent time to enjoyfriends and family members, it is also a wonderful time toEAT. You should see the buffet table at our Thanksgivingparty. Of course, we have all the traditional foods: turkey,mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy. In addition, we
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always have a variety of vegetables and a Pacific Northwestspecialty, salmon. The guests usually bring the dessertsincluding pies, cakes, and cookies. My favoriteThanksgiving food may surprise you: bread covered with
gravy. Late at night, once my guests have turned off theirlights, I slip back to the kitchen for my private snack. I tear apiece of bread into small pieces, cover it with gravy, heat themixture in the microwave, and sit down for the final feast.
But most importantly, I love Thanksgivingbecause I take time to reflect on my life and expressgratitude for my abundance. Even as I prepare for
Thanksgiving, I contemplate my many blessings. As I setthe table, I remember many of my relatives: my mother whogave me the salt and pepper shakers, my grandmother whoonce cherished the pitcher with an autumn leaf design, mysister who brought me the blue serving dish for this party.As I prepare the food, I am reminded of all the gifts that Ihave in my life that others lack: joyful work, abundant food,the shelter of a house, and warm clothing. My final
preparation activity, creating floral arrangements for each ofthe tables, always carries me into deep gratitude for thebeauty of nature. And then my friends arrive and Iexperience the greatest blessings of my life.
(Conclusion)
As you can see Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.But it should also be your favorite for Thanksgiving is theonly holiday that will never disappoint you. On Christmas,
you may not get the gift you hoped for. On Valentines Day,you may not have a girl or boy friend. On the Fourth of July,the fireworks may be cancelled due to dry conditions.However, on Thanksgiving, you expected turkey and you gotit!
%-
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Example # 12 - Short Story
Think Sheet Story
); Title
) Setting
) Main &haracter)s
)" Pro'lem
)$ 8eginning
)2 Middle
)B End
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Example # 13- Personal Narrative Think Sheet
Auto'iographical -ncident
Thin/ Sheet
)2 Title
) -ncident
) Setting
)$ E%ents in order
)" Lesson learned
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Auto'iographical -ncident
Thin/ Sheet
)2 Title +ive eart
012 -ncident )ifth grade "ith *rs# )inle -- eart pin
) Settings *ountain .ie" Elementar$ School
)$ E%ents
/# Arrive at *ountain .ie"#
0# Difficult$ adapting to ne" fifth grade class#1# Decided to be silent#
2# *rs# )inle "as ind and caring#
3aled to me#
Patted m$ bac#
Smiled at me#
4# 5lass got better#
*ade friends#
Participated in class#6# *rs# )inle caught heart pin in hairnet#
7# elped *rs# )inle remove pin#
8# She gave me the pin and told me to 9give heart:as a teacher#
;# 3oda$ I "ear on .alentine and tr$ to 9give heart:#
)" Lesson learned
+ive heart to all people# Sho" love and care#
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i%e Ceart
8eing a teacher as not e%en a consideration at the
time, 'ut Mrs. in/le, m0 fifth grade teacher, taught mem0 first lesson a'out teaching. E%en no, it is the
lesson that - tr0 to practice e%er0 da0.
Mountain @ie as the second school of m0 fifth
grade, the eighth school of m0 short school career.
After so man0 mo%es, the prospect of ma/ing ne
friends, of learning a'out a ne teacher, of once again
learning the classroom routines, 'rought me to totalsilence. or an outgoing person, silence as a ne
experience. - 9ust didn>t ant to tr0 again.
Coe%er, Mrs. in/le as not a'out to lose m0
mind or soul. - ill ne%er forget the little things she did
each da0 to reach out to the silent one: tal/ing ith me
as e lined up for music, patting m0 'ac/ as - or/edon math pro'lems, uietl0 praising m0 efforts, riting
comments on m0 papers. 8est of all, hen - as
reading or or/ing, - ould loo/ up and there ould 'e
her smileFgreeting me, ma/ing me feel safe.
raduall0, the scar0 life of fifth grade in a ne
school 'egan to fade. - did ma/e friends. - did 'egin to
tal/ in class. - 'egan to rite long stories and to read
them to m0 class. All of this occurred 'ecause of the
lo%e and care shared '0 Mrs. in/le.
And one da0, she shared a s0m'ol of that lo%e. -t
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as right 'efore recess and most of the /ids ere
alread0 out the door. Mrs. in/le and - ere 'oth at
the cloa/room pulling on hats, glo%es, and coats as
protection against the e'ruar0 cold. As she put on hercoat, Mrs. in/le caught her hairnet on her red heart
pin that ala0s rested on her collar. After struggling
for a moment, she 'ec/oned, GAnita , ould 0ou help
me.H Soon - had separated the heart pin from her
hairnet. Coe%er, instead of replacing the pin, she
handed it to me and gentl0 directed, G(ou ta/e it. (ou
ill 'e a teacher someda0. 5emem'er to gi%e heartF
ala0s.H
ort0 0ears later, - ear that heart each
@alentine>s Da0. 8ut e%er0da0, - ear at least one
heart and tr0 to remem'er her message as - teach.
Gi%e heart.H Than/s, Mrs. in/le.