Connect Ideas — Joining Evidence Into Language
Add. Contrast. Chain. Turn scattered evidence into connected language.
The Connect Ideas arc trains multilingual learners to join two or more pieces of evidence into connected sentences. Students use additive connectors to link supporting evidence, contrast connectors to flag evidence that pulls the other way, and then combine both in a short evidence chain. Connect stops at the connector level — full causal reasoning (Explain Causes), full side-by-side analysis (Compare), and full argument (Argue) are later arcs.
Learning goal
Students can join two related evidence sentences with an accurate additive or contrast connector, and can produce a 4–6 sentence evidence chain that combines additive and contrast connectors without over-claiming.
Who it is for
Intermediate ESL/ELD (grades 6–12). Best taught after Identify, Describe, and Reconstruct, so students already have subjects, precise noun phrases, and past-tense sequencing to connect.
Progression
- CN-01 joins supporting evidence with additive connectors (and, also, in addition, moreover).
- CN-02 flags evidence that pulls the other way with contrast connectors (but, however, although, even though).
- CN-03 combines additive + contrast connectors into a 4–6 sentence evidence chain.
What is included
This arc is currently in early release. Full lesson pages (purpose, case microtext, two-pass routine, guided practice, exit check) are published on the site. A packaged slide deck and printable student packet are not available yet and are not implied anywhere in the UI.
Lessons in this arc
- CN-01 · Add the Evidence — Students read a short witness-log microtext, list every piece of supporting evidence, then join related pieces with additive connectors so the log reads as connected evidence, not a bulleted list.
- CN-02 · Contrast the Evidence — Students re-read a case microtext with contradictory evidence, identify the piece that pulls the other way, and rewrite it using a contrast connector so the reader can see the conflict without being told what it means.
- CN-03 · Chain the Evidence — Students take a mixed dossier — some supporting evidence, some contradictory evidence — and write a 4–6 sentence chain that uses at least one additive connector, at least one contrast connector, and never invents facts.