What is SLAM?
• SLAM is a method to use when you need to
answer an extended response question.
SLAM helps students to write
complete and comprehensive answers
to their questions. Also, this method
can be used in any class!
Make sure your response is a SLAM dunk!
- State part of the question in your first sentence
- Locate evidence (quote) from the text to prove your answer is right.
Say where you found it in the text.
- Add your own original idea stating why the quote was important to
use for support. What does it prove?
- Make a meaningful conclusion or connection. (Ex: What do you think
will happen next? What is your opinion on the matter? Do you have a
personal connection with the topic?)
• When responding to questions, use SLAM responses to make sure your
answers are well thought out, include textual evidence, and are complete.
Lets Try a Simple SLAM
Is Cinderella’s step-mother a good role model?
Support your answer with evidence from the story.
S
L
A
M
Cinderella’s step-mother is not a good role model.
For example, she makes Cinderella clean the castle, while her
own daughters have no chores.
Cinderella’s step-mother is evil and turns Cinderella’s life
completely miserable. She tries to keep her from finding
any true happiness and almost succeeds.
The unjust actions of this cruel step-mother makes her
a terrible role model.
Remember…. Always read the
question before you answer!
Cite Text Evidence What is the central idea of this
article? Review your reading notes, and cite text
evidence that supports this idea.
• Review notes you made
while reading
• Explain the central idea
of the article
• Use evidence from the
text to support your
answer
tate part of the question in your
first sentence
The central idea of this article is that it is
possible to overcome fear and succeed.
ocate evidence to prove your
answer
The central idea of this article is that it is
possible to overcome fear and succeed. In the
article, all three athletes are unsuccessful until
they find a way to deal with their fear and
overcome it. For example, when Laura Wilkinson
“faced her fears” instead of ignoring them, she
was able to “move on” and win.
dd your own original idea
The central idea of this article is that it is
possible to overcome fear and succeed. In the
article, all three athletes are unsuccessful until
they find a way to deal with their fear and
overcome it. For example, when Laura Wilkinson
“faced her hears” instead of ignoring them, she
was able to “move on” and win. Barb Lindquist
and Libbie Hickman both overcame their fear by
learning to focus on the job at hand instead of
the other people competing.
ake a meaningful conclusion or
connection
The central idea of this article is that it is possible to
overcome fear and succeed. In the article, all three
athletes are unsuccessful until they find a way to deal
with their fear and overcome it. For example, when
Laura Wilkinson “faced her fears” instead of ignoring
them, she was able to “move on” and win. Barb
Lindquist and Libbie Hickman both overcame their fear
by learning to focus on the job at hand instead of the
other people competing. As long as you learn from your
failures, you haven’t failed at all.
State the question in your answer
Locate evidence from the evidence to support your
answer. State where you found it.
Add your own idea explaining how the evidence
was important to use for evidence.
Make a conclusion. Sum up your answer.
How do you SLAM a
response?
Interpret Review lines 87-92. What do you think is the meaning of the
expression “If you take the king’s coin, you give the kind his due”? Why do
you think Powell shares this message?
• Re-read lines 87-92
• Explain what you think the
expression means AND WHY
• Explain why you think Powell
included this expression in his
memoir
1. Summarize: Reread lines 6-14. What is
the plan that Paul Revere discusses with his
friend? What is the purpose of the plan?
In lines 6-14, Paul Revere discusses
________________________. Remember to
quote! (Evidence)
The purpose of the plan is to
__________________. I know this because on lines
_____ it says ________________. I think this quote
proves I’m right because___________. I predict
this plan will________. OR In my opinion this plan
________.
2. Review lines 24-56. Tell what events these
lines describe. What are some sensory details
that help you imagine the events and settings?
Lines 24-56 describe ________________. I
know this because on lines _____ it says
____________. Some sensory details that help
me imagine the events and settings can be
found in lines _____. Those lines state
___________. These sensory details help me
imagine the setting is ____________. In
conclusion these sensory details
_______________.
3. Review lines 57-72. What words does the
poet use to help you understand Paul Revere’s
character and how he behaves while he waits
for a signal?
The poet uses words such as __________ to
help me understand Paul Revere’s character
and behavior. These words can be found in
lines ______. I think these words
_____________. In my opinion Paul Revere’s
character and behavior ______________.
4. Read lines 73-86 aloud. Is the rhythm is these
lines slow and leisurely, or quick and insistent?
How does the rhythm contribute to the action?
Review lines 87-92. What
do you think is the
meaning of the expression
“If you take the king’s
coin, you give the king his
due”? Why do you think
Powell shares this
message?
I think the expression means that
if you accept somebody’s money
to do a job, you need to do that
job well. I think Powell shares this
message in his memoir because
on page 256 he says, “Always do
your best, no matter how difficult
the job, or how much you dislike
it, your bosses, the work
environment, or your fellow
workers.”
I believe Powell shares this
expression because he wants the
reader to take his advice.
I think this advice is great,
especially for young readers,
because it is important to have a
good work ethic early in life.
One important element of
a memoir is the inclusion
of people and events that
influenced the writer.
Review the selection.
Which person or event do
you think was most
influential in his life? Why
do you think so?
I think Jay Sickser was one of
the most influential people in
Powell’s life because
on page 254 Jay tells Powell,
“’I want you should get an
education and do well. You’re
too good to just be a
schlepper. The store will go to
the family. You don’t have a
future here.’”
Powell shows that Jay had his
best interests at heart and
believed that he could do better
in life than as an employee at a
furniture store.
I think Jay Sickser helped Powell
believe in himself and believe
that, if he worked hard and got an
education, he could be successful.