E. Quinson

D-201

8R, periods 2 and 3

 

Monday, September 22, 2008

SWBAT:          Read "A Day at the Mall" by Mark Harris (an 8^th grader).

DO NOW:       Independent Reading and distribute book orders, due Wednesday.

DEVELOPMENT: 

1.      Discuss web lockers!  Collect Summer Reading Assignments and return writers’ notebooks.

2.      Explain Independent Reading Assignment.  Students are expected to read 20 minutes a night for 8R, or 2 hours total a week, and 8E students are expected to read a total of 30 minutes a night, or 3 hours per week.

3.      Distribute reading logs, and Reader Response Questions.  Answer questions as necessary.

4.      Distribute book order forms.  Discuss classroom library.

5.      Discuss Soaring Scores.  Put correct reading comprehension answers on the overhead.  Have students mark their correct ratio.  Also, review good answers for extended responses. 

6.      Read "A Day at the Mall" aloud or silently depending on class progression. 

7.      Discussion following: What point of view is this told from?  Does the subject matter please?  Why?  What is the intended audience?

8.      Review H.W.  What kind of response?

H.W.:   1. Writer’s Notebooks will be collected tomorrow!  2.  Write one page in your writer’s notebook in response to “A Day at the Mall.”   If you are a girl, write as Tom, if you are a boy, write as Kim.   2. Summer Reading Assignment.  Due this Friday, 9/26/08! 

 

Tuesday, September, 23, 2008

SWBAT:  read “Debbie” by James Herriot

DO NOW:  Independent reading!

DEVELOPMENT: 

1.      Review HW entries about “A Day at the Mall” from a different perspective

2.      Review writing territories.  One thing that students often like to write about are pets.  Right now, see I you want to add anything about a pet of your own, or any other animal that might be important to you.  (Think George who wasn’t even my pet, or other dogs I have known…

3.      We are now going to read a memoir written by a famous author about an animal.

4.      Discuss previous knowledge of James Herriot.   Discuss as a possibility for independent reading.

5.      Begin read aloud.  Stop as necessary for discussion.

6.      Discuss reader response options.  Questioning techniques, etc.

7.      Distribute READER RESPONSE QUESTIONS sheet.  (I believe I already have?)

8.      If time allows, begin plot map.

H.W.:  1.  Finish reading “Debbie” in textbook, if we have not done so in class.  (At home, page numbers are different!  652-658.)  2.  Write one page in response to “Debbie” in your writer’s notebook.    Choose a reader response question or one of the 66 ways to respond to reading in our writing and answer it.  3.  Independent reading 30 minutes at home.  Bring your book with you to class every single day!  4.  Summer Reading Assignment.  Due this Friday, 9/26/08! 

 

 

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

SWBAT:  discuss characterization and theme, and create a notes page for "Debbie.”

DO NOW:       Independent reading.

DEVELOPMENT: 

1.      Review/share responses to “Debbie.”

2.      Discuss reading comprehension of “Debbie”  Discussion Questions may include:

• External Conflict:  Debbie is sick with cancer.
• Internal Conflict:  None really, for Mrs. Ainsworth knows she will take in the kitten.  Would we all react the same way?
• What do we know about Debbie’s personality, based on the fourth full paragraph on p. 655 in new textbook?  (bottom of 440 in old textbook.)  That she knows she is very ill and is coming to Mrs. Ainsworth with her kitten for protection/help?
• Describe Mrs. Ainsworth’s personality, based on her words and her actions?
• How is the Ainsworth house different with Buster than it was before?
• How is Buster different from Debbie? Work up a Venn diagram?

o       Direct characterization: handsome cat with boisterous nature

o       Indirect characterization:  he stalked the rich carpets of the Ainsworth home.

• What is the theme of underlying message of the memoir?

o       How has Mrs. Ainsworth changed?

o       How have we changed?

• Discuss the title, This was not really a title in the book.  It was merely the chapter with no title.  In my daughter’s book of James Herriot’s Cat Stories this same story was called “Buster.”  What difference does a title make?

3.      Teach what a short story page should include:  Title, Author, Genre, Setting, Major Characters with short descriptions, Plot outline, Theme, Literary Elements. 

4.      Distribute Notes page format.

5.      Complete literature page, as a pair share if appropriate.

6.      If time allows, group share of notes page.

7.      Review H.W.  

H.W.:   1.  Complete notes page for “Debbie.”  It will be collected tomorrow.  2.  Write one page in your w.n.:  write about an animal who has had a special influence on you.  3. Independent reading, 30 minutes at home. 4.  Tomorrow, computer lab.  Summer Reading Assignment.  Due this Friday, 9/26/08! 

 

Thursday September 25, 2008

and Friday September 26, 2008 – computer lab to blog and work on summer reading assignments!!!

 

Monday, September 29, 2008

SWBAT:           read and respond to Cynthia Rylant (excerpts from But I'll Be Back Again, an excellent choice for independent reading!)

DO NOW:  Write an entry:  Did you find any new understanding when you tried to write from the perspective of the other gender?

DEVELOPMENT: 

1.      Discuss previous memoirs, "A Day at the Mall" and “Debbie” responses.

2.      We will all be writing memoirs soon (define memoir) so as we read, write and LIVE let's all be looking for ideas to write a memoir about.

3.      Let’s review those territories lists now.

4.      Add more ideas from Writing Territories topics. 

5.      How about kissing?  Does any one have the bravery to add kissing to the territories list?  Well, Cynthia Rylant was brave enough!

6.      Distribute and read “First Kiss,” by Rylant excerpt aloud. 

7.      Group discussion/Share responses.

8.      Review H.W.

H.W.:  1.  Write one page in your writer’s notebook.  Free choice of topic and technique.  2.  Read at least 30 minutes at home in your independent reading book.