Reading Response: Characters

Today you were set your next Reading Response on character. Use the mentor text that we discussed and the points that you wrote down to help guide what you need to do for your reading response. (E/F file linked here)  PRINTED copies of your reading response are due: NEXT WEDNESDAY (This is a writing day). A QR Code embbed printed image  of your reading response will be due on the Wednesday AFTER parent teacher conferences. I will explain what this is and how to do it  in Friday's class

Remember: Friday - Your discussion and debate skills will be assessed on the story: Inside/Out. You will discuss the story in small groups. Make sure you come to class prepared with your copy of the story.

Reminder (Two anecdotes/paragraphs written on your memoir by Thur.)

Memoirs: Openings

Remember: Tomorrow is a 'Late Start' Day.

All Students and Faculty

Please wear PINK on Friday, October 4 to show your support for the kick-off of PINK-TOBER. (Powerful video linked in previous word.) During the entire month of October SAS will be running a Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. All proceeds will go to breastcancer.org. Look for more information throughout the month and visit the tables in the MS Cafeteria on Friday for more information.

Homebase - Boys. Finish your superhero design for tomorrow.

Today we examined openings. We discussed five types of openings and how to create them:

You will be expected to use a variety of these approaches when crafting not just your opening, but also each of your anecdotes.

H/W
You should have at least '2' of your anecdotes completed drafted by Thursday.

Do you believe in yourself?

Being Part of the Conversation
Backchanneling Links: Make sure you always add your name before adding your comment.

C/D Class

E/F Class

If you believe in yourself, you can literally DO anything!
 Can you come up with your own daily 'affirmation?'

a) Today, we looked at rereading to spot details we might have skipped over on the first read. Anybody can be a 'plot junky' and zoom through text. Interpretative readers are fine tuned readers that know how to spot 'significant details' when they occur in text.
Reread for significant details by asking:

• how certain characters think and feel about a particular event 
• was there a fact that is more significant on a second reading?
• is there more to a character's comment that the literal meaning? 
• is a literary device such as allusion used to enhance meaning?

b) We also began to use the 'language of discussion.' Can you begin to use this language across other subjects or when you are at home?'

For FRIDAY:

Make sure you are 'thoroughly' prepared to discuss the short story, "Inside Out" by Francisco Jimenez.
(This might be a story that you also read in class last year).  The story is linked here. It is also in your blue package.

You should be able to discuss:

• The themes in the story (there are  multiple)
• The character in relation to any reading skills we have covered so far as part of our character unit
• Any unique thoughts that you may have

You are prepared for your discussion if you come to class with plenty of notes on the text, either in the margin or on stickies.

Warning: I will be adding the biweekly Learning Behaviors grade this Friday. You are always being assessed on:

• Organization (How long does it take you to find your digital files?)
• Class participation (Even if you are not called on, do you have your hand up?)
• Lesson Focus (What does it mean to 'really' focus?)
• Punctuality (Are you arriving to class exactly on time - or a minute early so you can  get your files out and be ready to start learning?)
• Being prepared for class (How many trips to do you need to take back to your locker during class?)

Coming this week

• Monday - Class discussion of 'All Summer in a Day' - Make sure you bring the story to class with your thinking written in margins or on sticky notes
• Tuesday - Writing 'Openings' for Memoirs 
• Wednesday - More reading skills on character
• Thursday - Preparing for Student Led Conferences (Strengths and Goals) 
• Friday -  Assessed Book Club Discussion (Speaking and Listening Grade) - You will be told the story on Monday to read for this discussion

A comment on the importance of reading. Do you read to a younger brother or sister, ever?

Weekly Reflection

Parts of Speech Assessment

Use this link here to go to your test: Parts of Speech assessment. Once the entire class has finished the assessment, you will be automatically sent your scores in your email. Once you finish the online part, organize your purple cards into the 8 parts of speech. In order to receive an 'A' on this part of the assessment, you must turn x2 cards over in each section and add words of your own. If you choose not to do this, then the highest score for this section (if all correct) would be a 'B' - Ready to challenge yourself?

Writing Class

Today we discussed 'transitions'. Transitions are part of your 'structure' grade on assessments.