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. 

What to watch for in stories...

Recap of what we need to always be on the look out for when reading stories:

• Good readers notice when author's use the setting to set the stage for events
• Good readers notice how events set the mood or tone of a piece
• Good readers look for objects or symbols reappear frequently
• Good readers listen for when the author repeats details or focuses on something
• Good readers pay attention to when the author makes an important statement that can hint a future action or be significant later in the book (turning point)

H/W

Be prepared for 'parts of speech' assessment for tomorrow.

For Monday: Make sure you have read the story in your blue package: "All Summer in a Day" - -linked. MAKE SURE you show your thinking about the story by making notes in the margins. We will discuss this story as a class on Monday. How effectively will you be involved in the discussion?

Your next reading response about a character will be set in two weeks!

Structure of Stories

For Thursday - DO NOT forget your sticky notes about your short story. You will need them for class

Reflection
We learned a great deal today about the 'structure' of a piece of writing. From now on you will be able to classify writing by types of scenes and not by beginning, middle, and ends.

H/W (Due Fri)
Make a copy of the file below
a) Read the memoir  here and categorize  the following scenes based on the structure below:

1) Setting descriptions

2) Character descriptions

3) String of action shots

4) Inner thought shots

5) Dialogue

b) Add any other descriptors to the scenes where possible. e.g. flashback, change, learning, background etc.

You should come to class with the text color coded story. Additionally, this story is an excellent resource to show you want a final memoir paper reads like. It does not have to be printed.

I STILL DON"T KNOW WHAT MY THEME IS FOR MY MEMOIR!

Bring any questions you have about your memory paper to Friday's session. I have attached a list of 'cliched' themes here . If you are still searching for direction in your memoir piece, these might help.
Persevere. Often, you will find your theme in the process of writing your piece...