Mrs. Abrams

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Warm Up:
List 5 qualities of a proficient writing piece.

Homework:
Students will read their chapter book for 30 minutes and complete an entry on their reading log answering who, what, when, where, why about their reading.

Activity 1:
In a final reflection, identify one strategy you have perfected during your writing this year. Using your base line writing piece from the beginning of the year, write a paragraph reflecting your growth as a writer and a reader (pg. 222 in Daybook).

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Warm Up:
Name 5 fictional genre.

Homework:
Students will read their chapter book for 30 minutes and complete an entry on their reading log answering who, what, when, where, why about their reading.

Activity 1:
In table groups students will complete the following chart on manila paper. Students will need to refer to Daybook pg. 194-203:

Genres and Examples    Real Events or People    Made-up Events or People    Set in the Future
Historical Fiction:
Jason’s Gold            
Fantasy:
Kokopelli’s Flute            
Realistic Fiction:
The Maze            
Science Fiction:

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Warm Up:
What are the similarities in historical fiction and fantasy?

Homework:
Students will read their chapter book for 30 minutes and complete an entry on their reading log answering who, what, when, where, why about their reading.

Activity 1:
Historical Fiction: used for stories that did not really happen but could have happened. These stories combine factual settings, events, and people with fictional ones.

Students will read “Jason’s Gold” and answer the following in the Response Notes column on pg. 200-201 in Daybook:

What elements of “Jason’s Gold” are factual?
What elements of “Jason’s Gold” are fictional?

Activity 2:
Fantasy: characterized by talking animals and magical events; magical interventions of powers, impossible or larger-than-life events, and vivid, dreamlike images.

Students will read “Kokopelli’s Flute” and  write the following in the Response Notes column:
•    Elements that qualify is as a fantasy
•    Notes that make the story seem real
•    Specific places and things
1.
2.
3.
•    Sensory details
    1.
    2.
    3.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Warm Up:
What is an “experience in words”?
What is a real life story?

A real life story is a story that tells about events that really happened or really could actually occur.

Identifying elements of the craft: “A powerful wave of exhilaration washed over him “reminds me of the feeling I experienced in the ocean. Will Hobbs has never been hang gliding; however, he writes as though he has had a first hand experience.

Homework:
Students will read their chapter book for 30 minutes and complete an entry on their reading log answering who, what, when, where, why about their reading.

Activity 1:
How many of you have been hang gliding?
What is hang gliding?
As students read “The Maze” pg. 197-198 in Daybook the following information must be included in their response notes:
1.    List the different elevations described in this excerpt.
2.    List 2 personal connections you can make with this excerpt of “The Maze.”
3.    Highlight at least 4 sensory details used in this excerpt.
4.    Circle at least 4 strong verbs used in this excerpt.
5.    Underline at least 4 specific names, places, and things used in this excerpt.

Activity 2:
Students will create their own Experience Snapshot on pg. 199 in Daybook.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Warm Up:
How can studying an author’s work lead to a better understanding of the author’s style, genre, and the craft of writing in general?

Homework:
Students will read their chapter book for 30 minutes and complete an entry on their reading log answering who, what, when, where, why about their reading.

Activity 1:
In order for students to thoroughly understand  the structure of  “The Maze” by Will Hobbs, the need to see that the narrator provides 4 insights into the character:
1.    The Greek myth
2.    Rick’s thoughts about the myth
3.    His flying dream
4.    Mr. B’s comments

Students will write the following answers in their Response Notes column on pg. 194-195 in Daybook.
    Events in the myth:
        1.
        2.
        3.
        4.

    Rick’s thoughts about the myth:
        1.
        2.
        3.

    Rick’s dream:

    Mr. B’s comments
        1.
        2.
Why is the Maze, a section in Canyonlands National Park, often called “a thirty- square- mile puzzle in sandstone”?

What is the connection between the myth and Rick’s thoughts?

Activity 2
On pg. 195 in Daybook students will answer the following: “Write 2 things you know about Rick from this excerpt. What is he like?

Writing Magazine Revising Issue

Writing Magazine Revising Issue

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Warm Up:
What traits does a professional looking document have? What makes a document look professional?

Homework:
Students will read their chapter book for 30 minutes and complete an entry on their reading log answering who, what, when, where, why about their reading.

Activity 1:

Students (in table groups or writing buddies) will complete their webpage for this LA class.

Activity 2:

Students will complete (in table groups or writing buddies) their version of the poem "The Road Not Taken."

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Warm Up:
What traits does a professional looking document have? What makes a document look professional?

Homework:
Students will read their chapter book for 30 minutes and complete an entry on their reading log answering who, what, when, where, why about their reading.

Activity 1:
Students will critically view the Mabry home page and analyze the components.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Monday, May 12, 2008
Warm Up:
How can a split in the road be similar to a difficult choice in life?

Homework:
Students will read their chapter book for 30 minutes and complete an entry on their reading log answering who, what, when, where, why about their reading.

Activity 1:
Students will read “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost on pg. 190 in Daybook looking for the use of figurative language to make connections with its meaning. This poem is about a man who makes a difficult choice.

Activity 2:
Students will reread the poem, this time paying closer attention to how the narrator describes the two roads. Circle words and lines that tell about the first road. Underline words and phrases that tell about the second road. In the Response Notes column record your questions for the poet, connections, and thoughts about the meaning of the poem. Students will answer the following questions in the Response Notes column:
1.    Between what two things is the narrator choosing?
2.    How do the roads represent making a choice between two options?
3.    Explain how the two roads are the main symbol of the Frost poem.
4.    What is the consequence of the choice made?

Friday, May 9, 2008

Friday, May 9, 2008
Warm Up:
What is poetry?
Read “What Is Poetry” pg. 4-5 in Read  April 18, 2008 to assist you in answering this question.

Homework:
Students will read their chapter book for 30 minutes and complete an entry on their reading log answering who, what, when, where, why about their reading.

Activity 1:
Students will read “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost and analyze it as a table group. Students will read the poem to answer the following: How can a split in the road be similar to a difficult choice in life?

The students will complete a handout on this poem and turn this assignment in for a grade.

Activity 2:
Students will review imagery and complete a handout on imagery.