After we went over chapter 8 and added to our character charts, we had another prompt: On pages 128-129, Cherry describes why she can’t go see Johnny in the hospital. Do you agree with her reasoning? Why or why not? After we shared and made sure we used evidence from the text, we started in on chapter 9.

Homework:

* Read chapter 9 of The Outsiders.

* Complete the questions from the packet that correlates with chapter 9.

Wow! We’re in school on a Monday! After reviewing chapter 6 & 7 in small groups, we completed the prompt, “What was Darry’s biggest fear, and how does this effect how he treats his brothers?” Afterwards, we discussed the theme of The Outsiders and created a Wordle to represent it. Students were then able to start chapter 8.

Homework:

* Read chapter 8 of The Outsiders.

* Complete the questions from the packet that correlate with chapter 8.

After we reviewed chapter 5, we completed a phrazecloze for one paragraph, then discussed what answers were closest to S.E. Hinton’s meaning. Then we had a prompt: What do you think the poem on page 69 means to Johnny and Ponyboy? Do you agree or disagree, and why? Students used evidence from the text to support their answers and made sure to adhere to rules for direct quotes.

Homework:
• Read chapters 6 & 7 of The Outsiders.
• Complete the questions from the packet that correlate with chapters 6 & 7.

* Extra credit opportunity - Letter to Soda - See Edline for pdf.

We reviewed all four chapters of The Outsiders today by moving around the room in small groups and discussing significant quotes. We asked why the quotes are important to the development of the story or the characters. Next, our writing prompt was, “Why do you think Ponyboy used the term “premonition” to describe his internal feelings as he entered the church?” Students used evidence from the text to support their answers, and made sure they adhered to rules for direct quotes. Afterwards, students took a quiz on chapters 1-4. They could use their books for text support. Once they finished, they could start on chapter 5.

Homework:
• Read chapter 5 of The Outsiders.
• Complete the questions from the packet that correlate with chapter 5.

After students worked in groups to discuss chapter 3 of The Outsiders, we rewrote a paragraph one more time, and then had a prompt. Today’s prompt was, “What type of internal conflict is Darry dealing with, and how does he handle the conflict? Students used evidence from the text to support their answers, and made sure they adhered to rules for direct quotes. Then students began reading chapter 4.

Homework:
• Read chapter 4 of The Outsiders.
• Complete the questions from the packet that correlate with chapter 4. You can use your packet and book for the quiz tomorrow, so take good notes...

We reviewed the reading from the weekend, and then completed another rewrite of chapter 2 from The Outsiders. We then discussed how our rewrites differed, and what we expected from them. Rewrite activities stem from our lessons from the iPad pilot, and are useful for each text we read. We also had time to enhance our bulletin board with information we've learned about the characters, conflict, theme, and greasers vs. socs. If we had time at the end of class, we began reading chapter 3.

Homework:
• Read chapter 3 of The Outsiders.
• Complete the questions from the packet that correlate with chapter 3.

We talked about The Outsiders today! We looked over the questions and character chart, discussed enhancing our bulletin board, and suggestions were given as to how to take notes and own your own learning. Students then had time to discuss chapter 1 and begin reading chapter 2.
Reminder: USE THE CHECK LIST AND RUBRIC to help you succeed with your paper you'll turn in on Tuesday...

Homework:
* Read chapter 2 of The Outsiders for Tuesday's discussion.
* Complete the questions from the packet that correlate with Chapter 2.
* The final written OR typed essay for Out of the Dust is due Tuesday, Jan. 24.

It was our last day to get our Out of the Dust final essay ready. Today we wrote the lead and introduction, and then took time to edit our own and each other's papers. USE THE CHECK LIST AND RUBRIC to help you succeed with this paper...

Homework:
* Read chapter 1 of The Outsiders for tomorrow's discussion.
* The final written OR typed essay for Out of the Dust is due Tuesday, Jan. 24.
* Tomorrow is the last day to turn in bathroom passes for Q2.

Today we revised to add supporting details for our Out of the Dust final essay, putting more of it together before we start to wrap it up.

Homework:
* Friday is the last day to turn in bathroom passes for Q2.
* The final written or typed essay is due Tuesday, Jan. 24.

Today we completed two WEX lessons for Out of the Dust - Describing the character before the change, and then after the change. This is referring to the change we wrote about in Lesson 14 on Tuesday of last week.

Homework:
* Friday is the last day to turn in bathroom passes for Q2.
* The final written or typed essay will be due Tuesday, Jan. 24.

One week away from the end of second quarter, we presented our book projects today. Students were able to share their books and one of the songs they chose for each book. It's always great when students can share books they enjoy with each other! Have a great long weekend!

Homework:
* Read the article on the dust bowl & answer the questions.
(See the article at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~neadams/dust.htm and the questions are on Edline.)

Today, we truly introduced what our final product for Out of the Dust will be. We will use previous lessons and future ones to complete the essay in response to the novel

Homework:
* Q2 Book Project - DUE TOMORROW!

We were interrupted once again to take the MAP test for reading. Afterwards, we completed a lesson where we identified turning points in Out of the Dust. We will use this lesson towards our final product as well, which we will finish putting together in the next few lessons.

Homework:
* Q2 Book Project - DUE FRIDAY!

After reading to the end of Out of the Dust, we finished a lesson on recognizing events that impact a character's life. Thus begins our final product, which we will be putting together in the next few lessons.

Homework:
* Q2 Book Project - DUE FRIDAY!

* Bring a book for MAP (reading) testing in the CLC tomorrow.

We read pages 150-175 of Out of the Dust, and then continued working on using direct quotes to show evidence.

Homework:
* Q2 Book Project - DUE FRIDAY!

After reading pages 96-149 of Out of the Dust, we found "to be" verbs, and made them stronger. We also learned how to put a direct quote into our writing.

Homework:
* Q2 Book Project - Due next Friday!

We started off reading pages 52-95 of Out of the Dust, and then we had our very first revision assignment for this unit. It asked us to add more evidence from the book to support our prompt from yesterday.

Homework:
* Q2 Book Project

Today we were interrupted with the MAP test in the CLC, but then we were able to focus on Out of the Dust once again. We read pages 34-51, and found evidence for identifying setting and context for the book.

Homework:
* Q2 Book Project

Happy 2012!

Things will be different for the rest of this quarter... We'll be writing a lot in class, but there will not be homework unless you still need to work on you Q2 Independent Book Project. This means we'll be working hard in class, but you'll have time to relax at home and focus on other subjects - The Narrative of Frederick Douglass took a ton of your time, but you will be rewarded now. (Wasn't that the most powerful thing you've read so far in your LIFE?!)

As for today... we began reading Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse (pgs 1-33). This is easy reading, and we'll get through this book and the writing in 9 to 10 days if all goes well. If you are absent, you will need to check out a book from class and read what we read. Our first writing classwork consisted of finding evidence about Billie Jo (the main character) and how she uses "showing" in her writing.

Homework:
* Q2 Book Project - Due January 13th