Back to our short stories...

For today's lesson, we read a children's book - Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes. This helped us to review the shape of a story (Lesson 4). Students then completed the following skill drill (see image):

Homework:
* Complete a story chart for two of the following: The Outsiders, Out of the Dust, or Freak the Mighty. (See Edline if you need the story chart format.)
* Independent reading process (read 20 min, blog by SUNDAY PM)

Today was a full block of independent reading discussion, clarifications, presentations, one-on-one conferences, and reading! Mrs. Smith and Mr. Goldstein joined us, and we were able to take advantage of this time, as we'd had none last week.

Homework:

* Read 20 min / blog by Friday PM
(* Read through some blogs and comment some time this week.)

Four more days off? Woah! Back to work, it is!

Today we worked more with characters and theme, before we went on to another writing lesson to develop our short stories. Lesson 3 - Creating a Believable Personality. In this lesson (after all of our other mini lessons today), we asked students to write how their character would think, do, and or say to the following situations (see image). We then came up with five adjectives to describe our main character. Students were encouraged to use their character trait sheet from the beginning of the year.

Homework:

* Independent Reading Process (20 min of reading, blog by Friday PM)

* BRING IND. RDG. MATERIALS tomorrow!

In our groups today, we discussed topic vs. theme again, and transposed our ideas of theme to a Taxedo on the laptops. Students then shared their stories and the themes. Hopefully this will help us create believable stories in our writing for this unit. If there was time, students had time to read or research for their independent reading. Enjoy your long weekend!

Homework:

* Get prepared for Wed. by bringing reading material!!
* Read some fiction, and think of the characters and theme
* Independent Reading Process (blog by Friday PM)

We got into groups today to read four stories from the Literature book. Each group member had a different role, and all completed the "close read" questions from the story. This ties into our talk about character and theme this week. Hopefully this will help us create believable stories in our writing.

Homework:
* Finish the story and your job for the group classwork today.
* Independent Reading Process (blog by Friday PM)

Today we looked at themes from various children's books - and figured out how "theme" differs from "topic." We then continued with our short story creations, by composing a believable problem (WEX Lesson 2). First we brainstormed three possible problems for our character in his/her setting. We included a brief justification for each problem. What makes it believable for your character in this setting? The prompt: Choose one of the problems you imagined for your character. Write out a scene, showing the moment that the problem occurs. Show exactly what is taking place around your character.

Homework:
* Independent Reading Process (blog by Friday PM)

Welcome back! To ease back into school, we read children's books today! This is in preparation for writing our own short stories. We compared the characters in the books, and then for writing, created a believable character of our own (WEX Book 4, Lesson 1). First we brainstormed ways the person in the photograph (of students' choosing) could be connected to the setting he/she chose. What's the justification for each? We then answered the prompt: Choose one of the connections you wrote down. Write a fictional moment showing your character in the setting. Show what he or she is thinking or doing. If helpful, ask yourself these questions - 1. What activity is about to start, or has just ended? 2. Is this a new place for your character to visit? 3. Is it familiar? We will be creating our own short story this unit!!!

Homework:
* Write down the name of your favorite children's (picture) book.
* Independent reading process (blog once a week by Friday PM)