Overview from 6/29 and Assignment due 7/2

Today students took the quiz found at the following link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfa9YGK3j42Z1K5Ctfwrj5zohvMpXVLuaz8jv-DqoHV89rorg/viewform?usp=sf_link

For Monday, students are to read and annotate the first section of their new book. The reading schedule can be found on yesterday's blog post.

Overview from 6/28 and Assignment due 6/29

Students had today as the final class period to work on their newspaper with me present. These are due tomorrow, and since students are already finished with their book, the only homework they have tonight is to finish the newspaper. The newspaper can be submitted tonight OR at the start of class tomorrow.

Additionally, students have their first quiz tomorrow that they have been reminded daily to look over their notes for.

Students also received their 2nd book today. The reading schedule is below:

I also shared with students that "Midnight Without a Moon" has a sequel, "A Sky Full of Stars," in case they wish to check that out on their own.

Overview from 6/27 and Assignment due 6/28

Students continued to work on their newspapers. I gave them this link to templates they could use in Google Docs (click here). If a student doesn't have a Google account, a person in their group that has one can use theirs to copy and paste another students work into it.

Students are to finish reading and annotating their first book before class tomorrow.

Student are also to continue reviewing their notes for our quiz on Friday (the things they should review can be seen on the blog post from this Monday).

Overview from 6/26 and Assignment due 6/27

The class project of our book's newspaper was presented this morning using the slides below:

Students learned about the objective voice (speaking/writing without personal voice and opinions), and they are to use that for all articles except the Letter to the Editor.

The newspaper will ultimately be a digital submission using Google templates. We will be looking at those tomorrow.

Students will continue to read and annotate 236-276 for tomorrow.

Please reach out to me with questions. The newspaper will be worked on in class, but is due THIS FRIDAY. If students are not progressing in class, it will require them to work on it outside of class. 

Overview from 6/25 and Assignment due 6/26

Today we reviewed all of the things we have taken notes on so far this summer. These things will be tested on, and students were encouraged to make sure they are looking for these things in their current book and asking questions for clarification if needed. Those things are as follows:
*Irony (3 types)
*Critical Theories (Historicism and Feminist)
*Figurative Language (simile, metaphor, hyperbole, symbolism, personification)
*Exposition

In addition to the items above, we also added the Feminist Critical Theory today. The notes from that are below. All of the things mentioned in the blog post are fair game for our quiz on Friday.

For tomorrow students are to read and annotate pages 204-235.

If students miss a class, they have to complete the assignment that can be found at this link here.

Overview from 6/22 and Assignment due 6/25

Today students got into small groups to discuss the reading assignment while I checked their annotations. Then each small group did a share out of what they discussed. We then tried to tie up ends of different things we discussed this week from Irony at the start of the week through the Historicism lens.

Students' reading assignments can be found on the picture of the reading assignment below on this blog. Students are still expected to read and annotate each day this weekend (or on one day this weekend if need--as long as they still get it all done.)

Overview from 6/21 and Assignment due 6/22

Today students learned about the first of 6 critical theories we are studying this summer. We sometimes refer to them as critical lenses. The notes from questions we ask through our first lens (Historicism) are below with the updated reading assignments for our current book.

Students will be reading pages 92-117 tonight.

Overview from 6/20 and Assignment due 6/21

Today we talked about Figurative Language (since it is so present in the author's writing style):

•Symbolism-when something represents another idea/thing entirely

•Hyperbole-exaggeration

•Metaphor-direct comparisons of unlike think

•Simile-indirect comparison of unlike things (like/as)

•Personification-giving human qualities to inanimate things

We looked for examples in our text and in "Merry Go 'Round" by Langston Hughes. We also discussed how the Hughes poem is reflective of the time period of the book.

After checking annotations, students pulled out what they felt was worth discussing.

For tomorrow they are to read and annotate Chapters 6 through up to and including Chapter 9.

Overview from 6/19 and Assignment for 6/20

Today students learned about the types of Irony, and we identified Situational Irony as being the type we would most commonly see in Historical Fiction.

Here are the notes from class:

Through our discussion we even talked about the aspects of the plot triangle (starting with exposition-the setup).

Students were told to make sure they annotate (they can write in their books), and they are encouraged to try to spot the types of Irony while reading.

The assigned chapters for tomorrow are Chapters 3-5 (they are to read to the end of chapter 5).

Students were also told that reading ahead is allowed as long as they are still annotating and not spoiling things for classmates.

Overview of 6/18 and Assignment due 6/19

Today students got an overview of what we would be working on this summer with the opportunity to ask questions. 

Students will read and annotate outside of class each day to be prepared for class assignments and discussions.

Here are annotations guidelines and the reading schedule for our first book:

For tomorrow students need to read and annotate pages 1-26 before class. Annotations will be checked at the start of class before we begin our assignments and discussions. 

If students miss a class, they will complete the assignment here (click here).

Feel free to email me at fameacademy.literacy@famefund.org with any questions