Overview from 2/9 and Assignment due 2/23

We will not have class next week, but students MUST FINISH THEIR CURRENT BOOK. They must also complete a journal entry when finished with the book that follows the criteria in the slides below. 

Today we learned Signpost 3: Aha! Moment. The notes are below.

Overview from 2/2 and Assignment due 2/9

Today we did some additional practice with the Words of the Wiser signpost we learned last week. We looked at a sample text together, and we talked about different ways these words can be presented.

We also looked at the free entry handout and talked about how not to answer certain prompts. Each response MUST be specific to the book being read, and the responses cannot be too broad so that whether the book is being read is not clear.

Additionally, I am looking for more developed entries for next week. Paragraphs should be 5-7 sentences where students are making their claim about the text that is based upon the response and then providing some evidence from the text.

When grading the journals, I noticed that students are forgetting to mention the literary elements that are anchored to each signpost. For example, they will tell me the words of the wiser they see, and they will answer the anchor question of how that might affect the character, but they won't mention the theme. Each signpost has at least ONE literary element that should be addressed.

Click here to access the digital copy of the free entry handout

For next week:
Keep reading. Your current book should be finished by 2/16.
Write a free entry for this week's reading.

email me with questions:
fameacademy.literacy@famefund.org

Overview from 1/26 and Assignment due 2/2

Today we reviewed, Contrasts and Contradictions from last week and then learned about Words of the Wiser (below):

For next week:

• Make sure you have started your cover page
• Title
• Author
• Picture
• Summary (5-7 sentences)
• Rating for book (with reasons)--this should be done when you have finished the book.
• Have a 3 paragraph journal entry
• hopefully one or two of the paragraphs are signposts
• the other paragraph(s) should be something from the free entry handout

Overview from 1/19 and Assignment due 1/26

Book 1 (books students are currently reading) is to be finished by Saturday 2/16. Students should pace themselves accordingly.

Today we took notes on and practiced spotting our first signpost of fiction, Contrasts and Contradictions. We also practiced how to talk and write about this signpost, which is important for the assignment that is due next Saturday.

Here are the notes students should have in the second section of their journals:

FOR NEXT WEEK:

•Keep reading AND complete One Journal Entry (3 developed paragraphs)

q ONE paragraph MUST be a Contrast and Contradiction

q The other two paragraphs can be any other topics from the free entry paper

REACH OUT TO ME WITH QUESTIONS/ISSUES

Overview from 1/12 and Assignment due 1/19

Today I handed out free journal entry papers and we read a story called "Charles" and had a light discussion while trying to think which free entry prompts we could answer for the story.

For next week, students are to begin reading their book they chose and write ONE free entry for the book. The entry should be a MINIMUM OF 3 DEVELOPED PARAGRAPHS and they should try to address 3 different elements from the free entry prompt paper. 

The current book they are reading is supposed to be done in 5 weeks, so I advised students to add the total page numbers by 5 to see how much they should be reading each week and pace themselves accordingly.

Email me with questions. 

Overview from 12/8 and Assignment due 1/12

Today we took notes on book choosing strategies and started talking about good books from different genres. The notes are pictured below.

For our next meeting in January: Students should come to class with their journal AND the first book they are going to read that they chose themselves. This book should be FICTION and it should be within an appropriate Lexile Level Range. (See notes below)

Overview from 12/1 and Assignment due 12/8

Today I collected student journals when they showed up for the ISEE exam. I graded the journals while they were testing, and I gave them back when they finished the exam.

I COUNTED THE JOURNALS TODAY AS THE SIGNPOST TEST since I asked students to look for examples of each one that we learned in the remainder of the book.

FOR NEXT WEEK: students MUST bring their journal as we will take notes on book choosing strategies and how we will operate in the Spring semester.

They no longer need their "Blood, Bullets and Bones" book since we have finished (or should have) prior to our meeting today.