Book Reviews and Goodreads

Goal: Finishing book reviews etc.

Read: Yes, we still start with reading.

Book Reviews: 

• On Wednesday we looked at an example of a review and charted the structure of that review. 
• Use that structure as a model for your own book reviews. 
• You started a draft of your book review in your English Journal. 
• Your first task today is to finish writing that review. 

Goodreads: 

The example book review we read was posted on Goodreads. 

1. JOIN Goodreads.com by signing in with Google+. You will need to create a password for that. 
2. SKIP the step about getting recommendations from friends. 
3. DO set a reading goal for 2016. I suggest 6 books. 
4. SELECT 3 favorite genres. (Then move on. You can add more later.)
   
5. RATE at least 5 books you have read. Use the genre buttons on the left to find different titles. 
6. FIND the friends button in the upper right corner and click that.
7. TYPE Mrs. R's gmail address into the friend search box. Then click search. 
8. ADD Mrs. R as a friend. 
   
9. SEARCH for the title of the book you just wrote a review of. 
10. RATE the book and PASTE in your review. 

Your last lesson on THEME

Goal: Learning without computers, oh my. (We can do this.)

Read: 
We always read.
Today's reading fact: An education professor, Anne E. Cunningham wrote a research paper and discovered that reading frequently does actually make you smarter. Not only does it help you retain knowledge, but it helps you to remember that knowledge later on in life. Whether or not you realize it, reading stockpiles your brain with new information, and you never know when it may come in handy.

Netbooks have gone bye bye: 
Yes our computer cart is gone. It should come back sometime Friday with new Chromebooks inside! For now we will learn without them.
Get out a pen.

Your last lesson on THEME:
This lesson is so good you will never need another lesson about what THEME is or how to figure out the theme of a book. Most teachers instruct about theme slowly, one boring story at a time. Today we are going to learn about THEME by going FAST and in REVERSE!

You will never forget this lesson and if you should somehow happen to forget what THEME is you will remember that you should come back to this post and relearn it from the slides I will post below later today.

You can also watch a version on YouTube. VIDEO VERSION




Reminders:
Keep reading
Open house is Thursday 10/6.

Reading Progress and Learning about Book Reviews

Goals: Examining our reading progress and learning about book reviews.

Read: 

• We always read. 
• A recent study found that people who read are two and a half times less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Syndrome later on in life. Although this does not mean that reading will prevent the disease, it proves a slight relationship between reading and prevention.

Reading Progress Survey: 

• Complete THE SURVEY about your reading.
• (Yes, you have done this before. Yes, you need to do it again.)

Book Reviews: 

• Read THIS REVIEW of The Alchemist written by a former student of mine. It is not perfect, but it does a really good job demonstrating the structure of a book review. 

English Journal: 

• Open your English Journal
• Add 9/28/16 at the top (But be sure you are not writing in the header.)
• Begin a draft of your book review. Write about the book you already finished reading. 

Reminders: 

Memoirs are due today. I begin to grade them on the rubric this afternoon. 

You can still work on it. But you may need to request a regrade. 

You will know I graded yours when you see a copy of the rubric show up at the bottom of the doc. 

Writing Groups Continue

Goal: Continue writing groups with even better conversations!

Agenda: 
Read
What's working in writing groups?
Writing Groups (need to finish today)

Getting Started:

• What's working in writing groups?
• What kinds of discussion help writers most?
• Follow the procedures in the chart or on THIS PAGE with your group. 

Memoir Rubric: (below)
How does your memoir compare to the rubric?
Anything on here we have not worked on?


Homework: 
Finish polishing your memoir. It is due TOMORROW!
Read: You must finish two books by 10/5. (Next Wednesday)


Rubric:

Structure	Structure: An interesting introduction captures attention. The main event in the narrative (story) is logically organized and clearly described.
Language	Language: Strong dialogue or description draws the reader into the story. The writer includes sensory details, figurative language, and strong verbs.
Reflection	Reflection: The writer acknowledges the significance of the incident directly or indirectly.
Grammar and mechanics	Written consistently in the first person. Is free from grammar/spelling errors.
Word Count	Memoir is 700-800 words in length

Writing Groups

Goal: Writing groups

Agenda:
Read
Writing Group Procedures
Writing Groups
Debrief

Writing Groups: 

• Sharing your writing with a group will help you improve your writing and learn what a reader might think while reading your work. 
• Follow the procedures in the chart or on THIS PAGE with your group. 

Homework/Reminders: 

Read! (Really not kidding about that.)
Memoir draft grade 9/27 TUESDAY.

Memoir final drafts due 9/28. WEDNESDAY. 

Open house is Thursday 10/6. 

Making Progress

Goal: Make progress on your memoir.

Read:
We always read.

Period 2: We were in the PAC to hear the talk from the Blue Angles crew. But, you still need to be working on adding to your memoir. See below.

Periods 3, 5, 6:
We spent time writing today. Many of you still need to add dialog, sensory details, and reflection to your memoirs. If you are missing one or more you need to be working on it over the weekend.
Also, don't forget to read.

Adding to our memoirs

Goal: Making better memoirs. 

Read: 

How's it going with your second book? 

Using Sensory Details:

• Smell - and the water smelled like lemons and a heated swimming pool in summertime, all rolled into one." (description of a toilet!)
• Sound - Trash cans rattle outside restaurants. Metallic jaws on sanitation trucks gulp and masticate the residue of daily living, then digest it with a satisfied grind of gears. 
• Physical Sensation - A burning drop of sweat raced down the side of my face. I could feel a vein that I previously didn't know existed popping out of my forehead.
• Taste - and once they are in your mouth, they dance around like crazy gypsies setting fire to anything they touch. Miguel started to run. His tongue was blazing, tears poured from his eyes, and he yelped in pain. 
• Sight - The spear moved forward inch by inch ….Then Jack grabbed Maurice and rubbed the stuff [blood] over his cheeks . . 

Writing Time: 

• I want to give you as much time today as possible to do the work of writing and adding to your memoir. Many of you still need more dialog. Some of you need to add more reflection. And almost all of you could use more sensory details. Let's go. 

Reminders: 

• Period 2: Meet in PAC tomorrow. Don't come to our classroom first. (Only period 2.)
• READ-You should be about 50% done with your second book. 
• Complete your memoir draft, including dialog, reflection, and sensory details. 

Adding elements of reflection

Goal: Understanding what my memoir needs and learning some ways to make it better.

Read: 
Books out.

Memoirs: 

• You have a draft of your memoir. You know what you're writing about.
• Lets look at what it needs to make it better. 

Rubric:

Structure	Structure: An interesting introduction captures attention. The main event in the narrative (story) is logically organized and clearly described.
Language	Language: Strong dialogue or description draws the reader into the story. The writer includes sensory details, figurative language, and strong verbs.
Reflection	Reflection: The writer acknowledges the significance of the incident directly or indirectly.
Grammar and mechanics	Written consistently in the first person. Is free from grammar/spelling errors.
Word Count	Memoir is 700-800 words in length

Working on Reflection: 

• Get a copy of THIS DOCUMENT. It has some small parts of several memoirs we read. 
• We are going to look at them together, but I want you to highlight the words and phrases that show that the author is reflecting on the event. 

Reminders: 

Complete your draft. 

Add elements of reflection so your reader will know why this moment mattered in your life. 

Read. 

Dialog Challenges

Goal: Adding dialog, and formatting it like a boss.

Agenda:
Read
Dialog challenge #1
Dialog challenge #2

Dialog challenge #1

1. Copy and paste the text below into your English Journal. 
2. With your partner discuss how you would correctly format this dialog. You probably need to add some paragraph breaks and punctuation. 

Well, why were you down at the swimming pool anyway? my mom asked as she pulled the dripping carton of eggs out of the shopping bag. I told you I need to get in shape before the swim team tryouts. Damn half these eggs are broken. But sweetie, you know that kids under 13 aren’t allowed at the pool without an adult. Why didn’t you ask your father or I to go with you. Because you guys are busy and if I wait for you to take me it will get later and the pool will get more crowded with adults who want to swim laps and I just don't like sharing a lane with some hairy dude in a speedo. Honey, the lifeguards know you are under 13 and they will be watching for you. They just aren’t going to let you swim there. I’m sorry, but we need a better solution.

Dialog Challenge #2

1. Add dialog to your memoir. 
2. You don't need to remember the actual words anyone said. You can write what you think they said or what you think they probably said.  
3. Also try to avoid using the word SAID over and over. Here are 200 words you can use instead of said. 

First Draft Memoir

Goal: Writing the first draft of your memoir.

Agenda: 
Read
How to access your writing prompt
Writing time

Writing prompt:

1. A Google Doc for you to write your memoir has already been shared with you!
2. Go to Drive.google.com, (login), and look in the "shared with me" section. 
3. Open the Doc called (period, name, first draft memoir.) Add it to your drive. 
4. DO NOT make a copy of the document. (If it already has your name on it you don't need to make a copy.) 

Writing time: 

• You may listen to music, but not streaming music. Pandora and others slow down the network for everyone else. (Also if you aren't getting writing done, or if anyone else can hear your music, then your music privilege goes away fast.)
• You may not talk. Writing requires concentration. Please respect your classmates need for a quiet writing space. 
• Write a complete draft, beginning, middle, and end. If you finish early go back through your writing and continue adding details, dialog, and descriptions. 
• You may write about something you already started writing about in your English journal, but write it fresh. Don't copy paste from your EJ. First see how you write the story today. Later you can look back at your EJ to see what you might still want to add. 

Homework: 

• Finish your draft. It does not need to be perfect (yet). It does need to be the whole story. 
• Read: You should have completed your first book by now. You need to finish your second book by 10/5/16. (That's sooner than you think.)
• Open House is Thursday, October 6th. Tell your parents. 

Ideas for Memoir Writing

And that's when I became the middle child. 

Goal: Generating ideas for memoir writing.

Agenda:
Read
4 Quadrants
Writing
Sharing
More Writing

Reading Progress Survey: 
Complete THE SURVEY about your reading.

Four Quadrants: (That's redundant isn't it?)

1. Open your English Journal
2. Add today's date at the TOP. (not under your other work.)
3. Go to Table/Insert Table and choose 2x2. Two squares high and two squares wide. 
4. Add numbers and make your table look like the one pictured below. 
5. In EACH box write 3-4 events, big or small, that happened in your life during those years. 

Writing: 

Write for ten minutes about one of the events you listed in your chart. Include details about who, where, when, why. Include information about emotions, (yours and others), events, and your reflection. Do you still feel the same way about this event now as you did then? What did this event teach you about life. Tell the story, use what you remember, guess about the details you can't quite recall.

My teacher wants me to write for ten minutes? Seriously? 

Close reading and group discussion

Goal: Close read and discussion of the memoir we read yesterday.

Agenda: 
Read
Group discussion
Group presentations

Get a copy of the text we are using today HERE. (You will need to be logged in to your stu.sandi.net account to get the text.)

Group Discussion:

• With your group have a discussion about the two questions from the text assigned to your group. 
• Be prepared to explain that answer to the class. 
• You must include evidence from the text in your explanation. Be able to point to the sentence or two that proves your answer is most correct. 

Find your group # and the questions you are responsible for discussing. 
Group 1: 2 and 6
Group 2: 6 and 1
Group 3: 5 and 3
Group 4: 7 and 1
Group 5: 3 and 8
Group 6: 1 and 2

One more memoir reading

Goal: Reading one more memoir.

Read: 
Books out, lets make those pages fly by.

Reading a new Memoir: 

• I've assigned a new memoir to you in GoFormative. 
• Use your id#@stu.sandi.net to "login with Google"
• You will only be able to access this reading if you have already joined our class for your period. Please use the class codes on the whiteboard if you have never used Formative before. 
• Remember each numbered blue square is a question. Answer them as you read. 
• Finish reading for homework if you run out of time in class. 

Reminders: 

• Keep reading. You should be finishing your first book this week!
• Do you need to work on your six word memoir? (Use the Request a Re-grade button above.)
• Do you need to finish something in your English Journal?

Memoir Jigsaw

Goal: Check your understanding of the memoir you read yesterday and explain it to a new group.

Read:
Books out, let's go.

Memoir Groups: 
Talk to your group about the memoir you read yesterday.
Make sure everyone in your group can explain it.

English Journal: 
Open your English Journal.
Make sure it has an entry about the memoir you read yesterday.

New Groups: 
I'll be moving you to a new group.
Go around the group and take turns explaining the memoirs you read yesterday.
Listen for things these memoirs have in common.
What makes them all memoirs?

Reminders:
Keep reading. You should be finishing your first book this week!
Do you need to work on your six word memoir? (Use the Request a Re-grade button above.)
Do you need to finish something in your English Journal?

Reading Memoirs

Goal: Reading a memoir with a small group

Agenda: 
Read
Read a memoir
Discuss the memoir with your group

Group Reading: 

1. Sign in to Google Drive with your district account. (ID#@stu.sandi.net)
2. Click on the number for your group to get the memoir you will be reading:

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

Group 4

Group 5

Group 6

Questions: 
Discuss these questions with your group and be prepared to explain more about your reading to another group who has not read this memoir.

What does the writer experience in this text?
What is the writer trying to say about this experience?
What techniques does the writer use to make the story real?
What obstacles did the writer encounter  in this memoir?
What does the writer gain/learn from these challenges?

Quick Write:
Open your English Journal (It is in your Google Drive) and write a paragraph about the memoir you read and discussed today. What would you say about that narrative to someone who has not read it.

Reminders/Homework:
Be prepared to talk about the memoir you read today. You should probably read it again.
Read your independent reading book.

Deeper understanding of "Us and Them"

Goal: Deeper understanding of "Us and Them" through conversation and questions.

Read: 
Always, books out.

Making understanding small: 
I'll be walking you through the steps for improving your understanding of "Us and Them."
If you need a copy of the story see the assignment in Google Classroom.
Use File/Make a copy to get your very own copy of the text.

Socrative: 
Go to b.Socrative.com.
Where is says "Room Name" enter 6867.
Wait patiently for a moment until I send you a question.

Absent?: 
You missed all the fun today. Absent students should re-read "Us and Them" and write a five sentence summary.

To be done by now: (You should be finished with these things. If not do them asap.)
Six word Memoir Slide (See Google Classroom.)
Welcome assignment with English Journal (See Google Classroom. Don't forget to click "Turn In.")
Return Netbook Agreement
Complete Student Data Form
Read 2/3 of your book by Monday.

Looking closely at "Us and Them" with a partner.

Goal: Look more closely and discuss "Us and Them" with a partner.

Read: 
10 Minutes, read your independent reading book.

Looking at "Us and Them": 

• With your partner you will re-read sections of "Us and Them" 
• See the assignment in Google Classroom to get the text. 
• One of you will need the text open and the together you will complete This Form.
• It works well if one of you has the text on your screen and the other partner has the form. 

To be done by now: (You should be finished with these things. If not do them asap.)

• Six word Memoir Slide (See Google Classroom and posts below.)
• Welcome assignment with English Journal (See Google Classroom. Don't forget to click "Turn In.")
• Return Netbook Agreement
• Complete Student Data Form
• Read 1/3 of your book. 

Reading, "Us and Them" in Formative

Goal: First read of a memoir

Read: 
You should be about 1/3 of the way through your first book for the semester.

Read a Memoir: 
Okay, new tool. We will use it a lot this year, so it is worth a bit of time to teach you how it works. It's called Formative and it will help me understand more about you as a reader. Basically, I put a short reading into Formative and then I add questions right into the reading. You answer the questions as you read.

Directions: 

1. Go to http://goformative.com
2. Click"Sign Up" and become a student. 
3. Choose "Student"
4. Ignore the boxes for the form and choose "Sign Up With Google" 
5. Use your district Google account. That's >>> ID#@stu.sandi.net
6. Enter the class code for our period. (See chart in our classroom.)
7. Find the assignment called "Us and Them" 
8. Click on the blue numbered boxes and answer the questions as you read. Do not skip questions. If you change your mind about an answer you can go back and change it. 

To be done by now: (You should be finished with these things. If not do them asap.)

• Six word Memoir Slide (See Google Classroom and posts below.)
• Welcome assignment with English Journal (See Google Classroom. Don't forget to click "Turn In.")
• Return Netbook Agreement
• Complete Student Data Form
• Read 1/3 of your book. 

Catch Up Day

Goal: Check in, catch up, get ready to move forward.

Read: 
Make sure your book is checked out to you. Ask Mrs. R if you aren't sure. You should be at least 1/3 done with that book by now to stay on track for finishing on time.

Well, last week was kind of a blur of schedule changes, textbook check outs, assemblies etc. So, today we are going to take a breath, look at where we are, look at what we need to finish, and get ready to move forward tomorrow.

Things to be done with:

1. Six word memoir slide: Check your slide for comments from Mrs. R. You may still have work to do. 
2. English Journal: This was your first assignment in Google Classroom. Have you done it? 
3. Student data form: There are a few of you still missing this. Mrs. R or Ms. L will check in with you if you need to do this. 
4. Good with all of the above? You get some extra time to read. Yay, for you!

Six word memoirs

Goal: Polish and post our six word memoirs.

Read: 
Get out your book. (You can also get your netbook out. Ask me if you forgot your number.)

Six Word Memoirs:

• You have a new assignment in Google Classroom. 
• There is a slide deck attached to that assignment with 36 slides. 
• Use the slide that matches your computer number. 
• Pick your favorite six word memoir. Make sure it is personal, six words, and spelled correctly. Then add it to the slide. 
• You can add an image to the slide, but only from photosforclass.com and only on your slide. 
• Note: If you have not yet joined out Google Classroom the class code is posted in the back of the room. 

Homework: 

READ. A three day weekend is a great time to make progress on your first independent reading book. 

Textbook check out day aka bicep improvement day

Goal: Textbook check out,  reading, and six word memoirs.

READ: get out your book or borrow a new one.

Textbook check out: 

• We will all go to the library to check out our textbooks.
• Bring your ID, a pen, and your schedule.
• Pick up book covers
• You will NOT go to your locker during class time. 

Back in the classroom:

• Write your name in ALL of your books
• Check books for any damage. Report damage to Ms. Cooper in the Library asap or you could get charged for damage to your books.)
• Cover your books.
• Keep your English book at home.
• Carry a plastic bag to protect your books if it rains. (A 13 gallon kitchen trash bag works well. Water can damage books.)

Things you should be working on: 

• Six word memoir (see bottom of post below for more info.)
• Student Data Form
• Join our Google Classroom and complete the English Journal assignment. (Codes to join are posted in the back of the room.)
• Check out the book you are reading if you borrowed it from our classroom. 

Reminders: 

Read

Return your netbook agreement if you still have it. 

Complete any of the things you should be working on above.