Book Reviews Before Break (Sounds like a Magic Treehouse Title)

Goal: Writing your first formal book review..

Agenda: 
Read
Reading Progress Update
Book Review Structure
Starting a book review

1. Complete your READING PROGRESS UPDATE.

2. Learn about the structure of a book review. 

• This week you met with Ms. Love and learned about book review structure. 

• If you need to review that you can click HERE to get a copy of what you worked on with her. 
• She will be giving back your paper copy in class too. 

Click the picture to see it larger. 

3. Write your own book review.

• I shared a new document with you in Google Drive called Book Reviews 19-20.
• You will use this doc to write your review today and to write other book reviews in the future. 

Reminders

• Have a great book to read during Thanksgiving break. 
• You can return your group novel to the library now, or add it to the basket in the back of the room and I will have a student take them down to the library.

************************************************************

What can I work on? 
By popular request, I'm posting a list of things you can catch up on or check on during break. This six week grading period ends today, though, so these things won't impact your current grade. They will help your more important semester grade.

1. READ - Reading is the best thing you can do for yourself. You should be reading book #5 or more. 

2. BOOK REVIEW - Finish your review of book #4 if you didn't already finish it in class. Hint, this should be on the "book review" doc that I shared with you on Friday. We are grading reviews of book #4 after Thanksgiving break. 

3. NOVEL PROJECT: A few of you still need to turn in your novel project. This post from our submission day should have all the links you need to help you with that. 

Request a Regrade: 
If you never revised your memoir or your visual memoir you can still work on either or both of those and then request a regrade on the tab above.

Most of you just need to read, relax and enjoy your break time with family and friends. If you really must worry about your English grade, try not to do that for more than a few hours. You need the time off. I need the time off too, so if you email me a question I probably won't get back to you until school starts again. Don't panic.

Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday: Rotations

Goal: Learn about charting texts, book review structures, practice non-fiction summarizing, and silent reading.

NOTE: District internet may still be down today. That could change these plans. District email has also been down, so if you tried to reach us we didn't get it. 

• This week we will try a three day instructional rotation. 
• Your group will do two activities per day until you have done all six. (You'll do silent reading twice, so that you still get as much reading time.)

EOS: 
Make sure you have finished the district EOS survey.

AOW: Article of the Week
Read THIS ARTICLE  or THIS ONE in Newsela.
Write TWO paragraphs about it in your English Journal.
Paragraph 1: Summarize the article. Use the summary frame if it helps you.
Paragraph 2: Say what you think about the topic in the article. (Your thoughts and opinions.)

Silent Reading: 
Read silently in your independent reading book.

Book Review Structure: 
Work with Ms. Love or Ms. Dowd to understand the structure of a book review.
(5th period you'll be doing this on your own.)

Charting Article: 
Work with Mrs. R to learn about a strategy called "charting the text."

Reminders:
Finish reading book #4.

Formative assessment and EOS Survey

Goals: Formative assessment for non-fiction reading, submitting projects and EOS survey. 


1. Formative Assessment: 

• Before we begin our next unit, we'd like to know more about your non-fiction reading skills. 
• Click HERE to take the assessment.

2. Do you still need to Submit Your Project: 

• Go to Flipgrid and upload or record your project. 
• Remember your SPEAKING counts. Be sure to speak clearly and logically about how your project relates to the theme of your novel. 
• You can also record in our classroom at lunch or after school. 

3. EOS Survey

This is a DISTRICT SURVEY that we need to get started on. If your project is done, do this next. 

4. Something different tomorrow: 

We will explain in class because we want you to know about it before you walk in. 

Reminders: 

You should be finishing book #4 this week. 

Check Power School to see if you have anything missing or anything you can work on for a regrade. 

Project Submission Day

Goals: Finish and submit your novel project. Start the EOS survey.

Agenda: 
Read
Finish your project
Submit your project
Take the survey

Finish your project: 

• Review the assignment expectations for your project to be sure you didn't forget anything. 
• If you are using spark.adobe.com you should get all your slides done and start recording your voice over each slide. 

Submit Your Project: 

• Go to Flipgrid and upload or record your project. 
• Remember your SPEAKING counts. Be sure to speak clearly and logically about how your project relates to the theme of your novel. 
• You can also record in our classroom at lunch or after school. 

Take the Survey: 

This is a DISTRICT SURVEY that we need to get started on. If your project is done, do this next. 

Reminders: 

Get really close to being done with book #4. (Finish by 11/20) 

Grading period ends 11/22. Get those re-grade requests in. (See tab above.) 

Project progress...

Goals: Make great progress on your Novel Project.

Agenda:
Read
Reading Progress Update
Project Script
Project progress

Reading Progress Update: 

Complete THIS FORM about your recent reading.

Be sure to use the last question to let us know about other books you've finished recently.

Project Script:

• Remember SPEAKING GRADE. 
• Write down what you want to say about how your project relates to the THEME of your group novel. 
• Practice reading your script until you feel comfortable. 

Project Progress: 

Are you using spark.adobe.com? 

Have you made all your slides there? 

Have you recorded any of your script yet? 

Reminders: 

Novel Project due Friday. 

Grading period ends 11/22. 

Keep reading book #4 to finish by 11/20.

Speaking of expectations...

Goals: Understand expectations for speaking standards and make progress on your novel project.

Agenda: 
Read
Speaking Expectations
Project work time
Check in form.

Speaking Expectations: From the Rubric

Accurately, concisely, and logically explains how the project conveys the theme, using appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation. Relevant details from the novel support the chosen theme. 

Check out my example of a book trailer made with Spark.adobe.com and uploaded to Flipgrid. 


Project Work Time:
It's up to you (and your partner) to use your time well today to make progress on your project.

• Do you need to create a doc to work together? 
• Can one of you start writing the script of what you will say to explain your project? 
• Do you need to have a talk about what each of you will do for homework? 
• What can you work on right now that will help you? 

Before you leave: 
Project CHECK IN FORM

Reminders: 
Novel Projects due Friday
Keep reading book #4
Request a regrade on work you have improved.

The Novel Project

Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash

Goals: Get started on your novel project.

Agenda: 
Read
Novel Project
Work Time
Project checkin form.

The Novel Project

• This is your opportunity to get creative in a medium of your choice about your group novel. 
• The main requirement is that you create something related to the theme of your novel and that you can clearly explain how your work connects to the theme of the book. 
• You have lots of options. Check out your NOVEL PROJECT OPTIONS. 
• You may also want to take a look at the RUBRIC. 

Work time: 

1. Decide on your project and get started on whatever you need to do to make progress on your project today. 
2. Remember the video of you explaining your project is due Friday, so you don't have a lot of time to waste. 
3. Complete the Project Check In Form BEFORE THE BELL. 

Reminders: 

• Keep reading book #4 (Finish by 11/20)
• Check power school. If you are missing anything you need to work on it asap. 
• You can still request a regrade on your memoir and your visual memoir. (Those things are still a BIG part of your grade.) 
• This grading period ends 11/22. That's next Friday. 

Reading the Novel Unit Test

Goal: Taking a unit test about the things we learned while reading novels.

Agenda: 
Test time!
Read while others finish


Unit Test: 

• This TEST is designed to assess your ability to apply the concepts from this unit.
• It has an entry code. You will have to be in class to take the test. 
• Answer every question the best you can. 
• If you would like a paper copy of the story on the test ask me for one. 
• If you are absent you will have a 0 until you make up this test. 

Read: 

• Make sure you have a very good book. Don't like your book? Ask for help finding a better one. 
• Be sure to CHECK OUT every book you take home. Yes, you can borrow more than one at a time. 
• Don't return your group novel yet. We'll need it next week.

Reminders:

• Be sure you have a good book to read for Book #4 (or #5)

Visiting the Counselors

Goal: Visit the counseling office.

Agenda:
Visit the counselors
Read while you wait

• Today we will be in the counseling office. They want to be sure they meet each of you.
• Bring your book so you can read while you wait your turn.

Back in class?
If you make it back to class before the end of the period you should:

• Check your English Journal. Is there work you need to finish? 
• Keep reading your book #4. 
• Practice for the unit exam with this Quizizz game. joinmyquiz.com  code is: 892551

Reminders:

Read daily at home in your book. You should finish book #4 by 11/20.

Practice test before unit test

Photo by Kenny Webster on Unsplash

Goals: Practice with the concepts from this unit before the unit test.

Agenda: 
Read
Practice Test

Unit Test Friday: 

• On Friday you have a test on all the concepts we have studied in this unit. 
• The test will ask you to read a new story and answer questions about: 
• Characterization
• Setting
• Diction (and connotation and denotation)
• Conflict
• Plot
• Theme

Practice Test: 
To get ready for the unit test, we are going to try answering similar questions today.
Go to GoFormative to get started. Choose: Practice test.

Reminders: 

• We go to the counselors tomorrow. Bring a book to read. 
• Write down any questions you have for your counselor and stick that note in your book to bring with you. 

Last Novel Quiz and English Journal Self Score

Goal: Reading progress update and novel quiz.

Agenda:
Read
End of Novel "Quiz"
English Journal Self Score

1. Novel Quiz: 

• Complete the questions using everything you know about the book. 
• The test includes short answer questions. Remember your expectations for short answer questions. 
• The test has an "entry code." You have to be in class to take the test. 
• Click HERE to access your novel test. 
• (If you are absent see me asap to make up the test.)

2. English Journal Self Score
Research shows that students who evaluate their own work improve faster than those who don't.

1. Open your English Journal
2. Review the English Journal Scoring Guide. 
3. Determine how you would score your English Journal. 
4. PASTE this sentence below into the TOP of your English Journal and be sure it is complete. 

November 5, 2019 Self Score:        

I believe I have earned a ______ <<(Your score 1-5) on my English Journal because_______________________ _______________ <<(Your reasons you think you earned that score.) 

3. Book #4: 

• Your group novel "counts" as book #3 for this semester. 
• You need to identify book #4. Do you already have it? 

Coming Soon: 

• On Thursday we are visiting the counseling office. 
• You need to bring a book with you so you can read while you wait to see your counselor. 
• If you have any questions you've been meaning to ask your counselor you should write them down. 
• You might get to return to class and do catch-up work. 
• Be ready for our Reading the Novel UNIT TEST on Friday.

Reading Progress and Article of the Week

Goals: Reading progress update and your next Article of the Week. 

Agenda:

Read: Reading your group novel is recommended.

Reading Progress Update

Article of the Week

1. Reading Progress Update

Complete THIS FORM about your recent reading.

Be sure to use the last question to let us know about other books you've finished recently.

2. Article of the Week: You have Two Choices

Read this ARTICLE about recent wildfires and write two paragraphs in your English Journal. 

OR Read this ARTICLE about rapid DNA technology and write two paragraphs in your English Journal.

• In the first paragraph summarize the article. Use the summary frame here if you need to.>>>
• In the second paragraph share your thoughts/opinions. 

Newsela Tip: Choose Sign in with Google!

Done already? Check your English Journal. Are you done with:

• Conflicts your character is facing
• Descriptive writing paragraph
• Six sentence summary of group novel
• Diction paragraph
• Previous Article of the week

Reminders:

• Reread the last two chapters of your group novel to be ready for the very last novel quiz tomorrow.
• Think about any questions you might want to ask your counselor when we go to see them on Thursday.
• Be reading book #4 at home in time to finish by 11/20.

Plot and Conflict Vocabulary

Goal: Mastering the vocabulary of Plot and Conflict


Agenda: 
Read
Plot Vocabulary
Writing Revision
Conflict Vocabulary

Plot Vocabulary: 
I think many of you already know these words, but lets make sure.

Writing Revision:

• On Wednesday you wrote a six sentence summary of the plot of your group novel. 
• Open your English Journal. 
• Revise your summary from yesterday so that it includes the plot vocabulary we just reviewed. 
• Here is an example one of you wrote. 

Conflict Vocabulary: 

There are lots of different kinds of conflicts characters can have. 

You don't have to memorize them all. 

You do need to know the difference between INTERNAL and EXTERNAL conflicts. 

Lets PRACTICE. 

In your English Journal: 

Write a paragraph about the conflicts the character in your group novel is facing. 

Reminders: 

Re-read the last two chapters of your group novel to be ready for one last book quiz on Tuesday. 

Start or continue reading book #4. Finish by 11/20.