Tuesday 10.30 - Students Publish Their Versions of Short Story "Victor"

Students re-wrote "Victor" by James Howe from another character's point of view. The students retained the basic elements of the plot as well as first person narration. They chose either Dad or Victor as a narrator to tell the same story from another point of view.

Dad's Point of View:
"I Let out my Feelings" by Hakeem
"How It Happened" by Geoffrey
"My life has gone to pass all because my son is hurt" by Jeffrey
"Miracle" by Francisco
"Father" by Kevin
"My Point of View for Cody" by Marko
"The Feelings of Dad" by Sergio
"When Things Go Bad" by Tania
"Father's Feeling" by Enrique
"Cody's Father" by Alex

Victor's Point of View:
"Suspicion" by Abass
"Old Man" by Ariel
"Victor" by Junior
"The Box" by Juan
"The Day I Made Cody Wake Up" by Brandon
"A True Friend" by Katherine
"Miracles" by Mariel
"Lending a Hand" by Tatiana
"The Visit" by Michael

Wednesday 10.25 - Monday 10.29

Text #3: "Victor" by James Howe

Reading/Critical Thinking Objectives:

• Identify basic elements of the plot (beginning, middle, end)
• Identify setting.
  
• Introduce foreshadowing through characterization and setting.
  
• Read for details/answer comprehension questions; teacher model re-reading techniques for context clues.
  
• Make inferences based on common knowledge as well as on repetive details in the text.
  
• Introduce lexical textual analysis as a basic building block of understanding imagery.
• Point View: class discussion. Who is telling the story? How would the story change if someone else would tell the story? Is it a first person narrative or an omniscient author?
  

Writing Objectives/Collaborative Learning:

• Class creates a sun characterization chart of main character. Students use this opportunity to collaborate with each other and the teacher and learn how organize information graphically.
  
• Creative writing: students re-write the story from another character's point of view. They have to conform to the same basic plot and setting and create at least one dialogue.

Tuesday 10.23.07

Text #2: "The Stranger" by Sue Baugh (BL)

Reading/Critical Thinking Objectives:

• Identify basic elements of the plot (beginning, middle, end)
• Identify setting: plot quotes that define setting and discuss how the setting mirrors the basic plot.
• Introduce foreshadowing through setting.
• Read for details/answer comprehension questions
  
• Read for main idea
• Make inferences based on common knowledge as well as on repetive details in the text
  
• Make predictions

Writing Objectives/Collaborative Learning:

• Short answers that include quotes from the text.
• In groups, create story maps and character charts. Students use this opportunity to create their own way of organizing information graphically.
• Creative writing: extend the plot; implement setting and characterization as parts of the action.
  

Monday 10.22.07

Text #1: "Nuts for Nuts" by Brenda B. Covert

Reading/Critical Thinking Objectives:

• Identify basic elements of the plot (beginning, middle, end)
• Identify setting and characters
• Read for details
• Read for main idea
• Make inferences
• Make predictions
• Distinguish between fact and opinion
• Vocabulary/spelling worksheet

Writing Objectives:

• Short answers that include quotes from the text.
• Creative writing excercise that relates to the text.

Bonus homework: cross-curricular review (math & social studies)

Short Stories Unit from 10.22 until Thanksgiving

As outlined by the English Department Literature Curriculum this unit will include six components:

• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking and Critical Thinking
• Vocabulary and Literary Convention
• Monthly Activity
• Technology

Culminating Exam (Performance Objective): Read a short story and identify literary elements.

Global Issues Newsreport Due 10.12.07

Read a news story of your choice about any of the global issues (global warming, AIDS/HIV, terrorism, cancer, etc.) and make a comment following the guidelines below:

• The article has to be about CURRENT GLOBAL events.
• Indicate the source of information.
• Give a short synopsis of a story.
• If you copy the exact words of the article, use quotations.
• Give your personal opinion about the issue.
  
• Use Standard American English writing conventions.