Important information about the next few weeks...

Students are to finish the rest of "Dear Martin" this week and continue to take notes on what to discuss when we meet again. They can even add to their character notes they took for this week.

On the 2/16 I am going to add another assignment here on the blog that will be due on 2/23. I will remind them to check this on our field trip on 2/16.

Overview from 2/2 and Assignment due 2/9

This week we talked about how each of the 6 signposts of fiction were present in the reading assignment that was due this week. We identified all 6 and talked about each one while answering anchor questions and talking about the literary elements they contribute to.

For next week, students are to read pages 111-146.

I want students to continue taking notes to discuss, but I also want them to pick 3 characters other than Justyce who they think contribute most to the story. Write about their role and why they are necessary to the overall message of the text.

ALSO: you must email fameacademy.literacy@famefund.org to let me know you have seen this whole post. This is grade.

Assignment due 2/2

For next week, students are to read pages 75-110 of Dear Martin and come to class with a list of as many signposts as they could find in the story (reference your journals from last year for these)

I expect to see the moment each signpost was seen in the story, an answer to each signpost's anchor question, and mention of the literary element(s) that each signpost contributes to. 

Message me with questions. 

Overview from 1/19 and Assignment due 1/26

Today we had a great discussion around many aspects of the assigned reading from last week (characters, real world issues, authors craft, author criticism, etc.)

For next week, students are to put their focus on Martin Luther King's role in the story as they read up to and including page 74. I would like students to consider writing a journal entry that reflects on the section we read each week, in addition to making notes on what they would like to discuss.

Overview from 1/12 and Assignment due 1/19

We discussed historical/personal figures we look up to and want to model ourselves after. We also began discussing current issues in the world surrounding race and talked about how the book we are about to read will likely go hand and hand with what they are doing in their transitions class.

I reviewed the 6 signposts of fiction with the students and they are to look for them as we read "Dear Martin" over the next month. I told students they are free to not annotate, but they MUST come to class with notes/discussions/journal entries or whatever form of what they want to use to show they are reading and thinking about their reading.

For next week, they must come to class with what is outlined above for pages 1-30 of "Dear Martin".

Overview from 12/8 and Assignment due 1/12

Today I collected our Macbeth Act 5 Study Guide and we took our Macbeth test.

I am going to email students this weekend with what they got on the test, their current grade with the test factored in, and if they have a C, I am going to present an alternate assignment they can do for bonus to bring their grade up. The alternate assignment will need to be turned in electronically before next Saturday, December 15.

FOR JANUARY: Students are to think of a historical figure they look up to and would like to be more like. All they have to do is come to class with that person's name and be able to explain why they chose them.

Overview from 12/1 and Assignment due 12/8

Today I collected the study guides for Acts 3 and 4. I graded them while students took the ISEE exam.

I also passed out the Act 5 study guide.

FOR NEXT WEEK: Students must finish reading Act 5 of Macbeth AND complete the study guide.

We will have a Macbeth "test" next week where students will be expected to know the Shakespeare vocabulary we took notes on when we started the play. There will also be some open ended questions about the overall play.

Feel free to email me with any questions.