Category: Reading

Schoolwide Nonfiction Reading - Lesson 6

11/13/2015

Topic: The topic is about how a hawk is trying to survive

Type of nonfiction: Literary nonfiction

Point of view: This was a third person point of view

Information the author really wants us to know

How the hawk survives in the wild.
How strong and brave a hawk is.
How humans can help wildlife
How can humans help an injured hawk.
How humans interfere with wildlife

So what's the point?

Summarize - What message does the author really want us to take away from the text, or what was the author's purpose in writing this text?
I think the main purpose that the author wanted to tell readers is how we interfere with wildlife and if we do, what can we do to help something in wildlife.

Readers of nonfiction determine the writer's purpose for writing a text. We will consider how identifying an author's purpose helps them learn about a topic.

Stop 'n Jots

I feel bad for this hawk. Like really, on the second page the hawk gets hit with a bow. If I was that hawk I would want to die when the bow was in me. I mean, I would hate to have an arrow in me and I can't get it out of my body.
Oh my gosh! His right leg is broken. The hawk had to break his leg to get unstuck. The author describes this moment with so much detail wich makes you feel bad for the hawk. I like how authors do that because it makes you feel like you're that hawk.
I think a person is rescuing the hawk or the person is a vet and he or she is going to help the hawk. I think this because the hawk is in a lot of misery, and I think a person would feel bad for this hawk.

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Schoolwide Nonfiction Reading - Lesson 5

11/12/2015

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Using Context Clues and Background Knowledge to figure out unfamiliar words

Good readers combine information from the book and what they already know to figure out new words that they read. Do your best during today's reading to figure out what new words mean to you using these two sources of knowledge.

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Schoolwide Nonfiction Reading - Lesson 4

11/11/2015

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Asking Questions While Reading Nonfiction

Readers of nonfiction ask themselves questions before, during, and after reading. We do this to activate prior knowledge, build understanding, and monitor comprehension.

Before Reading

How does the title help me know what this text is going to be about?

I wonder what Henry's freedom box means when it's a true story about the Underground Railroad

What do I know about this topic or subject?
People helped out with the Underground Railroad to help the slaves go into free states without getting paid.

What questions do I have?

What even is a freedom box? How long did it take to get into the free states?" Where did the slaves sleep when they went from house to house?

What type of nonfiction is this? How does that help me prepare for this read?
I think this book is literary nonfiction. This helps me before my read because it can give me a little idea of the book.

Is there a particular way that the text is structured?
The book is structered

During Reading

What do I understand?

I understand how Henry is very sad when his kids were sold to another slave owner. I understand what Henry is going to do with the box.

What is unclear?

Why would you send away people from your family? Why would Henry want to be sent to a free state in a box?

What new questions do I have?

Will Henry ever see his family again? Why does Henry's whole family get to be free but not Henry? "Why can't slaves sing? Will Henry's kids get sold to another slave owner. How will Henry will mail himself? I wonder what oil of vitriol is?

After Reading

What have I learned?
Slaves can not know their birth date or their age. Nearly 400,000
escaped from slavery

What are the important ideas that stuck with me?
Slaves were not allowed to know their birth date. Black family's could be separated at any time in their life to become slaves.

What new or lingering questions do I have?
I wondered how many slaves would mail their self to freedom? Would Henry ever see his family again?

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Schoolwide Reading - Lesson 2

10/19/2015

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Photographs and Illustrations

The reason why authors put photographs and illustrations into books is because it gives the reader a visual thought of the idea or topic that the author is writing about.

Captions and Labels

The reason why authors put captions and labels into books is because it describes what a picture is showing or what actions are in the picture.

Maps

The reason why authors put captions and labels into books is because it shows the location of someone or something that the author is describing

Introduction

The reason why authors have an introduction is because it gives a brief summary about the book that you read.

Headings

The reason why authors put headings in books is because it shows or describes what the page or paragraph is going to talk about wen you read it.

Subheadings

The reason why authors put subheadings into books is because it tells the readers the key to the paragraph or page.

Types of Print

The reason why authors put different types of print into their books is because it shows the readers if the word is in the glossary, if the word is important, etc.

Timeline

The reason why authors put timelines into their books is because it shows the readers events over a period of time.

Bibliography

A list of resources to create or make the book.

Bullets, Asterisks, and Stars

I honestly looked in 4 different books to find any of the three but I couldn't find anything.

Inserts and Sidebars

The reason why authors put inserts and sidebars in their books is because it gives the reader additional information about the book.

The reason why authors put a table of contents into their books is because it tells the readers what is contained in the book and what page it starts talking about this topic

Index

The reason why authors put an index into a nonfiction book is to tell the reader where a certain subject is located

Diagrams and Cutaways

The reason why authors put diagrams and cutaways into their reading is to show the readers an image or an object that has labels or captions around different parts of the picture.

Charts and Graphics

The reason why authors put Charts and Graphics into their reading because it shows the readers different information in clear, visual presentation

Glossary

The reason why authors put a glossary into their book is to have readers look up a word in the book they don't know or is hard to understand

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Schoolwide Reading - Lesson 8

10/16/2015

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Stop and Jots Notes

1. Stop and Jots are not notes.
2. Stop and Jots are thoughts that you have while reading.
3. These thoughts can be any kind of lit circle discussion or any type of thought you might not share.

Via is compassionate. She cares about Justin enough to convince him that he is going to be okay to memorize his lines. Not every girlfriend or friend cares about the other person. Via cares a lot about the other person.
I think that Justin wished for to have a better family. I think this because he said when he went over to Via's house with her family, he said he feels more comfortable here than at their house. I think Via wished for Justin to just be happy. I think this because Justin is stressed out about memorizing his line, so she just wants him to be happy.
I think that one of those three boys are Julian. I think this because Julian always wants to be mean to Jack Will. They were elbowing each other so I think they are going to do something bad.
I think that Justin is going to turn into tough guy and go over to Julian, Miles, Henry and tell them something for being a jerk to Jack. I think this because it sort of sounded like Justin was mad about them being a jerk to Jack. Payback Time!
I think Miranda still really cares about Auggie. I think this because When you're really good friends with somebody or you hang out with somebody, you tend to care for their family
Via brought three tickets back. I am very happy that Via will let Auggie go. I predict that now Via will go straight down the high school popularity bar. I think this because people will think "who is that freak?" Wich is very rude.
I think Auggie doesn't want dad to call him " Auggie Dogie" because of the death of Daisy. I think that whenever he hears his dad say that he would feel sad inside.
I think Miranda picked up Auggie. I think this because Miranda used to really like Auggie. I wonder what she will say or act like in front of Auggie for the first time with his lobot ears.
Why would Miranda want to lie about her life. Copright! She is pretty much talking about Via's life. I think she is lying because she already feels bad about her life. She wants to have Via's life.

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Schoolwide Reading - Lesson 7

10/8/2015

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Jack Will got invited to Augusts table with Summer. Just the two of them, in the back of the room. If I were Jack Will I would zoom to the table.I know that neither of them would ditch him. If they do I would be surprised.
Jack Will told August about the holiday party and how Julian turned everybody against Jack Will. August then says "Welcome to My World!" I think that Jack and August will be the new dynamic duo of the Plague. (Not to be offensive.)
I wonder what Via's boyfriend looks like? I think he is going to be athletic and have long hair. The author just said that he has long hair (Correct) and has little glasses (Incorrect).
I can't believe there is a part for Via's boyfriend, Justin. I am very excited to see the "Romance". Since Justin has glasses, you would think he would be smart, but wrong! In his part he doesn't even use periods or capitals. But you never look at somebody at the outside.
Via is scared that she wants Justin to come back to her house. She said that most kids never came back for a second playdate. I mean, Justin really likes her, he said it in his part. I think he will come back.
Ohhhhhhhhhhh. Valentines Day is here! I wonder what Justin will give Via. Probably just some lame heart necklace. But, I wonder what Via will give Justin?
I feel bad for Justin. It sounds like his parents are neglectful. He even says he feels more comfortable at Auggies house than at his normal house. I think that sounds really weird.

Reflection Questions

Which Conversation Starter above is Mr. Solarz' favorite? Why?
Which Conversation Starter above is your favorite? Why?
Describe one conversation you have already started in your Literature Circle. What was the question and how did the discussion go?

Answers

1. " Share something that is confusing." He told us in class that he wished that whenever somebody was confused, they would start a conversation.
2." It was so great that the characters..." This is my favorite because it tells the audience how the character is and why this person is important.
3. " I wonder why .... " The question was " I wonder why Brian would want to be Judy's boyfriend? the question went well. We went very deeply into our minds to think about this.

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Schoolwide Reading - 5

10/6/2015

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I think that you have to follow a message or theme in the book. The dedication sounded like a "Words of the Wiser".
The author is telling us how clutch and amazing Micheal Jordan was.
On the second page, it shows Micheal Jordan with wings because his dunks were like he was flying. I wonder how high Micheal Jordan can jump.
Now the author is talking about life, not basketball. I think they are going to show some words of wisdom soon.
witch path will you take in life? The poem didn't say it that way, it said it in a more poem writing. Maybe it's being good and being bad.
" The time to prepare is now." I think they are kids like our age preparing for being an adult.

Activate Your Schema!

What do I already know about Basketball that might help me better understand this story?

Lots of stuff!
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Reflection Questions:

If you were about to read a book about about an astronaut who went to Venus, what are three or more things you might think about before reading that would activate your schema?
If the book said, "The astronaut's helmet began to melt..." what would you imagine the cause was? Why would his or her helmet be melting? Use your schema to answer this question.

What do I already know about Michael Jordan that might help me better understand this story?

Lots of stuff!
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Answers
1. "How did he get to Venus?" , "Why did he or she go to Venus? and "What was his or her goal to achieve when he or she went to Venus
2. The heat of Venus was melting it. He or she was close to a very hot gas.

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Schoolwide Reading - Lesson 4

10/1/2015

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Jack Will gives a hint to Mr. Tushman about why Jack Punched Julian, DUN, Dun, Dun!!!!! Mabye Mr. Tushman will ask Julian about what he said.
Julian's mom is such a jerk! She wrote an email to Mr. Tushman to kick out Auggie! Did she grow up in a bad neighborhood or something? I think Mr. Tushman will get super mad at Julian's mom
I'm so glad that Mr. Tushman was protecting August by saying that he does not have special need to Julian's mom.
In your face Julian's mom! Mr. Tushman just offended you. He said that August has friends (including Jack Will). It seems like a little burn but I think it is a big burn.
Mr. Will is very nice. Paying for Julian's dental bills, going to the dentist is very expensive.
Dunn, Dunn, Dunn!!!!! August knows that Summer told Jack about Halloween. I think August won't be friends with Summer anymore .

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Schoolwide Reading - Lesson 3

9/30/2015

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I can't believe Jessie is going to America! I would be so nervous if I was just announced to go to America
I feel bad for Jessie. She is crammed on a boat on a long trip. I would probably throw up.
Jessie just arrived to America. I would be so excited to see America if I were Jessie.
Jessie goes to school and tries to learn English. I feel her pain of trying to learn a new language.
Jessie found Lou in Central Park, the friend from the boat.
I think Jessie will get married to Lou! Now I know why she left the ring!
Lou proposed to Jessie. I can't believe it!
Jessie is asking to let grandma over to America.
Jessie want's grandma to live for the wedding and to get the ring.

Questions:

What did you think of this book? What did you like and what did you dislike?
This was historical fiction. What do you like about historical fiction and what don't you like?
When the book ended, what were you thinking about? What are you still wondering or wish you'd know more about? Why do you want to know?

Answers
1. I think the book was great. I had a lot of "wow I can't believe this happened moment" in a good way
2. I like how it take's place during a certain time period. I don't like how it's old. I don't understand some of the objects or settings.
3. I was thinking how Jessie's life continued and I am wondering if Jessie will have a lot of kids. I want to know because I would like to make an add on of the story.

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Schoolwide Reading-Lesson 2

9/29/2015

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I think that Henry is brave for moving into a house that nobody has lived in 7 years. I would be scared of ghosts and spiders.
I wouldn't care of what other people think, I would be happy with just a home and food.
Again and Again "That place is a disgrace." The neighbors think the house is hideous and they are thinking who would want to live in this neighborhood.
Henry doesn't let his anger out in front of people. If the neighborhood said to fix up my home I would scream at the top of my lungs at them.
They want to threaten Henry so Henry stays inside. I would do the same thing.
I'm proud that Henry let out his feelings and spoke the negatives to the neighbors. I would do the same thing after a while. Just be yourself, nothings going to be perfect.
I'm starting to wonder if Henry is rude. His neighbors baked him a pie and he said "I'm not Hungry, no thank you. Bye." I would be so joyful if my neighbors gave me a pie.
Henry thinks that he is not neat and different and he is okay with that. I would say that it is good to be different.
I can't believe Henry left. They didn't even kick him out of the house!
I wonder how the neighbors feeling? Nervous? Scared? I don't think Henry will return.
Wow! I can't believe he misses the neighbors. He acted so crabby to them.
I think Henry is missing the neighbors because he is lonely and they tried to be nice to him.

Questions:

Where and when do you usually read?
What kinds of books do you like to read? Why?
Do you have a favorite author, series, or genre? What is it?
How do you decide what to read once you are ready to select a new text?
Select a question from the class Padlet, and write some notes to record the answer.

Answers:
1. I usually read in my bed right when I wake up in the morning.
2. I like to read survival. It just gets so interesting.
3. My favorite author is Gary Paulsen
4. I think about what I like and if I find one that interests me I examine it.
5. I read about 3 and a half hours a week.

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Schoolwide Nonfiction Reading - Lesson 6

Readers of nonfiction determine the writer's purpose for writing a text. We will consider how identifying an author's purpose helps them learn about a topic.

Stop 'n Jots

Schoolwide Nonfiction Reading - Lesson 5

Using Context Clues and Background Knowledge to figure out unfamiliar words

Schoolwide Nonfiction Reading - Lesson 4

Asking Questions While Reading Nonfiction

Before Reading

During Reading

After Reading

Schoolwide Reading - Lesson 2

Photographs and Illustrations

Captions and Labels

Maps

Introduction

Headings

Subheadings

Types of Print

Timeline

Bibliography

Bullets, Asterisks, and Stars

Inserts and Sidebars

Table of Contents

Index

Diagrams and Cutaways

Charts and Graphics

Glossary

Schoolwide Reading - Lesson 8

Stop and Jots Notes

Schoolwide Reading - Lesson 7

Reflection Questions

Answers

Schoolwide Reading - 5

Activate Your Schema!

Schoolwide Reading - Lesson 4

Schoolwide Reading - Lesson 3

Schoolwide Reading-Lesson 2

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