Week of September 14-18

ELA Objectives:

#1 Students will determine a theme or central idea of a text (fictional) and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot, provide an objective summary of the text.

#2 Students will cite textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of  what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from text.

#3 Students will analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.

#4 Students will produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

Resources:
In-class novel The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
ELA Literature textbook
Handouts - 8 clues to understanding theme

Homework:
Yes! I will discuss on Thursday and Friday

1. Students, please complete the on the road to understanding theme process for "Gil's Furniture Gift Bought and Sold."  Begin the Literature textbook reading on page 448 and continue to  page 451. (10 pts)
2. Write the appropriate Theme statement/message. ( 5 pts)
3. Type a 7-10 sentence explanation of  the clues used to discover the story's theme message. (10 pts) 
4. Be sure to use textual evidence. (5 of the 10 pts)
5. Be sure to discuss at least 4 of the 8 clues in your paper. (5 of the 10 pts)

Assignment is due: Next week - Monday and Tuesday

Announcements:

Language Arts students bring your Literature textbook to class each day during this week.

Dates to Know:
None 

8 Elements to Understanding Theme

1. 
   
   1.      Key Character Analysis –  Analyze (notice closely) what they say/do/think/feel (question why)
   
   
   2.      Setting - The setting affects the theme in a major way. It gives a time and location the story is taking place - Main characters are impacted by the surroundings and time period they are nestled in.
   
   
   3.      Symbol - Symbolic images help readers understand abstract concepts that cannot always be translated into words. Hence they become key messages to understanding the character, setting, tone, and/or development and resolution of the conflict
   
   
   4.      Conflicts – the heart of the story. The conflict gives readers direct insight of the struggles the key characters face. As a result of the conflict, readers learn the depth of characters – who they are, what they want, and why they want it. Part of the Theme message will include this struggle.
   
   
   How the conflict is resolved –The author controls the story.  The way the author chooses to solve the conflict is the author’s method of communicating his/her moral beliefs, etc.
   
   
   5.      Do key characters change? –Again, the author allows readers to journey alongside of key character as they deal with conflict.  If the solving of the conflict does not go a character’s way, what is the character’s response/action?  Is the response or reaction consistent with their character as we know by analysis? If there is a change, what is it? Acceptance. Denial. Bitterness. Appreciation. Anger. Kindness, etc. The point is this:  The author’s choice to allow a character to remain static or dynamic (evolving) is a major communication as to what the theme message is.
   
   
   6.      Important Statements/figurative Language – Key lines in a story may explicitly state or hint at the theme message.
   
   
   7.      How the story ends – notice how loose ends or tied.  In addition, important statements may be mentioned.
   
   
   8.      Title – Titles hint at theme, as titles may name the main character, conflict, setting, and/ symbols. 

Welcome Students!!!

The 2014-2015 school year is off to a great start, and I am excited to be your teacher of the following courses:

*7th  Grade ELA
*6th Grade Advanced Enrichment Reading

Parents and Students, you will be able to access information regarding both classes by clicking on the appropriate link located on the left side.

If you have questions, never hesitate to call or email me. You may reach me at

346.5060, ext 214
knightonm1@duvalschools.org

Thank you!!

Fictional Story HW Assigned May 15/16 - Due May 19/20

All ELA Classes:

#1 Complete the Overview Sheet.  Ensure that it is typed. - 25 pts

#2 Keep revising your story to improve it.
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1A & 2A, the assignment below is also due May 19th


Ensure you have

1. numbered the pages of your story - cover page is not numbered
2. included the required text features (see guideline sheet)
3. included the required number of footnotes (see guideline sheet)
4. included the required number of illustrations (see guideline sheet)
5. doubled spaced your text
6. fine-tuned your cover illustration - if hand-drawn, ensure it is neat; if computer generated, ensure it is clear.

Total points earned - 50 pts
Ensure dialogue is written correctly.

Fictional Story Homework - week of May 12th

4A & 8B, this homework assignment is due Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

1A & 2A, I will assign this assignment on Thursday and it will be due the following Monday.

Here is the assignment:

Ensure you have

1. numbered the pages of your story - cover page is not numbered
2. included the required text features (see guideline sheet)
3. included the required number of footnotes (see guideline sheet)
4. included the required number of illustrations (see guideline sheet)
5. doubled spaced your text
6. fine-tuned your cover illustration - if hand-drawn, ensure it is neat; if computer generated, ensure it is clear.

Total points earned - 50

Weekend Assignment is Due Mon/Tue May, 12/13

Students,
- Plot your fictional story using the roller coaster diagram.
 (3-5 individual events per plot element)

- Highlight at least five (5) uses of figurative language on your printed copy

- Complete items 1-6 of the Overview Sheet. Copy and paste the Overview Sheet in a word document and type in your responses.

Assignment is worth 50 pts.  It is not accepted late.

Student produced FICTIONAL STORY- FINAL EXAM Project!!!! see details below

Final Exam- Fictional Story

Fictional Book Assignment Final Exam DUE DATE May 27 & 28, 2014

Total Points = 200

Students will write and publish a fictional book for their end-of-the-year project and Final Exam.

The project is designed to give students the opportunity to sit in the writer’s chair and experience the planning and forethought of writing with the reader in mind. In addition, the culminating project allows students to demonstrate all of the literary and comprehension skills mastered throughout the school year.

Here are the requirements:

1. Students will produce an Overview Sheet (75 POINTS)
2. Minimum 4-page typed story (50 POINTS)
3. Literary Elements (75 POINTS)

Draft Dues dates:

Draft #1 is due 5/8& 9        =50 pts
Draft #2 is due 5/15 &16     = 50 pts
Draft #3 is due 5/22 & 23     = 50 pts
Final copy is due 5/27 & 28 = 200 pts

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Overview Sheet will include the following:

I) Plot Elements (3-5 sentences to describe each)

Ø Exposition

Ø Rising Action including Major Conflict

Ø Climax

Ø Falling Action

Ø Resolution

2) Characters (a brief description, 3-5 sentences giving insight into the character(s)

3) 30-word or less summary of story

4) Theme Statement - 1 sentence

5) Author Online (ref. Textbook for examples). Include a brief description (5-7 sentences). Details should be important and relevant

Ø

6) Story Background section (ref. Textbook for examples) - a brief description (3-5 sentences) of the specific details important to understanding the story

7) Self Reflection - to include a 5-7 sentence reflection about how you have come to realize the reader and the writer are ONE.

Layout

• 1 inch margins (top/bottom & left/right)
• 8 ½ by 11 paper
• Size 12 font
• Ariel, Calibri, or Times New Roman font *Comic if compliments story
• Double Spaced
• Typed pages – minimum of 4 pages, maximum 8
• Title page, prologue page (which is optional), and separate illustration pages are NOT included in the 4-8 page count.

Cover Page

· Title (must have)

· Illustration (must have)

Literary Elements Checklist
Literary Devices

• Use of Figurative language- at least 5 (highlight them)
• *show 2 examples of irony (highlight them)
• Use of Descriptive and Sensory Details

Text Features

• At least two (2) examples of text features per page – your choice
• At least 2 footnotes for the story (this may count as one of your text features)

Illustrations (captions are optional)

• At least 2 for the story (your title may count as one)
• *If illustration(s) take more than 1/3 of the page, then that page is not counted as a full page.

Conflict

• Along with an external conflict, show the character(s) experiencing inner conflict as well.

Ending

• Will the reader have to predict the ending as in “The Lady or the Tiger”?
• Will the ending have a twist to it as in “Ransom of Red Chief” or “Tell, Tale Heart”?
• Will the ending have a predictable resolution as in “The Scholarship Jacket”?

Guidelines

(The items with a check mark symbol are MUST-HAVES)

(The items with a diamond symbol are your choice to choose where you want to implement)

Exposition:

Engaging scene/setting (descriptive details and sensory details about place/time, etc )

ü Background information gives information about the characters – what are their traits, likes, dislikes, emotional status, what they want….

ü Characters – not all of the characters will be introduced here - whoever is relevant to the details as they are presented

ü Show how events are relevant to each other

v Foreshadowing might be good here

Rising Action:

ü Show how the itty-bitty events/situations provide a build-up to the MAIN conflict

ü Show cause and effect relationships

ü Show action

ü Show internal conflict

ü Show Tone

ü Some use of Literary Devices here would be a good idea

ü NOTE: characters reaction to the Main conflict can be literal or inferred

Climax:

ü Create Suspense

ü Use of TONE is necessary

ü Don’t solve the main conflict here

ü Thru dialogue and character’s reactions, show how the characters are dealing with the process of solving conflict.

ü Don’t make the unfolding of the events too predictable

Falling Action:

ü Begin the process to solve the conflict

ü Show how characters are dealing with the up-coming resolve

ü Provide keen insight into characters' feelings

ü Perhaps, show the main character (or supporting character) ready to make a change - evolve

Resolution:

Make sure your style for the resolution is supported by the text. Remember, you have choices

• Will the reader have to predict the ending as in “The Lady or the Tiger”?
• Will the ending have a twist to it as in “Ransom of Red Chief” or “Tell, Tale Heart”?
• Will the ending have a predictable resolution as in “The Scholarship Jacket”?

ü Wrap up loose ends.

ü Answer some questions or bring closure to loose ends mentioned in the Exposition or Rising Action

ü Provide dialogue or narrator's comments to show the importance of info given in the Exposition

ü Make sure the reader feels satisfied, surprised, or wanting more!

ü Note: In addition to Irony, ensure other types of Figurative Language have been woven into the story.

Student Name: ______________ Class Period _______ Name of Story ___________Date:_________

Overview Sheet - this completed form will be turn in with your final draft

Brief description (3-5 sentences) for each

1. Exposition

2. Rising Action

3. Major Conflict

4. Climax

5. Falling Action

6. Resolution

Brief description (3-5 sentences) of the Characters – complete all that apply

7. Character 1:

8. Character 2:

9. Character 3:

10. Character 4

11. Theme Statement (1 sentence)

12. Summary (30 words or less)

13. Author Online (3-5 sentences)

14. Story Background section (ref. Textbook for examples)

15. Reflection Paragraph

HW this weekend - April 25

Students,

Please log on to Focus Achieves and choose the second assessment for these benchmarks:

1. Main Idea
2. Author's Purpose
3. Author's Perspective
4. Descriptive Language
5. Figurative Language
6. Synthesize Information (multiple)
7. Validity and Reliability

You do not have to complete the chart. Please complete by Monday/Tuesday of next week.  This assignments will not be recycled, as they are FCAT readiness assignments before we take the FCAT April 30 and May 1.  Do Well!!!