The School Story

The School StoryAndrew Clements

Author Study

English SOL Grade 5 Reading

5.5 The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of fiction.a) Describe the relationship between text and previously read materials. b) Describe character development in fiction and poetry selections.c) Describe the development of plot and explain how conflicts are resolved.d) Describe how an author’s choice of vocabulary and style contributes to the quality and enjoyment of selections.

Name _________________________________

Due Date _______________________________

Unit Overview and Contract

During this reading unit you will be expected to participate in discussions with small groups, as well as with the entire class. In this packet, you will find a list of assignments by due date and a rubric for scoring. All reading and preparation must be finished prior to meeting with the group. Any unfinished work will result in a loss of 10% per assignment and a zero for the discussion for the day.

Some class time will be allotted for preparation for discussions. If work is not completed during class, you will be expected to complete it as homework (you may include it in your 30 minutes).

Planned Assignments *• 5 Guided Reading Discussions with the teacher leading• 4 Literature Circle Discussions with classmates leading• 2 Jigsaw Comparison Discussions (mixed small groups)• 1 Socratic Seminar (whole class discussion)• Final Project & Presentation

* Additional assignments may be given as the unit progresses at the teacher’s discretion.

Contract

I have read the accompanying information, reviewed the expectations with my parents, and agree to complete all work to the best of my ability by the date assigned. I understand that late work will result in the loss of 10% per assignment and a zero for participation in discussion.

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Due Date Assignment Description Work to be Completed

4/6/10 Guided Reading Discussion 1 Entrance Ticket 1: Prediction

Reading #1: ch. 1-7, p. 1-41

4/9/10 Literature Circle Discussion 1 Assigned LCA Job: _________________________

LC Response #1

4/13/10 Guided Reading Discussion 2 Entrance Ticket 2: Main Character, Point-of View

Reading #2: ch.8-13, p.42-101


LC Response #2

4/20/10 Guided Reading Discussion 3 Entrance Ticket 3: Plot Development - Conflict

Reading #3: ch.14-17, p.102-143


LC Response #3

4/27/10 Guided Reading Discussion 4 Entrance Ticket 4: Plot Development - Action

Reading #4: ch.18-20, p.144-196


LC Response #4

5/4/10 Guided Reading Discussion 5 Entrance Ticket 5: Climax/Conflict Resolution

5/11/10 Jigsaw Comparison Discussion 1 Comparison Venn Diagram

5/12/10 Jigsaw Comparison Discussion 2 Comparison Sociogram

5/13/10 Socratic Seminar Discussion Response Essay

5/24/10 Final Project See List of Possible Options

Score Assignment CommentsEntrance Ticket 1: Prediction

Guided Reading Assignment 1: Prediction

Literature Circle Assignment 1:

Literature Circle Discussion 1: Response and Reflection

Entrance Ticket 2: Point-of-View

Guided Reading Assignment 2: Point-of-View



Entrance Ticket 3: Plot Development - Conflict

Guided Reading Assignment 3: Identify Conflict



Entrance Ticket 4: Plot Development - Action

Guided Reading Assignment 4: Identify Key Events



Entrance Ticket 5: Climax/Conflict Resolution

Guided Reading Assignment 5: Story Map

Comparison Venn Diagram

Comparison Sociogram

Discussion Response Essay

Scoring Criteria4 (95%) 3 (85%) 2 (75%) 1 (65%) 0 (0-55%)

•Thoroughly completed assignment•Used text to support answers•Showed creativity in thoughts•Participated and on-task

•Completed assignment•Some answers supported by text•Showed some creativity in thoughts•Participated and mostly on-task

•Completed assignment•Answers related to text•Thoughts are literal and expected•Participated , some off-task

•Assignment attempted•Answers slightly related to text •Thoughts are literal and expected•Participated , some off-task

•Assignment incomplete•Answers unrelated to text•Thoughts are literal or unrelated•Did not participate, off-task often

Guided Reading Discussion 1

Entrance Ticket

Directions: Answer the following questions. Your answers should include connections to the text, supported predictions, and thoughtful opinions.

1. Predict: What types of stories do most students enjoy?

2. Read the back cover of The School Story. What problem do you think the characters will face?

3. How does this book sound like the Andrew Clements book we read aloud, No Talking?

Guided Reading Notes

Directions: Use this space to take any notes that are given during the small group lesson.

Predictions are important because...

page # I Predict... Because...

I PREDICT...

Directions: Practice making predictions based on the text you read. Before the end of the book you need to have at least 6 predictions completed.

Literature Circle Discussion 1

Discussion Response

Directions: Answer the following question(s) in complete sentences. Your response will be included in your grade.

Describe Natalie’s and Zoe’s friendship. How do they treat each other? What makes them so close despite their differences? Support your answer with specific examples from the text.

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Discussion Reflection

Directions: Grade yourself and your group on your participation in the group discussion. Please complete the comment/question portion thoughtfully.

Self-Evaluation

My best comment or question today was:

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The most interesting thing someone else said was: (include speaker’s name)

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I was prepared for discussion by: Yes No

Completing my reading assignment

Completing my LCA sheet

Bringing my book

Bringing my packet and other materials

I participated in discussion by: Yes No

Listening carefully to what others said

Building on what others said (connecting)

Asking clarifying or thinking questions

Encouraging others to contribute their ideas

Using the text to support my opinions

Staying focused


Entrance Ticket


1. How does Andrew Clements use humor to tell his story? Give one specific example from the text.

2. From whose perspective is the story told? How do you know?

3. Predict: Will Natalie finish her story and get it published? Who will be helpful in this process?



Point-of-View

Point-of-View

Directions:Different people often see things from different points of view. How might a story change when told from different perspectives? Choose an event from the story and re-tell the event from three different character’s perspective. Label each pair of glasses below with a character’s name. Inside each pair of glasses, briefly retell what happened from each character’s point-of-view.

Literature Circle Discussion 2Discussion Response


How did Natalie and Zoe prepare to sell Natalie’s first book? Is it reasonable for two sixth grade girls to do these things? Support your answer with examples from the text.

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Self-Evaluation


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Bringing my book








Staying focused




Plot Development: Conflict• What are the four types of conflict? Which type of conflict is most prevalent

in The School Story?

• What words and phrases does the author use to help you learn about the story' s conflict?

• What events does the author use to help you learn more about the conflict?

Entrance Ticket


1. What is conflict? What are some times in your life that you have been faced with conflict?

2. What is the major conflict that Natalie is facing in this story?

3. Predict: How will Natalie resolve the problem that she is facing?

Plot Development: Conflict

Directions: Authors use a variety of methods to make the plot and conflict in their stories vivid and believable. Complete the chart using examples from the text that show how the author uses conflict to develop the plot. Explain how each conflict affects the plot?

Page #

Observation: What conflict does the author

describe?

Draw a Conclusion:How does this conflict affect the

plot?


Discussion Response


Why was it so important for Natalie to have Hannah as her editor? How did Zoe help Natalie accomplish this? How does this problem illustrate the strengths of both girls and their friendship. Support your answer.

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Self-Evaluation


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Bringing my book








Staying focused

Guided Reading Discussion 4Entrance Ticket


1. How was the conflict resolved? Was it what you expected?

2. If you had to choose an event that was most memorable, what would it be? Why?

3. Describe an alternative solution to the conflict in The School Story.



Plot describes the structure of a story. It shows the how events and actions affect the characters within the story.

Plot Development: Rising Action (Events)

Directions: The events of a story are crucial to the development of the plot. The events make a story interesting. Complete the chart below based on the major conflict the main characters faced in the story.

Problems Solutions


Discussion Response


Describe the lesson that Natalie and Zoe learned. How did this affect Natalie’s relationship with her mom? Support your answer with examples from the text.

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Self-Evaluation


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Bringing my book








Staying focused


Entrance Ticket


1. Predict: What do you think a Frindle is?

2. Read the back cover. What problem do you think will happen in Frindle?

3. How does this book sound like the Andrew Clements book we read aloud, No Talking?



Predictions are important because...

I PREDICT...

Directions: Practice making predictions based on the text you read. Before the end of the book you need to have at least 6 predictions completed.

Comparison Venn Diagram

Directions: Work with your small group to identify things that your books have in common. Include points about the characters, the problems they faced,and the author’s style.

Comparison Sociogram

Directions: Work with your small group to identify things that your books have in common. Include points about the characters, the problems they faced,and the author’s style.

Discussion Response


Describe Nick’s first class with Mrs. Granger. What things did Nick learn about Mrs. Granger? What things did Mrs. Granger learn about Nick?

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Final Project Options

Documents

The School Story