Don’t Let Differentiating Make You MAD!

Don’t Let Differentiating Make You MAD!

Presented by:

Patricia Castro- ESL teacher Stephanie Helmer- Reading Specialist

Kate Webster- 7th Language Arts

North Carolina Middle School Association

Conference

March, 2012

Greensboro, NC

Contact Information:

Chatham Middle School

Siler City, NC

Kate: [email protected]

Patricia: [email protected]

Don’t Let Differentiating Make You MAD! Patricia Castro & Kate Webster

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Name________________________________ Week Of _______________

Station Assignment Day/Date

Effort 1-‐5 Guided

Reading

1. Go to horseshoe table and bring your book and your

calendar 2. Discuss questions from your Discussion Question book

mark 3. Complete group questions 4. Begin reading in group for next week

Writer’s

Worksho

p

1. Revising Memoirs

Literacy

Letters

1. Work on your Literacy letter due Friday 2. Use your rubric to assess yourself!

Fine Tuning

1. Get a piece of long white paper off of the chalk board 2. Everyone in their group needs their Character Man

from Monday 3. Go out into the hallway. Example is outside for you to

look at 4. Trace a member of your book club group onto the white

paper as your “life size character man” 5. Fill out the different pieces of your character from the

sheet and color. Markers are on counter

Diving Deeper -‐

Book Club

Project

1. Take your book club book, book club choice board and a pencil with you

2. Decide which book projects you are going to complete 3. Begin/continue working on project. All materials are in

the cabinet on the bottom left 4. Make sure you are up to date on your reading


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Block 1 Literacy Letter Guidelines

-‐ Use the sentence starters on the back to get you rolling.

-‐ Consider using a “planning page” like the example I showed to you

-‐ Make sure you have finished the book, unless you ask

permission from me or Mrs. Castro before hand to write about a book you are DYING to share

-‐ Focus on the author’s craft. That is to say, focus on how

the book made you feel, and what you think the author did to make you feel that way.

-‐ Be personal, what did you connect to?

-‐ Be CRITICAL. If you did not like the way one character

behaved, say it. If you thought the author did not use enough action, say that too. However, be prepared to back everything up with fitting examples. Do not just say “I wish Collins (the author) would have made the beginning more exciting.” Make sure you include what about it bored you, and what she could have done better.

-‐ Reread over your letter before turning it in, make sure it

MAKES SENSE! If it does not make sense to you…it will not make sense to your correspondent!


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I was surprised when/angry about/satisfied with/moved by

I liked the way the author

I noticed how the author

I don’t get why the author

If I were the author I would have

I’d compare this author to

This book reminded me of

The main character

The character development

The narrative voice

The structure of this book

The climax of the plot

The resolution of the main character’s problem

The genre of this book

I wish that

I didn’t agree with

Why did

I couldn’t understand

I rated this book _____ out of 10 because

Remember – I do not want a summary of your book. I want to know your THINKING about it!


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Literacy Letters Writing literacy letters requires the following:

• daily reading of a novel • once or twice monthly writing of a letter discussing it

A partner will read this “letter” which will include

• questions • connections • your opinion • a prediction • a brief summary

Literacy Letters allow readers to have an active role in his/her responses to the book. Readers may address a variety of topics by choosing different story elements to discuss in different letters. Each letter MUST include a summary, question, a connection, your opinion, and a prediction. You need to be ATLEAST half way finished with a book to write about it! And remember…I want to hear what you THINK about the book…not a complete summary! Literacy Letter Checklist:

________ Date at the top

________ Dear (buddy’s name),

________ Told the title of your book and the author

________ Told a BRIEF summary

________ Asked a question about the book

________ Made a prediction about what you think will happen next

________ Made a connection to something in your book

________ Gave your opinion about the book, about something that happened

in the book, about a character, about the author’s writing style (pretty much

anything!)

________ Rated and told why you gave that rating (be specific…none of

that “because it was good” stuff will cut it)


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Prediction starters… I predict that….

Based on what has happened so far I think that…

I wish that…

Questioning starters… I wonder…

I was confused when…

Why did…

Making connections starters… That reminded me of…

It made me think of…

I read another book where…

This is different from…

A few other starters… I was surprised when/angry about/satisfied with/moved by…

I liked the way the author…

I noticed how the author…

I don’t get why the author…

If I were the author I would have…

I didn’t agree with…

Why did…

I couldn’t understand…

And ALWAYS…

I rated this book _____ out of 10 because…


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Book Club Group Project Choice-board

You are responsible for completing 2 of the choices below. You are to complete the projects using your book club book that you have read as a group. Be sure to put forth your best effort and that everyone is participating in the project. This is practice for your summer reading project. Your project is due: _________. Write a letter to the author of the book. Tell him/her what you liked and disliked about the story and his/her writing style. Give them specific reasons and examples from the story to support what you say. Be sure that your letter is in the correct format.

Create a book jacket description for the story. Pretend you are trying to “hook” readers’ interest in the story by explaining its contents on the back of the book. How would you tell people what the book is about and persuade them to pick it up and read it? Be sure you don’t spoil it!

Create a scrapbook and pretend that a character from the story made it about his/her own life. This should look like a real scrapbook and contain awards, letters, movie tickets, report cards, etc. Label each item (at least 15) and explain its significance.

Become a casting agent. If your book were to be made into a movie, which famous stars would you choose to play the roles of each character? Support your choices with explanations (appearance, experience, similarities, personality.)

Build a timeline for the major events in the story, focusing on at least twelve incidents. Highlight the initial conflict(s), climax, and resolution of the story in some way. Be sure that the action is accurately placed and that the time between events is indicated neatly.

Draw a map of where your story took place. It should contain areas where significant events happened. Use a key to describe these happenings. Be certain to include a title and label the appropriate areas. Detail, color, and accuracy are points to remember.

Create a graphic novel version of your book. Be sure that the illustrations explain the main events of the story. Do not include every detail. You will not be judged on your artistic talent, just your effort, so do your best. You must have at least 10 frames…so 10 main events

Make a collage of a major theme from the book. Use clippings from magazines, newspapers, etc. The collage must be on blank paper. It should include at least 10 different clips. On the back of the collage, explain in one paragraph what theme you are representing and what it has to do with your novel.

Make a tri-fold travel brochure that invites tourists to visit the setting of the book. Describe the scenery and surroundings. Explain the types of activities that might be available. Your brochure should employ colorful design, pictures, and phrasing in order to entice travelers to go there.


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Book Club Group Project Choice-board

You are responsible for completing 1 of the choices below. You are to complete the projects using your book club book that you have read as a group. Be sure to put forth your best effort and that everyone is participating in the project. This is practice for your summer reading project. Your project is due: _________. Write a letter to the author of the book. Tell him/her what you liked and disliked about the story and his/her writing style. Give them specific reasons and examples from the story to support what you say. Must be 1 and ½ pages long!

Create a book jacket description for the story. Pretend you are trying to “hook” readers’ interest in the story by explaining its contents on the back of the book. How would you tell people what the book is about and persuade them to pick it up and read it? Be sure you don’t spoil the ending!

Create a postcard with a drawing that shows the setting of your book on one side. Write a note to a friend on the other side telling them about the book you are reading. Letter to friend on back must be at least 6 sentences and post cards colored.

Become a casting agent. If your book were to be made into a movie, which famous stars would you choose to play the roles of each character? Support your choices with explanations (appearance, experience, similarities, personality.)

Create a dictionary of terms that would help someone who is reading this book. Use words that the author uses in the story. Choose at least 20 words from your book and define them using a dictionary.

Draw a map of where your story took place. It should contain areas where important events happened. Use a key to describe these happenings. Be certain to include a title and label the appropriate areas. Detail, color, and accuracy are points to remember.

Create a graphic novel version of your book. Be sure that the illustrations explain the main events of the story. Do not include every detail. You will not be judged on your artistic talent, just your effort, so do your best. You must have at least 10 frames…so 10 main events

Make a collage to show something interesting from your book. Use clippings from magazines, newspapers, etc. The collage must be on blank paper. It should include at least 10 different clips. On the back of the collage, write a sentence for each picture explaining why you chose it.

Make a soundtrack for your book. Find 5 appropriate songs that you feel would make a great soundtrack if your book was made into a movie. Give a few lyrics for each song, the title, and the artist. Also include an explanation for why each song fits your book.


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Book Club Menu Main Dish– must complete ALL main dish items EVERY TIME your book club meets

o Meet with your book club group on Mondays and on Thursdays. Have

your required reading finished. USE YOUR CALENDAR!

o Share with your group your thinking from your journals. Every time you meet you should have at least _____ paragraphs and at least 2 questions written about your reading.

• Read your journal to your group and listen as everyone reads theirs

• Ask your questions and have your group discuss, then listen and discuss others questions

o As you read keep a list of words in the front of your notebook that

you come across that you do not know the meaning of, that you cannot pronounce, or that you just think sound cool! Share your words with your book club group on Mondays and Thursdays

Sides – must complete ONE side dish EVERY WEEK. This will be checked every FRIDAY. You may do more than one per week if time allows. You may do each activity TWO TIMES. All of the side dishes are to be completed in your journal with the exception of the Word Nerd word!

o Choose at least ______ sentences from your book that show

characterization. Tell what page number you found the sentences on and what it reveals about the character (that they are greedy, caring, etc.)

o Draw your favorite scene from your reading this week. Write the setting of your drawing at the bottom of the page.

o From your collection of vocabulary words pick one to define, illustrate, and use in an example. Draw all of this on a half sheet of white paper and add to our Word Nerd board.


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o Research ANY topic that comes up in your book (place, thing, issue, name) and present the information clearly on a page in your journal. Write the topic you researched and the sources you used on the top of your journal page. You decide how to present the information on that journal page

o Write a list of four or more songs that best match the mood or tone of your book. Explain why you chose each.

Desserts – YUM! If you have time, after finishing your main dish and your side pick a dessert or two or three! As many as you wish! Unlimited dessert…YEAH!

o Create a rap, poem, or song about your book in your journal o Draw a picture of a major character from your book and write their

character traits around them on your journal page o Design a new cover image with a new tile for your book. Explain why

you created that title. Complete in your journal o Pick three words from your personal vocabulary list to act out the

meaning of to your Book Club group. In your journal write down the words and draw or write the actions for each.

o “Put yourself in MY shoes!” Rewrite or draw a comic strip from your reading. Show/tell what you would have done differently if you were the character.


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Skill Menu Main Dish– must complete ALL main dish items EVERY WEEK

After you complete your required reading: 1. Write a journal entry of at least paragraphs

using your pink bookmark. 2. Write at least thick questions you still have from your reading. 3. Add 2 or more vocabulary words (& page #) to your list: words you

do not know the meaning of, that you cannot pronounce, think other people may not know, or that you just think sound cool!

4. From your collection of vocabulary words pick one to define, illustrate, and use in an example. Draw all of this on a half sheet of white paper and add to our Word Nerd board.

Sides – must complete ONE side dish EVERY WEEK- DUE FRIDAY. You may do more than one per week if time allows. All of the side dishes are to be completed in your journal.

o Choose 2 major characters from your book. Draw a Venn Diagram into your notebook and then complete to show how the 2 characters are alike and different.

o Compare the book you are reading to another book by the same

author or another book with a similar story line. USE THE WORKSHEET. Compare and contrast the authors’ style, characterization, settings, etc. Tape/glue completed WS into journal.

o Compare and contrast a conflict from the book to a similar conflict

in your life. It can be one you personally experienced or that someone you know has dealt with this issue before. Write 3 or more paragraphs detailing the situation. Tell how the 2 are alike, and how the 2 are different.

o Write a poem/rap comparing yourself to a major character from

your book. How are you alike and different? Show emotions,


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feelings, use strong vocabulary to get your meaning across to reader. Write in your journal.

Desserts – YUM! If you have time, after finishing your main dish and your side pick a dessert or two or three! As many as you wish! Unlimited dessert…YEAH!

o Draw a picture of a major character from your book and write

character traits around them on a page in your journal o Design a new cover image with a new tile for your book. Explain why

you created that title. Complete in your journal o Continue your Independent Reading o Create a wordle. Go to www.wordle.net and make wordle about your

book. Tape/glue finished product in your journal o Research ANY topic from your book. Use a laptop to research and look

at AT LEAST 3 WEBSITES about your topic. Tell the websites you used at the top of your journal page, then write as much information as you can about your topic.


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Benchmark Data Sheet

Student Name EC/ AIG LEP

EOG Dev. Score 2010-‐11

EOG Level 2010-‐11

6th grade SRI

1st Nine Week SRI

2nd Nine Week SRI

3rd Nine Week SRI

1st Nine Week Assess

2nd Nine Week Assess

3rd Nine Week Assess

Daniel Alyssa Christopher Nuemi Jon Eunice Brandon Emanuel Victor Verenice Pamela Julissa Henry Spencer Katye Sarah Rudy Bernabe Ramon Dylan Tariq Edgar


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Name__________________________

Station Assignment What you turn in:

Effort 1-‐5:

Making Kente

Cloth

5. Read what Kente cloth is used for and what different colors represent in the cloth

6. Take a strip and create your own Kente cloth design to be made into a Tiger team “quilt!”

Kente Cloth strip. Colored neatly with name on back

Cartouch

e

2. Discuss what a Cartouche is and why it was used 3. Decide what sounds your first (and last if you choose)

name has in it, then look and see what hieroglyphic stamps you need to represent those sounds

4. Stamp your name on your cartouche template and color

Cartouche, with name in hieroglyphics. Colored neatly and cut out. Name on back.

My World – Kids just like

you!

3. Get a lap top and go to http://pbskids.org/africa/myworld/index.html (should be bookmarked under “My World”

4. Click on one of the four albums on the page and look through the pictures and read the captions. If you finish with one album and want to look at others that is fine.

5. Write down one thing on an index card that you found interesting, surprised you, you learned or took away from looking at the albums. Put your name on the front.

Index card with something you learned, something that surprised you or that you took away from looking at the children’s albums.

Kwanzaa

6. Go to the horse shoe table and have Ms. Webster or Mrs. Castro set up the video for you

7. Watch the Kwanzaa video 8. Write 2 things you learned about Kwanzaa on an index

card with your name on the front

Index card with 2 things you learned from watching the video. Name on front.

Education

Don’t Let Differentiating Make You MAD!