These are the ideas shared during our February in-service.
What: Gain understanding of a text through communicating to other in the form of a letter
How: Students will independently read a text and then choose one other student/teacher to write a letter explaining the theme, plot, a quote, and whether they enjoyed it or not
Why: to vest interest in independent reading, show/demonstrate understanding
What: Read and analyze a writer’s perspective (W, W, W, & H) of a particular time period; gain information from different perspectives (for an assigned independent reading text)
How: Participate in a walking discussion by reading and adding to the commenting on peers’ opinions and analysis of a text.
Why: Critical reading practice results in better reading comprehension. Literature provides a mirror to help us understand ourselves and others by reflecting on heritage, diversity, and challenge in our society.
What: Miniature Socratic Seminar (fishbowl activity)
How: In small groups, students will questions from a bowl. Discuss – 2 minutes; record group response – 2 minutes; reflect – 1 minute
Why: Assesses understanding and analysis of independent reading text. Higher level thinking skills and collegial discussion.
What: The Character Encounter
How: Use notes taken on a specific character from SSR novel. (FOLDS already done in notebooks.) Write a narrative that brings the character to “your” world.
- Explain how you meet the character and how you interact with this character (friends/family)
- Create a situation – conflict arises/must work with character to resolve it.
- Identify conflict
- Discuss steps to resolve
Why: By bringing characters into your world, it helps you to understand the story more clearly and helps us to better understand ourselves.
What:
- How can one analyze and make connections between two texts?
- How can one make connections with primary and secondary sources?
- How can one successfully prepare for the benchmark and PARCC exams?
How:
- Teacher models annotations and analysis with excerpt from The Glass Castle
- Partner work to analyze song and picture with 2 short stories read in class
- Introduction to readers’ workshop project (playlist or Instagram)
Why:
- Develop skills in analyzing music and photographs in relation to a text
- To annotate text with music and text with a photograph to prepare for benchmarks and PARCC
What: Synthesize information from independent reading into a performance assessment
How: Students worked in Literature Circles and met every Friday for a month to discuss pre-assigned readings and roles.
Why: Sustained reading and working cooperatively is an essential skill in a college and the workplace.
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