You've Been Drafted, Part 2: October 30, 2015

Focus: How do I form a strong rough draft?

1. Warming up with attention-grabbers: Click HERE to peruse popular TED talks

• Watch the first 30 seconds of several TED talks. Which attention-grabbers did you like? What ideas can you steal for your own book talk?

• If you're in need of inspiration, watch one TED talk in its entirety and consider how the speech is organized and how the speaker delivers it compellingly (voice, posture, pace, etc). 

2. Thinking about what needs your attention most right now:

• Your speech?

• Your rough draft of the hero's journey essay?

3. Drafting, drafting, drafting away while Ms. Leclaire conferences with Talia, Gabrielle, Ian, Chris, YiRu, Camryn, Morgan, and Louis their Kite Runner journals/annotations

Book Talk Q & A from yesterday:

Question #1: What is this speech supposed to be about? I know I'm supposed to talk about my independent reading book, but...

Here's what it boils down to:

• What three aspects of your book fascinated you the most?
• Why?
• Why should the audience care, too?

Question #2: Am I supposed to summarize my book?

• You don't need to dedicate a significant portion of your speech to summarizing. Just give us what we need to understand your main points.

Question #3: What should I put on my slides?

Click here for an example of how NOT to use your slides.

My advice:

• Use them sparingly.
• Include a title slide.
• Use them for emphasis or for things you can see but not say, like a picture or video.
• Proofread them carefully.

HW:
1. For Monday: Finish the first half of your rough draft. For example, if you're discussing The Kite Runner first in your essay, then complete your analysis of your example from The Kite Runner.

2. Draft your speech at least a few days before presenting; this way, you'll have time to practice.

You've Been Drafted: October 29, 2015

Focus: How do I start drafting?

1. Warming up with frequently asked questions about how to draft your book talk:

Question #1: What is this speech supposed to be about? I know I'm supposed to talk about my independent reading book, but...

Here's what it boils down to:

• What three aspects of your book fascinated you the most?
• Why?
• Why should the audience care, too?

Question #2: Am I supposed to summarize my book?

• You don't need to dedicate a significant portion of your speech to summarizing. Just give us what we need to understand your main points.

Question #3: What should I put on my slides?

Click here for an example of how NOT to use your slides.

My advice:

• Use them sparingly.
• Include a title slide.
• Use them for emphasis or for things you can see but not say, like a picture or video.
• Proofread them carefully.

2. Drafting the first part of your essay: reviewing the structure of a paragraph and putting it into action

Click HERE for an online version of the sample essay.


HW:
1.FIRST HOUR ONLY: Please go directly to the Forum tomorrow.

2. Homework for Monday: Finish the first half of your rough draft. For example, if you're discussing The Kite Runner first in your essay, then complete your analysis of your example from The Kite Runner.

3. Draft your speech at least a few days before presenting; this way, you'll have time to practice.

Back It Up: October 28, 2015

Focus: How do we support our big ideas?

Shortened Class: PLC Day

1. Warming up with a little visualization

2. Finding the perfect example from The Kite Runner and from your other text

• Looking at your quotation from The Kite Runner: Does it have at least one word, phrase, symbol, etc. that you could spend some time discussing?

• Looking at your film example: Is it five minutes or shorter? Keep it brief. Does it have symbolic colors, movements, objects, etc. that you could focus on? 

3. Filling in the chart (the rest of Step ) on your outline from yesterday

4. Looking at the opening sentence(s) on the sample essay

HW:
1. Finish filling in the chart (Step 4).

2. Finish composing your speech at least three days before you present.

Battling It Out, Hero's Journey Style: October 27, 2015

Focus: How does synthesizing two texts create a larger, more complex meaning?

1. Warming up with a little battle royale: Amir vs. _______?

Click HERE if you'd prefer to type.

2. Organizing and narrowing down your big, messy thoughts as you synthesize two heroes' journeys

Click HERE for the overview of the short synthesis essay and the step-by-step thesis process.

3. Composing your thesis statement and posting it on today's blog


HW:
1. Finish what you didn't finish in class; make sure that thesis gets posted on the blog, and check there for feedback from me. You will receive an attempt & completion grade for the thesis, but the most important part is the feedback.

2. Keep bringing your Kite Runner books and annotations to class.

3. I strongly suggest finishing your speech at least three days before you present. 

Amir's Poison Tree: October 26, 2015

Focus: How do we uncover larger themes?

First Hour

1. Warming up with a close reading/Venn diagram of two simple words: "Poison," and "Tree"

2. Reading William Blake's "The Poison Tree" with three steps:

Step One: Engage the abstract, the gut reaction by exploring "the visual" (imagery)

Step Two: Engage the concrete, the intellectual reaction by exploring the syntax: grammar (periods, question marks, etc), sentence lengths and structures, stanzas, sectioning the poem 

Step Three: Synthesize abstract with the concrete to develop larger patterns, such as theme and tone (try connecting back to your Venn diagram on the title)

Ex: In Blake's "The Poison Tree," the imagery of a carefully cultivated garden and the neatly organized four stanzas of four lines each suggest that revenge is not a wild emotion but a controlled, man-made poison.

3. Synthesizing "The Poison Tree" with The Kite Runner to generate some big ideas

With your partner, compose a "found poem" using lines from the poem and lines from the novel.

Rule 1: Your poem should be four stanzas, four lines each.

Rule 2: Start each stanza the way Blake starts each of his stanzas.
Ex: The first line of your first stanza should be, "I was angry with my friend."

Rule 3: Select lines/fragments from The Kite Runner to fill in the rest of each stanza; search for lines from The Kite Runner that connect to lines from "The Poison Tree."

Rule 4: Read your poem to the class. You and your partner should share the reading meaningfully.

Click HERE for the rubric.

HW:
1. You will need your Kite Runner book and annotations this week since we will be writing a short, synthesis essay. Start thinking about a fictional hero you'd like to compare/contrast to Amir.

2. You should finish composing your speech at least three days before you deliver it.

Talk It Up, Kids: October 23, 2015

Focus: How do we lay the foundation for a compelling speech?

1. Warming up with a sample great speech by Shawn Achor

• What's the first thing he says (his attention-getter)?

• What's his thesis? In other words, what's the purpose of his speech?

• What are his main points?

• How does he use screen behind him?

2. Planning your speech; click HERE for a mind-blowing overview

Click HERE if you prefer to type your outline.

3. Wrapping up by augmenting your vocabularies

HW:
1. Finish up today's vocabulary exercise if you didn't finish during class.

2. Work on your speech outline. Bonus: Work a vocabulary word into your speech!

3. Enjoy a rare weekend free of reading and essay writing.

Literature Is the Question Minus the Answer: October 22, 2015

Focus: What changes at the end of The Kite Runner, and why?

1. Warming up by reading our way into the ending with the following focus on shifts (feel free to use sticky notes or any extra space on your reading journals):

Shift Happens

Find one thing a character says out loud that shows a shift in that character. How has this character changed and why?

Find one thing a character does (an action, a facial expression, etc.) that shows a shift in that character. What kind of change does it indicate?

Find one symbol that has changed somewhat throughout the book. How has it changed? What might that shift signify?

Identify some interesting images on the final two pages of the books. What pattern/tone do they create?

2. Enjoying our final fishbowl discussion on The Kite Runner!

3. Wrapping up: What question does this book pose? What kind of answer does it offer?

HW:
1. If you're catching up with your Kite Runner annotations, please do so tonight.

2. Bring your independent reading book to class tomorrow so you can work on your speech.

3. Want to revise your essay? Come on in for a conference, kids!

Approaching the End: October 21, 2015

Focus: What aspects of the final chapters do you find satisfying? Frustrating? Disappointing? Empowering? What images do you find most significant and why?

1. Warming up quickly: Look over yesterday's Level 3 questions on the blog, and respond to one of them with a thesis statement that incorporates Amir and another hero of your choosing. Include this in your hero's journey notes, on a sticky note, or in your reading journal.

Example:

Level 3 Question: Why must all heroes endure a near-death experience?

Amir from The Kite Runner and Batman from Batman Begins survive near-death experiences in order to prove that they possess godlike strength.

2. Reading the final chapters of The Kite Runner and conferencing with Ms. Leclaire

As you annotate, think about the focus questions at the top of this blog.

HW:
1. Finish The Kite Runner and your last round of annotations/journal entries for tomorrow's fishbowl. Click HERE if you need another page for your journal.

2. Look over vocabulary words for Chapters 7-10; we will take a "quiz" on Friday, but it's really an open-note exercise to expose you to more vocabulary.

3. Friday, we will be working on your book talks, so bring your independent reading books.

Amir's Big Battle: October 20, 2015

Focus: Does Amir's battle with Assef make him "good again"?

Slightly shortened class

1. Warming up by finishing your hero's journey shapes: Where does Chapter 22 fit in? Is it a high or a low? Why?

With your partner, post a Level 3 question on the blog regarding the hero's journey.

Ex: What must all heroes endure a near-death experience? How does this help define them as heroes?

2. Entering Fishbowl #6: The Kite Runner, Chapters 21 and 22

3. Starting Chapter 23 together, if time allows.

P.S. If you're into Greek mythology, Odysseus' battle with the Cyclops bears some uncanny parallels to Amir's battle with Assef. Click here to read it (warning: it's gross).

HW:
1. Read Chapter 23 tonight (you don't need five annotations just for Chapter 23; you can combine them with the rest of the chapters). It's about 17 pages long. We will read Chapter 24 in class tomorrow and keep our warm-up to 5 minutes.

2. We will dedicate part of this Friday to working on your book talks; you have an optional outline and a rubric. We will review speech organization. Next week, we will review attention-grabbers and rhetoric (ethos, logos, pathos).

3. Vocabulary quiz this Friday on the next list of Kite Runner words: Chapters 7-10. I would suggest creating your flashcards by Thursday morning at the latest. 

Answering the Call: October 19, 2015

Focus: What is the call to adventure, and why is it important to the hero's journey?

1. Warming up with my all-time favorite call to adventure

The call to adventure (3:10, 18:00)

• What is the hero like as a little boy? How does he change as he gets older?

• How is the hero called to adventure as a little boy, and then again as an elderly man?

• Who is calling him to adventure?

• What is the adventure?

• Why does he refuse the call to adventure for so long?

• Why does he finally accept, and how do you think it will change him?

The red pill vs. the blue pill (optional)

• What symbolic choices are you noticing in this scene?  Consider color, weather, and any other possible images that might carry symbolic weight.

• How does the mentor in this scene define what the red pill and blue pill each represent?

• Describe the "call to adventure" in this scene. Who is calling the hero, and why? What's the adventure?

• When this hero accepts the call to adventure, what do we learn about his strengths?

Why is answering the call to action a crucial part of any hero's journey? What does it prove?

3. Applying the call to action to Amir's journey in The Kite Runner:

• Find one specific page where you see Amir being called to adventure. Who is calling him to adventure, and what is the adventure?

• Does Amir refuse the call? If so, why?

• When Amir finally accepts the call, what's changing inside of him? What strengths is he developing?

4. Start reading Chapter 21 together

HW:

1. Please read and annotate Chapters 21 and 22 for tomorrow's fishbowl discussion.

2. Start preparing your book talk.

3. Vocabulary quiz this Friday on the next list of Kite Runner words: Chapters 7-10. I would suggest creating your flashcards by Thursday morning at the latest.

Mapping Out the Recap: October 14, 2015

PSAT: Shortened Class today

Focus: What is the shape of Amir's journey so far, and why does it matter?

1. Warming up with a quick overview of how Joseph Campbell shapes the hero's journey

2. Mapping out Amir's journey

Step 1: Looking over your journals/annotations, select the 10 most defining moments of Amir's life; span Chapter 1 through Chapter 20

Step 2: Based on those moments, what shape best fits Amir's journey?

Step 3: Map out the moments in the shape you have selected (kind of like a timeline but with a more interesting shape)

3. Reflecting on your mapping decisions (if time allows)

• Why did you choose that shape?

• How does it compare to the shapes your classmates chose?

• Looking at your map and others' maps, what new understanding of Amir can you form? 

HW:
1. Prepare for Tuesday's fishbowl discussion of The Kite Runner, Chapters 21, 22, and 23; we will take some class time on Monday to read, but it's a weighty reading assignment.

2. Bring your annotations/journals to class tomorrow for reading conferences, as well as your independent reading book.

3. Parents: Hopefully, your child gave you the letter I sent home last week regarding conferences. Because I am a part-time teacher, I will only be at parent-teacher conferences on Wednesday night. If this is inconvenient for you, please contact me at kleclaire@lps.k12.co.us to set up a different time.

Are We Growing Yet? October 13, 2015

Focus: How does Amir cross the threshold, and how does it change him?

1. Warming up by handing back your final draft feedback, comparing it your pre-assessment, and charting/reflecting on your growth thus far

2. Reviewing some fishbowl changes

Fishbowl #6: Chapters 21, 22, and 23 will be moved to Tuesday, October 20

Fishbowl #7: Chapter 24-end will be moved to Thursday, October 22

Benefits of these changes include getting more time to read, as the upcoming chapters are highly significant, not having to fishbowl two days in a row, not having to fishbowl on the day of the PSAT, and improving the quality of the discussions.

3. Fishbowl, Interrupted: The Kite Runner, Chapters 19 and 20

4. Taking 10-15 minutes to enter Chapter 21 together with a focus on crossing the threshold

HW:
1. Prepare for Fishbowl #6 on Chapters 21, 22, and 23, which will now take place on Tuesday, October 20.

2. Bring your annotations/journals to class tomorrow for reading conferences, as well as your independent reading book.

3. Parents: Hopefully, your child gave you the letter I sent home last week regarding conferences. Because I am a part-time teacher, I will only be at parent-teacher conferences on Wednesday night. If this is inconvenient for you, please contact me at kleclaire@lps.k12.co.us to set up a different time.

Crossing the Threshold: October 12, 2015

Focus: What threshold has Amir crossed, and why is this significant to his journey?

1. Warming up by crossing the threshold

According to Merriam-Webster, here is what a "threshold" is:

threshold

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noun thresh·old \ˈthresh-ˌhōld, ˈthre-ˌshōld\

: a piece of wood, metal, or stone that forms the bottom of a door and that you walk over as you enter a room or building

: the point or level at which something begins or changes

Full Definition of THRESHOLD

1

:  the plank, stone, or piece of timber that lies under a door :  sill

2

a :  gate, door

b (1) :  end, boundary; specifically :  the end of a runway (2) :  the place or point of entering or beginning :  outset <on the threshold of a new age>

3

a :  the point at which a physiological or psychological effect begins to be produced <has a high threshold for pain>

b :  a level, point, or value above which something is true or will take place and below which it is not or will not

a. Watching two clips of crossing the threshold: Divergent and The Lion King

• What world is the hero leaving?
• What world is the hero entering?
• Who is guarding the threshold? What effect does this guardian have on the hero?
• Which definition of "threshold" above best works for this particular crossing?
• As the hero crosses this threshold, what aspect of himself/herself must he/she leave behind? What aspects must he/she embrace?

b. Reading about this step of the hero's journey and understanding what it means

c. Flip back through Chapter 19, and try to answer the same questions as above, but with Amir in mind:

• What world is Amir leaving?
• What world is Amir entering?
• Who is guarding the threshold? What effect does this guardian have on Amir?
• Which definition of "threshold" above best works for this particular crossing?
• As Amir crosses this threshold, what aspect of himself must he leave behind? What aspect must he embrace?

2. Entering Fishbowl #5: Chapters 19 and 20

HW:
Please prepare for Thursday's fishbowl by reading and annotating/journaling Chapters 21, 22, and 23 (this is your penultimate reading assignment for Kite Runner!).

Parents: Hopefully, your child gave you the letter I sent home last week regarding conferences. Because I am a part-time teacher, I will only be at parent-teacher conferences on Wednesday night. If this is inconvenient for you, please contact me at kleclaire@lps.k12.co.us to set up a different time.

Happy Homecoming: October 9, 2015

Focus: How can we grow as readers?

1. Warming up with an overview of book talks

2. Selecting from the options below:

Have you finished your independent reading book? If yes, start working on the brainstorming part of your book talk.

Are you almost done with your independent reading book? Perhaps now is the time to finish!

Are you worried about getting your homework done this weekend? Maybe this would be a good time to read Chapters 19 and 20 in The Kite Runner to prepare for MONDAY'S discussion.

3. Signing up for book talk dates

HW:
1. Please read Chapters 19 and 20 in The Kite Runner and complete your annotations/journal entries. Get ready to fishbowl on Monday.

2. Have a safe Homecoming weekend!

Shake the Dust: October 8, 2015

Focus: What does it mean to "shake the dust," and how does this apply to Amir?

1. Warming up with "Shake the Dust"

As you listen to and watch this spoken-word poem, jot down (or type up) the words and phrases that stand out to you the most. Aim for at least FIVE, I'd say.

Who is this poem for? Why?

What does it mean to "shake the dust?" Close read these two simple words...

• Why "shake" instead of "sweep," or "wipe," or "clean," or "destroy"?
• Why "dust" instead of "dirt" or "grime"?
• According to this poem, we have to _________________ in order to _______________.
• According to this poem, we have to _________________ but also ________________.

1st hour: Pick one line from yesterday's "Directions To Where I Live" exercise to read aloud.

Making a prediction: What must Amir do in order to "shake the dust," and why?

2. Entering Fishbowl #4: Chapters 17 and 18

3. Wrapping up

HW:
1. Bring your independent reading book to class tomorrow, as well as your Kite Runner annotations/journal entries.

The Recap: October 7, 2015

Please note that 1st hour and 3rd hour have separate agendas today.

1ST HOUR

Focus: What patterns are we noticing in Amir's life, and how can we use memoir writing to uncover these patterns?

1. Warming up with "Directions to Where I Live" by Stephanie Kallos with a focus on reading between the lines

2. Composing Amir's "Directions" using Stephanie Kallos' as a model

Some ideas:

• Try using her line starters as closely as possible.
• Think about the most defining moments for Amir; they might seem small, but their impact is large.
• Try saving the last paragraph of Amir's "Directions" for your predictions. Where do you think he will wind up, and how will he get there?
• If you're artistic, try illustrating your directions.

3. Sharing your writing and discussing what you learned about Amir


3RD HOUR

Focus: How can we develop our vocabulary?

1. Warming up with a little vocabulary review: Scattegories

Round 1

1. Something you might find in an affluent household.
2. An unscrupulous celebrity.
3. A food you disdain
4. An example of unruly behavior in the classroom
5. A trend that is fleeting

Round 2

1. A store where an impeccably dressed person might shop
2. Something you might implore your parents to buy for you
3. Something you would say to feign happiness
4. An animal that makes you feel trepidation
5. A viable excuse for missing curfew

2. Taking your first Kite Runner vocabulary quiz, Lists 1-6


HW FOR BOTH CLASSES:
1. Read and annotate/journal Chapters 17 and 18; prepare for tomorrow's fishbowl discussion.

2. Bring your independent reading book to class on Friday (whether you have finished it or not).

The Road of Trials: October 6, 2015

Focus: What battles has Amir encountered on his road of trials? Has he won yet?

1. Warming up: Click HERE to view the road of trials

In your hero's journey notes, please respond to the following with your partner:

a. In your own words, what is the road of trials?

b. In your own words, what is the brother battle?

c. In your own words, what is the dragon battle?

d. Look back to your three movies. For one of them, identify the brother battle and the dragon battle.

e. In your opinion, why must every hero endure a road of trials? A brother battle? A dragon battle? How does it help define him (or her) as a hero?

2. Bringing it back to The Kite Runner: Has Amir faced a brother battle? A dragon battle? Has he defeated anything yet? What's it going to take?

3. Entering fishbowl discussion #3: The Kite Runner, Chapters 14, 15, and 16

HW:
1. Prepare for Thursday's fishbowl discussion by reading Chapters 17 and 18 with your five annotations/journal entries.

2. 3rd hour: Study for tomorrow's vocabulary quiz.

Married to the Past: October 5, 2015

Focus: Can Amir move forward?

1. Warming up with making some connections: Flipping through Chapter 12 with a focus on the Chapter 1 quotations below in blue...

2. Reading Chapter 13 with the following focus:

Find five lines/passages that connect to one or both of the following statements, 
and create a journal entry/annotation for each:

"...the past claws its way out" (1)

"There is a way to be good again." (2)

Alternative #1: Instead of creating annotations, you could draw a sketch that portrays how those two quotations infiltrate Chapter 13.

Alternative #2: You could also perform some creative writing, such as a poem, that conveys how those two quotations infiltrate Chapter 13.

3. First hour: Making vocabulary flashcards for Chapters 7-10 (quiz Friday)

    Third hour: Reviewing Chapter 1-6 vocabulary (quiz Wednesday)

HW:

1. Prepare for tomorrow's third fishbowl discussion by reading and annotating Chapters 14, 15, and 16 of The Kite Runner. Leaders should have hard copies of their syllabus printed before class (remember to print one for me).

2. Independent reading; this Friday will be your last day of in-class time for independent reading.

For 1st Hour Eyes Only: October 2, 2015

Focus: How can we strengthen our reading of The Kite Runner through vocabulary and a focus on how the past "claw[s] its way into the present"?

3rd Hour Only: Meet in the Forum. Bring something to write with and on.

1. Warming up with a vocabulary game (finally!)

Round 1

1. Something you might find in an affluent household.
2. An unscrupulous celebrity.
3. A food you disdain
4. An example of unruly behavior in the classroom
5. A trend that is fleeting

Round 2

1. A store where an impeccably dressed person might shop
2. Something you might implore your parents to buy for you
3. Something you would say to feign happiness
4. An animal that makes you feel trepidation
5. A viable excuse for missing curfew

2. Taking the quiz o' vocabulary, Kite Runner Chapters 1-6

3. Enjoying your independent reading book (or The Kite Runner)

4. Starting Chapter 13 together with the following focus for your annotations:

Find five lines/passages that show the past "clawing its way into the present," and create a journal entry/annotation for each.

HW:
1. We will finish Chapter 13 in class on Monday, but if you're leading fishbowl discussion, you may wish to get ahead. Remember that  our next fishbowl is Tuesday, and it will cover Chapters 14, 15, and 16.

2. Independent reading.

The First Step of the Hero's Journey: October 1, 2015

Focus: What is the hero's journey? How does it start? How does it deepen our understanding of The Kite Runner?

1. Warming up: Figuring out the first step of the hero's journey

What is the hero's journey?

• Some critics believe that there exists a “collective unconscious,” or inner thoughts, feelings, instincts, and memories that reside in the unconsciousness of all people.

• The hero’s journey ties into this, as heroes across all times and cultures share certain traits and experiences.

2. Viewing two examples of the first step of the hero's journey:

Finding Nemo
The Lion King

Batman Begins

As you watch, please respond to the following questions in your notes:

What do these clips have in common? Try to go beyond the obvious here.

What heroic patterns do they reveal?

How do these moments affect the main characters?

Which characters appear to be following this heroic pattern in The Kite Runner? How so?

How has the separation (physical or emotional) affected these characters’ self-perception, behavior, and motivation?  Please include at least one specific passage from the novel to support your response.

3. Entering Fishbowl #3: Chapters 11 and 12 of The Kite Runner

HW:
1. Study for tomorrow's vocabulary quiz (Chs. 1-6). We will review at the beginning of class.

2. Bring your independent reading book and/or The Kite Runner for independent reading time. If I have not yet checked your annotations, I will be doing so tomorrow.

3. We will be reading Chapter 13 on Friday and Monday, then we will fishbowl Chapters 14, 15, and 16 on Tuesday (those three chapters put together are only 23 pages long).