Tilly's+lit.

** Tilly's literature group ** Finish the book, yea! Then...
 * For May 14**,
 * 1) star all the words you know on the vocab list
 * 2) circle at least twenty other words on the list that you want to learn--words that sound familiar but you're not quite sure what they mean or how to use them
 * 3) find those words in the book
 * 4) look up their meaning and find the one that matches the meaning in the book
 * 5) write down the meaning
 * 6) write your own sentence or copy down the one from the book
 * 7) commit these words to memory
 * 8) bring a list of your words to class on Thursday

I will circle 5 words on your list for you to define and use in a sentence. Then we will have a discussion. Think about these questions: Why do you think Jeannette is resilient? Why isn't Rex resilient? What has Jeannette learned from her parents?

We will meet 3rd period on Thursday May 7 instead of the usual 4th period. That means you don't have snack time to finish. 7th graders. you won't have your work time with Jane to finish either, since that will happen 4th period this week.
 * For May 7**, I will be checking your notebooks, so make sure to review the guidelines below about taking notes. Don't forget to bring your notebook to class!


 * Assignments for //The Glass Castle//**


 * Read each assignment twice.** First time through, just read and enjoy. Second time through, underline any words you don't know. Look them up and write down the meaning either on a sticky note that you put on the page, or in a notebook that you keep with your book and bring to class. We will have a couple of open book vocab quizzes.

As you are reading the assignment for the second time, write down:
 * Dedicate a notebook (or section of one) to lit.**
 * Lines that stand out to you (note page number)
 * Ideas that come to you as you are reading
 * Themes you see emerging
 * Passages that speak to those themes
 * Vocabulary (unless you prefer sticky notes for this)

This will help with our discussions. If you are reluctant to speak up, this will assure me that you have read and thought about the book.
 * Bring your notebook to class.**

Chaos vs. Order is a major theme of this book. As you read, think of it in light of this theme. Which characters bring chaos? Which bring order? Resilience is another. What is resilience? Who has it? How does one become resilient?
 * Themes**

March 17 Read through p.41 CANCELED March 26 Read the packet the describes the Harkness Method, which we will be using. Reread through p.41, so it will be fresh in your mind. March 31 Read through p.80 NOTE: This is a Tuesday. CANCELED. Read to P.125 over spring break. Keep up with vocab! April 16 Read through p.125 April 23 Read through p.158 Vocab quiz. This will be open book, so make sure you have written down the definitions of all words that you don't know. April 30 Read through p.198 May 7 Read through p.241 Notebook review. May 14 Finish the book
 * Reading**

Read each assignment twice. On the second time, prepare for your role in the discussion. If you come to class unprepared, you will need to prepared all of the roles for the following day. We have borrowed these books from Bonnie and Uri's class, so please be gentle with them and do not write in them. I have more Post-it tabs, if you need them.
 * Assignment Due Dates for //The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian//**
 * **January 15** read through page 31 - All class discussion - Six people will have roles.
 * **January 22** read through page 66 - Small group discussion - Everyone will have a role.
 * **January 29** read through page 98 - All class discussion - Six people will have roles.
 * **February 5** read through page 132 - Small group discussion - Everyone will have a role.
 * **February 12** read through page 167 - All class discussion - Five people will have roles.
 * **February 19** read through page 199 - Small group discussion - Everyone will have a role.
 * **March 5** Finish the book! - Small groups. Think pieces due. **Bring 2 typed copies of your Think Piece to class**.

Because the 8th graders will be on their science trip on March 12, we will not have lit that day. Artistic interpretations will be optional. I will happily hang them on a bulletin board for us all to enjoy.
 * **Canceled [March 12** All class follow-up-- sharing artistic interpretations or the book. **Be looking for a quote as you prepare your essay**.]

Here is the **introduction paragraph** for your essay. Copy it into a Word file and go from there. I have finished writing the thesis, but feel free to modify it (or any other part of the intro) to fit your own ideas better.

Laughing and crying run together in Sherman Alexie’s novel, //The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian//. The story, which is told by a 14 year old Indian boy named Arnold, dives fearlessly into the “bone-crushing reality” (p.57) of his experience growing up on the Spokane Indian reservation in Washington State. He sums up the experience of his tribe and Indians in general when he says, “We only know how to lose and be lost.” (p.173). Indeed, loss and despair loom large in Arnold’s world, but somehow he manages to find enough hope and joy in his life to tip the scales. Despite the odds against him, Arnold manages to succeed because of support from his family, his experience at Reardon high school, and his strong sense of self.


 * Think Piece:** You will write a 5 paragraph essay that makes a statement expressing some of your ideas and opinions about the book. Your essay will support that statement by referring to specific passages of the story and quoting a key excerpt from each passage. This is similar to your blog entries except you will reference several different parts, each supporting your main point. Each passage you reference should be its own paragraph in which you explain the context of the excerpt you quote and how it illustrates your point.

You will bring 2 **typed** copies of your Think Piece to class on March 5 so that everyone in your small group can read it and write comments about the content of your writing. You, in turn will comment on your fellow classmates writing.


 * Artistic Interpretation:** Choose an important line that relates to a theme, symbol, or motif in the novel and create a visual representation of it. We will share these as a whole group on March 12. **Canceled!**

Group 1: Anna, Elizabeth O, Jonathan, Izzy, Megan, Robbie Group 2: Cameron, Carly, Graham, KT, Nate, Nathan Group 3: Elizabeth P, Emma, Michael, Nazz, Priyanka
 * Small Groups:**

__January 15__ SS: Emma DD: Nazz WW: Nate LL: Nathan CC: KT II: Elizabeth O
 * Role Assignments:**

__January 22__ SS: Megan, KT, DD: Jonathan, Cameron, Elizabeth P WW: Anna, Nathan, Priyanka LL: Elizabeth O, Graham, Nazz CC: Robbie, Carly, Michael II: Izzy, Nate, Emma

__January 29__ SS: Anna DD: Michael WW: Izzy LL: Carly CC: Priyanka II: Megan

__February 5__ SS: Izzy, Nathan, Priyanka DD: Elizabeth O, Nate, Emma WW: Jonathan, Graham, Elizabeth P LL: Anna, KT, Michael CC: Megan, Cameron, Nazz II: Robbie, Carly

__February 12__ SS: Jonathan DD: Cameron WW: Robbie LL: Elizabeth P CC: Graham

__February 19__ SS: Elizabeth O, Graham, Elizabeth P DD: Izzy, KT, Priyanka WW: Megan, Carly, Michael LL: Robbie, Nate, Tilly CC: Anna, Nathan, Emma II: Jonathan, Cameron, Nazz

The **Super Summarizer** prepares a brief summary of the assigned reading (about two pages, double spaced). The group discussion will start with his/her statement, which should cover the key points, main highlights, and general ideas of the reading assignment.
 * Role Descriptions:**

The **Discussion Director** develops a list of thought provoking questions, using them to lead the group in a discussion. [Good question stems: Why… What if… How…] The DD’s task is to help the group talk over the big ideas (themes) in the reading and share their reactions.

The **Word Wizard** must be on the lookout for a few especially important words and/or phrases in the assigned reading. The chosen words can be puzzling, unfamiliar, interesting, or important to the meaning of the novel. Pay special attention to words or phrases that stand out, either because they are repeated often, are used in an unusual way, or provide a key to the meaning of the text. All words/phrases should be cited with their page numbers. The WW will lead a discussion on the meaning and importance of these words and phrases.

The **Literary 'Luminator** locates at least three passages for the group to discuss. The purpose is to help members of the group probe more deeply into some interesting, puzzling, or powerful passages. The LL will read the passages aloud and then lead the discussion of why the excerpts are significant.

The **Creative Connector** finds connections between the book and the world outside. This means connecting the reading to the student’s own life, happenings at school, or other people or problems that the novel brings to mind. The CC might also see connections with other books. There are no wrong answers here. Whatever the reading connects to is worth sharing. Those commenting will respond in a positive manner to the connection.

The **Idea Investigator** digs up some background information on any topic related to the book. This is not a formal research report; the idea is to find bits of information that help the group better understand the characters, setting, plot, and themes of the novel. The investigator should pursue information that interests her/him. This might include information about the author, Spokane Indians, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, hydrocephalus, etc.

[|visit the blog here] Read each assignment twice. On the second time, make notes about what questions and thoughts you have about the book. We have borrowed these books from Bonnie and Uri's class, so please be gentle with them and do not write in them. I have more Post-it tabs, if you need them.
 * Assignment Due Dates for //Durable Goods//**
 * December 4 through page 62
 * December 11 through page 129 **AND** post a response to the question on the blog. You can read your classmates responses as well.
 * December 15 post a response to the new question on the blog.
 * December 18 finish the book.

You will not have an assignment over the break. We will read //The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian// when we return.