Tuesday

Today we continued collaborating in small groups. We will share out our findings tomorrow. HW: longwrite #2. Complete character traits if not done.

Monday10/28

Today we worked collaboratively to begin describing character traits of either Mammy, Nightjohn, Sarny or Waller. Students were encouraged to use the list of character traits to increase the precision of their adjectives. HW: read/log/post it

Thursday 10/24

TOday we learned how to write a long write. A hand out was glued into the tips section of readers notebooks.  HW is to write a long write based on your IR book and a post it you have kept this week.  Have a nice long weekend.

Wednesday 10/23

Today we read for 10 minutes.  We also took notes on theme and characterization in preparation for the essay we will be writing. If you were absent see me for the notes.  After taking the notes in the tips section of our reader's notebooks we turned to the reflection section and split the page into four quadrants and labeled each quadrant one of the 4 main characters (NJ, Mammy, Sarny, and Waller).  We then spent time describing each of the characters.  We will work more with these on MOnday.  HW for tonight: LOGS COLLECTED TOMORROW__150 minutes.

Tuesday 10/22

Today we shared the Glogs.  They were really very good!  I reminded students that reading logs will be collected Thursday.

Monday 10/21

Today I was at a creative writing conference. Students completed a reading activity and worksheet.  IF you were absent, please see me tomorrow.  LOGS are collected on Thursday this week. 150 minutes

Friday 10/18

We recorded today.  Students handed in final drafts after working through a checklist of editing suggestions.  Students also handed in IR logs.  HW: Read/log/Post it

Thursday 10/17

Today we drafted the write up for the Glog.  First, however, we posted the Glog to the padlet wall.  All links are to the right.
HW: Finish write-up and Reading Logs will be collected tomorrow as well.

Wednesday 10/16

Today we read for 10 minutes, finished our chapter summaries in our RN and then watched an example of the assignment we will be working on tomorrow.  We spent a bit of time writing in the tips section of our RN about how to use parenthetical references.
HW: find 4 quotes and page numbers from NJ that support your assigned attribute.

Tuesday 10/15

Today we read for 10 minutes then worked in groups to summarize the chapters of Nightjohn. We began sharing these out in large group. We will continue tomorrow. HW: read, log, post it. Logs are due Friday with 150 minutes.

10/11/13

Today I collected logs AND post its. We then finished the book with our partners. When done we recorded initial reactions in readers notebooks reflection section. Then spent time in quality conversation mulling over the following questions:
Why Sarny?
What do they read in "pit school"? Why might this be ironic?
What happens next?
What purpose does the last chapter serve?
Why does the last chapter have a title? What does it mean?

Hw: read/ log/ post it

Thursday 10/10

We finished discussion of chapter 5 today. Then, independently we read ch 6 and reflected in readers notebooks on the character of Nightjohn. We used many adjectives  and support from our books in the reflection. Hw: read/ log/ post it. Logs due tomorrow

Wednesday 10/9

Today we read for 10 minutes, reviewed post it directions and I returned logs. We then read chapter 5 in its entirety and will spend time reflecting on it in class tomorrow. HW: Read/Log/post-it 150 minutes due on Friday.

Tuesday 10/8

Today we took a quiz on the discussion partners had in class yesterday.  I reminded students that  post its are for reacting, questioning, predicting and connecting.  They should not be for summarizing.
We then began chapter 5 of Nightjohn with prompts for post its.
HW: Read in IR books , keep post-its and log time. 150 minutes will be collected on logs on Friday.

Monday 10/7

Today we reviewed what we learned in chapter 3 then we read chapter 4 and reflected on the chapter answering the questions below both orally and in our reader's notebook(at least the 2 marked questions). Tomorrow's class will start with a quiz that holds you accountable for having thought through the questions.

What happens to Jim?

What happens to Pawley?

**Why does Paulsen include these stories before we hear about Alice’s experience?

What does Nightjohn do after Alice returns?

Describe the exchange between Mammy and John. 

What is Mammy’s objection to John’s teaching Sarny?

What is John’s response?

**What does Nightjohn do after Alice returns?  Why is this significant?

Would you do the same as John?

Friday 10/4

Today I collected logs and post its. We then read chapter 3 and reflected on the chapter using the questions below in the reflections section of reader's notebooks. We then took time to talk with our partner about the chapter.  The homework is to read in your IR books/log time and keep post-its. 150 minutes will be expected on your logs next Friday.

Chapter 3 Reflection guide:

What did you learn in this chapter, how do you think differently about life as a slave?

What theories are you growing about Nightjohn?

What about Sarny? Can you add to your list of adjectives or can you better support one that you already saw in her?

What is life like on Clel Waller’s plantation?

Thursday 10/3

Today in class I checked on Vocabulary words. Several of you need to continue collecting to meet the 25 word target. Others of you have done a stellar job of meeting the goal!  Continue to collect words that you would like to own.  I asked for each student to please turn in 2 words that they would like to make their own. I will select from these words and model ways to make words your own.
We read all of chapter 2 in Nightjohn and began ch 3.  We will continue tomorrow be sure to have your book wtih you!  HW for tonight is to be sure your log is complete, tallies of time and pages are computed and it ready to turn in fora grade tomorrow.

Wednesday 10/2

Happy Half day. Reminder logs are collected on Friday. The expectation is that 150 minutes will be read and that you will be prepared to hand in post its with the log.  In addition, tomorrow I will check on your vocabulary collection process--25 words is the goal.

Tuesday 10/1

Today we read for 10 minutes and kept post its. I handed out a sheet with post it symbols and suggestions.  We discussed post its.  We then discussed theories we were growing about Sarny.  Working in groups, we recorded those. 2nd period reflected on group work in notebooks--What are the qualities of a good group.  What is my strength in group and what might I benefit from working on in a group?

HW:  Read keep post its
         FInish reflection if started in your class.
Collect 25 words by Thursday