April+11

Independent Reading Time (15 minutes) Let's begin class today with a little time reading in your novels. Make sure to focus on any connections you can make to society during this time period. Have your journals out for a brief journal check!

Watch and discuss sample groups from Mrs. Harmon's classes:

 * 1) The Red Badge of Courage - Notice the connections to historical background and author background (next week's focus). Notice the use of the "Take It to the Text" strategy. They USE the text to support their claims!
 * 2) Tess of the d'Ubbervilles- These girls are passionate about their ideas. Notice the way they argue their points using evidence from the text (Take It to the Text). Also, watch the way they draw in historical connections and refer to their discussion from the last week.

Lit Circles
With your group, use your notes to have a 7 minute Socratic discussion (without the outside circle). (Here's an online timer if you need it.) Use the flip camera to record your group. Use the discussion cards to track your participation. Each member should turn in 2 Take-it-to-the-text cards, 2 follow-up cards, and 2 pose-a-question cards during the discussion.

When you finish, watch the video. Discuss with your group the positive and negative aspects of your performance. Did you refer to the text? Did you build off each others' ideas? Were there long awkward silent periods? Was everyone well prepared? Complete the grading rubric. Turn this in, along with your notes handout.

[|lit discussion 1.doc]

Also, fill out the post discussion report. Look at the sample report under the following link. [|lit discussion 2.doc]

Make sure you get a handout for preparation for the next lit circle! [|lit circle week 2.doc]

Individual Practice: STAAPT
Study the following poster from WWII era America:

Complete a STAAPT for this poster on a sheet of paper.
 * Remember:**
 * S- Subject**
 * T- Thematic Statement**
 * A- Attitude (3 tone words)**
 * A- Audience**
 * PT- Propaganda Technique WITH evidence from the text**

Homework:
Be ready for lit circles next week. The focus will be author background and your own journal connections. Make sure you complete the preparation handout notes!