Explanation of Reading Letters

Letter number one: Write a three-paragraph letter to your reading partner. Be sure to include: a friendly introduction, a discussion of the characterization and emerging themes, a description of the point in the novel when you felt hooked, and a description of a passage that had particularly strong imagery or action for you. Include at least three questions you have after reading. The point of the letter is to make insights that your partner may have missed. Your partner needs to respond to your letter on the page you send to them—be creative with your letters! DUE ON APRIL 3rd OR BEFORE YOU LEAVE FOR SPRING BREAK! YOU SHOULD BE COMPLETED WITH AT LEAST HALF OF YOUR BOOK AT THIS POINT.

Letter number two: This letter should again start with a friendly introduction, a description of where you read the conclusion of your book, and one memorable aspect of your Spring Break. Describe in paragraph two your response to the denouement of the novel: was the resolution ironic or unexpected in anyway? In paragraph three describe what type of reader might like this book. Who specifically would you recommend this novel to and why? Finally, was this novel worth reading? How did it differ from your literature circle book or other books you typically read? Your partner needs to respond to your letter on the page you send to them. THIS FINAL LETTER SHOULD BE WRITTEN AFTER YOU FINISH YOUR NOVEL AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY APRIL 22nd.

End of March

Monday 24th-Thursday 27th
PAWS Testing
Magnetic Poetry game
Anticipatory Guide to Poetry Unit: What is fun about poetry? What is difficult about poetry? What are you interested in learning about regarding poetry? What was the best line of your magnetic poem?

Students should be reading their selected classic/award winner novel during down time of PAWS testing.

Friday 28th
Final Literature Circle Tic Tac Toe Assignment Due
Share cuttings, epilogues and character sketches.
Poetry Game reviewing poetry terms.

Monday 31st
Annotate three poems: Our Other Sister, Snow, The Telling Tree

Tuesday 1st
Read aloud from Heartbeat
WNB#23
Quick Write:
things I have overheard
lies I’ve told
things I have lost
things that embarrass me
things that can be peeled
things that annoy me
irritating sounds
excuses

Wednesday 2nd
Share “Dark and Stormy Night” metaphors
Create Rip Poems

Thursday 3rd
1st of two reading letters due.
Finish Rip Poems

Friday 4th
Quarterly Recognition
Finish Heartbeat
Share Rip Poems

Spring Break begins. School resumes on April 21st.
Spring Break work: Finish novel. Compose 2nd and final reading letter to your partner.