Introdcution to Plot and 'Tequila Worm' Guided Reading

 Today's Learning Objectives  * Describe how a particular story’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution. * Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text.

Video of the Day  In today's episode “The World of Neurons,” Mojo and Katie learn that challenging things help their brains grow stronger. Can you think of an example where you made some new connections in your brain. What were you doing?

 
Introduction to Plot and Exposition  As many of you know the plot is the series of events in a story and usually centers around a central conflict--a problem faced by the main character. The plot begins with the exposition, which establishes the setting, introduces the characters, and gives the reader important background information. Watch the video below to familiarize yourself with the basic elements of plot. Then, start to think about what we already know about the plot and exposition of Tequila Worm by beginning to work on the document Story Plot Chart ('Tequila Worm'), which can be found in your Language Arts Google Classroom. 

 

Guided Reading: The Tequila Worm  Today we will read the chapter "Holy Host" of Tequila Worm together. As we read, we will continue to stop periodically to discuss the text and work on the guiding questions within your 'The Tequila Worm' Reading Guide (Week 1). We will also continue to add to our Story Plot Chart ('Tequila Worm'). 

Homework  (1.) Read your A.R. book at home for at least 30 minutes and, if you choose, make a reading log entry using the Digital Reading Log. (Remember you must have made at least one entry by the end of the day Friday.)  (2.) Continue working on the document 'The Tequila Worm' Reading Guide (Week 1), which will be due Friday, February 12.

100 Word Challenge Publishing and 'Tequila Worm' Reading

Video of the Day  In today's video “The Power of Yet,” Katie realizes she can learn new things, too, and that she can ask others for help! After watching the short video be prepared to discuss what should you do if you are stuck on a project, math problem, or other learning. Think of a time you were afraid to ask for help. Why did you feel afraid? How can you improve the phrase "I can't do this?” What could you say instead?

100 Word Challenge: Publishing Happy Friday! It's just about time to publish this week's 100 Word Challenge. Please look over your 100 Word Challenge: Picture Challenge story carefully. Does your story flow naturally from beginning to end? Did you use descriptive words and sensory details? Did you carefully review your spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar? Did you make sure your verb tenses are consistent and that you have employed correct and varied sentence structures? Please make sure your piece of writing is good as it can be.

Next, it's publishing time! Copy your story from your Google Doc and then login to Kidblog. Make a new post. Give your story an appropriate title. Paste your story. Consider adding a picture. Finally, click 'Publish' and copy the link to your published story.

Now it's time to share your story with the 100 Word Challenge. In order to login, I will provide you a working Username and Password. Next, fill out the form similar to the one below, making sure to include the link to your Kidblog story. Click 'Submit' when you're done. Congratulations! You are now an internationally published writer!

Guided Reading: The Tequila Worm  Today we will read the first two chapters of Tequila Worm together: "The Storyteller's Bag" and "The Candy Bite." As we read, we will stop periodically to discuss the text and to provide you and your teammates time to work on the guiding questions within your 'The Tequila Worm' Reading Guide (Week 1).

Introducing 'The Tequila Worm' and Creative Writing Time

Are you ready for our new class novel? Introducing . . . The Tequila Worm

Video of the Day  In today's video "The Magic of Mistakes," Mojo learns an important lesson from Katie about what mistakes really do for the brain. After watching the short video be prepared to discuss what the quote from "mistakes can make you smarter" mean to you? Also, how can we learn from our mistakes? Talk about a specific, recent example.

Class Novel: Introducing The Tequila Worm  Today we are going to begin reading the novel The Tequila Worm together as a class. However, before we do I would like you to participate in a couple of 'Preparing the Learner Activities' in order to get you engaged with the text. Please locate the document 'The Tequila Worm' Reading Guide (Week 1), which you can find in your Language Arts Google Classroom. Let's begin with the 'Agree/Disagree' activity. Read each statement and indicate whether you agree or disagree. Next, begin to write a response to the 'Journal Write' prompt about any rivalries you may have had in your life.

Finally, before I watch a new movie, I usually watch the preview so I have a better sense of what the film is about. Let's do the same for Tequila Worm. Check out the student produced preview below, so we are somewhat prepared for the novel.

Writing Time: 100 Word Challenge  If time permits today, you may work on your 100 Word Challenge: Picture Challenge story. As you begin to craft your story, make sure to consider the following questions: Does your story flow naturally from beginning to end? Do you use descriptive words and sensory details? Do you skillfully incorporate dialogue? Do you carefully review your spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar? Do you make sure your verb tenses are consistent and that you have employed correct and varied sentence structures? Please make sure your piece of writing is good as it can be.

Homework  (1.) Read your A.R. book at home for at least 30 minutes and, if you choose, make a reading log entry using the Digital Reading Log. (Remember you must have made at least one entry by the end of the day Friday.)  (2.) Complete the assignments Literary Elements and Devices ("The Quinceañera Text"), Dynamic Character ("The Quinceañera Text"), and 100 Word Challenge: Picture Challenge, all of which will be due tomorrow, Friday, February 5.

Vocabulary: Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes

 Today's Learning Objective   * Use common Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word. 

 

BrainpPOP Video and Quiz: Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes  "Do prefixes, suffixes, and root words project you into a state of discombobulation? In this BrainPOP movie, Tim and Moby demystify these important word components. You’ll find out how prefixes and suffixes can change a word’s part of speech, and even its meaning. You’ll also learn about the order in which prefixes, suffixes, and roots appear in a word. Tim will explain the definitions of some common prefixes and suffixes, and let you in on what languages many of them originally come from! So prepare yourself for a super-fun English reviewification!"

 Flocabulary Videos: Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots  Now let's join our friends at Flocabulary for a couple of videos that break down for us these important word parts with melody and rhyme. 

"It's Greek to Me": Greek Affixes and Roots Online Game  Represent your country in the Olympics! You not only have to be strong, but you have to be smart to win. Play "It's Greek to Me" and learn about Greek influences on the English language.

Homework  (1.) Read your A.R. book at home for at least 30 minutes and, if you choose, make a reading log entry using the Digital Reading Log. (Remember you must have made at least one entry by the end of the day Friday.)  (2.) Continue working on the assignments Literary Elements and Devices ("The Quinceañera Text"), Dynamic Character ("The Quinceañera Text"), and 100 Word Challenge: Picture Challenge, all of which will be due Friday, February 5.

Quizzing and Writing

Assessment: "The Quinceañera Text" Quiz  Today you have the opportunity to demonstrate what you learned after reading "The Quinceañera Text" by taking an online quiz, which can be found here. You are encouraged to refer back to the texts of the related article and essay at any point during the quiz (a link is here). I will read each question and answer set aloud to you and then provide you with the time you need to complete your assessment. After you have submitted your quiz, you may move on to the activity featured below. 

Writing Time: 100 Word Challenge  If time permits today, you may work on your 100 Word Challenge: Picture Challenge story. As you begin to craft your story, make sure to consider the following questions: Does your story flow naturally from beginning to end? Do you use descriptive words and sensory details? Do you skillfully incorporate dialogue? Do you carefully review your spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar? Do you make sure your verb tenses are consistent and that you have employed correct and varied sentence structures? Please make sure your piece of writing is good as it can be.

Homework  (1.) Read your A.R. book at home for at least 30 minutes and, if you choose, make a reading log entry using the Digital Reading Log. (Remember you must have made at least one entry by the end of the day Friday.)  (2.) Continue working on the assignments Literary Elements and Devices ("The Quinceañera Text"), Dynamic Character ("The Quinceañera Text"), and 100 Word Challenge: Picture Challenge, all of which will be due Friday, February 5.

"The Quinceañera Text" and a 100 Word Challenge

What's the story behind this image? This week's 100 Word Challenge awaits you≥

Close Reading: "The Quinceañera Text"  Now that we've done our initial reading of "The Quinceañera Text" (which can still be found here), we need to go deeper and closely examine the story's literary elements and how the central character changes through the course of the story. You will be using the documents Literary Elements and Devices ("The Quinceañera Text") and Dynamic Character ("The Quinceañera Text"), located in your Language Arts Google Classroom, to continue your analysis of the text.

100 Word Challenge: Picture Challenge  This week's 100 Word Challenge will require you to use an image for inspiration. Check below fore details.  

 

The assignment 100 Word Challenge: Picture Challenge can be found in your Language Arts Google Classroom. Remember, you are allowed only 100 words to tell your story. We will publish our stories on Friday, February 5. 

Homework  (1.) Read your A.R. book at home for at least 30 minutes and, if you choose, make a reading log entry using the Digital Reading Log. (Remember you must have made at least one entry by the end of the day Friday.)  (2.) Continue working on the assignments Literary Elements and Devices ("The Quinceañera Text"), Dynamic Character ("The Quinceañera Text"), and 100 Word Challenge: Picture Challenge, all of which will be due Friday, February 5.