The Climax and 'The Tequila Worm'

"When we left his side late that night, I reached down, took Papa's beautiful brown and white boots, 

and hugged them. I wanted to die. But Mama smiled and then wove her warm arms 

around Lucy and me and held us for a long time, like a tree giving life to her fruit." 

  

 Today's Learning Objective  * 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. 

Guided Reading: The Tequila Worm  Today we will finish the chapter "The Tequila Worm" (pgs. 182 -194) of Tequila Worm. As we read, we will stop periodically to discuss the text and, if time permits, work on the guiding questions from our 'The Tequila Worm' Reading Guide (Week 4). 

The Climax of The Tequila Worm  Throughout our reading of  The Tequila Worm we have been examining the plot, the series of events, of the story, as well as how the main character Sofia has responded and changed as the story progressed. Today the story reached it's pinnacle moment, known as the climax. Take a moment to review the stages of plot below, with a special focus on what the climax of a story is. 

How were the events of today's chapter a turning point in the story? The emotional high point? In what ways has Sofia, our main character, changed? Record your ideas on the 'Climax or High Point' section of your 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 your 'The Tequila Worm' Reading Guide (Week 4), which will be due Friday, March 11.

It's Christmas Time in 'Tequila Worm'

Creating the nacimiento is a "gift of sacredness," says Abuelita. Find out how in today's reading from The Tequila Worm.

 

 Today's Learning Objective   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.  

Literacy Warm-Up   Happy Tuesday! Enjoy some literacy warm-up time to start the day! Read a book, take an A.R. quiz, read an article at Newsela, check for writing feedback at Kidblog, or write a quality Digital Reading Log entry. Let's continue to strive to become the very best readers and writers we can be!

Guided Reading: Tequila Worm  Today we read the chapter "The Christmas Nacimiento" (pgs. 170 -181) of Tequila Worm. As we read, we will stop periodically to discuss the text and, if time permits, work on the guiding questions from our 'The Tequila Worm' Reading Guide (Week 4). 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 your 'The Tequila Worm' Reading Guide (Week 4), which will be due Friday, March 11.  

'Frozen Tamales' and Open House Showcase

Find out why Mama keeps a dozen frozen tamales in the freezer in today's reading of Tequila Worm. 

 Today's Learning Objective  * 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. 

Guided Reading: Tequila Worm  Today we read the chapter "The Frozen Tamales" (pgs. 158-169) of Tequila Worm. As we read, we will stop periodically to discuss the text and, if time permits, work on the guiding questions from our 'The Tequila Worm' Reading Guide (Week 4). 

Plotting the Key Events in Tequila Worm  We are fast approaching the climax of Tequila Worm. Let's take a moment today to revisit the key events that have been building as part of the rising action. What conflicts and barriers has our main character Sofia had to confront? How has she responded or changed as a result? Please add to your Story Plot Chart ('Tequila Worm').

Open House Showcase  As many of you know this Thursday is Open House. It's an opportunity for your families to visit your classrooms, meet your teachers, and to showcase all that you're learning this year. My hope is to have on display at least one digital assignment from each student for this special evening. Reflect back on the work you are most proud of from the school year and then use the Google Form below to share your preference for which assignment(s) get showcased for Open House.

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 your 'The Tequila Worm' Reading Guide (Week 4), which will be due Friday, March 11.

Aloha Friday!

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: Super Hero 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! 

Commenting on Blog Posts  Today I'm going to encourage you to comment on at least one blog post by another student. Remember your comments should be respectful, specific, and helpful. If you liked something about someone's writing, explain what specific aspect of their writing you appreciated. For example: I loved your use of descriptive details! If you have a tip about how a student could improve their writing, make sure to share in a way that is helpful and not hurtful. For example: I really liked your story, but I thought you could have used a few more sensory details. For more suggestions on how to be a great blog post commenter check out the video and graphic below.  

On your Kidblog class blog, you'll find links to the stories of your classmates; additionally, under the section 'Connections' you can find links to other classes at Lakeview Middle School that you may consider visiting. If you want to comment on a story from a writer from around the world, check out the list of all this week's published stories here. When commenting on a blog post outside of Lakeview, make sure you identify who you are (first names only) and where you come from: Watsonville, California, U.S.A. Also, consider leaving a link to your own blog so you can keep the dialogue going. Make sure you represent yourself, our class, our school, and our country in a respectful and professional manner. Have fun! 

Author's Chair  I would like to celebrate some of our published authors today by inviting those who are interested to read your stories to the class today. Please pay attention to intonation (by making sure your tone changes to match what is being read), phrasing (by reading smoothly and using punctuation to tell you when to stop, pause or emphasize), and expression (by using your voice to express the feeling of what is being read). It takes a lot of courage to get in front of a group of people! During a reading, the audience should remain attentive and respectful, and afterwards should try to offer positive and constructive feedback. (Some "response stems" for feedback can be found below.) 

Sofia's Open Mind, "The Panty-House Baby," and 100 Word Challenge Writing Time

 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.

Sofia's Open Mind: Analyzing Characters  Considering Tequila Worm is told from a first person point of view, we see the world of the story through her eyes. We are also provided with a unique insight into Sofia's internal conflicts, thoughts, and feelings. One way we can explore these internal conflicts, thoughts, and feelings is by using what is called an Open Mind diagram.
 
An Open Mind diagram is a way of getting inside a character’s head to see what the character might be thinking or feeling. Imagine that the character of Sofia from Tequila Worm thinks in pictures, symbols, images, words or phrases. What would we see inside of Sofia's mind? What would these pictures, symbols, images, words, or phrases represent or signify?
 
Today, using your class's Padlet wall (Period 2, Period 3, Period 5), I want you to try to get inside of Sofia's mind. Share on your wall at least one picture, symbol, image, word, or phrase that you think represents something significant about who Sofia is as a character. Next, explain the significance of what you posted. Why is it important? What does it reveal to us about Sofia? An example can be found below. 

Guided Reading: Tequila Worm  Today we read the chapter "The Panty-Hose Baby" (pgs. 148-157) of Tequila Worm. As we read, we will stop periodically to discuss the text and, if time permits, work on the guiding questions from our 'The Tequila Worm' Reading Guide (Week 4). We will also continue to add to our Story Plot Chart ('Tequila Worm').

Creative Writing Time: 100 Word Challenge  Enjoy some time today to continue drafting your 100 Word Challenge: Super Hero Story. Do you have a clear beginning, middle, and an end? Are you making a point to include precise words and descriptive details? Are you carefully reviewing your spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar? Are you making sure your verb tenses are consistent and that you have employed correct and varied sentence structures? Continue to show the world your best writing! 

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 your 'The Tequila Worm' Reading Guide (Week 3), which will be due tomorrow, Friday, March 4. (3.) Continue working on your 'The Tequila Worm' Reading Guide (Week 4), which will be due next Friday, March 11. (4). Continue working on your 100 Word Challenge: Super Hero Story, which we will publish on tomorrow, Friday, March 4.   

Stealing Saints in 'Tequila Worm'

Someone is messing with Sofia's saints. Find out who in today's chapter of Tequila Worm.

 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.

Preparing the Learner Activity: Tequila Worm  Happy Monday and welcome to a new week of Tequila Worm! You can find your new 'The Tequila Worm' Reading Guide (Week 4) in your Language Arts Google Classroom. To help us get "into" the text this week, we will begin with a 'Preparing the Learner Activity,' in which you will be asked to reflect on some of your own experiences relative to topics we will be exploring in this week's reading. As the week progresses, you will compare and/or contrast your experiences with those of Sofia.

Guided Reading: Tequila Worm  Today we read the chapter "Saints at Saint Luke's" (pgs. 136-147) of Tequila Worm. As we read, we will stop periodically to discuss the text and, if time permits, work on the guiding questions from our 'The Tequila Worm' Reading Guide (Week 4). 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.) Complete your 'The Tequila Worm' Reading Guide (Week 3), which will be due Friday, March 4. (3.) Continue working on your 'The Tequila Worm' Reading Guide (Week 4), which will be due next Friday, March 11. (4). Continue working on your 100 Word Challenge: Super Hero Story, which we will publish on Friday, March 4.   

Heroric Writing and 'Tequila Worm' Reading

Heroes come in many forms. There are fictional super heroes, heroes from history, heroes in our community, heroes in our family. We ourselves may be someone's hero. What hero story will you tell today?

  Today's Learning Objectives   * Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences. * 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. 

100 Word Challenge: Heroic Writing  This week's 100 Word Challenge tasks you with writing about Super Heroes. The challenge is inspired by a heroic kid named Lucas who is battling a chronic condition called developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Read about his story below as well as at his website Spica Warrior. 
 

Lucas has become a heroic inspiration to many.

Your task this week is to write about a Super Hero of your choice. Heroes come in many forms. There are fictional super heroes, heroes from history, heroes in our community, heroes in our family. We ourselves may be someone's hero. What hero story will you tell today? Read more about this week challenge below and then head on over to your Google Classroom and find the document 100 Word Challenge: Super Hero Story and get started. 

Guided Reading: Tequila Worm  Today we read the chapter "Another Mundo" (pgs. 125-135) of Tequila Worm. As we read, we will stop periodically to discuss the text and, if time permits, work on the guiding questions from our 'The Tequila Worm' Reading Guide (Week 3). 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 your 'The Tequila Worm' Reading Guide (Week 3), which will be due Friday, March 4. (3.) Continue working on your 100 Word Challenge: Super Hero Story, which we will publish on Friday, March 4.