Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore Paperback: 245 pages Publisher: Thomas Nelson Inc; Reprint edition (March 11, 2008) ISBN-10: 084991910X ISBN-13: 978-0849919107

This book must be read by students enrolled in both Genres and Themes Standard and Honors. A second assignment for Honors is also required. I. What do I need to do? Directions:

1. Purchase a copy of the book* a. Please obtain only the edition indicated above. This is the latest updated edition of the book. You can either search by name and

publisher on Amazon, or by ISBN number online. Additionally, it should be available in most local Barnes & Noble stores. 2. Write your last name on the edge of the outer page on all three sides and write your full name, grade, and class period on the inside front

cover.

3. Read the book and take focused notes as you read. You may choose to keep a small notebook to keep longer notes on what you have read, organized by the chapters in the book. Suggestions on how to annotate and take notes is included with this assignment.

4. Annotate within the book in PENCIL. Use Post-its to make parts in the book where you have made particularly important annotations. Use multicolored highlighters to organize the kinds of things you deem “annotation worthy.”

*Each student must have his or her own copy of the book. For the purpose of this assignment, students may not use library books or borrowed books. Additionally, they may not share books with other students. This is a habit that should be encouraged early so that it will become second nature to the 9th grade student to read more closely, think more critically, and make more creative applications to their lives and the larger world. This can only be accomplished through the practice of each student learning to “own” his or her work. II. How will I be graded? September Assessment:

❖ Bring your fully-annotated book to class on the first full day of school. ❖ Within the first two weeks of school, you will write an in-class essay on the topics presented in the book. This writing assignment will

require you to provide specific support from the text to succeed on the task. ❖ There will also be a written assessment.

III. How do I complete a “focused”reading with notes?

❖ Underline or highlight lines or passages that relate to the main ideas of the topic of each chapter. Make notes about them in which you explain, paraphrase, or summarize information in your own words. This will help you make sense of information and think about it more deeply.

❖ As you approach each habit introduced in the book, think about your own lifestyle and write notes about how you either see yourself already developing this habit or you see that this is something you need to integrate into your life. The more specific you are, the more prepared you will be in September.

❖ Each time you highlight something, think about why you are doing it: ➢ Is it the main idea? ➢ Is it a quotation from someone? ➢ Is an example being used to illustrate a point?

➢ Is it something that resonated with me because it triggers an emotional reaction? ➢ Does it remind me of something else I’ve read or seen or heard or thought about before?

Finally: DO NOT highlight randomly; write notes in the margins that indicate why you are highlighting that part. Please use the enclosed guide, “Making Annotations: A User’s Guide” to help you as you learn to navigate the world of focused note taking and you begin to develop your own personal skills and style.

Making Annotations: A User’s Guide for 9th Grade

As you work with your text, consider all of the ways that you can connect with what you are reading. Here are some suggestions that will help you with your annotations:

❖ Define words or slang; make the words real with examples from your experiences; explore why the author would have used a particular word or phrase.

❖ Make connections to other parts of the book. Feel free to use direct quotes from the book. ❖ Make connections to other texts you have read or seen, including:

➢ Movies ➢ Comic books/graphic novels ➢ News events ➢ Other books, stories, plays, songs, or poems.

❖ Draw a picture when a visual connection is appropriate. ❖ Re-write, paraphrase, or summarize a particularly difficult passage or moment. ❖ Make meaningful connections to your own life experiences. ❖ Describe a new perspective you may now have. ❖ Explain the historical context or traditions/ social customs that are used in the passage. ❖ Offer an analysis or interpretation of what is happening in the text. ❖ Point out discuss literary techniques that the author is using.

Honors Genres and Themes...will also! Directions

1. Complete the chart below by making a copy, printing up the chart or re-creating the chart on paper, your choice. 2. List (8) major events in the book and provide a short description of the event. 3. List the protagonist and (5) other major characters in the book. For each other major character, describe the protagonist’s thoughts and

feelings toward that character. Lastly, choose a quote that describes the protagonist’s opinion of that character and explain the quote’s meaning and significance.

4. Be prepared to turn in your charts during the first full week of school. 5. You will take a written assessment in the beginning of the year to demonstrate your reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. You

will be allowed to use your notes on this assignment. The assessment will measure the following standards: W.9/10.3, RL 9/10.1, and RL 9/10.3

Your Name ______________________________________

Major Events and Short Description

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Name ___________________________________________

Name of the protagonist in the book and a short description of that character:

Other Major Characters

Protagonist’s Thoughts/Feelings Towards the character

Quote that describes the protagonist’s opinion of that character (cite pg #).

Explain the quote’s meaning and significance.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.