Grade 8 English Teachers – September 28, 2009Facilitated by: Kim Boettcher and Toni Thompson

Student BooksStudent Book Audio CDsTeacher’s GuidesTeacher’s Guide CD-ROMAction MagazinesAction Magazine Teacher’s GuideNovels

Student Instruction Books - Anthologies

•3 student books, 2 units in each book, flip books•Each unit spotlights a text form

•Literature•Information•Media

•Audio CDs include all Student Book selections•3 Units in each: Explore the Ideas, Explore the Text Form, Explore the Genres, then a performance task for the unit

Time Will Tell: science fiction, narrative text

On the Edge: satire, humour, feature form satirical narrative parody

Some trade novel titles available but can choose to use what is available in your school for strategies such as literature circles

On the Move: Social Studies, report writing and research, social justice topics, human rights topics

Waterwise: Science, ecology, conservation, many infographics, graphs

Cybersense: how the internet influences us, practice Blog, ethical questions related to technology, new vocabulary such as: advgaming, astroturfing, penguin sites, typosquatting, information on cybersafety, fake websites

Heros and Idols: opinion, who’s a hero, who’s an idol and the differences, how does media affect our perception of reality

Teacher’s Guides for Student Books

•BC Curriculum Learning Goals•Two-page Before, During and After format•Suggested instruction approach: guided, individual, shared •Suggestions for differentiation•Reflect box to help students develop metacognition•Mini Lessons as extension activities•Assessment for Learning: what to look for, what to do•Assessment Masters and Line Masters

Action Magazines

•4 Action Magazines•32 pages each•Focus on critical literacy and social responsibility, and connect to students’ interests and experiences

• Several uses of Action Magazines:• BEFORE a unit: to introduce the topic, activate and build prior knowledge

• DURING a unit: provide choice for independent reading and inquiry, additional practice with comprehension skills, provide additional visual and short selections on same topic for struggling readers

• AFTER a unit: to consolidate and extend learning

• INDEPENDENT: can be used on its own without studying the unit

10 GENERIC INSTRUCTIONAL OPTIONS

Shared reading/viewing

Guided practice Talk circles Pair/independent reading

Reading assessment Read like a writer Shared writing Inquiry Critical literacy Media tracker

OTHER FEATURES

Introductory lesson Feature article lesson

Activities for each text selection

Reading level chart Planning chart Assessment Masters Line Masters

ELEMENTS OF ACTION MAGAZINES

Many text types Feature article with lesson

Quiz or Rating Graphic story Photo Essay: oral language

Have Your Say: blog style

Advertisement: real Quirky Work: careers Cool Stuff: connections Comic Book Review: written by a student

PARTNER TALK

In partners, look at page 44 and answer the questions in the ‘Get Reading’ box

Preview the selection: What do you notice about the text, pictures and title?

What predictions can you make? Read individually and discuss: is a satire which draws attention to human shortcomings Who does the sketch poke fun at? Whose point of view is represented more favourably?

Which monk do you identify more closely with? Reader’s Theatre is a possibility to build fluency

TeacherTube www.teachertube.com

Hero-Meter Celebrities as Social Activists▪ Preview text: text features and names of activists

▪ During reading: infer author’s intent

▪ After reading discussion:

small group discussion using questions from TG

Reading Like a Writer Activity (main idea and examples)

Look through materialsDecide on a unit that might motivate your students

Look at the TG, the Student Book and the Action Magazine to plan the lessons that you will use

December 8, 2009 Bring several student samples for at least one lesson you try

We will ask you to share your reflections about the lesson, your students and tips for others

We will post all lesson samples on the Literacy Moodle Site