Reflections on a NovelJournaling to respond to historical fiction

novels

Setting up the entries 

All entries will have two parts. This side will have a summary, a paraphrase, or a passage from the novel. Put passages in MLA format.

The second part of the entry will be your response. You will interpret, evaluate, make connections or explain on this side.

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Entry #1:Write the day and date at the left side top of a new page in your spiral notebook—Monday 26 January 2015.Create a T-chart on the page.

On the left side: On the right side:Find a passage in the

pages that you have read so far that contains information about the protagonist.

Copy the sentence or passage in MLA parenthetical (internal) citation format. Do it like this: “passage in exact words” (Last #).

Talk about what you know about the protagonist so far. Name the protagonist. What do you imagine this character

looking like? What do you imagine this character

acting like? What would be good about being this

person’s friend? What do you want to know about this

person that you don’t know so far? What is the main concern or challenge

the protagonist faces?

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Literacy circle discussion—Entry #2 Tuesday 27 January 2015 With your group, calendar your reading and set

daily reading targets. For example, if our group is reading No Promises in

the Wind and we want to finish reading in 10 school days, we would need to read 22-23 pages per day.

224 10 22.4

By day #5, we should be on page 112.

5 22.4 112 Fill in the calendar to reflect your reading

schedule.

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Literacy circle discussion—Entry #2 Tuesday 27 January 2015 In your spiral, create a bulleted list of

questions that you might have about your book. This could include questions about the character, questions about some event that happened, questions about real life connections, etc. Strong questions promote a discussion. Questions that can be answered yes/no or with a single word/phrase are not strong discussion questions. Start by copying this one: Why did you want to

read this book?Add several questions of your own.

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What is a literacy circle?Group dynamics

Keep the mood positive.Encourage each other.Support but do not copy.

Group rules/expectationsEach person takes a turn in discussions;

everyone participates.Stay on task. Focus discussions on the reading.Take turns leading if necessary.

NO SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Literacy circle discussion—Entry #2 Tuesday 27 January 2015 In your groups, discuss the questions you each came

up with—go around in a circle and ask/discuss one question from each person.

When you finish, return to your own work space. In your spiral, write a paragraph including two or more “take-aways” from your group discussion. A take-away is something that stands out to you or makes you think in some way.

Grading on entries:Less than half a page=5 pointsHalf a page=7 pointsFull page=10 points

Read.

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Entry #3Write the day and date at the left side top of a new page in your spiral notebook—Wednesday 28 January 2015

ON THE LEFT SIDE ON THE RIGHT SIDEFind a passage in the pages

that you have read so far that contains information about an authentic historical detail, like furniture, clothing, food, transportation, or something that represents that time period.

Copy the passage in MLA parenthetical (internal) citation format. “Do it like this” (Last #).

Tell what you have noticed about the setting so far.

*What are you learning about this decade/time period?

*What would you like about living in the 1930’s-1940’s?

*What would be hard about living then?

*How does this fit the non-fiction information we have read? Make a connection.

Think of TODAY’S reading. Which word best describes how your protagonist is feeling in today’s reading?

unhappy afraid

angry positive

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Entry #4Write the day and date at the left side top of a new page in your spiral notebook—Thursday 29 January 2015Think about the part of the story that you just

read.Put yourself in the position of the protagonist

of your story. Imagine what he/she might be feeling or thinking. Write a journal entry as if you were that character. Describe the situation and explain your thoughts and feelings.

Write over half a page.

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Literacy circle discussion—Entry #5 Friday 30 January 2015Find a paragraph or page in your novel that shows the problem in the

story. Be prepared to read this page out loud to your literacy circle. (It cannot be past Wednesday’s goal page—no spoilers, please!)

In your groups, take turns reading the pages you selected. Then discuss these topics— What is life like for your protagonist? How is his/her life different than your own? What trials might this protagonist face? Would anyone in our time period (2015) face a trial similar to that? Give

an example.When you finish, return to your own work space. In your spiral, write

about your “take-aways” from your group discussion. A take-away is something that stands out to you or makes you think in some way.

Grading on entries: Less than half a page=5 points Half a page=7 points Full page=10 points

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Entry 6 : Monday 2 February 2015 Choose three events in your book. Draw a sketch for each one. Add a passage and citation from

the book to show where you got the idea for each sketch. Be sure the events are in order!         “When Carter met Lexie at the CCC Camp, he was surprised to see a girl there” (Martin 7) .     “Carter grimaced at the thought of what lay ahead for him on the work crew” (Martin 145).       “Returning home was sweeter than anything Carter imagined it would be. The last traces of dust

were being replaced with shoots of wheat springing up in rows as far as he could see” (Martin 297).

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Entry #7Write the day and date at the left side top of a new page in your spiral notebook—Tuesday 3 February 2015On the left side: On the right side:

Find a passage in the pages that you have read so far that contains some really great description. Copy the passage in MLA parenthetical (internal) citation format. “Do it like this” (Last #).

Paraphrase the passage. Explain what you were thinking and feeling when you read this part. Describe the picture you see in your mind. As best you can, sketch what you imagine that to be like. Include a background.

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Entry #8—Literacy circle discussionWednesday 4 February 2015 In your groups—

START TODAY IN YOUR GROUPS BY BRAINSTORMING A LIST OF WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOUR PROTAGONIST.

Ideas (add as many as you can of your own!):

If you could pick one word that would really fit your protagonist, what would that word be? Why would it fit? Use examples from the text to illustrate why that word would fit this character. Each group member must take a turn and choose a different word/situation.

When you finish, return to your own work space. In your spiral, make a bulleted list of three “take-aways” from your group discussion. (A take-away is something that stands out to you or makes you think in some way.) ADD THE LIST OF WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOUR CHARACTER.

READ

brave resourceful musical

ambitious cheerful hard-working

endurance sister honest

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Entry # 9 (Thursday 5 February 2015) Find a new page in your spiral notebook; you will be writing a letter in correct letter format—Include today’s date as part of your letter.Prompt: Think of a part of the novel that you have

read so far that is really well written. Why was it so effective? Did it pull facts together, make you laugh/cry, or give you an “AH-HA” moment? Did you learn something about the historical time period? Write a letter to the author, to me, or to a friend explaining what you think was well done. BE SPECIFIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tell what “worked” for you! Adding a passage and citation would be fabulous! Use correct letter format and shoot for 180+ words (about ¾ page handwritten). If you write to me or to a friend, recommend the book to us.

(Sample/next slide)

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5 February 2015Dear Mr. Martin,

Your book Dust Memories was a great read! The Great Depression was such a hard time for American farmers and you really captured that in your book. I liked following Carter as he left home to find work at a CCC camp. I didn’t know the government had special work camps for boys during that time. I think it would have been scary to leave home and work on your own. The boys did not make much money and most of it was sent home to their parents. I use my money for candy and movies so that really made me think about how hard times must have been. “Carter threw his last few pennies in his pocket and headed out the door for town” (Martin 78). Carter must have felt discouraged sometimes when he didn’t even get to see the money he was earning. My favorite part of the book was the ending. I liked how you showed the hope of the future when the Dust Bowl was recovering.

Thanks for writing a book that teens (especially guys) everywhere would enjoy. I hope to read more of your books in the future. Sincerely, Mark W. Studentson

The date should line up with the closing and signature.

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Entry 10 Write the day and date at the left side top of a new page in your spiral notebook—Friday 6 February 2015Create a crazy collage in your spiral. Draw

anything and everything that reminds you of this book. See if you can fill a whole page. Include some things that represent the characters, some things that represent the setting, and some things that represent the events.

At the end of today’s block, leave your spiral on the back table—open to the page you would like graded this week.

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Entry #11Turn to a clean sheet in your spiral notebook. Add the day and date.

Monday 9 February 2015. Put yourself in the place of the protagonist of your book. Think

about the experiences he or she has had in this novel. Consider our unit questions:

How does external conflict affect us?How do individuals demonstrate perseverance?What character traits help us face challenges?Imagine that you are the main character and you are writing a

journal entry telling about the struggles you have had in this story. What happened from your perspective? Retell at least one event. What would the character have been thinking and feeling? What impact did the conflict have? How did the character hang in there (persevere)? Add thoughts and feelings as if you were that character. Make your journal entry at least half a page long. (If you want to add a passage and citation from the novel, you could.) Use the words I, me, my, etc. as if you were really the protagonist!

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Entry 12: Tuesday 10 February 2015Create a story map or timeline of your book.

Use at least five sketches and a label for each event.  

Bud takes off on his own.

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Entry #13 Wednesday 11 February 2015Today is a choice entry.

— Choice 1- Most Important Phrase

—  Think of the most important phrase that summarizes the main message in your novel.Example: Keep trying.

—  Write the phrase and draw a picture for it.

—  Write one sentence for each term (below) explaining how the phrase relates to the:—  Setting—  Characters—  Conflict/struggle

— Choice 2- Letter — Please write a letter (at

least half a page or more) about the following:

—  Write a letter to a character in the story telling him/her what he/she should have done differently in the novel and why that person should take your advice.

—  Write a letter to a friend (or to me) recommending the novel. Tell why a reader might like this book.

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MAIN IDEAS, CLAIMS, THESIS STATEMENTS, BIG IDEAS (We will think of these as green.)

THE SECOND LEVEL CONSISTS OF CATEGORIES OR SUPPORTING IDEAS FOR THE MAIN IDEA. (We will think of these as yellow.)

THE THIRD LEVEL OF IDEAS ARE THE FACTS, DETAILS, REASONS, COMMENTARY, EXPLANATIONS, EXAMPLES, EVIDENCE, ETC. (We will think of these as red.)WE CAN ALWAYS EXPECT TO USE MORE REDS THAN ANYTHING ELSE IN OUR WRITING.

Informative Writing

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Entry #14/ Thursday 12 February 2015Turn to a clean sheet of paper. You will need a whole sheet. Add the day and date.Think about the following

questions: Can all challenges be

overcome? Is the historical time

period of your novel more challenging than your own?

How do people in real life triumph over trials?

What advice would you give to a middle school student who is having a hard time?

What character traits have helped you in your trials?

Think of a claim, such as— All challenges in our life

cannot be overcome for several reasons.

It is more challenging to live now than in the 1930’s.

I know two people who have used effort and determination to overcome their challenges.

Middle school students should try four things when they have a problem.

Asking for help, having a positive attitude, and working hard have helped me face challenges.

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Entry #14/ContinuedWrite your claim across the top of a T-chart on side one of your paper. Set up an essay with yellows on the left and reds on the right. Tomorrow we will do a writing assignment on the back.Claim: Asking for help, having a positive attitude, and working hard have helped me face challenges..First, when I have a

challenge, I ask others for help.

Having a positive attitude is another way I deal with challenges.

Finally, working hard gets me through any difficulty.

Mom with sibling problemDad with mathMrs. Haener with schedule

Not giving up in mathPutting positive quotes on

my binder

Going in for extra math help

Doing my math homeworkMaking a better effort to be

nice to my brother

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Entry #14/Continued—Day Two/Friday 13 February 2015Choose one of your supporting ideas (yellows). Claim: Asking for help, having a positive attitude, and working hard have helped me face challenges..First, when I have a

challenge, I ask others for help.

Having a positive attitude is another way I deal with challenges.

Finally, working hard gets me through any difficulty.

Mom with sibling problemDad with mathMrs. Haener with schedule

Not giving up in mathPutting positive quotes on

my binder

Going in for extra math help

Doing my math homeworkMaking a better effort to be

nice to my brother

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Entry #14/Continued—Day Two On the back of your paper, write an informative paragraph on just that one supporting idea.

The last thing I have done to overcome challenges is work really hard. In my math class, I went in and asked Mr. Wester for extra help. He had me come in at lunch. I didn’t like missing time with my friends, but it helped so much. I was surprised how much better I did after only a few lunch times. I also made a time for doing my math homework after dinner every day. Even though I missed a few times, I stuck to my schedule almost every day. By the end of two weeks, my math grade was a high B. I was surprised but happy. Math isn’t the only place I have put forth effort. My brother was making me mad all the time, so I worked hard to be patient with him. I also tried to spend time doing something fun with him every weekend this month. Before long, he stopped bugging me so much. Working hard has been a big part of overcoming my challenges.