Cindy's Blog of the Day

4/6/2017  This is my last posting in identify key parts of a story as part of  a literary circle.  Today I will conclude with Literary Luminary and Researcher . Literary Luminary - This position is to choose a paragraph, sentences, from the book to discuss with your group by highlight special sections of interest, that are powerful in meaning, could funny, puzzling, or important from the story text.  Jason sneaks his hand over his cards. Speech. Woman. Stinks a big one!!!   (Lord, 2006, p. 75)  I chose this particular sentence because it was a phrase Catherine would use when she did not like something or someone in a particular circumstance.  In this example, Jason dislikes his occupational therapist as she is always overly friendly.  Catherine made Jason a communication card with this phrase and it became a shared expression between them that they both understood.  It's like a code word amongst friends where they share a phrase, sa...

4/5/2017  Ahhh. But another fun blog about vocabulary.  Who doesn't like to use a new word every now and then, especially if used correctly or in a way that enhances one's writing! I do! But as a student, it can be confusing on what a word is, or what a phrase might mean, or be familiar but used in a different way.   Vocabulary Enricher- T his role is to record important words for that day's reading. Words that are unusual, unknown, or that stand out in some way are usually chosen by the student. Their page number and definition is also recorded. Oft en students do not see this role as particularly stimulating; however, it can be a role suited to students who are still developing confidence in English classes or textual analysis. (Wikipedia)  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literature_circle Definitions looked up at http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/ wince:   to   tighten   the   muscles   of the   ...

4/5/2017  Another posting to my blog tonight.  This time as the Travel Tracer. What I am finding when I am reading this story is that without making notes, and knowing what chapter is which, I can lose track in where I am in my reading and keeping the story organized.  Frustrating on my part; shame on me for not keeping better details; but getting lost in the story line (in a good way). Travel Tracer - This role involves recording where the major shifts in action or location take place in the novel for the reading section. Keeping track of shifts in place, time, and characters helps students keep track of important shifts in the novel. (Wikipedia) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literature_circle 1. Mom wants to invite new neighbor over for hamburgers; Catherine tries to invite over when speaking with the new neighbor mom, but her daughter is at her father’s for the weekend which spoils the chance of meeting her. (Chapter 6) 2. OT session for David at the ...

4/5/2017   RULES by Cynthia Lord. I've read through Chapters 6-9 / pages 59-144.  I keep turning pages, half remembering to take notes, half wanting to know what is going to go through Catherine's head about her brother David; her own emotions about feeling second to her brother; when it comes to spending time with Dad; doing things she wants to do instead of babysittng when mom tells her to; her new neighbor friend Kristi; and Jason at the OT center.  As I read each page, I find myself pondering about students I see, hear and interact with in school and wonder what is going through their minds where I can relate very well with Catherine.  Illustrator -  An  illustrator  is an  artist  who specializes in enhancing  writing  or elucidating concepts by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text or idea. The  illustration  may be intended to clarify complicated concepts o...

Connector - finding connections between you and the book; the book and the world. Objective:  Have the group of students connect with something of a real-life situation that they may have personally experienced or have witnessed like the character(s) within the story.  If not, have them research an news article or current event that compares in similarity.  Students will write down a summary of the event and how it connects with what they are reading.      Preparation Examples: I have a sister that has some of the same kinds of behaviors that David does.  She will repeat words we tell her and she doesn't always understand what we are telling her even when we explain it over, and over, and over again. My mother and I were at the grocery store and saw a little boy acting out in the aisle when he heard a loud crash, flapping his hands like David did when David encountered a bee and it scared him. The Jerry Lewis Telethon does n...

Director - develop questions and lead the discussion Objective:  Have the literary circle group of students write out specific and/or interesting passages, particular quotes, or interesting facts from reading the story to use for an open discussion. Preparation Examples:           “Real friends understand,” Mom said on the ride home. (Chapter 1, p. 6) -- PASSAGE                 “How will he learn to be independent if everyone lets him behave and speak the wrong way?” (Chapter 1, p. 9)--PASSAGE                 “Looking closer can make something beautiful” (Chapter 2, p. 19)  -- QUOTE         “…Mom doesn’t understand how not everyone is on David’s side.” (Chapter 3, p. 31) –INTERESTING THOUGHT       ...

Summarizer – summarize reading Objective:  Have the group of students use post-it notes as they read along in the chapter to  identify characters, places, and events they come across that take place throughout the story.  Explain that these post-it notes will allow the student to create a chart or sequencial flow of the story and keep their thought process organized in recalling details.  Student should identify chapters and page numbers for reference. Preparation Examples: 1.          Home with Mom, David and Catherine – Mrs. Bowman sold her home and is moving in with her son in an attached apartment; a new family is moving into Mrs. Bowman’s former house. Catherine finds out there will be a girl about her age that will be living there. (Chapter 1, p. 1-6) Mom, David, Catherine – go to David’s occupational therapy (OT) session at the clinic by the ocean shoreline a few blocks away, shopping stores across the ...

Hello everyone! Welcome to my very first experience with creating my very first "blog".   I will be reading RULES by Cynthia Lord and looking forward to sharing my thoughts on the following: Summarizer- summarize reading Director- Develop questions and lead the discussion Connector- Find connections between you and the book, the book and the world Illustrator- draw or find pictures related to the reading Travel Tracer- carefully track the action in words or diagrams Vocabulary Enricher-  Identify new words with special meaning Literary Luminary-  highlight special sections (like a close read) Researcher-  Dig up/discover background information that is relevant to the reading (not always possible) I look forward to hearing your ideas as well and sharing information throughout the process.  As I recently read by a classmate, "You can learn to write.  You learn to read better by writing.  Reading and writing work together to improve your ab...