11.5.09-Realistic Fiction

1. You’re an editor who has to come up with a new title for your book. Think about he novel’s characters, problems, settings, events, and themes. Create an effective new title that will entice people to read the book. Explain why you think it reflects the book’s main idea so well.

2. Please respond to a fellow classmate from Thursday night, or from one of their blogs from last week.

11.5.09-Historical Fiction

1. You’re an editor who has to come up with a new title for your book. Think about he novel’s characters, problems, settings, events, and themes. Create an effective new title that will entice people to read the book. Explain why you think it reflects the book’s main idea so well.

2. Please respond to a fellow classmate from Thursday night, or from one of their blogs from last week.

11.5.09-Science Fiction

1. You’re an editor who has to come up with a new title for your book. Think about he novel’s characters, problems, settings, events, and themes. Create an effective new title that will entice people to read the book. Explain why you think it reflects the book’s main idea so well.

2. Please respond to a fellow classmate from Thursday night, or from one of their blogs from last week.

11.5.09-Fantasy

1. You’re an editor who has to come up with a new title for your book. Think about he novel’s characters, problems, settings, events, and themes. Create an effective new title that will entice people to read the book. Explain why you think it reflects the book’s main idea so well.

2. Please respond to a fellow classmate from Thursday night, or from one of their blogs from last week.

11.5.09-Mystery

1. You're an editor who has to come up with a new title for your book. Think about the novel's characters, problems, settings, events, and themes. Create an effective new title that will entice people to read the book. Explain why you think your new title reflects the book's main idea so well.

2. Please respond to a fellow classmate from Tuesday night, or from one of their blogs from last week.

11.5.09- Non-Fiction

1. Stop! Skim! Think! Not all information in nonfiction books is factual. Did the author of your book weave opinions into facts? Skim to find examples of facts and opinions and share these.

2. Please respond to a fellow classmate from Tuesday night, or from one of their blogs from last week.

Realistic Fiction-Tuesday, November 3, 2009

1. The main character is moving to your town. Will he or she fit in? Why or why not? How are his or her values and tastes different from -or the same as- those of your hometown?

2. Please respond to a fellow classmate from Thursday night, or from one of their blogs from last week.

Mystery-Tuesday, November 3, 2009

1. The main character is moving to your town. Will he or she fit in? Why or why not? How are his or her values and tastes different from -or the same as- those of your hometown?

2. Please respond to a fellow classmate from Thursday night, or from one of their blogs from last week.

Science Fiction-Tuesday, November 3, 2009

1. The main character is moving to your town. Will he or she fit in? Why or why not? How are his or her values and tastes different from -or the same as- those of your hometown?

2. Please respond to a fellow classmate from Thursday night, or from one of their blogs from last week.

Historical Fiction-Tuesday, November 3, 2009

1. The main character is moving to your town. Will he or she fit in? Why or why not? How are his or her values and tastes different from -or the same as- those of your hometown?

2. Please respond to a fellow classmate from Thursday night, or from one of their blogs from last week.

Fantasy- Tuesday, November 3, 2009

1. The main character is moving to your town. Will he or she fit in? Why or why not? How are his or her values and tastes different from -or the same as- those of your hometown?

2. Please respond to a fellow classmate from Thursday night, or from one of their blogs from last week.

Non-Fiction-Tuesday, November 3, 2009

1. Did this book change your thinking about the topic? How? Why? Is there one section that particularly swayed your view?

2. Please respond to a fellow classmate from Thursday night, or from one of their blogs from last week.

Non-Fiction

October 29, 2009
1. So far, what passage in the book reminded you of something you've done or felt? Explain why you connected to this passage and how it is important to the book.

2. Please respond to a fellow classmate from Tuesday night, or from one of their blogs from last week.

October 27, 2009
1. Did your book make you want to take action in some way? Discuss ways in which you could use what you learned from your book to improve something in the world or in yourself.

2. Please respond to a fellow classmate's comment who is reading the same genre as you.

Science Fiction

October 29, 2009
1. So far, what passage in the book reminded you of something you've done or felt? Explain why you connected to this passage and how it is important to the book.

2. Please respond to a fellow classmate from Tuesday night, or from one of their blogs from last week.



October 27, 2009
1. List things you cherish in life, such as free time, in-line skating, a friendship, or a favorite sport. Now list five to six things the main character vaules. Discuss how the plot helped you understand what the character values. Compare your values to the character's.

2. Please respond to a fellow classmate's comment who is reading the same genre as you.

Historical Fiction

October 29, 2009
1. So far, what passage in the book reminded you of something you've done or felt? Explain why you connected to this passage and how it is important to the book.

2. Please respond to a fellow classmate from Tuesday night, or from one of their blogs from last week.

October 27, 2009
1. List things you cherish in life, such as free time, in-line skating, a friendship, or a favorite sport. Now list five to six things the main character vaules. Discuss how the plot helped you understand what the character values. Compare your values to the character's.

2. Please respond to a fellow classmate's comment who is reading the same genre as you.

Mystery

October 29, 2009
1. So far, what passage in the book reminded you of something you've done or felt? Explain why you connected to this passage and how it is important to the book.

2. Please respond to a fellow classmate from Tuesday night, or from one of their blogs from last week.

October 27, 2009
1. List things you cherish in life, such as free time, in-line skating, a friendship, or a favorite sport. Now list five to six things the main character vaules. Discuss how the plot helped you understand what the character values. Compare your values to the character's.

2. Please respond to a fellow classmate's comment who is reading the same genre as you.

Fantasy

October 29, 2009
1. So far, what passage in the book reminded you of something you've done or felt? Explain why you connected to this passage and how it is important to the book.

2. Please respond to a fellow classmate from Tuesday night, or from one of their blogs from last week.

October 27, 2009
1. List things you cherish in life, such as free time, in-line skating, a friendship, or a favorite sport. Now list five to six things the main character vaules. Discuss how the plot helped you understand what the character values. Compare your values to the character's.
2. Please respond to a fellow classmate's comment who is reading the same genre as you.

Realistic Fiction

October 29, 2009
1. So far, what passage in the book reminded you of something you've done or felt? Explain why you connected to this passage and how it is important to the book.

2. Please respond to a fellow classmate from Tuesday night, or from one of their blogs from last week.

October 27, 2009

Answer both of the following questions:

1. List things you cherish in life, such as free time, in-line skating, a friendship, or a favorite sport. Now list five to six things the main character vaules. Discuss how the plot helped you understand what the character values. Compare your values to the character's.
2. Please respond to a fellow classmate who is reading the same genre as you.

Non-Fiction

October 22, 2009:
Choose one of the following:

1. Take a visual stroll through your book. Look at the charts, illustrations, or diagrams. Explain what the author is trying to teach you by including each of these.
2. What about this book said, "Read Me!" Was it the topic? photographs? author? other special features? Describe why you chose is book.

October 20, 2009:
Please answer both of the following questions:

1. Describe the setting of your book thus far. Is this a place that made you think, "I've been there," or "I'd love to go there," or "No way would you ever catch me at this place"? Discuss your connections and feelings about the setting, explaining how you relate (or do not relate) to where your story is taking place.
2. Think about yesterday's class discussion where we talked about the various properties of specific genres. For example, we said that science fiction books deal with characters who deal with futuristic technology. So far, what characteristics of your book proves to you that it is, in fact, a Non-Fiction novel?

Fantasy

October 22, 2009:

Choose one of the following to answer.

1. What about this book said, "Read Me!" Was it the topic? summary? author? other special features? Describe why you chose this book.
2. Answer this question from the main character's point of view. "The question on everyone's mind is: What TV show, movie, or book is most similar to the story you are in?"

October 20, 2009:

Please answer both of the following questions:

1. Describe the setting of your book thus far. Is this a place that made you think, "I've been there," or "I'd love to go there," or "No way would you ever catch me at this place"? Discuss your connections and feelings about the setting, explaining how you relate (or do not relate) to where your story is taking place.
   
2. Think about yesterday's class discussion where we talked about the various properties of specific genres. For example, we said that mystery books deal with characters who need to solve a problem. So far, what characteristics of your book proves to you that it is, in fact, a Fantasy novel?

Science Fiction

October 22, 2009:
Choose one of the following:

1. What about this book said, "Read Me!" Was it the topic? summary? author? other special features? Describe why you chose this book.
   
2. Answer this question from the main character's point of view. "The question on everyone's mind is: What TV show, movie, or book is most similar to the story you are in?"

October 20, 2009:
Please answer both of the following questions:

1. 
   Describe the setting of your book thus far. Is this a place that made you think, "I've been there," or "I'd love to go there," or "No way would you ever catch me at this place"? Discuss your connections and feelings about the setting, explaining how you relate (or do not relate) to where your story is taking place.
2. Think about yesterday's class discussion where we talked about the various properties of specific genres. For example, we said that mystery books deal with characters who need to solve a problem. So far, what characteristics of your book proves to you that it is, in fact, a Science Fiction novel?

Mystery

October 22, 2009:
Choose one of the following to answer.

1. What about this book said, "Read Me!" Was it the topic? summary? author? other special features? Describe why you chose this book.
   
2. Answer this question from the main character's point of view. "The question on everyone's mind is: What TV show, movie, or book is most similar to the story you are in?"

October 20, 2009:
Please answer both of the following questions:

1. Describe the setting of your book thus far. Is this a place that made you think, "I've been there," or "I'd love to go there," or "No way would you ever catch me at this place"? Discuss your connections and feelings about the setting so far, explaining how you relate (or do not relate) to the place your story is taking place.
   
2. Think about yesterday's class discussion where we discussed the various properties of specific genres. For example, we said that science fiction books deal with futuristic technology. So far, what characteristics of your book prove to you that it is, in fact, a Mystery novel?

Historical Fiction

October 22, 2009:
Choose one of the following to answer.

1. What about this book said, "Read Me!" Was it the topic? summary? author? other special features? Describe why you chose this book.
   
2. Answer this question from the main character's point of view. "The question on everyone's mind is: What TV show, movie, or book is most similar to the story you are in?"

October 20, 2009:
Please answer both of the following questions:

1. Describe the setting of your book so far. Is this a place that made you think, "I've been there," or "I'd love to go there," or "No way would you ever catch me at this place"? Discuss your connections and feelings about the setting, explaining how you relate (or do not relate) to where your story is taking place.
2. Think about yesterday's class discussion where we talked about the various properties of specific genres. For example, we said that fantasy books deal with talking animals or the use of magic. So far, what characteristics of your book prove to you that it is, in fact, a Historical Fiction novel?

Realistic Fiction

October 22, 2009:
Choose one of the following to answer.

1. What about this book said, "Read Me!" Was it the topic? summary? author? other special features? Describe why you chose this book.
   
2. Answer this question from the main character's point of view. "The question on everyone's mind is: What TV show, movie, or book is most similar to the story you are in?"

October 20, 2009:
Please answer both of the following questions:

1. Describe the setting of your book thus far. Is this a place that made you think, "I've been there," or "I'd love to go there," or "No way would you ever catch me at this place"? Discuss your connections and feelings about the setting, explaining how you relate (or do not relate) to the place your story is taking place.
2. Think about yesterday's class discussion where we discussed the various properties of specific genres. For example, we said that fantasy books deal with talking animals or the use of magic. So far, what characteristics of your book prove to you that it is, in fact, a Realistic Fiction novel?

Tuesday- October 6, 2009

Fiction:

1. If you could change or add one part of your book, tell what it would be and why. What specifically would you change? What specifically would you add?
2. Write a sequel to your book. Thinking about all that happened throughout your story, summarize what an additional chapter or next book in the series would look like.

Non-Fiction:

1. Did this book change your thinking about the topic? How? Why? Is there one section that particularly swayed your view.
2. If you could add or change a section to your book, what would it be and why? What specifically would you change? What specifically would you add?

Thursday-October 1, 2009

Describe your favorite part of your book.

Tuesday- September 29, 2009

Fiction:

1. Foreshadowing is a technique authors use to build suspense. Point out several places where the author uses this technique to hint at future events. Is the clue so obvious it makes you realize what is going to happen, or does it make you curious?
2. You've been hired to write an add to promote the movie version of this book. Make sure it conveys teh main charactesr, and what he or she discovers about himself or herself or about others

Non-fiction:

1. Stop! Skim! Think! Not all information in nonfiction books is factual. Did the author of your book weave opinions into facts? Describe these points in the book or describe how he used strictly fact.
2. Did this book make you want to take action in some way? Discuss ways in which you could use what you learned from this book to improve something in the world.

Thursday- September 24, 2009

Fiction:

• A talk show host asks your main character the following question: "What fears or worries keep you up at night? What was the lowest point in your life?"
• Pretend you are the author of your book. You are in front of millions of TV views and a reporter asks you: "So do you think people are basically good- hearted or basically selfish?" Based on the characters in this novel, what would you answer?

Non-Fiction:

• Discuss the main theme of your book. What is it all about? What message does the author try to convey to the reader
• Explain why the title of your book is an effective or ineffective title.

Tuesday- September 22, 2009

Fiction:

• Answer the question from a main character's point of view: "So now that you've made it through all that you have, what's next for you? Where do you see yourself in five or ten years? Why?"
• Mad? You slam a door. Hurt? You cry or run away. Sad? You slump your shoulders. What you say and do communicates your mood and even your personality. The same is true for book characters. Find and discuss two character-revealing passages, and explain what each taught you about the character's feeings, motivations, and personality traits.

Non-Fiction:

• Describe the various connections you can make with your book. What experiences, stories, or world events can you connect to your book?
• Take a visual stroll through your book. Which charts, diagrams, and illustrations helped you to learn the most about your topic?

Thursday- September 17, 2009

Please answer one of the following questions:

Fiction

• Is there a moment in the book that reminded you of something you have done or felt? Find the passage and read it aloud. Explain why you connected to it and how the passage is important to the story.
• You are directing a play based on this book. Your lighting director asks you to choose a color to help create the mood of the opening scene. First discuss and define the mood, and then pick a color. What associations do you have with this color that made it your choice.

Finished

• Pick your favorite character. Which settings deeply affect the character's decisions and feelings? Which create problems? Identify two or three setting and clearly explain the impact each has on the character

Tuesday- September 15, 2009

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Please answer one of the following questions based on what you have read thus far.


Fiction:

• You board a train and discover you have the choice of sitting next to the main character or another character in the book. With whom would you choose to talk? Why? What would you like to ask the character? What would you tell him or her? (Remember, you do not need to choose the most admirable character.)
• From one of the character's points of view, answer the following question: Who in your life understands you the least? How do you think he or she will come to understand you better?

Non-fiction:

• A museum has asked you to fill a glass exhibit case with information on the topic of your book. Which three facts or ideas from this book would you want museum-goers to know? Why? Are there any other artifacts you would include?
• Why do you think the author chose to include the pictures and diagrams in your book that he/she did? How do they help convey the message of your book?

Finished:

• The main character of your book had problems that he or she couldn't solve. Choose two unsolvable problems, explain how the main character deals with each and why each one was impossible to resolve.