Realistic Fiction -- Contemporary

Realistic Fiction  for Book #2     Due by October 20/21.

As usual, your book needs to be at least 100 pages long, at or near your reading level (so not too young, and not too hard), and a book you have not read before.    

Your genre this time is contemporary realistic fiction, also sometimes called "life problems" fiction. 

Realistic fiction includes books that are set in the real world and have characters that could really exist and plots that could really happen.  For this term they should be contemporary -- set in modern times -- not historical fiction.  Anything that happened prior to about fifty years ago would be considered historical rather than contemporary.
Joan Bauer is one writer of realistic fiction.  We will probably read her book Stand Tall as a class.
Some examples of realistic fiction include The Outsiders (which we read as a class), Gary Paulsen's Hatchet (1020L) and others,  Because of Winn-Dixie (610L) by DiCamillo,  Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie (560L), Stargirl (590L), 

No More Dead Dogs (610L) by Korman,  From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler  (700L) by Konigsburg, Walk Two Moons (770L) by Creech, Rules (780L) by Lord, Downriver  (760L) by Will Hobbs.
For more, look under "Life and Its Problems" at   Recommended Books

or  Contemporary Realistic Fiction

To find out the lexile level for a book, go to lexile.com 
If you do not have your own lexile level, hopefully we will soon be completing the Scholastic Reading Inventory to find it! (As of the middle of September 2014, we're waiting for the resolution of  technical difficulties.)

 

If parents are concerned about certain books, one guideline for age appropriateness is to check recommended grade levels with the reviews on Amazon.  

Focus on the Family  reviews many books at  http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/protecting_your_family/book_reviews_for_parents/a_c.aspx

 

About Time Setting

Rachel N.  asked a great question on Emodo:
"On our book report if it doesn't say the time period should we just estimate??" 

Here's my answer:
      I like your idea of estimating if the book doesn't specifically say.
      There are usually clues to at least a general time.  For instance, if the characters live in the real world, and they have cars and computers and cell phones, it is probably contemporary --  our current time or close to it.   If they have cars, but have to crank them to start, and there are more horses and wagons on the road than cars, you could guess that the book took place early in the history of automobiles. 
      If the book is fantasy and they don't have any of those things, but there are knights and castles it is probably medieval.
      If it is a society with technology that we don't have yet, or is a society that has been built after most societies and people in the world have been destroyed, it is probably in the future. 
      Then, there are more specific times.  Some books take place all in one season such as winter or summer or will center around a holiday or during the school year or during a vacation. 
      Making your best guess based on clues in the book is a great way to handle this!

September 17: Constitution Day -- Extra Credit Opportunity

You could earn up to 20 points by memorizing the topics of each of the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States.  Some of these links could help you.  The most helpful one is the memorise.org link.  It gives you a mnemonic for learning the Bill of Rights.  The Bill of Rights rap is memorable, too.   This opportunity expires October 19.

FYI:  How did our political leanings come to be known as "left" and "right"?  http://hotword.dictionary.com/leftright/

Memorize the Bill of Rights:  http://memorize.com/bill-of-rights
Bill of Right Rap:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlt6R1KD4E0    3:38

Another way to memorize the Bill of Rights:  http://homeworktips.about.com/od/politicalscience/tp/Memorizing-The-Bill-Of-Rights-Amendments.htm   


http://www.memorise.org/memory-training/memorize-bill-rights-us-constitution-00311.html

September 17/18, 2012 Monday/Tuesday

September 17/18, 2012 Monday/Tuesday 

September 17: Happy Constitution Day!

 September 18, 2012 

Happy Day After Constitution Day! 

Announcements: Parent Teacher Conference will be on 

Thursday, September 20 from 3:30 - 7:30. 

Basic 8, Book #1 report due September 18.

If you need to make up points for the composition book check (iWrites), see this post or pick up a handout:    

 Composition Book Make-Up

1. iRead  and fill out reading log

Don't forget to record what you learn from your book about a character  -- from what that character says.  

2.  iWrite   Pet Peeves  -- September 17/18, 2012 
What drives you crazy? Is there something that a friend, relative, or classmate (or someone else) does that really aggravates you? What is it? Why do you think it bugs you so much?

Pair Share  1 minute/1 minute 

Here's a "Pet Peeve" from an expert on words:  
Brian P. Cleary

"Pet Peeve # 379: “I COULD care less.” So, does this mean that you care to some degree? You must, if you could actually care less than you do. If you don’t care at all, you should say, “I COULDN’T care less.”"

____________________
3. iWriteRight:   Commonly Confused Words

Bored? Board?

Did you write right when you wrote your Basic 8 Book #1 Report? 

___________________________

4.  iLearn -- 

•      How do we learn about a character? By what they say!
•      Also keep track of setting in The Outsiders.

If you are absent, catch up on this reading during Cavetime or after school, or on your own if you have or can borrow a copy of the book.

A1 --     pg. 26    (13:55) to  beginning of chapter 3

A3 --     page 24 5th paragraph (Review what characters said.) (8:36)  to  (22:17)  page 31 page break

A4 --    (11: 56 ) top of page 26   to (18:05) page 29 3rd paragraph down

B7 --    page 25  --  top (10:17) to page 32 top (chapter 2, 23:24)

B8  --   top of page 30 (19:58)

Your book report is due by Tuesday, September 18. 

• Turn it in on Edmodo.  
• Look for the Turn-In Button on the assignment.  
• Upload your document -- after you have typed the answers -- by clicking on the "Attach" and "File" buttons.   
• Don't forget to click on the  "Turn in Assignment" button when you are ready.
• Here is another example:   Outsiders book report Sue Jones.odt   DO NOT use this document to write yours on.  
• Open the document from Edmodo or you can get it here: Basic 8 Reading Assignment 1.doc

• Grading for Basic 8 Book #1

  About Time Setting

  Another Sample for Book #1 Report

  List of Recommended Books:   Find more information about selecting books for your Book-of-the-Month at   http://cavemanenglish.pbworks.com/Recommended-Books

  The October book will be realistic fiction. 

   

   

September 13/14, 2012

September 13/14, 2012
B7: Check the seating chart. There are a few changes.

You mean the book report is due ALREADY?!!!

Reminders:  Your Basic 8 Book #1 should be read and reported on by September 18 -- next Tuesday. 

1.  iRead and fill out reading log.

 2. Composition Book Check
   Use the check-list provided and you will check another student's work, not your own.

Sample Grades:

0= nothing written, or just the heading written

1=heading written and one or two sentences

3=heading plus three or four sentences

5=correct heading plus at least seven thoughtful sentences

*Remember:  You aren't checking for spelling or other conventions for the points.   You just need to be able to read it.  

Composition Book Make-Up

3.  iWrite -- Family   September 13/14, 2012
What does “family” mean to you? Are there people in your life that you’re not related to that you consider family? Describe why or why not. 

4.  iWriteRight -- Let's play Sparkle!

4.  iLearn -- 

•      How do we learn about a character? By what they say!
•      Also keep track of setting in The Outsiders.

If you are absent, catch up on this reading during Cavetime or after school, or on your own if you have or can borrow a copy of the book.

            A1 --  Chapter 2, page 23 (7:38)  to   pg. 26    (13:55)
             A3 --   Chapter 2, page 23  6th paragraph (7:00)  to page 24 5th paragraph (Review what characters said.)
             A4 --   Chapter 2, page  22, top (4:36)  to  11: 56  top of page 26
             B7 --    Chapter 2, beginning  to page 25  -- 11:57
             B8  --   Chapter 2, page 23, top of page  (6:33) to top of page 30 (19:58)

Your book report is due next Tuesday, September 18. 

• Turn it in on Edmodo.  
• Look for the Turn-In Button on the assignment.  
• Upload your document -- after you have typed the answers -- by clicking on the "Attach" and "File" buttons.   
• Don't forget to click on the  "Turn in Assignment" button when you are ready.
• Here is another example:   Outsiders book report Sue Jones.odt   DO NOT use this document to write yours on.  
• Open the document from Edmodo or you can get it here: Basic 8 Reading Assignment 1.doc

• Grading for Basic 8 Book #1

  About Time Setting

  List of Recommended Books:   Find more information about selecting books for your Book-of-the-Month at   http://cavemanenglish.pbworks.com/Recommended-Books

  The October book will be realistic fiction. 

   

 

*  Composition Book Check (September 13/14)

Writing Prompts : [and one chart and a list]

     You should also have responses to  iWriteRight, but they won’t receive points this time.

1. ______/5  A Time I Felt like an Outsider.
2. ______/5 Good Morning – My Actual and Ideal Mornings
3. ______/5 My Best Friend, Described
4. ______/5 I Pet I’ve Had or Wish I’d Had
5. ______/5 Socioeconomic Gap 
6.  ______/5 [List of Reasons to Capitalize]
7.  ______/5 [Chart for Characters from The Outsiders]
8. ______/5 Getting Along
9.  ______/5 Setting Matters/ A favorite place
10. ______/5 Mark one of your journal entries as the one you’d like us to read and respond to. 

11. Composition Book Make-Up

     

Origami Fish

I'm looking for some origami experts -- or at least some people who have somewhat of a talent for it and could help us figure out how to fold fish. Ms. Bills and I think that folding and hanging origami fish would be a great way to show how many books our classes read for the 40-Book-Challenge.  Anyone want to try it and teach other students (and me) how? I found some directions and posted them here, but also found out how little I know about origami!   Do YOU have the right stuff: fingers that fluently fold fabulous fish?

http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-fish.html

http://www.origami-make.com/easy-origami-fish.php 

http://www.origami-resource-center.com/origami-fish.html#fish

Easiest:

http://www.origamiway.com/easy-origami-fish.shtml

http://www.origamiway.com/origami-fish.shtml

http://origami.island-three.net/fish.html 

Step-by-Step
1. Square base:  http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-square-base.html 

2. Bird base:  http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-bird-base.html 

3. Fish instructions:  http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-fish.html

J.K. Rowling Webcast

If you're a real Harry Potter fan, go to http://hpread.scholastic.com/ and register to view the webcast, and participate in reading club activities before then.  I believe that you can register as a student.  

This will be over our Fall Break, so we will not participate in the webcast as a class. 

LIVE from Edinburgh, Scotland!
Thursday, October 11th, 2012 12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT
Recommended for grades 4 and up.
J.K. Rowling will discuss the world of Harry Potter including Pottermore (www.pottermore.com), an exciting, free online experience that offers Harry Potter fans the chance to explore and discover exclusive new writing by J.K. Rowling as well as immerse themselves in other interactive content and community activities.