Monday Feb 3: Intro to the Middle Ages and Historical Fiction

What did we do?

1.  Today we brainstormed ideas to clarify and define what historical fiction is. We used examples like the Outsiders and Troy to clarify our understanding.  We concluded that Historical fiction is a story written in a time period throughout history where the characters may resemble or be actual historical figures and where the events in the story are based on actual historical events.

Why? (Learning Intentions)
 To access our background knowledge, and for the teacher to assess student background knowledge of historical fiction.  

2.  Brainstorm Web:  Middle Ages

Why?  (Learning Intentions)
Again this was to individually access student background knowledge on the Middle Ages.  Additionally, since the format was a web, the teacher can see how the student is making connections.  

3.  Students received the novel, There Will Be Wolves, set in the Middle Ages.  We then reviewed the structure, format and expectations of "Think Aloud Responses" in T-chart form.  Expectations included:

Left side of T-chart:

• 5 quotes with page numbers or  passages paraphrased with page numbers
• reminder to use [ ] for names to replace pronouns  (he, she, it, we, they, us,...)
• for eg.  " [Peter] through the rock at Sir Phillip ...."

Right side of T-chart:

• Responses to the quotes should be directly across from the quotes
• Response expectations: 3-5 sentences each
• What kinds of responses:  looking for connections, questions, and comments
• Connections:  Text to self, Text to text, Text to world
• Questions - looking for higher level questions (more on this tomorrow)
• Comments:  offer opinions or other comments that you explain and justify

Why?  (Learning Intentions)

To revisit how to respond to literature and make our thinking visible.  This helps to clarify comprehension as well as showcase other skills like predicting.  Using specific quotes forces the readers to examine passages closely and make very specific connections.  This is the beginning of being able to use quotes to support your thinking in future writing (e.g. essays)

Homework Reminders (What is the homework)?

Read chapter 1 of There Will Be Wolves  and complete your Think Aloud Response Chart.  Please do not read ahead.  If these are done well - then we will not do a lot of them.

***If you did not finish your Semester 1 Reflections and Goal Setting you need to attend flex on Tuesday at 11:10 ***

Homework Tips: (How to do well, hints from the teacher, connected to the learning outcomes/why)

Don't forget to:

• Include title, date, name 
• use a ruler
• include page numbers 

Review expectations above or look back at your earlier responses from semester one to remind yourself of the expectations.  There should be a difference between your first responses on short stories and the responses you will be writing here.