Monday, August 25, 2008 Taking the Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) 520L 1260L 1170L 870L *Why Do I Have to Take This Test AGAIN?!? The purpose of the SRI is to describe what level of text complexity a student can read and comprehend with 75% accuracy, regardless of the student’s initial ability level. *What is the Lexile Scale? The Lexile Framework provides a common scale for matching reader ability and text difficulty. The score range is 100L to 1700L. *What is an SEM? SEM stands for Standard Error of measurement and it indicated to what degree a student’s test score reflects his/her “true ability”. *When have I shown progress? A student has shown change in ability that is not attributable to chance, when their score exceeds his original score by the number of points that represent two (2) SEMs. Below BasicBasicProficientAdvanced 100L-599L600L-999L1000L-1199L1200L-1700L

The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo This novel is about cages – the consequences of escape as well as imprisonment. “I know something that’s in a cage,” said Rob, pushing the words past the tightness of his throat. Tuesday, August 26, 2008 PS: PS 1, 8, 17 Objective:** To read & analyze the novel, its characters, themes, symbols, & motifs. ** To compare & contrast characters within the novel. ** To analyze & understand the following themes: friendship, conflict, trust, feelings Bellwork: Did you pick up your handout? Assignment: Introduce novel Hand out book assignment (due 9/5) Complete vocabulary for Chapters 1-6 Read 1-6 aloud in class

Wednesday, August 27, 2008 PS: PS 1, 8, 17 Objective:** To read & analyze the novel, its characters, themes, symbols, & motifs. ** To compare & contrast characters within the novel. ** To analyze & understand the following themes: friendship, conflict, trust, feelings Bellwork: Did you pick up your handout? Assignment: Complete vocabulary for Chapters 7-12 Handout: Rob’s suitcase Discussion: Symbolism Read 7-12 silently in class (pp ) symbolism - Something that on the surface is its literal self but which also has another meaning or even several meanings. For example, a sword may be a sword and also symbolize justice. A symbol may be said to embody an idea. There are two general types of symbols: universal symbols that embody universally recognizable meanings wherever used, such as light to symbolize knowledge, a skull to symbolize death, etc., and constructed symbols that are given symbolic meaning by the way an author uses them in a literary work, as the tiger becomes a symbol of the feelings and dreams that Rob has kept down for so long.

Thursday, August 28, 2008 PS: PS 1, 8, 17 Objective:** To read & analyze the novel, its characters, themes, symbols, & motifs. ** To compare & contrast characters within the novel. ** To analyze & understand the following themes: friendship, conflict, trust, feelings Bellwork: Did you pick up your handout? Assignment: Vocabulary - Chapters Handout - Sistine’s First Day Read silently in class (pp ) I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. Michelangelo Michelangelo

Friday, August 29, 2008 PS: PS 1, 8, 17 Objective:** To read & analyze the novel, its characters, themes, symbols, & motifs. ** To compare & contrast characters within the novel. ** To analyze & understand the following themes: friendship, conflict, trust, feelings Bellwork: Did you pick up your handout? Assignment: Vocabulary - Chapters Handout - It’s Not Just A Tiger Read – silently in class (pp ) HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND NO SCHOOL MONDAY!!!

Friday August 29, 2008 Objective:** To read & analyze the novel, its characters, themes, symbols, & motifs. ** To compare & contrast characters within the novel. ** To analyze & understand the following themes: friendship, conflict, trust, feelings Assignment: Vocabulary - Chapters Handout –Vocabulary Handouts Read – silently in class (pp ) PS: PS 1, 8, 17 Bellwork: Did you pick up your handout?

Tuesday September 2, 2008 Objective:** To read & analyze the novel, its characters, themes, symbols, & motifs. ** To compare & contrast characters within the novel. ** To analyze & understand the following themes: friendship, conflict, trust, feelings Assignment: Book Discussion Vocabulary Review Begin writing the 5-Paragraph Essay PS: PS 1, 8, 17 Bellwork: Did you pick up your handout? Writing Domains: Imaginative/Narrative: To tell what happens, real or imaginary. Put in time sequence. Analytical/Expository/Persuasive: To explain, analyze, or persuade. Sensory/Descriptive: To describe in vivid sensory detail; express individual feelings. Practical/Informative: To present information clearly.

Wednesday September 3, 2008 PS: PS 1, 8, 17 Objective:** To read & analyze the novel, its characters, themes, symbols, & motifs. ** To compare & contrast characters within the novel. ** To analyze & understand the following themes: friendship, conflict, trust, feelings Bellwork: Did you pick up your handout? Assignment: WORKDAY HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND NO SCHOOL MONDAY!!! THE WRITING PROCESS

Thursday September 4, 2008 PS: PS 1, 8, 17 Objective:** To read & analyze the novel, its characters, themes, symbols, & motifs. ** To compare & contrast characters within the novel. ** To analyze & understand the following themes: friendship, conflict, trust, feelings Bellwork: Did you pick up your handout? Assignment: WORKDAY HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND NO SCHOOL MONDAY!!! THE WRITING PROCESS

Friday September 5, 2008 HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND NO SCHOOL MONDAY!!! THE WRITING PROCESS PS: PS 1, 8, 17 Objective:** To read & analyze the novel, its characters, themes, symbols, & motifs. ** To compare & contrast characters within the novel. ** To analyze & understand the following themes: friendship, conflict, trust, feelings Bellwork: Did you pick up your handout? Assignment: Turn in ALL of your work today!! The Tiger Rising Unit Exam