1. Warm up, 9/19
Please clear your desk of everything except for a writing utensil, your book, and a ½ sheet of paper (share one with a neighbor).
You will be taking a reading quiz on the first chapter of The Things They Carried. You may use your book to help you, but will have 5 minutes to complete the quiz. Title the paper “TTTC Quiz 1” and be sure to write your name on it. Also, please write in complete sentences.

2. Reading Quiz

3. Learning Targets
To assess comprehension of the first reading assignment.
To craft provocative and thoughtful discussion questions.
To participate in a class discussion about our first reading assignment.

4. The Things They Carried - notes
Discussion – What did you add to the list you began to compile under each category?
Diction choice (what the characters say)
Imagery (what the writer intends for its reader to see in his/her mind)
Syntax (how the words are arranged in the sentences)

5. Vocabulary
What vocabulary terms are on your list?

6. Discussion – Chapter 1 Get into groups of three.
Step One - Each group must create three types of questions (3-5 minutes):
Text Explicit – A question that can be answered by looking directly in the text.
Text Implicit – A question that is based in the text and requires inference.
Script Implicit – A question that connects subject matter from the text to real life.

7. Discussion Step Two – Discussion (15-20 minutes) Grading Policy
All students start with a 70% for the day.
For each positive and helpful addition to the class discussion (that’s either answering a question or offering one), you earn 10%.
Any students who elect not to participate but listen along instead earn a 70%.
For every disruptive action (talking, not waiting one’s turn, etc.), points are deducted as is appropriate to the offense.

8. Homework Other criteria: It must be 10 lines long
Write a poem about what YOU carry. You must utilize the components of O’Brien’s style (imagery, diction, syntax).
Other criteria:
It must be 10 lines long
Use the SIFT reference sheet as a guide for yourself: include and identify at least one symbol, image (from the five senses), use of figurative language, and an established tone.

9. Model Poem As I enter the building, I carry with me my maroon bag.
In it lies notes from various students, pens, notes to myself, and a drawing from my daughter.
I carry my body, or, it carries me, as I become older but stronger every year.
I carry both experience and newness into this high school.
I carry rubber bands, a stapler, paper clips, and a planner to keep it all together.
I carry the persistent fear that I've forgotten something.
I carry my phone in case of an emergency.
I carry the weight of leaving my babes, and gratitude for my husband's help.
I carry books, and a love of reading that I hope is infectious.
I carry love for my students, and a desire to reach each one of them in some small way.
To teach each one of them in, at least, some small way.
I carry high expectations, a syllabus, a sense of humor, and a war story to share.