1. September 30, 2010 “The Best Gift...”Organization Day 5 Does the title make sense by the end of the story? Read what you wrote yesterday. Delete all of the writing after “What were you thinking?” Rewrite the ending to match the title. Find a partner and listen to his/her new ending. Write a critique of your partner’s ending in his/her notebook. What makes it better? Is it better? What else could your partner do? Does the title make sense by the end of the story? Read what you wrote yesterday. Delete all of the writing after “What were you thinking?” Rewrite the ending to match the title. Find a partner and listen to his/her new ending. Write a critique of your partner’s ending in his/her notebook. What makes it better? Is it better? What else could your partner do?

2. Four words were all it took. “I’ll never wear this.” Eight words if you count, “What were you thinking?” As I said these words I saw my mother’s expression change from anticipation to frustration. She responded, “Well, I guess this means we’ll have to return the plaid boots we also got you. You know this is the first time you’ve expressed any opinion about your clothes?” Then she smiled, and I knew everything was OK.

3. Student Goals Generate a list of traits for Tom, the main character of “The Contents of the Dead Man’s Pockets.” Identify both denotative and connotative meaning for Tom’s traits. Write a paragraph using Tom’s traits and their connotative meaning. – Reveal personal attitude by choosing words carefully. Generate a list of traits for Tom, the main character of “The Contents of the Dead Man’s Pockets.” Identify both denotative and connotative meaning for Tom’s traits. Write a paragraph using Tom’s traits and their connotative meaning. – Reveal personal attitude by choosing words carefully.

4. List as many words to describe Tom as you can Tenacious Focused Obsessed Persistent, stubborn To be concentrated on an idea or problem Occupied intensely or abnormally

5. Synonym 1 Synonym 2 Now think about how these words are different. What are some differences in their definitions? What are some differences in their definitions? What are some differences in the situations you might use the words for ? What are some differences in the situations you might use the words for ? What are some differences in connotative meaning? What are some differences in connotative meaning? Next, draw some images under each word that match the connotative meaning of the word. Repeat this process with two more sets of synonyms.

6. Tenacious Focused Persistent, stubborn Concentrated on an idea or problem I’d use this word when I was talking about figuring something out, solving a problem. I would use this word to describe someone who just wouldn’t give up, kept working towards a goal without accepting defeat ever.

7. Look at the t-chart you just made. Circle three words you believe best describe Tom. What do you notice about the words you circled? Jot down anything you notice. Circle three words you believe best describe Tom. What do you notice about the words you circled? Jot down anything you notice.

8. How do you feel about Tom? You are allowed to be honest about how you feel. What are your reasons for feeling this way? You need at least two reasons. You are allowed to be honest about how you feel. What are your reasons for feeling this way? You need at least two reasons.

9. How do you feel about Tom? Write a sentence that clearly states how you feel about Tom. Think about the words you picked to describe him. – What do those words say about him as a person? Write a sentence that clearly states how you feel about Tom. Think about the words you picked to describe him. – What do those words say about him as a person?

10. Tom Benecke, the main character of “The Contents of the Dead Man’s Pockets,” is a young man who doesn’t realize what is most important in his life.

11. Tom Benecke, the main character of “The Contents of the Dead Man’s Pockets,” is

12. How do I prove it? What did he do in the story that proves this trait? Tenacious Determined Daring

13. How can I end this paragraph? What, if anything, has Tom learned? Has he changed his views or attitude? – How do you know? Are any of the traits you chose related to his metamorphosis? What, if anything, has Tom learned? Has he changed his views or attitude? – How do you know? Are any of the traits you chose related to his metamorphosis?

14. Homework Week 5, Countdown for Testing, due Mon., Oct. 4. Rough draft of paragraph. Exit Ticket: How much of your rough draft do you need to complete tonight? What have you had difficulty with?