Sixth Grade Language Arts

Convince/Persuade other students why your novel is a must read. What makes it captivating? Enthralling? Why should others HAVE to read it?

Reference the Voice Rubric to compose a blog that “Exceeds” all expectations. Make me BELIEVE you! Make me ANXIOUSLY WANT to read the novel!

Meets Example:

When was the last time you read a heart-breaking shipwreck novel about six stranded children? Never? Well, your luck is about to change.

This is no ordinary novel one happens upon at the Honorback rack. It is THE adventurous, laugh-out-loud, stand-up and clap novel with roaring Pacific waves, rotten-no-good first mates, exploding sailboat engines, and weird hydration hallucinations. Entertaining the whole way through, each page will leave you hooked and wanting to read more! It’s addictive!

So, will these six unfortunate kids make it to land? Or even better, survive? You got to read Island to discover the answers. Then thank me later for the awesome recommendation.

Choose ONE of the following questions to answer. Be sure your thoughts/ideas are: clear, concise, descriptive, and organized.

1. Lonnie writes about sometimes going to the drugstore to smell the honeysuckle talc powder as it reminds him of his mother. Choose one person in your life and explain what scent reminds you of him/her.

2. Locomotion is a novel in verse and is made up of 60 poems. What makes a poem?

3. Though Lonnie doesn’t live with his sister anymore, he often writes about her. His words show he is a devoted and kind brother who feels great sadness because he misses her. Explain what kind of brother/sister/cousin/son/daughter you are to your family members.

Pretend you are the author sitting in a conference with the publishing company. Convince them WHY your novel NEEDS a sequel. What will the storyline be for this new novel of yours? What escapades/shenanigans will the protagonist experience now?

Write a short note to the protagonist commenting about his/her life as revealed at the start of the novel. Be descriptive by using details from the book.

Example: Hey April. I’m SOOO relieved you ceased wearing those fake eyelashes as you looked RIDICULOUS! Next, you HAVE to do something about your bouffant hairstyle. Don’t act like a thirty-something when you’re only 11. I’m actually embarrassed for you. Anyway, I’m glad to see you were able to make friends with Melanie. Both of your imaginations are unbelievably crazy! I’m in awe of all that your minds can conjure. And just a warning to be careful of that murderer (I think it’s the janitor). Stay in a group and don’t get caught alone…ever!

Pretend you are a review critic. Write a comment to the author explaining how you felt after reading his/her novel. (i.e. “World’s Best Novel”; “pages should be recycled”)

What is it about this novel that makes you keep reading? How does it capture your attention? Be specific. (i.e. imagery, suspense, colorful characters)

Explain why you chose this novel. Why did it stand-out to you? What makes it worth reading? Why is this novel THE ONE?

Convince other students why your novel is a must read. What makes it captivating? Enthralling? Why should others HAVE to read it?

Compose one paragraph to include the name and description of the protagonist, and inciting incident. In a second paragraph, predict what will happen next to the protagonist. Submit your detailed paragraphs for “moderation.” If approved, your blog will be posted. If not, an email will be sent to your KS Webmail informing you of the required revisions/corrections/additions and new due date.

Blogs received after the due date — 1/14 periods 3 & 5 and 1/15 periods 2 & 8 — will receive an “Oops! Missing” stamp.

Answer one of the questions below. Periods 3 & 5, submit your comment by 3 p.m. on 12/12/07. Periods 2 & 8, your comment is due by 3 p.m. on 12/13/07 . Once comments have been submitted for moderation, it will be graded using the blog rubric; there will be NO REVISING! Therefore, thoroughly think through your answer and submit a detailed response.

Blogs submitted after the due date and time will receive an “Oops…Missing!” stamp.

1. What is the accident? How do terms like “freak accident” or “didn’t mean it to happen” describe the accident?

2. In Devoured, what do the grasshoppers symbolize?

3. In Blame, what does “under their words a finger pointed” mean?

4. Describe Billie Jo’s birthday. What is the scene like? What does she do to brighten her otherwise bleak day?

5. Why does Billie Jo include Kilauea as one of her diary entries? What’s significant about the poem?

6. Choose one word to summarize the novel thus far. What is it and why?

7. How might this novel be considered historical fiction?