Identifying Reasons – Possible Topic Sentences
Using the questions you just answered about your character, push your thinking to explain why your claim is true. This is separate than the initial evidence you previously found. Each explanation becomes a reason, which could later serve as the topic sentence of each body paragraph.
Text Title: Swim
Claim: Ruthie from the story 'Swim' by Jennifer Weiner learns that sometimes you have to not let what's past affect your future.
My claim is true because in the story 'Swim', Ruthie has a hard past, but when she finally gets through it, she realizes that even though she still has memories of the problems in the past, she has to not let it affect her future.
Reason 1
When Ruthie is reminded about her past, she leaves it behind and doesn't take those memories into her future.
Reason 2
When someone asks her to tell them about her past, she doesn't tell them and doesn't make a big deal of the things that don't matter anymore.
Reason 3
She doesn't take her old memories or places and people into her daily life, she instead focuses on the moment during her day.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
3.14.13- Identifying Reasons: Questions
Identifying Reasons - Questions
Answer the following questions about your character. Use what you know about how he or she acts, speaks to other character, and thinks. You may re-read your text to help you with your responses.
How did people or situations influence the character I’m writing about?
People and situations influence my character when they tell her that she is not able to do the job she wants to do and the job she enjoys. They force her to do a job that she doesn't enjoy, just for the money. But she knows in her heart that she doesn't want to be doing the jobs she is busy working on, she would rather be writing, which is the thing she enjoys working on. They influence her that she shouldn't be doing what she loves, but what she is required to do.
Why does he or she change?
She changes because the people around her don't give her enough opportunities, enough things to do. She would most likely be a very different person if it wasn't for the ways of the world affecting her thoughts and ideas, along with her creative process.
Explain what will continue to hold him or her back?
Other people's opinions and thoughts hold her back, because she is shy, and she's not willing to profess her ideas to everyone. In this way, she only hears other people's ideas and how good they are, and nobody will compliment her or help her with her ways.
Answer the following questions about your character. Use what you know about how he or she acts, speaks to other character, and thinks. You may re-read your text to help you with your responses.
How did people or situations influence the character I’m writing about?
People and situations influence my character when they tell her that she is not able to do the job she wants to do and the job she enjoys. They force her to do a job that she doesn't enjoy, just for the money. But she knows in her heart that she doesn't want to be doing the jobs she is busy working on, she would rather be writing, which is the thing she enjoys working on. They influence her that she shouldn't be doing what she loves, but what she is required to do.
Why does he or she change?
She changes because the people around her don't give her enough opportunities, enough things to do. She would most likely be a very different person if it wasn't for the ways of the world affecting her thoughts and ideas, along with her creative process.
Explain what will continue to hold him or her back?
Other people's opinions and thoughts hold her back, because she is shy, and she's not willing to profess her ideas to everyone. In this way, she only hears other people's ideas and how good they are, and nobody will compliment her or help her with her ways.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
3.13.13- My List of Books Read *I am making a Google Doc for this and Books to read*
MY TO READ HAS NOT CHANGED SINCE LAST WEDNESDAY.
3.13.13 List of Books Read
Number: Title: Author: Genre: Date Completed: E, JR, C:
1 Moving Day by Meg Cabot: Fiction 9/26/12 JR
2 Eleven by Lauren Myracle: Fiction 9/27/12 JR
3 Bridge To Terabithia by Katherine Paterson: Fiction 10/5/12 JR
4 The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages: History 10/10/12 JR
5 Operation Redwood by S. Terrell French: Realistic Fiction 10/12/12 JR/C
6 The Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsberg: Realistic Fiction 10/15/12 JR
7 The Puzzling World of Winston Breen by Eric Berlin: Mystery 10/16/12 JR
8 The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler: Fantasy 10/18/12 E
9 True Stories by Unknown: True Stories 10/19/12 E
10 Ida B by Katherine Hannigan: Realistic Fiction 10/23/12 JR
11 Out of my mind by Sharon Draper: Battle book 10/29/12 JR
12 The Other Half of my heart by Sundee T. Frazier: Battle book 10/30/12 JR
13 The Danger Box by Blue Balliet: Battle book 11/2/12 E
14 The Search for Wondla by Tony DiTerlizzi: Battle book 11/5/12 JR
15 Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus: Battle book 11/6/12 JR
16 Amelia Lost by Candace Fleming: Battle book 11/8/12 JR
17 Trouble Twisters by Garth Nix and Sean Williams: Battle Book 11/13/12 JR
18 Powerless by Matthew Cody: Battle book 11/14/12 JR
19 Touchblue by Cynthia Lord: Battle book 11/15/12 E
20 One day and one amazing morning on orange street by Joanne Rocklin: Battle book 11/16/12 JR
21 My life in pink and green (I reread it twice) by Lisa Greenwald: Social Action 11/23/12 JR
22 Hunger Games Tribute Guide (I reread it a lot) by Unknown: Description 11/30/12 E
23 Out of my mind by Sharon M. Draper: Battle book 12/5/12 JR
24 Rules by Cynthia Lord: Realistic Fiction 12/12/12 JR
25 The Christmas Story by Jean Sheperd: RF 12/19/12 E
26 Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins: Action 12/20/12 JR
27 Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins: Action 1/7/13 JR
28 Hidden by Helen Frost: Poetry/RF 1/9/13 JR
29 McKenna by Mary Casanova: RF 1/10/13 JR
30 McKenna ready to fly! by Mary Casanova: RF 1/13/13 JR
31 The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron: RF 1/29/13 JR
32 Yotsuba by Kiyohiko Azuma: Graphic Novel 1/26/13 E
33 Socks by Beverly Cleary: RF 1/30/13 JR
34 Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvath: RF 2/10/13 JR
35 (Reread for the battle) Amelia Lost by Candace Fleming: Biography 2/13/13 JR
36 The Darlings Are Forever by Melissa Kantor: RF 2/22/13 JR
37 Invisible I (The Amanda Project; Book 1) by Melissa Kantor: Mystery/RF 2/26/13 JR
38 Swim by Jennifer Weiner : RF 3/13/13 JR
39 The next best thing by Jennifer Weiner: RF Reading
3.13.13 List of Books Read
Number: Title: Author: Genre: Date Completed: E, JR, C:
1 Moving Day by Meg Cabot: Fiction 9/26/12 JR
2 Eleven by Lauren Myracle: Fiction 9/27/12 JR
3 Bridge To Terabithia by Katherine Paterson: Fiction 10/5/12 JR
4 The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages: History 10/10/12 JR
5 Operation Redwood by S. Terrell French: Realistic Fiction 10/12/12 JR/C
6 The Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsberg: Realistic Fiction 10/15/12 JR
7 The Puzzling World of Winston Breen by Eric Berlin: Mystery 10/16/12 JR
8 The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler: Fantasy 10/18/12 E
9 True Stories by Unknown: True Stories 10/19/12 E
10 Ida B by Katherine Hannigan: Realistic Fiction 10/23/12 JR
11 Out of my mind by Sharon Draper: Battle book 10/29/12 JR
12 The Other Half of my heart by Sundee T. Frazier: Battle book 10/30/12 JR
13 The Danger Box by Blue Balliet: Battle book 11/2/12 E
14 The Search for Wondla by Tony DiTerlizzi: Battle book 11/5/12 JR
15 Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus: Battle book 11/6/12 JR
16 Amelia Lost by Candace Fleming: Battle book 11/8/12 JR
17 Trouble Twisters by Garth Nix and Sean Williams: Battle Book 11/13/12 JR
18 Powerless by Matthew Cody: Battle book 11/14/12 JR
19 Touchblue by Cynthia Lord: Battle book 11/15/12 E
20 One day and one amazing morning on orange street by Joanne Rocklin: Battle book 11/16/12 JR
21 My life in pink and green (I reread it twice) by Lisa Greenwald: Social Action 11/23/12 JR
22 Hunger Games Tribute Guide (I reread it a lot) by Unknown: Description 11/30/12 E
23 Out of my mind by Sharon M. Draper: Battle book 12/5/12 JR
24 Rules by Cynthia Lord: Realistic Fiction 12/12/12 JR
25 The Christmas Story by Jean Sheperd: RF 12/19/12 E
26 Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins: Action 12/20/12 JR
27 Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins: Action 1/7/13 JR
28 Hidden by Helen Frost: Poetry/RF 1/9/13 JR
29 McKenna by Mary Casanova: RF 1/10/13 JR
30 McKenna ready to fly! by Mary Casanova: RF 1/13/13 JR
31 The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron: RF 1/29/13 JR
32 Yotsuba by Kiyohiko Azuma: Graphic Novel 1/26/13 E
33 Socks by Beverly Cleary: RF 1/30/13 JR
34 Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvath: RF 2/10/13 JR
35 (Reread for the battle) Amelia Lost by Candace Fleming: Biography 2/13/13 JR
36 The Darlings Are Forever by Melissa Kantor: RF 2/22/13 JR
37 Invisible I (The Amanda Project; Book 1) by Melissa Kantor: Mystery/RF 2/26/13 JR
38 Swim by Jennifer Weiner : RF 3/13/13 JR
39 The next best thing by Jennifer Weiner: RF Reading
3.13.13- Reading Goals
Date 3/13/13
First Name: Helen
Last Name: Devine
How many pages per day am I averaging? About 25
How many books per week am I averaging? 1 or 2 (depends the length of the book)
How many books per month am I averaging? About 8
New Goals
My new pages per day goal is: 25-30
My new books per week goal is: 2
My new books per month goal is: 8
The title of the book I am currently reading is The Next Best Thing by Jennifer Weiner.
Date 3/6/13
*My Reading Goals have not changed. I am still also reading Swim by Jennifer Weiner.*
First Name: Helen
Last Name: Devine
How many pages per day am I averaging? About 25
How many books per week am I averaging? 1 or 2 (depends the length of the book)
How many books per month am I averaging? About 8
New Goals
My new pages per day goal is: 25-30
My new books per week goal is: 2
My new books per month goal is: 8
The title of the book I am currently reading is The Next Best Thing by Jennifer Weiner.
Date 3/6/13
*My Reading Goals have not changed. I am still also reading Swim by Jennifer Weiner.*
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
3.12.13- Collecting Evidence
Collecting Evidence
Re-read to find textual evidence to help prove your claim.
Claim: Ruthie from the story 'Swim' by Jennifer Weiner learns that sometimes you have to not let what's past affect your future.
DIRECT QUOTE(S)
Pg. 65
-“What about the movie you were writing?”
I sighed. “I think I lost my inspiration.”
KEY WORDS
Pg. 55
-'Sighed'
-'Winced'
KEY EVENTS
Pg. 78
-Her ex calls her offering a job, but she lets the past go and doesn't take it.
Re-read to find textual evidence to help prove your claim.
Claim: Ruthie from the story 'Swim' by Jennifer Weiner learns that sometimes you have to not let what's past affect your future.
DIRECT QUOTE(S)
Pg. 65
-“What about the movie you were writing?”
I sighed. “I think I lost my inspiration.”
KEY WORDS
Pg. 55
-'Sighed'
-'Winced'
KEY EVENTS
Pg. 78
-Her ex calls her offering a job, but she lets the past go and doesn't take it.
Monday, March 11, 2013
3.11.13- Home
I'm at home. So... I'm writing for five minutes! Hooray!
So... Daylight savings time. How about no.
I don't like daylights saving time, if you haven't caught it. I mean, what it really is is pushing everyone FORWARD a hour. So really, when you get up at 6:00 AM, you're really getting up at 5:00 AM.
Or something like that.
It just makes me tired, and plus all the clocks have to be changed (well not all, but some) so for some reason people don't change them and it always catches me off guard cause the time is different in different places...
Oh well...
I have a math and Spanish test tomorrow... But they're really easy so I think I'll do good!! Plus the Spanish test is short and we've been studying for the math test forever!
Bye now!!
-Helen
So... Daylight savings time. How about no.
I don't like daylights saving time, if you haven't caught it. I mean, what it really is is pushing everyone FORWARD a hour. So really, when you get up at 6:00 AM, you're really getting up at 5:00 AM.
Or something like that.
It just makes me tired, and plus all the clocks have to be changed (well not all, but some) so for some reason people don't change them and it always catches me off guard cause the time is different in different places...
Oh well...
I have a math and Spanish test tomorrow... But they're really easy so I think I'll do good!! Plus the Spanish test is short and we've been studying for the math test forever!
Bye now!!
-Helen
3.11.13- Theory About Characters (cont.)
FINDING SUPPORT FOR THEORIES
Independently, select two or three theories you created about the main character in your own text that you feel you can find support from multiple places in the text. Keep track of your findings in the chart below. You may bullet-point your evidence (you will elaborate on the evidence at another time).
Theory about Character
Theory #1: Ruth (the character) argues with many people about many things because she feels that if she does not, people might view her as different or weaker.
Evidence from Text:
- “She pushed herself off her chair and drew herself up to her full height, giving the dragon embroidered across her chest a fond pat before she started talking." (DQ)
- "I expected my grandmother's eyes to light up, but she gave me a stern glare." (Summary)
- “Her cheeks were flushed underneath the rouge, and a vein in her neck was fluttering.” (DQ)
Theory #2: She pretends to be unfazed, but inside she is hiding her feelings.
Evidence from Text:
- ""I don’t know.” I wiped my eyes. “People surprise me sometimes.”" (DQ)
- “Halfway through the story I started to cry." (DQ)
- “My voice cracked on the last word.” (DQ)
Theory #3: She has very high expectations.
Evidence from Text:
- "I stared at the message for a while. I didn't think he was being honest with me." (Summary)
- "Oh god, I thought. Don't do that!" (Summary)
- "the thing about this is that it definitely needs work." (Summary)
Independently, select two or three theories you created about the main character in your own text that you feel you can find support from multiple places in the text. Keep track of your findings in the chart below. You may bullet-point your evidence (you will elaborate on the evidence at another time).
Theory about Character
Theory #1: Ruth (the character) argues with many people about many things because she feels that if she does not, people might view her as different or weaker.
Evidence from Text:
- “She pushed herself off her chair and drew herself up to her full height, giving the dragon embroidered across her chest a fond pat before she started talking." (DQ)
- "I expected my grandmother's eyes to light up, but she gave me a stern glare." (Summary)
- “Her cheeks were flushed underneath the rouge, and a vein in her neck was fluttering.” (DQ)
Theory #2: She pretends to be unfazed, but inside she is hiding her feelings.
Evidence from Text:
- ""I don’t know.” I wiped my eyes. “People surprise me sometimes.”" (DQ)
- “Halfway through the story I started to cry." (DQ)
- “My voice cracked on the last word.” (DQ)
Theory #3: She has very high expectations.
Evidence from Text:
- "I stared at the message for a while. I didn't think he was being honest with me." (Summary)
- "Oh god, I thought. Don't do that!" (Summary)
- "the thing about this is that it definitely needs work." (Summary)
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