Literacy Speaks Volumes

Combining the basic elements of a story A map to a place isn't the place, and your story map is not a story, yet. How do you turn a story map into a bursting-with-life tale? Here are some tips: Making the Plot Move Along A good beginning for a story hooks the reader's attention right away. You might start in the middle of an action--a burglar coming through the window, for example. Or you might describe the dark night and lonely street to set the mood.  In the middle of the story, keep your audience guessing. Make every event open up a possibility, create a surprise, or lead to the high point. What happens when Jowela sees the burglar? Don't let her stop to play a video game! After your strong high point, make sure the ending is satisfying. Solve the problem but alwo tie up any loose ends. If Jowela traps the burglar and the police come, the conflict is over. But don't leave the burglar trapped in the shower stall. Get her out before Jowela an...

How do you make a good impression? In the short story "Seventh Grade" by Gary Soto, Victor and Michael enter seventh grade a little anxiously~maybe with a little trepidation. Their conversation steers itself toward making a good impression on the girls~for Victor there is one girl in particular whom he wants to impress: Theresa.  Michael and Victor each have different ideas on how to impress girls. Like seventh graders everywhere, Victor and Michael are trying to fit in like everyone else. For this lesson I will focus on the Common Core Standard RL (Reading Literature) 7.6 Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text. This story lends itself well to this particular standard because it will be easier for the students to compare and contrast the characters' actions and their development. This lesson will take anywhere from 90 to 120 minutes to teach allowing time for silent reading and writing. Before th...