Activity One - How Reading Makes Us More Human
Read and take active reading notes (in your PSL notebook) on Karen Swallow Prior's 2013 article, "How Reading Makes Us More Human."
REMINDER - Sample Active Reading Note Strategy
- Read the text for familiarity.
- Respond to the text by summarizing the three (3) most important points, asking two (2) questions of the text/author/concept, and making one (1) connection to the world around you.
Activity Two - Inclusive Communities Book Project
Choosing your Book
There will be a brief "book fair" in class on Wednesday, April 4th where we highlight of each of the books below. You will also have the chance to explore reviews on the various books in order to help you choose what you want to read. You should have your book in your possession (and begin reading) this weekend, and need to bring the book the class beginning next week.
Butter Erin Jade Lange
Carry On Lisa Fenn
curious incident of the dog in the night-time - Mark Haddon
House Rules - Jodi Piccoult
Last Night I Sang to the Monster - Benjamin Alire Saenz
Marcelo in the Real World - Francisco X. Stork
Me Before You - JoJo Moyes
The Running Dream - Wendelin Van Draanen
Thinking in Pictures - Temple Grandin
Getting your Book
For those of you choosing to read Haddon's curious incident of the dog in the night-time, PSL has a full class set so you can see either Mrs. Trentanelli or Mr. Soeder to obtain a copy. The PHS Media Center has limited copies of the remaining texts, including many that are available on Media Center Nooks. You may also purchase a copy of the text from a local book store, or online at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
Reading Journals (Formative Assessment)
To help prepare for your book conference, you are to complete three (3) journal entries in the full length texts (middle) section of your PSL Notebook. Your journals can capture your initial reactions to the text, elements of the conference questions you want to explore, connections you draw between your own experiences/understandings and the characters in the text. It is a chance for you to think deeply about the text so that you are confident and prepare for your upcoming book conferences.
To help prepare for your book conference, you are to complete three (3) journal entries in the full length texts (middle) section of your PSL Notebook. Your journals can capture your initial reactions to the text, elements of the conference questions you want to explore, connections you draw between your own experiences/understandings and the characters in the text. It is a chance for you to think deeply about the text so that you are confident and prepare for your upcoming book conferences.
Book Conference (Summative Assessment)
During the 6th grading period, students will be participating in Collaborative Book Conferences, engaging with each other on a group-selected text. Students are challenged to critically read a book that helps us cultivate empathy, and to share their insights and understandings in a collaborative conversation. While students are welcome to any text-based conversation that addresses the expectations on the Scoring Guide, all students should be prepared to discuss the following:
What is the disability represented in the text? In What ways might the text change your understanding of the disability? In what ways might it reinforce stereotypes? What additional research have you done to better understand the disability? Use specific examples from the text to support your perspective.
How doe the individual, family/friends, school, and community deal with the disability represented in the text? What did they do well? What should have changed? Used specific examples from the text to support your perspective?
What education about the disability is provided within the various communities represented within the text? What education would have helped create a more inclusive environment? As citizens, how might we change this in our own community?
What characters in the text demonstrate empathy? How might this text increase a reader's
The student-led conferences and book clubs will take place beginning Tuesday, April 17th and will take place in the PSL room. After you determine who you ware working with, and select the text you want to read, you may begin to sign up for conferences by clicking HERE.
During the 6th grading period, students will be participating in Collaborative Book Conferences, engaging with each other on a group-selected text. Students are challenged to critically read a book that helps us cultivate empathy, and to share their insights and understandings in a collaborative conversation. While students are welcome to any text-based conversation that addresses the expectations on the Scoring Guide, all students should be prepared to discuss the following:
What is the disability represented in the text? In What ways might the text change your understanding of the disability? In what ways might it reinforce stereotypes? What additional research have you done to better understand the disability? Use specific examples from the text to support your perspective.
How doe the individual, family/friends, school, and community deal with the disability represented in the text? What did they do well? What should have changed? Used specific examples from the text to support your perspective?
What education about the disability is provided within the various communities represented within the text? What education would have helped create a more inclusive environment? As citizens, how might we change this in our own community?
What characters in the text demonstrate empathy? How might this text increase a reader's
The student-led conferences and book clubs will take place beginning Tuesday, April 17th and will take place in the PSL room. After you determine who you ware working with, and select the text you want to read, you may begin to sign up for conferences by clicking HERE.