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Author Archives: dibelr
March: Book One
What do you know about the fight for equal rights in America?
In this text, John Lewis reflects back about his life growing up in a segregated country in the 1940s and 1950s, and how he and other people fought to secure equal rights for all.
This is a memoir told through the format of a graphic novel. Throughout the text, Lewis flashes back to earlier in his life. These memories come up as he is waiting to participate in the 2009 inauguration of Barack Obama, America’s first black president.
Before we start to read, listen to Lewis as he looks back on what was known as “Bloody Sunday” in March 1965 when many people marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama.
We’re going to watch a movie about the story of Ruby Bridges. She was the first black student to attend a white school as part of an integration movement that started in 1960.
This is a short video about the bus boycott that started in December 1955.
Imagine Learning
Imagine Learning is a language and literacy program that students can use to learn and review skills. Today, we’ll download it onto our computer, learn how to log in, and have a chance to try it out.
To start, download the app by clicking here.
Poetry Performance
Let’s watch a couple of poetry performances, and think about the poetry as well as how it’s delivered. For each poem, let’s consider these questions:
- What do you notice about this poem?
- What stood out to you about this poem?
- What stood out to you about this performance?
“Teen goes viral with utterly relatable slam poem about popularity”
Leaving My Homeland Project Research
Now that we’ve each chosen a country to write about, we will need to conduct research to find out about the country in order to inform our reader about that country. You will take notes to use in your writing.
Here are some good sources of information:
End-of-Year Reader Survey
Honestly and thoughtfully complete this survey here.
What are some benefits of having a public library in our community?
Monday, June 12 Class:
Today you will continue planning out how to structure your argument about the benefits of public libraries. As you develop your reasons, and think about providing evidence, here are a few more sources you may find useful:
- Community Centered: 23 Reasons Why Your Library Is the Most Important Place in Town
- The Library’s Contribution to the Community
If you are getting stuck thinking about your three reasons, you can refer to the Reasons chart above the pencil sharpener.
Once you have your reasons, you need to think about the specific evidence you will use to support each reason. Use the notes in your Reader’s Notebook, our class notes on the wall, and the links in this blog post to help you.
Monday, May 22 Class:
Listen to Barbara A. McDade, Director, Bangor Public Library ,and James Ritter, Maine State Librarian, discuss the role of libraries. Click here, and scroll to the bottom of the screen to find the Listen button that looks like this:
Take notes in your Reader’s Notebook as you listen.
Thursday, May 18 Class:
Listen to Charlie Bennett, a librarian, talk about the benefits of libraries here. He gives useful information about the history of libraries and the functions of libraries.
Tuesday, May 16 Class:
Spend some time exploring the website of the Portland Public Library here. Think about these questions:
- What kinds of things can you do on the website? How do these things help you?
- What resources and tools are available on the website? How can these resources and tools help people?
- What programs are available to people at the library? How do these programs benefit the community?
Exit Ticket: Why Do People Write?
Before you leave today, think in your head about the different reasons people write, and then note your ideas on the slip of paper you are given.
Queen of Katwe Extended Response
We will use the next few classes to complete our extended response to the text, Queen of Katwe.
Keep in mind our Learning Targets and HOWLs Targets for this work:
Here are the directions:
Your work will be scored on the rubric that we went over together in class. Come see me if you need any help with this assignment.
Queen of Katwe
Check out this documentary about Phiona Mutesi, the protagonist of Queen of Katwe.
