THEME! Connect to your novels

Today's Goal:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.5
Analyze how a particular scene fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the theme

The Plan:

1. Book Fair! (Period 1, 3, 5)
   (Period 4, 6: Visit THIS website - we go to the book fair on Thursday)
2. Theme: Let's revisit
   Please complete THIS form.
3. Powerful Passages: Exploring your book club novel
4. One-Pager Work Time

Theme and Powerful Passages:
Let me be honest: We're trying something that I've never done this week, so it may go well, or it may be really hard for all of us. In any case, we'll all learn something, and in every case, you'll still end up with a closer, more in-depth reading and understanding of some of the ideas in your book club novels.

Today, your job with your book club group is to:

1. List any theme that you and your group believe are the most significant themes present in your novel.
2. Divide into smaller groups or individuals and see if you can find a 1-2 page excerpt/passage that is meaningful and pertinent to each of the themes. 
3. Elect one representative to give Ms. Black their book today.
4. Put a sticky note on each section that your group felt addressed a theme. Write what theme the page addresses on the sticky note.
   Please note: Your peers will be reading these passages, so you want something that your peers can read and understand without having read the whole story. That's hard! I believe in you.

Here are some really really important questions that you can use to guide your thinking:

• How does cultural identity shape your character's personal experiences within their community?
• What important lesson does a character in your novel learn about themselves, their community, or the society they live in?
• What passage teaches readers about a character's identity or culture and how it affects them?

Reminders/Homework:

• Work on your book club one-pager. It's due Friday, or sooner if you finish it.
• Complete revision requests for books that are complete.
• Try out the practice SBAC test on the CAASPP website to get a feel for it: http://www.caaspp.org/practice-and-training/index.html