Plot

I love teaching the Elements of Literature! I think it's vital to students understanding what it takes to make a good story (long or short) so they are able to add it to their own stories. Today we expanded from Monday's foldable for PLOT. See the EofLit foldable.

We created a page for the basic steps of PLOT:

• PLOT: sequence of events, cause/effect, conflict, relationships. *the storyline*

1. EXPOSITION: meet the characters; learn about the setting (time & place; where/when); conflict/problem is introduced
2. RISING ACTION: conflict(s) develop; suspense builds
3. CLIMAX: turning point; character faces conflict; main character's attitude changes
4. FALLING ACTION: loose ends are tied up; conflict(s) are being solved
5. RESOLUTION: reasonable ending; conflict is "resolved" (taken care of

Using the idea for Dinah Zike's "Layered Notebook Foldable, I created a 4"x6" box with a 1/2" border at the top. I was able to fit two on each page then photo-copied them onto six different colors (I chose "fall" colors...you can choose anything!). Each page supplied two students with boxes; I had them cut them out on the solid black lines. Then, I had them write the above terms and definitions on their papers (one on each paper for a total of six.) NOTE: I created an "Anchor Chart" of the basic page and had that on my whiteboard. I made copies of each page on an 8-1/2"x11" sheet of paper in the colors I wanted them to use and showed them how to layer them using magnets. I LOVED the Anchor Chart idea! {it was fun writing REALLY big! :) }Then we glued them in the Interactive Notebook, dated and titled it, then added it to the Table of Contents. All in all, I'd say it went well. It took about 30 minutes to complete (less if they focuses...more if they talked...). 

Anchor Chart and notes at the beginning of class.

What it looked like by the end of class.

Sample in the Interactive Notebook.

Sample page layout.

One-tab Layered Masters

Elements of Literature

I used a combination of ideas from "The Mouth," Dinah Zike's Foldables, and my own experience to create the foldables which cover Elements of Literature. I had the luxury of using a color printer and Word clip-art to create mine; I gave the students a copy of the two pages and gave them instructions to cut them out, fold the edges, glue the outside edges in the notebook, cut up the center line as well as the two horizontal lines (making sure they don't cut into the solid horizontal line). Then, they drew pictures (I let them copy mine) and colored them...illustrations and coloring are MANDATORY! That took one day...

 After they are cut, you'll have four little windows/doors. I created anchor charts on 11" x 17" paper of what should be written under the windows/doors. I taped the anchor charts up around the room and had them move from chart to chart writing the information. (NOTE: I tried to upload a PDF of these documents but couldn't figure out how...:( )

Blah...blah...blah...title...blah...date...blah...Table of Contents. You know the drill...

UPDATE: After some research, I think I've figured out how to upload a PDF of the files! Click on the links below:
Elements of Literature foldables
Elements of Literature Anchor Chart

Reference Pages

I have my students proofread others' papers throughout the year using Proofreading Marks. I created this chart years ago with the basics. Again, I printed it out with a page border for them to cut around. Then they slapped at into their notebooks, titled and dated it, then entered it into the Table of Contents.

In one of the AP classes I attended this summer, we talked about reading expository/informational text and interacting with it. We were given a handout showing different ways to annotate texts; I thought it was really handy and a great reference tool for our Interactive Notebooks!

The link listed at the bottom of this handout out can be found HERE. If you can't find it there, I'd suggest searching with the title of the handout. 

Year-long Theme: HEROES

I'm sure most schools across the country are experiencing the same problems with bullying we are here in Utah. I. HATE. IT!! I've seen kids in tears because of something that was said to them in the halls, in a text or note, on Facebook, etc. I've even known some of these kids to attempt or commit suicide because of it. It breaks my heart!!

So...I decided I want to have a "Year-long Theme" of HEROES! I'm not into the whole "SUPER-HERO" thing like some teachers in my school are...

I prefer to look at a "HERO" as a normal, everyday kind of person like I am! I believe 

EVERY.

SINGLE.

PERSON.

CAN BE

SOMEONE'S

HERO!!!

I believe this is accomplished by doing something small which can mean the world to someone in a time of need:

• Say "HI!"
• Help pick up a notebook that's been dropped
• Sit with someone who is alone at the lunch table
• Open a door
• Loan someone a pencil
• Buy someone's lunch
• etc.

The possibilities are ENDLESS!!! 

So...for the introduction to the theme, I created a guide which each student glued onto pages 10 & 11. I created it in a Word document with a table...four columns. Each sheet of paper served two students. They cut out the strips, glued them in, then answered the questions during my instruction. It was COOL!!!

We'll be referring to this throughout the year.

MLA Format

Our English department teaches the MLA format for written and computer-generated documents. I wanted them to have a resource for this format so I don't have to tell them every single time we do an assignment! So...page 9 becomes that visual.

I have an obsession with Post-it notes! (My daughter thinks I should be admitted to a rehab center of some sort!) So, mine has Post-it notes I cut down to the desired size and stuck in my example. I had the kids pretend they had Post-its (some actually had some in their binders...) and write the important information.

Don't forget to date the day it's done, title it, and put it in the Table of Contents.

NOTE: I found this as an "Anchor Chart" on Pintrest. Not positive where I got it but I sure loved it! Thank you Pintrest!! :)