Rising Rising Action

Aim: How do we identify the climax in Bodega Dreams?  

Journal Prompt #21: Conflict = Plot
Identify what, in your opinion, is the major conflict in Bodega Dreams and explain why. Don't forget to identify its type as well. (e.g. Person vs Person, Society, Nature, or Self)

Journal Prompt #22: Thanksgiving
Give thanks!

By Monday, you should have read to page 183 of Bodega Dreams.

What's Due

• Thematic Essay (worth 100 points)
• Independent reading projects should be completed.
• Journals will be collected for 2nd marking period grade.

Aim: How do we establish a controlling idea?

Journal Prompt #18: Second Chances
Listen to "Dog Days of Spanish Harlem"

What is your opinion about second chances? Put your thoughts in a well-organized paragraph.


If you missed class, then after you listen, write a reflection on what Ernesto Quinonez is saying about second chances with this story. What evidence in the story supports this? What evidence or details in the story support what you wrote about second chances in your journal? By writing your opinion on second chances, you were establishing a controlling idea.

By now you should have completed the four paragraphs (patches) for your thematic essay: Your introduction in which you establish your controlling idea; two body paragraphs with specific and relevant evidence and analysis from Bodega Dreams that support your controlling idea; and a conclusion in which you link everything you’ve said back to your controlling idea.

Now it’s time to sew together these four paragraphs, revising and editing as needed into one organized and developed thematic essay, due Friday.

By Monday, you should have read to page 171 of Bodega Dreams.

Agenda

I. Journal Prompt #18

II. Mini-lesson: establishing a controlling idea

III. Listen to Podcast

IV. Class Discussion and ra/ta/ta

V. Writing Workshop

VI. Closing

Thematic Essay, Day by Day

Aim: How do we analyze how major themes in Bodega Dreams have been advanced by the complex characters?

Journal Prompt #15: Chino vs. Nazario
On page 103, Nazario says to Chino, "Everyone's a thief. Crime is a matter of access." Do you agree or disagree? Explain.

Writing Workshop: Thematic Essay

            There are at least three ideas or themes that are developing in Bodega Dreams: dreams, loyalty, and change (self-reinvention.) This week you will be writing a thematic essay, paragraph by paragraph. On Friday, you were asked to choose one of these ideas (or any other theme you see developing) and write a reflection on this idea off the top of your head. That paragraph should form the thesis or main idea of the essay you will be writing this week.

            Today, write one body paragraph supporting the thesis you wrote Friday, using specific and relevant evidence from the text. If this means you have to go back to re-write or tweak your original thesis, then by all means do so.

Friday Self-Assessment

Developing Themes in Bodega Dreams

This week you should have read up to p. 107 in Bodega Dreams. Throughout the past two weeks, we’ve been analyzing the complex characters and to a lesser degree the ways in which these characters develop themes or ideas. Below are the English standards that have been addressed through these lessons.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.1 Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.3 Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.) ·

Journal Prompt #14: “Friday Self-Assessment”

Assess your learning for the week. Don’t worry. You will not get a low grade if you feel you have not met the standards. You will, however, get a low grade if you do not put in any effort. Please rate your learning this week next to each of the four standards above. Use this rubric:

4 = Fully understand the concept/skill

3 = Understand most of the concept/skill

2 = Need help in some of the concept/skill

1 = Don’t understand the concept/skill

Please add your remarks/comments below. When this is returned to you, slip it into your journal so that you will get credit for today’s Do Now.

Writing Workshop: Thematic Essay

There are at least three ideas or themes that are developing in Bodega Dreams: Dreams, loyalty, and change (self-reinvention.) Choose one of these ideas (or any other you see developing) and write a reflection on this idea off the top of your head. Just write what your thoughts on this topic in at least one well-organized paragraph without any concern for what the novel has to say about them.

***This paragraph will provide the basis for Writing Workshop next week.

Agenda
I. Do Now
II. Mini-lesson: How do we assess our learning?
III. Ra/ta/ta (Round 2 of Book II)
IV. Workshop
V. Closing

Author vs. Narrator

Aim: What is really motivating the various characters in Bodega Dreams?

Objective: Students will analyze the development of complex characters and theme in Bodega Dreams by listening to a podcast, dramatizing a reading of the novel and completing a 3-2-1 reflection.

Journal Prompt #13: "Bullying"
True or False? The only way to deal with a bully is to smack him or her. Support your answer.

Today we will listen to a story told by Ernesto Quinonez for a radio show called "The Moth"  As you listen to the podcast, analyze what was the underlying motivation of the bully in the story. What was Ernesto Quinonez trying to say with this story? Then as we continue to read Bodega Dreams, consider what he is trying to say through the complex characters in the novel.

Here are some critical questions to consider as you read:

What is really motivating Willie Bodega and why? Why would Sapo kill Salazar? What motivates Sapo and why? How are these developing characters advancing BOTH the plot and theme? What is Ernesto Quinonez trying to say? For today's writing workshop, please complete a 3-2-1 based on today's reading and discussion. Don't forget to respond in complete sentences. Common Core Standards: ·       CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text. ·       CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.3 Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme. Agenda I. Journal II. Mini-lesson: Listening for underlying motivations III. Character analysis presentations IV. Writing Workshop (3-2-1) V. Closing

The Values and Beliefs Underlying the Characters

Aim: How do we analyze the values and beliefs of the various characters in Bodega  Dreams? 

    

Do Now: Journal Prompt #12: "Choose a Character"

Choose one of the characters from Bodega Dreams and explain a choice they have made that you would make differently and why. We've been discussing characters and themes in Bodega Dreams. One developing theme is The American Dream or should we say The Puerto Rican Dream? What exactly are Willie Bodega's dreams and how does this connect to the overall theme or lesson of the novel? Something to think about as we continue to read. By now you should have completed reading Book 1. Working in groups, we are analyzing the characters and making inferences about their values and beliefs. Consider: What does the American Dream look like for your assigned character? Here are some critical questions to contemplate: How does Chino react to Bodega’s viewpoint? How does Chino feel about change and revolutions? Do you agree or disagree? Why? How do the characters’ choices in life define their values and beliefs? How do complex characters develop in a novel and help advance a theme?   Today's Agenda: I. Journal II. Mini-Lesson: How to complete your group's task III. Workshop: Groups complete their analyses IV. Group Presentations V. Progress reports distributed. Standards: ·       CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text. ·       CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.3 Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme. What's due: Questions for Rounds 1 and II 3-2-1 on a day's reading Make an inference worksheet Group character analysis worksheets ***Credos and editing sheets are overdue. *****Always check Engrade for your up to the minute progress in this class.

Heroes and Idealists

Ernesto Quinonez

Aim: How do we analyze Willie Bodega's character in Bodega  Dreams?      

Do Now: Journal Prompt #8: "The End Justifies The Means"

Have you or anyone you know ever done  something bad or illegal because you thought the result would be good for another person or society? (Classic example: Robin Hood.) Explain the circumstances and the motivation. How do you define a hero? Are heroes perfect? Today we will meet Willie Bodega, the title character and hero of our story. As we read, analyze his character and consider these critical questions: How does Chino feel about Bodega? How do you connect to Bodega? What are Bodega’s dreams? How do they involve other people? How will Chino’s narration influence your interpretation of Bodega's character? What would be Bodega’s credo and why? After the read aloud, you will have a 3-2-1 to complete. Don't forget to turn in your guided reading questions for Rounds 1 and 2. What's due: Credos and editing sheets are overdue. Always check Engrade for your up to the minute progress in this class.