7E/7P/8E – Language Arts Lesson – Friday 11/12

Good morning classes.

In today’s lesson you will be completing a reading journal. It will be a review – or second attempt – of the three reading strategies we have covered in the classroom: (1) activating background, (2) inferring, and (3) predicting. You will activate your background knowledge to make a sensible inference and a sensible prediction.

Given that reading is a part of our daily schedule, the assumption is that you have something to read and that you have been reading this week. So, for today, you do not need to read anything for this lesson (you may do so if you wish, but it is not required). Instead, you will complete a reading journal based on what you have already read this week.

Your reading journal should be in the same format as last time. Here is a basic outline of what it should like:

Minimum of one-half page in length

It should include the author and title, and whichever section of the book you are using (ch. 1, or ch. 2, etc.).

It should be neat and organized.

It should include a short section that summarizes key events and states the specific background knowledge you will be using.

It should contain two other short sections, wherein you make a sensible inference and a sensible prediction.

Here follows a brief description/review of the three strategies:

(1) Activating Background Knowledge – what you already know about characters and events in the novel (things that have already happened); using this knowledge to help you better understand what is currently happening.

(2) Inferring – making a guess about what is currently happening. Remember how we used the example of a crying baby – an inference would be that the baby is either hungry or tired (right now/currently).

(3) Predicting – making a guess about what is going to happen next. A prediction using the example of the crying baby – the mother or father will probably come and sooth/comfort the baby (what’s going to happen next).

Good Luck! Feel free to email if you have any questions.