The Outsiders

We are beginning fourth quarter with The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton! This classic middle school novel will give students a chance to do some close reading (see the Common Core standards) with text that isn't too challenging. There will be a bit more homework for this quarter, and students are expected to bring their own copy of their book back and forth to class each day. These books are theirs to keep, and they are expected to write in them (favorite quotes, important events/quotes, "aha" moments, questions for clarification or wonderings, vocabulary, etc.), or put these ideas on sticky notes throughout the book.

Grades for this unit will be based on group discussions (students cannot participate in group discussions if they have not read the required chapter), comprehension questions, participation in paraphrasing activities and writing prompts. The final assessment will be a writing activity but will be graded on reading comprehension. Approximately one chapter will be assigned per night, with some time to begin each chapter during class time.

Here is the timeline for homework as it stands now (this site will be revised if we get off the schedule):

     4/3 - Chapter 1
     4/4 - Chapter 2
     4/5 - Chapter 3

     4/10 - Chapter 4
     4/11 - Chapter 5
     4/12 - Chapters 6 & 7

     4/16 - Chapter 8
     4/17 - Chapter 9
     4/18 - Chapter 10
     4/19 - Chapters 11 & 12
                                (finish)

As for the first day of each week, we will be working on our Q4 Genius Hour projects - please see the letter home that your child should have showed you - there is also a copy on Edline. Students & parents may look at the LiveBinder for the explanation we'll have in class on 4/2/13. The LiveBinder is here - http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=837375 . Due dates, rubrics, and short examples of what students can do are on this site.