Article of the Month

Day 1

Introduction to Article of the Month Mini Lesson: How to do a close read Work Time: Begin close read of

article Homework: Finish your close read

of the article.

Today’s Agenda:

A non-fiction current event article Completed (approximately) once a month You will be assessed on:

Your close reading skills (T2T) Reading comprehension Your ability to analyze the article in a written

response. Counts as a separate READING and WRITING

grade.

What is “Article of the Month”?

STEP #1: Make predictions using the title

Write the predictions @ the top of the paper.STEP #2: As you read, talk to the text in the margins:

Questions Comments Reactions Thoughts

STEP #3: Highlight points of confusion: Words you don’t know Confusing concepts/ideas

Example of a close read

How to do a close read:

Homework:

Finish your close read of the article.

Talk to the textHighlight points of confusion

Article of the Month

Day 2

Classroom Grade: Comprehension

Check Small Group Work: Discussion of

article Mini Lesson: How to respond to a

non-fiction article in writing. Homework: Finish written response

Today’s Agenda:

1. Why do you think this article was published in

“Parade,” a pull-out section of the Philadelphia Inquirer?

2. For whom is this article written? Who is meant to read this article? Why?

3. What specific connections were you able to make due to your experiences here at GVMS?

4. Which of these 7 ideas would be able to be implemented at GVMS? Which could not work at GVMS? Why?

5. Can you think of an 8th idea to improve school?

Discussion Questions:

Written Response:

Format: One paragraph responseFocus: Write about THIS article;

use author’s name and the title of the article.

Content: Answer the questionStyle: Write in first person

Written Response:

Organization of ideas: Topic Sentence: Select 1 of 7 ideas from

article Reasons: Explain your position with a

reason Evidence: Support each reason with

evidence from the article AND from personal experience

Concluding Sentence: Wrap up your thoughts about the prompt/article.

Homework:

Complete written response.

Article of the Month

Day 3

Collect Article of the Month Read your written response out loud in a

one-foot voice. Make changes that you feel will improve

your piece. Turn in:

Cover Sheet Article Written Response

Today’s Agenda: