Chapters 17-18 Out of My Mind by Sharon Drapers

After listening to Chapters 17-18 of Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper, think about and respond to the the questions in a blog post. Be sure to use the text to answer your questions :0)

• Why does Melody decide to enter the quiz team competition? 
• What obstacles must she face and overcome just to get on the team? 

 I am looking forward to reading your responses!

TH-5 Sings Figurative Language

We're still working on publishing our figurative language dialogues but here's a fun little piece the kids whipped up after a hard days work of taping dialogues :0)

Chapter 15-16 Out Of My Mind by Sharon Drapers

After listening to Chapters 15-16 of Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper, think about and respond to the the questions below using accountable talk with your partner.   Be sure to use the text to answer your questions :0)

• How does Melody's meditalker change her life, her outlook on life, and her potential?
• Why does she name it Elvira?

                                                   I am looking forward to reading your responses!

Learn more about Steven Hawkings at this website.  Be sure to watch the trailer to Hawkings- Awesome!  http://www.hawking.org.uk/

Analyzing Authors Purpose: Using Figurative Language

Click on the link to Today's Meet.  

http://todaysmeet.com/TH5Figurativelanguage

Today you will answer the following questions in complete sentences:

1.  Why do you think writers use figurative language?
2. How does the use of figurative language affect the reader?

Let's play a game of Jeopardy!  We'll practice identifying figurative language using examples from our read aloud, Out Of My Mind by Sharon Drapers.  Click on the link below to access the game.

http://equizshow.com/play/3670

Your turn, in a new blog post, find and analyze an example of figurative language in either OOMM or in a book you are currently reading.

• Quote the figurative language example and page number where it can be found.  
• Tell what type of figurative language it is (simile, metaphor, ex.) and 
• EXPLAIN what the author means, what effect it has.

Communicating With Our Talking Boards

We just finished Chapter 14 of Out Of Our Mind by Sharon Drapers.   Melody has learned to communicate using her talking board, but is so eager to research other devices, like a computer,  that could help her communicate with others even better.  To better understand how Melody might feel limited, we thought of 10 words we'd like to use on our talking board.  We had to come up with many clever ways to communicate what we needed.  Our room was very quiet, in a way.  We heard more tapping than talking.  Read how the kids felt in their blog posts tomorrow.

Compare and Contrast Media

Watch this inspiring news story about Team Hoyt. What challenges did the Hoyt's overcome? How does what the Hoyt's do inspire other disabled athletes?  How are you amazed?


Watch Charisse's digital narrative about living cerebral palsy. It is a bit lengthy (20 minutes) but it is so wonderful! What questions do you have for Charisse after watching this?

 

Also, here is a photo essay (8 minutes) about Cohen. It's what he wants you to know about Cerebral Palsy. What questions do you have after watching the video?

 


Below is an news broadcast of a young man with cerebral palsy who overcomes an obstacle at a pep rally in his high school. What are you thinking after watching this?




Here is the digital story that Jadee's mom made about her brother, Ryan.  How does Ryan's story compare to Melody's?  How are they different?




 The digital narrative, photo essay, sports interview, and Karen Draper's story Out of My Mind are all different ways to tell a story. How are these stories alike? How are they different?

Using Accountable Talk

Chapter 13 Out Of My Mind by Sharon Drapers

After listening to Chapter 13 of Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper, think about and respond to the the questions below using accountable talk with your partner.   Be sure to use the text to answer your questions :0)

• What does Melody learn about friendship during the trip to the aquarium?
• Make a comparison between Ollie's life, the life of the fish in the aquarium, and Melody's life.

Chapter 11 and 12 Out Of My Mind by Sharon Drapers

After listening to Chapter 11 and 12 of Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper, think about and respond to the the questions below.  Use the text to answer your questions :0)

• How does the inclusion program change Melody's school experiences?   
• Describe both positive and negative results of the program. 
• Describe Melody's deep unrealized need for a friend.

I am looking forward to reading your responses!

Chapter 9 Out Of My Mind by Sharon Drapers

After listening to Chapter 9 and 10 of Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper, use the text to reflect on the thoughts below :0)

• Describe how the introduction of Penny as a character changes the family dynamics.  
• Analyze Melody's complicated feelings about her little sister.

I am looking forward to reading your responses!

Chapter 8 Out of My Mind by Sharon Drapers

After listening to Chapter 8 of Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper, think about and respond to the the questions below.  Use the text to answer your questions :0)

• What is significant about the story of Ollie the fish?  
• How does Ollie's life mirror Melody's?  
• Describe Melody's feelings when she is unable to tell her mother what really happened.

I am looking forward to reading your responses!

Chapter 2 Out Of My Mind by Sharon Drapers

Who is Melody Brooks?

After reading chapter 2, we have learned several character traits of Melody Brooks.  Using the descriptive language in the text as evidence, we created pictures of Melody.  Click on the kids blogs to read a description and view Melody through their interpretation of the text.  Be sure to leave us a comment!

Here is a sneak peek at 3 of our bloggers.  Be sure to visit their pages to comment :0)

http://bossnessbooks.blogspot.com/

http://booksfortweenpeopleandpandas.blogspot.com/

http://lolasbookb.blogspot.com/2013/10/who-is-melody-brooks.html#comment-form

One thing we know about Melody is that she has a photographic memory.  Below are a two sites where you can assess your memory.  Good luck!

http://www.wordgames.com/photographic-memory.html

http://www.photographicmemorygame.com/