One for the Murphys Response Journal

One for the Murphys Reading Response Journal

Click on our blogroll to view 5th grader's online response journals. 

Check back daily.  As they add entries, their journals will automatically update online.

Signposts: Aha Moment

Aha Moment

When you're reading and suddenly a character realizes, understand, or finally figures something out. You should always stop and ask yourself: 

"How might this change things?"

If the character figured out a problem, you probably just learned the conflict.
If the character understood a life lesson you probably just learned the theme.

Let's Practice

Listen and read along with this online version of Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelle

• Stop and ask yourself, "How might this change things?" 
• How does your answer to the question help you determine the conflict or theme?

Signposts: Contrast/Contradiction

Contrasts and Contradictions

When you're reading and a character says or does something that's opposite what he has been saying or doing all along.  You should always stop and ask yourself: 

"Why is the character doing that?"

The prediction could help you make a prediction or make an inference about the plot and conflict.

Let's Practice

Read this online version of Cloudy Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett.

• Stop and ask yourself, "Why is the character doing that?" 
• How does your answer to the question help you infer about the plot and conflict.

Read the story Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs from Vararat120

Signposts: Words of the Wiser

Words of the Wiser

When you're reading and a character (who's probably older and wiser) takes the main character aside and gives serious advice.  You should always stop and ask yourself: 

"What's the life lesson and how might it affect the character?"

Whatever the lesson is, you've probably found a theme for the story.

Let's Practice

Listen and read along with this online version of First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg

• Stop and ask yourself, "What's the life lesson and how might it affect the character?" 
• How does your answer to the question help you find the theme?

Signposts: Memory Moment

I Memory Moment

When you're reading and the author interrupts the action to tell you a memory flashback.  You should always stop and ask yourself: 

"Why might this memory be important?"

The answers will tell you about the theme, conflict, or might foreshadow (a hint of the future) what will happen later in the story.

Let's Practice

Listen to the The Wall by Eve Bunting then

• Stop and ask yourself, "Why might this memory be important?" 
• How does your answer to the question help you find the theme, conflict, or foreshadow what will happen later in the story?

Signposts: Tough Questions

Tough Questions

When you're reading and the character asks himself a really difficult question.  You should always stop and ask yourself: 

"What does this question make me wonder about?"

The answers will tell you about the conflict and might give you ideas about what will happen later in the story.

Let's Practice

Listen to Knots on a Counting Rope by Bill Martian Jr..

• Stop and ask yourself, "What does this question make me wonder about?" 
• How does your answer to the question help tell you about the conflict and give you ideas about what will happen later in the story?

Signpost: Again and Again

Again and Again

When you're reading and you notice a word, phrase, object or situation mentioned over and over. You should always stop and ask yourself: 

"Why does this keep showing up again and again?"

The answers will tell you about the theme and conflict, or they might foreshadow (hints of the future) what will happen later.

Let's Practice

Listen and read along with this online version of Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting.

• Stop and ask yourself, "Why does this keep showing up again and again??" 
• How does your answer to the question help you find the theme or conflict?

One for the Murphys Predictions

Turn and Talk

Look at the cover. 

• Can you draw any conclusions about the girl?
• Are there any objects on the cover that you wouldn't expect?
• What do you think they could mean?
• Do you have any predictions about the title?
• Who are the Murphys?

Watch the Book Trailer

• Is there anything you want to add to your prediction?

One for the Murphys Reading Response Journal

One for the Murphys Reading Response Journal

Click on our blogroll to view 5th grader's online response journals. 

Check back daily.  As they add entries, their journals will automatically update online.

GRA 2014

October 6th!

Global Read Aloud

Our class book is...

One For the Murphy's by Lyndy Mullaly Hunt

We're super pumped be connecting with classrooms across the country.   

Check back here daily (Blog List) to read our responses to the book. :0)