Looking+for+Alaska+-+reading+tasks

=* All reading tasks must be completed in your Coming of Age notebook. You will receive a grade (Exceeds Expectations, Meets Expectations, Needs Improvement, or Unsatisfactory) for each task.=

**Task 1 - October 13, 2010 - Narrator's Voice**
 * Divide a blank journal page into four equal sections
 * Label each section with the questions/statements below:
 * Describe the narrator using facts and characteristics
 * How does the narrator feel about/talk to/see other characters
 * What conflicts and potential conflicts are present
 * How does the narrator see the world
 * Fill in each square with your analysis and textual support
 * **For full credit: Completed four squares**


 * Task 2 - October 18, 2011 - Setting Significance**
 * As a group, discuss when and where your story takes place
 * Explore the Significance! Why did your author choice this setting for the story? How would the story be different in another setting?
 * Independently, find 5 quotes that reference your **setting's significance**
 * Using the computer, find a image that represents each quote
 * Create a ComicLife showcasing your images and quotes
 * **For Full Credit: Print out ComicLife and put in notebook**

**Homework - October 19, 2011 - Post Discussion Question**

 * Write one discussion question about your novel - focus on Cycle I
 * Use the "Critical Thinking Question Starters" Tab to create your question. Your question must begin with one of the question starters listed. Create a question that will provide an opportunity for class discussion.
 * Post your question under the discussion tab on this page
 * **Post your question with this subject: 10.20 LastName - for example, 10.20 - Wolset**


 * Task 3 - October 20, 2011 - Discussion Day**
 * Answer two of the discussion questions posted by other group members
 * Write responses using a solid, detailed paragraph
 * Use textual support to support your analysis
 * Read through each of the questions and responses to prepare for an oral discussion
 * **Meets Expectations: One discussion question and two solid responses**


 * Task 4 - October 25, 2011 - Vocabulary Day**
 * As a group or individually, start reading the assigned reading for tonight (if you are behind in the reading, you should do this independently)
 * As you read, record ANY word that is unfamiliar to you OR any word that you do not know how to define
 * After each word, write down your hypothesis as to what the word means based upon how it is used in the novel.
 * Then, look up the correct meaning of the word in a dictionary. If the definition is different than your hypothesis, please make the necessary changes in your journal.
 * Once you have done this, choose **five to seven words** you have identified and write a creative, cohesive story (1-2 paragraphs) using these words. This story should NOT be about your novel. Instead, write about anything you like.
 * **Meets Expectation: 1-2 cohesive paragraphs that include 5-7 vocabulary words**


 * Task 5 - October 26, 2011 - Last Words**
 * Think about Pudge's obsession with memorizing famous last words. Why does he do this?
 * Look back throughout the novel and identify one person's last words that YOU find intriguing.
 * Go to discussion tab ON THIS PAGE and respond to the posted blog question.
 * ** Meet Expectations : Thorough, detailed blog response on Wiki.**


 * Task 6 - November 2, 2011 - Discussion Day**
 * Focus on Cycle I and Cycle II or your novel
 * Within your group, discuss the protagonist's coming of age process
 * What stage is the character in? What has happened to the protagonist in each stage thus far?
 * Create a poster showing the coming of age cycle for your protagonist so far. Include specific examples from the novel to explain the stage.
 * **Meets Expectations: Poster showing the protagonist's Coming of Age cycle and examples to support the stages**


 * Task 7 - November 9, 2011 - Mini-Soundtrack**
 * Create a mini-soundtrack for your novel thus far
 * You will find a minimum of THREE songs that relate to your novel thus far
 * One of these songs MUST be about the Coming-of-Age process in your novel
 * One of these songs MUST connect to your protagonist in some way
 * The other song is up to you, but it must connect to your novel in a significant way
 * When you have selected your songs, post on this page under Discussion Tab
 * **Meets Expectations: Wiki post describing significance of three selected songs**

Today you will create a reading task for the other class to complete.
 * Task 8 - November 11, 2011 - Create Your Own Reading Task**
 * First, go back and review the previous reading tasks
 * What skill/concept does the reading task address?
 * Brainstorm with your group ideas for the reading task you will create
 * What skill or concept you will address?
 * What do you want the group to do to show you understanding? (ex: discussion questions, comic life, short writing, comprehension questions)
 * Write-up your reading task and submit to the hand in robot. Remember to be clear and creative!
 * **Meets Expectations: Reading Task that assesses a specific skill or concept. The task must be clear and creative!**


 * Period 3 - Task 9 - November 14, 2011 - Characterization**
 * As a group, compare and contrast the characters in the novel before and after Alaska's death. Record your thoughts in your notebook.
 * Individually, pick one of those characters and write a letter to Alaska from the character's point of view. The letter should include what the character wanted to say to her, but never had the chance to say before she died.
 * **Meets Expectations: Letter to Alaska from one character's point-of-view**


 * Period 10 - Task 9 - November 14, 2011 - Detective Gadget**

**Looking for Alaska - reading schedule**
 * With your group make a list of 5 clues Pudge and Colonel have found out about Alaska's death
 * Together think of a scenario of why Alaska left freaking out that day and what her intensions were
 * Make a comic life showing the scenario you created
 * **Meets Expectations: One comic life per two people describing what you believe happened to Alaska the night of her death**