Teaching Response to Literature:

Grades 4-6 4December 2, 2008

Welcome
Introductions Housekeeping Sign-in and timecards Evaluations

NORMS
We will: Begin and end on time. Work as a collaborative team. Participate in discussions. Listen to others and limit side conversations. Stay on topic.

What will I learn today?

How will I show I have learned?

The characteristics and structure of a response to literature essay.

By identifying relevant grade-level standards and writing rubric elements. By discussing a sample prompt, writing a thesis statement, and identifying supporting evidence from the text.

Four Traditional Forms

Exposition: Purpose is to explain facts, details, content-specific information (p. 359).
Response to Literature

Narration: Purpose is to tell a story or give an account (p. 360). Persuasion: Purpose is to move a reader by argument or entreaty to a belief, position, or course of action (p. 360). Description: Purpose is to provide a verbal picture of a character, event, setting, etc. (p. 358).
2007 Reading/Language Arts Framework for California Public Schools.

California ELA Framework

Clarify links between
reading and comprehending different types of text with different structures, and composing the same types of texts. oral and written literary response and analysis.
2007 Reading/Language Arts Framework for California Public Schools, p. 120.

California ELA Framework

Use prompts that identify the essential elements of the text structure and allow students to record the essential elements before writing.
2007 Reading/Language Arts Framework for California Public Schools, p. 120.

Grade Level Standards

What are the relevant standards for your grade level? Group work & share

RUSD Writing Rubric: Genre, Traits, and Conventions

Highlight-Share

Fourth Grade Write responses to literature that:

demonstrate an understanding of the literary work. support judgments through references to both the text and prior knowledge.

Fifth Grade Write responses to literature that:

demonstrate an understanding of a literary work. support judgments through references to the text and to prior knowledge. Develop interpretations that exhibit careful reading and understanding.

Sixth Grade
Write responses to literature that:
Develop an interpretation exhibiting careful reading, understanding, and insight. Organize the interpretation around several clear ideas, premises, or images. Develop and justify the interpretation through sustained use of examples and textual evidence.

Definition
A response to literature is a readers interpretation (opinion, judgment) of a literary work. The interpretation is supported with evidence from the text. A response to literature is a form of expository composition.

Characteristics
An interpretation of literature that shows careful reading, understanding and insight. Interpretation is organized around several clear ideas, premises, or images. Interpretation is justified through sustained (consistent) use of examples and textual evidence.

Overall Structure
Introductory paragraph with a clear thesis statement and a preview of major supporting arguments or ideas. Supporting paragraphs that include evidence and examples from the text. Concluding paragraph that restates the thesis and summarizes the supporting evidence.

Organization of Ideas:
Common patterns:
Main idea detail Cause effect Compare contrast Categories

Graphic Organizer Ideas

Think-Pair-Share-Write
Read and discuss the sample writing prompt and Student Checklist. With a partner, write a thesis statement and two supporting statements. Find examples of supporting evidence from the text. How might you teach these elements to students?

Make Connections:
Look at your literary response and analysis standards and your TE for this theme. What are some possible topics for a written response to literature that would encompass one of those literary analysis standards.

Objective:
What will I learn today? How will I show what I have learned?

How to spread writing genre, strategies, and conventions instruction across a theme.

By summarizing to a partner the elements and design of a sample Reading-Writing Workshop.

What is the Reading-Writing Workshop?

A writing instructional component found in every theme for grades 2 6. Covers a variety of genres. Requires use of the writing process. Includes writing, grammar, spelling, and Workshop focus skills from the theme.

How should I use Reading-Writing Workshop?

Best practice is to spread instruction across the selections of the theme. Use the Focus Wall to remind students of spelling, vocabulary, language, and grammar skills to apply when they write. Post samples that students may use for reference.

Genre for RUSD and Houghton Mifflin Workshops

Assessment

Resources
On the Curriculum Web: www.rusd.k12.ca.us RUSD-Created RWWs RUSD Writing Standards RUSD Writing Rubrics Workshop and Reading Lions Alignment Information Reading Lions Assessment Calendars Language Arts Guide Graphic Organizers and Templates www.Eduplace.com RUSD Curriculum Web Houghton Mifflin (additional practice): Writing Resource Center
Workbook Plus Reteaching Workbook

Response to Literature Essays

Other questions or concerns!

Response to Literature Essays

Questions and Evaluations

Additional Follow-up/Questions: Ellen Parker
K-6 Instructional Services Specialist eparker@rusd.k12.ca.us or (951)788-7135 Ext: 80204