What are they and how do I do them? SHORT ANSWER RESPONSES

 A short answer is NOT:  An essay.  Multiple paragraphs.  A summary.  A literal answer to a question.  Vague or general  A repeating of the text  An idea with no text evidence  An idea with flawed text evidence  A manipulation of the text to create evidence IS THIS A SHORT ANSWER ?

 A short answer IS:  A reasonable idea  An explanation that clearly shows connections & conclusions  Based on accurate (specific) and relevant (well chosen) evidence from the text  A combination of idea and evidence that shows a strong understanding of the text  Is perceptive and shows awareness of the text SO THEN WHAT IS IT?

 First, you need to know how to read.  Second, you need a reading goal.  Third, you need to take notes on what you are reading.  But I know how to do all that. Do you????? HOW DO I WRITE ONE?

 You learn to read by listening.  What predictions can you make from the title?  What is your listening goal?  Listen to summarize  Listen and take notes  Follow along if you have the text  Engage in meaningful discussions 1. YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO READ

READING IS A PROCESS THROUGH WHICH WE MAKE CONNECTIONS AND CONSTRUCT MEANING.

 You can only begin to make connections in your reading when you know what you are reading for.  Ex. During STAAR, how many of you just start reading the text and then when you get to the question have no idea what you just read?  OR…how many teachers have said, “Read this.” And then ask you a question about what you read but then get mad when no one answers?  That’s because you didn’t have a reading goal!!  TIP: If you know you have to answer a question about what you read, go read the question FIRST so you know what you are reading for, you now have a purpose. 2. WHAT IS MY READING GOAL?

EVERY TEXT IS A LAZY MACHINE ASKING THE READER TO DO SOME OF ITS WORK. -UMBERTO ECO

 Knowing what you are reading for is winning half the reading battle.  Finding possible answers is the other half. 3. TAKE NOTES ON WHAT YOU READ

 What is my reading goal?  Write your question at the top of the page  What is the VERB in my question?  Do I have to describe, predict, connect, evaluate, etc.  Who or what is the question about?  Am I writing about a character, an event, tone, the author’s purpose?  What kind of evidence will I need to find?  Something someone said?  Descriptive words? (to prove tone)  Did something happen or did someone do something? 3. TAKE NOTES ON WHAT YOU READ

 Does the title tell me anything that can answer my question?  Consider these questions when reading:  What is happening in the text?  Why is it happening?  Why is it important?  How do I know it is important?  Can this help answer my question? 3. TAKE NOTES ON WHAT YOU READ.

 What you need:  A sheet of paper  Something to write with  We are reading a poem called Hazel tells Laverne.  What predictions can we make about the poem from its title?  Your Listening Goal:  Write down words that might help us describe or figure out who Hazel and Laverne are. LET’S PRACTICE!

 What you need:  A copy of the poem Hazel Tells Laverne  Something to write with  A copy of the annotation notes  Read the poem to yourselves silently  Your reading goal is:  What can the TONE of the poem best be described as?  Remember:  Write your goal at the top of the page  What is my verb?  Who or what is the question about?  What kind of evidence do I need to find? LET’S PRACTICE!

 Annotation & Active Reading  Read Marigolds to your self  Reading Goal: Pick out sensory words that the narrator uses to describe the marigold garden. MARIGOLDS

 SAR Question: In Marigolds, what can the reader conclude about Lizbeth?  Let’s fill in the chart together.  Don’t forget your reading strategies when we get to the middle box… USING A K.W.L. CHART TO ANSWER A SHORT ANSWER RESPONSE

 This will be turned in for a grade  Read Dandelions  Show effective annotation strategies on the document that will help answer your reading goal. (use your paper and choose one)  Complete the KWL Chart for prewriting (part of the grade)  Write a short answer that shows synthesis of your annotations and prewriting.  Reading Goal  In Dandelions, who can the reader conclude is the victor? Use textual evidence to support your answer  Write the questions at the top of the poem  Circle your verb  Underline what the question is about DANDELIONS

 Questions to consider during annotation:  What are the dandelions in the poem engaged in?  How do you know?  What sensory words does the author use?  You can use your notes. USING A K.W.L. CHART TO ANSWER A SHORT ANSWER RESPONSE

 Period 5: you will work in partners to complete the thinking in 3s Graphic organizer. Everyone’s name in your group must be on it.  This will be turned in for a grade.  Period 4: You will work independently to complete the Thinking in 3s graphic organizer and short answer.  This will be turned in for a grade ODE TO MY SOUTHERN DRAWL

 Reading Goal  In Ode to my Southern Drawl, explain how the speaker feels about her southern drawl. Support you answer from the text.  I want to see the questions written at the top of the Poem and at the bottom of the G.O., your annotations and your completed G.O. ODE TO MY SOUTHERN DRAWL What is my answer to the question? What evidence will support my answer? How will I explain the connection between my answer and evidence? VERB + WHO/ WHAT In Ode to my Southern Drawl, explain how the speaker feels about her southern drawl. Support you answer from the text.

 Period 5: Using the thinking in 3s graphic organizer you worked on in your group yesterday, you now EACH complete YOUR OWN short answer response to the reading goal.  Start Choking dog??? ODE TO MY SOUTHERN DRAWL Short Answer Response Box

 Period 4: You need your summer reading questions out.  Reporter’s Formula  You each get 3 index cards-number them 1-3.  On card #1, you each must write 6 questions about the novel.  You must each have 6 questions, each of which begins with only ONE of the following starters:  WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, HOW  On Card #2, write the answers your partner gives for each of those questions.  On card #3, write a summary of the novel from the answers your partner gave you. SUMMER READING: A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS

 This is an independent assignment.  You will complete one of each graphic organizer, KWL and Thinking in 3s, as your prewriting for 2 short answer questions.  It doesn’t matter which graphic organizer you use to answer either of the questions-but they both must be completed.  Questions:  1. What does Heart signify to Mariam? Use textual evidence to support your answer.  2. Explain how Tariq and Layla’s decision to part ways demonstrates the author’s feeling about family. SHORT ANSWER RESPONSES

 Period 3,5&6:  You need your novel, your short answer questions and double sided graphic organizer you completed on Block Day.  You will select ONE question that you will write a short answer response to, today. This will be turned in for a grade-G.O. & SAR. SHORT ANSWER RESPONSES

 Did we read or do we have to read “The Choking Dog?”  Today you will show all components of the writing process for a short answer:  What is your reading goal?  Where should you write it?  What is it asking me? (annotate the question verb + who/what)  Read the text  Use annotation method I am comfortable with to note textual evidence  What is my answer going to be?  Does my textual evidence support this answer?  You will be turning all of this in for a grade SHORT STORY & SHORT ANSWER RESPONSE