1. Step #1: Analyze the Question! Most Questions Have Two (2) Parts 1.A Big Idea (What the question is asking or asking you to do. (Verbs) 2.Details as to how or what evidence needs to be presented. (Nouns) The poet says, “December days are short,” but does many things during this poem. Describe FOUR things that the poet does, using details from the poem to support your answer. How do I Analyze the Question? Break it into parts. Circle the Big Idea. Underline the details, or how you are to provide support. Box additional key words. Click to Learn MoreClick to go to the Next Step Click to go Home

3. Step 2: The Note Plan Be the one with a plan! Make a “T” Chart Left side = “Big Ideas” Right = “Details/Textual Evidence” Restate the question (at the top). Put the question in your own word though. Big IdeasDetails/Evidence Identify four (4) different things that poet says in this poem and provide an example of each. Click to Learn More Click to go Home Click to go to the Next Step

4. Step #3: Skim, Read, and Select Skim: Before you read, look at your “T-Chart.” What information do you need. Get an idea of the big ideas. Read through selection, find and mark the paragraphs likely to contain details which will help you. Read: Read carefully the parts of the text which you have highlighted. Circle big ideas. Underline details which support the big ideas. Select: Place circled and underlined portions of the text into notes. NOT necessary to copy out entire sentences. Click to go Home Click to go to the Next StepClick to Learn More

5. Watch Me Try December Days Are Short December days are short, and so there’s not much time to play, the fun has hardly started when the sun has gone away. 5 Today, right after breakfast, while the sky was growing light, I ran to meet my friends outside and have a snowball fight. We began to build a fortress 10 then raced our wooden sleds, we belly-whopped and spun like tops and tumbled on our heads. We stopped for lunch, then once again threw snowballs for a while, 15 we made a giant snowman with a really silly smile. We fed some hungry pigeons and went sliding on the ice, my mother brought some cake for us, 20 a dog ate half my slice. We made another snowman and we finished off our fort, then suddenly, the sun went down... December days are short. Remember I’m simply scanning for parts of the text that might help me. Click to go Home Click to go to the Next StepClick to Learn More

6. My Chart Big IdeaDetails/Evidence Identify four (4) different things that poet says in this poem and provide an example of each. “Days are short” describes a day that is full of action and fun activities. 1.Snowball fight—ran to meet friends. 2.Raced sleds took many tumbles. 3.Made 2 snowmen—lunch was served. 4.Skating—mom shows up with cake. Click to go Home Click to go to the Next StepClick to Learn More

7. Step #4: Write the Response Remember that if you have selected your information well and placed it in your notes this step becomes simple. Time to Write: 1.First sentence states the Big Idea(s) while restating the question. 2.Place the supporting details into one or more sentences. 3.Use transitional words to help one detail support the next.transitional Note: the answer should not be multiple paragraphs. Click to go Home Click to go to the Next StepClick to Learn More Big Idea Detail #1 Transition word + Detail #2 (Transition word) + Detail #3 Generally, 3 details are the minimum.

8. Watch This… Remember… 1. 1.First sentence states the Big Idea(s). 2. 2.Place the supporting details into one or more sentences. 3. 3.Use transitional words to help one detail support the next.transitional Though in the winter, “days are short,” this poem describes many fun, exciting activities. The day begins by the speaker running to meet his friends where they have a snowball fight. But once they became tired of that, they turn to sledding and after lunch to skating. They also build two snowmen during the course of this “short” day. Though the title describes a short day, the poem demonstrates that short days, can produce long memories. Click to go Home Click to go to the Next Step

9. Step #5: End by Reviewing Reread your response for clarity. Whisper your response to yourself to hear it. Reread the question. Check that your response fully covers the prompt. Remember: You’re not going anywhere until the test is over… REVIEW YOUR RESPONSE Click to go Home

10. Now You Try It Evaluate Exodus’ use of the journey pattern. Use other journeys we have studied to discuss how closely this journey follows the stereo-typical pattern and characteristics of each stage of the quest. Click to Learn More Click to go Home Click to go to the Next Step