2. Heinemann Workshop Literature Circles New Orleans January 2009 Food Fermentation Fun

6. When we first arrived in New Orleans, we were encouraged to go into the French Quarter and explore. With this area of New Orleans being so small, we ventured out and began to take in the flavor of the city. We frequently stopped in shops and asked about the freezing temperatures.

7. We quickly discovered the welcoming nature of the locals, and the pride they have in their city. It didn’t take long for either of us to learn about post- Katrina New Orleans because of the willingness of those still remaining to share their stories.

8. Find someone who… In this activity, take your time and listen to stories of the people around you. The purpose is not to fill in every box, but rather to learn more about an individual by asking follow up questions. Fill in the name of the person and take some notes on what you learn.

9. Small Inquiry Groups Are lifelike Generate energy for challenging work Create smarter thinking Allow diversity to be an asset Make engaged, interactive learning possible Allow us to differentiate instruction Required by employers Enhances student achievement

10. Time to do some reading… Turn to page 173 in your handout and read the short story titled “Rose” by John Biguenet When you finish, take some time independently to reflect on the short story.

11. Write Around p.10-11 Form a group of 4 (ideal, but 3s and 5s work too) Write for one minute…thoughts, reactions, questions, or feelings about topic Pass Students will read the entry on the page, and just beneath it, write for one minute. Students can tell their reaction, make a comment, ask questions, share a connection, agree or disagree, or raise a whole new idea. Keep the conversation going! After 4 passes, conversation is no longer silent Remind students to follow two rules during silent conversations: 1. Use all the time for writing 2.Don’t talk when passing

13. Facts about New Orleans Words from local author John Biguenet: “We weren’t hit by Hurricane Katrina. We suffered a flood due to the Corps of Engineers. If the Corps were a country, we’d be at war with them.” “The money we were promised never arrived. The millions of dollars that were earmarked for New Orleans were never seen by this city.” “French Quarter was virtually untouched by flood water.”

14. Schools of New Orleans (side note) Students in the Lower 9 th Ward lost an entire year of school A local principal of one of the lowest ranking schools in the district shared that he and many of his students currently suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder His building is currently operating without many essential school supplies. He carries extra school supplies in the trunk of his car

15. What’s new with Literature Circles? De-emphasis on role sheets More use of drawn or graphic responses to text Not just novels. More use of short text – stories, poems, articles, charts, cartoons Fewer reports and book talks. More performances (reader’s theater, tableaux, found poetry, song lyrics, etc.)

16. Why “LIVE” Assessment? 1.Opportunity to rethink the text 2.Physical action linked with memory 3.Different way for kids to show what they know 4.Requires higher order thinking skills 5.Hone presentation skills 6.Feedback taken seriously 7.Collaborative assessment 8.Authentic audience

17. “Live Assessment” Song Parody – we can’t sing! Readers’ Theater Tableaux Found Poetry

18. Song Parodie s

21. Readers’ Theater Sojourner Truth (1797-1883) Ain’t I A Woman? (Abridged) Delivered 1851 Women’s Convention, Akron, Ohio We need 3 volunteers, but everyone will have a speaking part.

22. Tableaux p.155 In a small group, use of the quotes about education to create a tableaux

23. Found Poetry p.159 Options for this activity are really quite limitless. Can be used in all subject areas with all types of writing or reading.

24. Holes by Louis Sachar Passage from Novel: There was a change in the weather. For the worse. The air became unbearably humid. Stanley was drenched in sweat. Beads of moisture ran down the handle of his shovel. It was almost as if the temperature had gotten so hot that the air itself was sweating. A loud book of thunder echoed across the empty lake. A storm was way off to the west, beyond the mountains. Stanley could count more than thirty seconds between The flash of lightning and the clap of thunder. That was how far away the storm was. Sound travels a great distance across a barren wasteland.

25. Found Poem: There was a change For the worse. The air became humid Beads of moisture ran down The handle of his shovel It was almost as if The air itself was sweating Thunder echoed across the empty lake A storm beyond the mountains. Thirty seconds between the flash And the thunder Sound travels a great distance Across a barren wasteland

26. Fan and Pick Discussion p.180 Students are given 3 notecards After students have completed assigned reading, they write down 3 good questions –Questions need to be: Open ended; lead to long conversation; uncover different ideas, opinions, or points of view; more than one person tries to answer the question; people want to talk about the questions – it’s interesting

27. Fan and Pick Discussion 1. 4 people to a group 2. Person #1 gets the cards 3.#1 fans the cards, turns to #2, and says, “Pick a card, any card.” 4. #2 picks a card, turns to #3, and read the card’s question aloud 5. #3 answers 6. #4 listens to #3’s answer and asks a follow-up question 7. #1 gives a support and/or liking statement to #3 8. Cards get passed to #2; repeat steps

28. Your letter to our new president – If NCLB isn’t improving the educational lives of our students, what will? What does President Barack Obama need to understand? Now is the time to have your voice heard! Write a letter to our new president. Describe what you have witnessed/experienced over the past 8 years and exactly what change you hope for in the next 4 years.