Thursday, January 15, 2015
Out of My Mind - Chapter 16 discussion questions
Post your question in the "Comments" section below. Use my posts as a
guide. Do I ask my question in just one sentence? No! Remember, you've
got to make your questions dynamic enough that your classmates will have
something to respond to meaningfully.
Out of My Mind - Chapter 15 discussion questions
Post your question in the "Comments" section below. Use my posts as a
guide. Do I ask my question in just one sentence? No! Remember, you've
got to make your questions dynamic enough that your classmates will have
something to respond to meaningfully.
Out of My Mind - Chapter 14 discussion questions
Post your question in the "Comments" section below. Use my posts as a
guide. Do I ask my question in just one sentence? No! Remember, you've
got to make your questions dynamic enough that your classmates will have
something to respond to meaningfully.
Out of My Mind - Chapter 13 discussion questions
Post your question in the "Comments" section below. Use my posts as a
guide. Do I ask my question in just one sentence? No! Remember, you've
got to make your questions dynamic enough that your classmates will have
something to respond to meaningfully.
Out of My Mind - Chapter 12 discussion questions
Post your question in the "Comments" section below. Use my posts as a
guide. Do I ask my question in just one sentence? No! Remember, you've
got to make your questions dynamic enough that your classmates will have
something to respond to meaningfully.
Out of My Mind - Chapter 11 discussion questions
Post your question in the "Comments" section below. Use my posts as a
guide. Do I ask my question in just one sentence? No! Remember, you've
got to make your questions dynamic enough that your classmates will have
something to respond to meaningfully.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Out of My Mind - discussion questions
Post your question in the "Comments" section below. Use my posts as a guide. Do I ask my question in just one sentence? No! Remember, you've got to make your questions dynamic enough that your classmates will have something to respond to meaningfully.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Out of My Mind - new additions to Melody's family
We've met a couple of additions to Melody's family (one furry, one human). Describe how the introduction of these new characters changed the dynamics of Melody's life at home. Melody's feelings about Penny must be complicated! Analyze how Melody must have felt as she watched her sister reach the typical milestones of a baby/toddler. Do you think having Butterscotch around helped? Be specific and clear with your thinking.
Don't forget to fully re-read and edit your answer before you post!
Don't forget to fully re-read and edit your answer before you post!
Out of My Mind - Ollie!
In chapter 8 we finally get to meet the star of the book's cover - Melody's pet goldfish. What is significant about the story of Ollie the fish? Why do you think the author included this anecdote? Try to think beyond the obvious... How does Ollie's life mirror Melody's? Describe Melody's feelings when she is unable to tell her mother what really happened. Is this inline with what we've learned about her typical frustrations? Why or why not? Be specific and incorporate evidence into your explanation.
Out of My Mind - Melody's teachers
After reading chapter 7, discuss Melody's teachers since she began going to school. Has she had the privilege of any good teachers yet? Did the majority of her experience with the teachers seem positive? What does this say about her school system? What about the attitudes at her school about teaching children with special needs? Do you think this is right? If you had superpowers,what would you change about her school?
Be sure to full explain your thinking, not just re-tell what you read in the book.
Be sure to full explain your thinking, not just re-tell what you read in the book.
Out of My Mind - dreams
At the beginning of chapter 7, Melody mentions her dreams. She says waking up is a sort of letdown. What does she mean? Why do you think dreams are so important to her? Explain from her point of view. Include specific evidence from what we have learned so far to support your thinking.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Out of My Mind - Mission: Vocabulary!
Let's get inspired by Melody in a quest for new words. Look at a dictionary. Is it possible to learn every single word in it? No way!
If Melody learns new words everyday with Mrs. V, can't we do the same? From now on, when you are doing your assigned reading, I'd like you to use sticky notes to mark unfamiliar and/or impressive words that are used in the book. Let's make it our mission to not blow right past these words when we're reading! Over the next few weeks, we'll take a cue from Melody and not take language for granted.
What could we do with these words? Think about some possibilities and come to our meeting tomorrow prepared to offer up your thinking. Mission: Vocabulary is on! We will discuss this more during our next Lit Circle meeting.
Out of My Mind - water
Just like Helen Keller, Melody has her own experience with water at the end of chapter 6. What did she do with Mrs. V? Why do you think she was so eager to get out and experience it?
Out of My Mind - Walk or talk?
Mrs. V poses an interesting question to Melody in chapter 6: Would Melody rather be able to walk or talk? Walking or talking... Which would you choose? Why?
Out of My Mind - Chapter 6
Who is the documentary about that Mrs. V and Melody watched in chapter 6? What's his connection to the Ice Bucket Challenge from last summer?
Do a little research. How is this person similar to Melody? Different? Why do you think he inspires Melody and Mrs. V to re-do Melody's communication board?
Out of My Mind - empathy
Empathy is a word that I think of every time I read this story. What is empathy? Is it different from sympathy? How? Why is being empathetic an important part of life?
Think of the characters we've met so far in the book. Was Dr. Hugely empathetic toward Melody? What about Melody's teachers? The other students in Melody's school? Her classmates in H-5? Mrs. V?
Thinking of these characters and their character traits, who do you think makes the biggest impact on Melody? Explain your thinking and include specific examples from the story to support your answer.
Out of My Mind - Melody's medical condition
In chapter 4 we learned the name of Melody's condition. Do some research online to find out more about this disorder. What causes it? Can it be prevented? What are some of its symptoms? What types of therapies are there for a person with this diagnosis?
Educate yourself a bit about Melody's condition and then summarize (in your own words) what you learned.
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