Activities

1. Use the beginning of class to have students write in a journal using a prompt that ties into the class objectives for the day.  For example, students can be prompted to write about thematic, conflict-based, or other text-to-self or world connections that relate to the text being studied. 

2. Infer what a person in a photograph might be thinking based on your knowledge of the topic.

3. Analyze the meaning of a thought-provoking quote based on classroom objectives and/or readings.

Answer Key/Rubric

1. Student will write on a daily basis, for a few minutes at the start of each class.  Journals prompts should always be tied, at least loosely, to class objectives or class readings.  Give students a few minutes at the beginning of class.  This not only serves to build writing skills but can also serve as an anticipatory activity for the day’s lesson.
   
   
2. Student will infer what a person in a photograph might be thinking in relation to a topic discussed in class.  This is called “writing from an image.”  Depending on the topic of study, a primary source photograph can be displayed and students should write from the perspective of someone in the photograph or someone involved in the scene (can include the photographer).  Response will vary depending on the topic but should demonstrate a deep understanding of the topic and an understanding of how different people will view the situation even slightly differently.
   
   
3. Student will analyze the meaning of a thought-provoking quote that is somehow tied to class objectives or topic being discussed.  Student will move beyond a literal understanding and will demonstrate an understanding on a deeper level.  Student should be moved to make connections to the novel/topic/class objective but if that does not happen immediately upon writing, student will often make the connection during the class activities.