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Monday, March 26

  1. page Strategies edited ... This link contains a very interesting instructional strategy. It requires that students compar…
    ...
    This link contains a very interesting instructional strategy. It requires that students compare first several forms of communication: email, text messages, phone calls. Then they complete a character study chart to provide character analysis for the story. After that, they choose two or more characters and write emails, text messages, or phone conversations to present they relationship between these characters. It's an interesting assignment to help students understand the different characters and their importance in the novel. I would definitely use this in my classroom because it allows students to use technology and put their everyday uses to work in the classroom. It would be an easy assignment for them that still requires creativity and critical thinking.
    Strategy #9:
    ...
    the novel. It utilizes the film in a way that most teachers don't understand.
    Strategy #10:
    This source provides a venn diagram that can be used for students to individually compare three different aspects of the story. These aspects can be either characters, ideas, themes, versions of the story, or the novel itself and pieces of art relating to it. This would be an interesting assignment that could broaden students understanding of the novel and encourage them to branch out to different works of art that may relate to it. I think students would enjoy this activity because it gives them a choice and and an opportunity to show what they knows without narrowing it down to specifics of the novel.
    ...
    This link, like many of the others is another study guide. There are discussion questions on each chapter of every book, but whereas a lot of the other study guides have more insightful questions, this study guide focuses mainly on basic facts in the novel. What separates this guide from many of the others as well is that it also has vocabulary quizzes for each book. I really like that rather than simply listing the vocabulary words and definitions, it provides quizzes to actually test their knowledge of the unknown words.
    Strategy #17:
    ...
    that assistance.
    Strategy #18:
    This link is actually for teachers who do homeschooling. There's chart for a reading schedule, links to assist the reading and forming lesson plans, Q and A's, summary pages, and project ideas. Though the focus is for home schooling, I feel that it could still be beneficial being used in an actual classroom as well because of all the options it holds.
    Strategy #19:
    ...
    different and new.new and completely online.
    Strategy #20:
    This last and final link is a source that lets teachers know what exactly students need to learn by the end of the lesson. It also provides ways and questions that will help students get to that final understanding. This is a great source for teachers because it can help them learn as well. It may point out facts and understandings that even they didn't have before regarding the text.
    (view changes)
    3:12 pm
  2. page Works Cited edited ... Winfrey, O. (n.d.). A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens Reading Questions - Oprah's Book C…
    ...
    Winfrey, O. (n.d.). A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens Reading Questions - Oprah's Book Club - Oprah.com. Oprah Winfrey's Official Website - Live Your Best Life - Oprah.com. Retrieved March 25, 2012, from http://www.oprah.com/oprahsbookclub/A-Tale-of-Two-Cities-by-Charles-Dickens-Reading-Questions-Oprahs-Book-Club
    Study Guide for A Tale of Two Cities. (n.d.). Study Guide for A Tale of Two Cities. Retrieved March 24, 2012, from http://www.glencoe.com/sec/literature/litlibrary/pdf/tale_of_two_cities.pdf
    Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" Chapters 1-12 - Vocabulary List : Vocabulary.com. (n.d.). Vocabulary.com - Learn Words - English Dictionary. Retrieved March 25, 2012, from http://www.vocabulary.com/lists/24236#view=notes
    Striegel, P. (n.d.). A Tale of a Few Text Messages: A Character Study of A Tale of Two Cities - ReadWriteThink. Homepage - ReadWriteThink. Retrieved March 25, 2012, from http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/tale-text-messages-character-30837.html
    A Tale of Two Cities: A Masterpiece Teacher's Guide. (n.d.). A Tale of Two Cities: A Masterpiece Teacher's Guide. Retrieved March 24, 2012, from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/taleoftwocities/taleoftwocities_teachersguide.pdf
    Venn Diagram, 3 Circles - ReadWriteThink. (n.d.). Homepage - ReadWriteThink. Retrieved March 24, 2012, from http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/printouts/venn-diagram-circles-b-30833.html
    A Tale of Two Cities Texting. (n.d.). A Tale of Two Cities Texting. Retrieved March 25, 2012, from http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson-docs/30837TextingPrintout.pdf
    Teaching A Tale of Two Cities. (n.d.). Shmoop: Homework Help, Teacher Resources, Test Prep. Retrieved March 24, 2012, from http://www.shmoop.com/tale-of-two-cities/teaching.html
    A Tale of Two Cities Lesson Plans and Teaching Resources | Charles Dickens | BookRags.com. (n.d.). BookRags.com | Study Guides, Lesson Plans, Book Summaries and more. Retrieved March 25, 2012, from http://www.bookrags.com/lessonplan/taletwocities/intro.html
    A Tale of Two Cities Advanced Placement in English Literature and Composition. (n.d.). A Tale of Two Cities Advanced Placement in English Literature and Composition. Retrieved March 24, 2012, from http://www.flatheadreservation.org/images/phs/TaleTwoCities-StudyGuide.pdf
    here), _. (. (n.d.). Lesson Plans: Projects list for A Tale of Two Cities (Senior, Literature). Teachers.Net - TEACHERS - Lesson Plans, Teaching Jobs, Chat. Retrieved March 25, 2012, from http://teachers.net/lessons/posts/1605
    Dennis, M. L., & Millin, K. (n.d.). A Tale of Two Cities: Student Packet. A Tale of Two Cities: Student Packet. Retrieved March 24, 2012, from http://www.populationme.com/All/Literature
    A Tale of Two Cities: Lesson Plans, Teaching Guides, Study Guides, and more (LessonIndex.com). (n.d.). Lesson Plans, Teaching Guides, Learning Resources (LessonIndex.com). Retrieved March 25, 2012, from http://www.lessonindex.com/A_Tale_of_Two_Cities_by_Charles_Dickens.htm
    Homeschool Learning Network: Literature Study Guide. (n.d.). Homeschool Learning Network: Literature Study Guide. Retrieved March 24, 2012, from http://www.hlnfamily.com/hln/grades/gr10/pdf/gr10_lit_wk04-06.pdf
    Hamilton/Brown - A Tale of Two Cities: Unit Test Character List flashcards | Quizlet. (n.d.). Flash cards, vocabulary memorization, and study games | Quizlet. Retrieved March 24, 2012, from http://quizlet.com/227531/hamiltonbrown-a-tale-of-two-cities-unit-test-character-list-flash-cards/
    Understanding By Design. (n.d.). Understanding By Design. Retrieved March 24, 2012, from http://www.irvingisd.net/curriculum/documents/language_arts/hs/English_IV_AP/ubd%20tale%20of%20two%20cities.pdf

    (view changes)
    3:10 pm
  3. page Works Cited edited ... Common Core State Standards Initiative | The Standards | English Language Arts Standards. (n.d…
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    Common Core State Standards Initiative | The Standards | English Language Arts Standards. (n.d.). Common Core State Standards Initiative | Home. Retrieved March 24, 2012, from http://www.corestandards.org/the-standards/english-language-arts-standards
    Strategies (In order of appearance):
    Dickens, C. (n.d.). Tale of Two Cities Study Guide & Literature Essays | GradeSaver. Study Guides & Essay Editing | GradeSaver. Retrieved March 26, 2012, from http://www.gradesaver.com/tale-of-two-cities/
    Dickens, C. (n.d.). A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens CliffsNotes - Study Guide and Help . Get Homework Help with CliffsNotes Study Guides . Retrieved March 26, 2012, from http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/literature/A-Tale-of-Two-Cities-A-Tale-of-Two-Cities-at-a-Glance.id-126.html
    Colle, J. L. (n.d.). Teaching A Tale of Two Cities. Teaching A Tale of Two Cities. Retrieved March 24, 2012, from http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1979/5/79.05.02.x.html
    Practical Teaching Strategies for students with ASDs | Special Education Support Service. (n.d.). Home Page | Special Education Support Service. Retrieved March 25, 2012, from http://www.sess.ie/categories/autismautistic-spectrum-disorders/aspergers/practical-teaching-strategies-students-asds
    Winfrey, O. (n.d.). A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens Reading Questions - Oprah's Book Club - Oprah.com. Oprah Winfrey's Official Website - Live Your Best Life - Oprah.com. Retrieved March 25, 2012, from http://www.oprah.com/oprahsbookclub/A-Tale-of-Two-Cities-by-Charles-Dickens-Reading-Questions-Oprahs-Book-Club
    Study Guide for A Tale of Two Cities. (n.d.). Study Guide for A Tale of Two Cities. Retrieved March 24, 2012, from http://www.glencoe.com/sec/literature/litlibrary/pdf/tale_of_two_cities.pdf

    (view changes)
    2:18 pm
  4. page Works Cited edited Standards: Common Core State Standards Initiative | The Standards | English Language Arts Stand…

    Standards:
    Common Core State Standards Initiative | The Standards | English Language Arts Standards. (n.d.). Common Core State Standards Initiative | Home. Retrieved March 24, 2012, from http://www.corestandards.org/the-standards/english-language-arts-standards
    Strategies (In order of appearance):

    (view changes)
    2:00 pm
  5. page Core Standards edited This page represents the Common Core Standards that the strategies cover. Reading: Literature: …

    This page represents the Common Core Standards that the strategies cover.
    Reading: Literature:
    Key Ideas and Details:
    rl-11-12-1RL.11-12.1. Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.
    rl-11-12-2RL.11-12.2. Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one another to produce a complex account; provide an objective summary of the text.
    rl-11-12-3RL.11-12.3. Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama (e.g., where a story is set, how the action is ordered, how the characters are introduced and developed).
    Craft and Structure:
    rl-11-12-4RL.11-12.4. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, engaging, or beautiful. (Include Shakespeare as well as other authors.)
    rl-11-12-5RL.11-12.5. Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure specific parts of a text (e.g., the choice of where to begin or end a story, the choice to provide a comedic or tragic resolution) contribute to its overall structure and meaning as well as its aesthetic impact.
    Integration of Knowledge and Ideas:
    rl-11-12-7RL.11-12.7. Analyze multiple interpretations of a story, drama, or poem (e.g., recorded or live production of a play or recorded novel or poetry), evaluating how each version interprets the source text. (Include at least one play by Shakespeare and one play by an American dramatist.)
    rl-11-12-9RL.11-12.9. Demonstrate knowledge of eighteenth-, nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century foundational works of American literature, including how two or more texts from the same period treat similar themes or topics.
    Writing:
    Text Types and Purposes:
    w-11-12-1W.11-12.1. Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
    w-11-12-2W.11-12.2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
    w-11-12-3W.11-12.3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
    Production and Distribution of Writing:
    w-11-12-4W.11-12.4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.)
    w-11-12-6W.11-12.6. Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments or information.
    Research to Build and Present Knowledge:
    w-11-12-7W.11-12.7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
    w-11-12-9W.11-12.9. Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
    Language:
    Language Progressive Skills, By Grade:
    L.4.3a. Choose words and phrases to convey ideas precisely.
    L.5.2a. Use punctuation to separate items in a series.
    L.6.1e. Recognize variations from standard English in their own and others’ writing and speaking, and identify and use strategies to improve expression in conventional language.
    L.6.2a. Use punctuation (commas, parentheses, dashes) to set off nonrestrictive/parenthetical elements.
    L.7.3a. Choose language that expresses ideas precisely and concisely, recognizing and eliminating wordiness and redundancy.
    Measuring Text Complexity: Three Factors:
    Qualitative evaluation of the text:
    Levels of meaning, structure, language conventionality and clarity, and knowledge demands
    Quantitative evaluation of the text:
    Readability measures and other scores of text complexity
    Matching reader to text and task:
    Reader variables (such as motivation, knowledge, and experiences) and task variables (such as purpose and the complexity generated by the task assigned and the questions posed)
    Range of Text Types:
    Stories- Includes the subgenres of adventure stories, historical fiction, mysteries, myths, science fiction, realistic fiction, allegories, parodies, satire, and graphic novels.

    (view changes)
    1:54 pm
  6. page Strategies edited ... Strategy #16: This link, like many of the others is another study guide. There are discussion…
    ...
    Strategy #16:
    This link, like many of the others is another study guide. There are discussion questions on each chapter of every book, but whereas a lot of the other study guides have more insightful questions, this study guide focuses mainly on basic facts in the novel. What separates this guide from many of the others as well is that it also has vocabulary quizzes for each book. I really like that rather than simply listing the vocabulary words and definitions, it provides quizzes to actually test their knowledge of the unknown words.
    Strategy #17:
    This is a page with links to lesson plans,teaching guides, and more focusing solely on A Tale of Two Cities. It's yet another source for teachers who need help on ideas for this kind of unit and I think that I would consider checking it out if I ever needed that assistance.
    Strategy #18:
    This link is actually for teachers who do homeschooling. There's chart for a reading schedule, links to assist the reading and forming lesson plans, Q and A's, summary pages, and project ideas. Though the focus is for home schooling, I feel that it could still be beneficial being used in an actual classroom as well because of all the options it holds.
    Strategy #19:
    This is a very interesting link because it's not just any regular study guide. The site holds flash cards of characters, vocabulary words, and themes, as well as discussion questions and games to play to build literary understanding. I think the games are very interesting and they are something that the students would enjoy. It's different and new.
    Strategy #20:
    This last and final link is a source that lets teachers know what exactly students need to learn by the end of the lesson. It also provides ways and questions that will help students get to that final understanding. This is a great source for teachers because it can help them learn as well. It may point out facts and understandings that even they didn't have before regarding the text.

    (view changes)
    1:23 pm
  7. page Strategies edited ... Strategy #15: This link is provided by a first year teacher who did an experiment with his st…
    ...
    Strategy #15:
    This link is provided by a first year teacher who did an experiment with his students that ended up working out really well. For his A Tale of Two Cities lesson, he first made a mock-contract for students to sign that is fun and comical to look over. He then provides a list of projects that the students can choose from-they only have to pick one. Each project covers a different aspect of the novel and holds different requirements. This method gives students the feeling of being in control while still having a good time. I admire this teacher's creativity and I would definitely use it in my own class.
    Strategy #16:
    This link, like many of the others is another study guide. There are discussion questions on each chapter of every book, but whereas a lot of the other study guides have more insightful questions, this study guide focuses mainly on basic facts in the novel. What separates this guide from many of the others as well is that it also has vocabulary quizzes for each book. I really like that rather than simply listing the vocabulary words and definitions, it provides quizzes to actually test their knowledge of the unknown words.

    (view changes)
    9:30 am
  8. page Strategies edited ... I chose this particular link because it shows how not only to use the book in the classroom, b…
    ...
    I chose this particular link because it shows how not only to use the book in the classroom, but also the movie. It gives in depth descriptions and examples of applying a teacher's guide to the film, as well as background info on Dickens and his time. As a teacher I would refer to this source because students like and usually prefer visuals, so watching the movie might really benefit their learning and understanding of the novel.
    Strategy #10:
    ...
    the novel.
    Strategy #11:
    ...
    fairly simple.
    Strategy #12:
    This link is strictly for helping teachers teach A Tale of Two Cities. It provides assignments and activities that can be used, pop quizzes, discussion and essay questions, as well as challenges and opportunities to give to students throughout the lesson. This could be very helpful when looking for new ideas for such a lesson and I know I would definitely refer back to it in times of need.
    Strategy #13:
    ...
    link is a great source for teachers when planning units for this novel. It provides 30 daily lesson plans, 20 activities, 180 multiple choice questions, 60 short essay questions, and 20 essay questions quizzes, homework assignments, tests, and more. I would definitely use this source because in times where it may be hard to find lessons or activities that help all of the students, this site gives you hundreds of options.
    Strategy #14:
    This link is yet again another study guide. However, what makes it different than the others is that it's strictly discussion questions. There is no summary, character analysis, or anything else; only questions. These questions cover every chapter of every book in the novel separately. Because this study guide is a student copy, it would be great to give students to study with for upcoming tests or quizzes. I think I would use it by giving Book I, II, and III study questions all separately and giving those tests separately as well. Then, at the end of the lesson for the final test or assignment, they would have all of the study guides and the tests/quizzes to refer back to. By giving them each separately, it keeps the students from feeling overloaded with work.
    Strategy #15:
    This link is provided by a first year teacher who did an experiment with his students that ended up working out really well. For his A Tale of Two Cities lesson, he first made a mock-contract for students to sign that is fun and comical to look over. He then provides a list of projects that the students can choose from-they only have to pick one. Each project covers a different aspect of the novel and holds different requirements. This method gives students the feeling of being in control while still having a good time. I admire this teacher's creativity and I would definitely use it in my own class.

    (view changes)
    9:03 am
  9. page Strategies edited ... This strategy is another study guide type link. It provides plot summaries, character analysis…
    ...
    This strategy is another study guide type link. It provides plot summaries, character analysis, and vocabulary help. However, what I feel makes this source so helpful and different is that rather than only giving essay ideas, it also gives activities, examples of those activities, background info on the novel and the time period it was based in, and also a biography on Charles Dickens. This study guide seems to cover all the basics but again, it is also more of a teacher's guide rather than a student's because of all the activity ideas. It is something that I find would be very helpful as an educator, especially if that educator has never taught A Tale of Two Cities.
    Strategy #7:
    ...
    they read.
    Strategy #8
    This link contains a very interesting instructional strategy. It requires that students compare first several forms of communication: email, text messages, phone calls. Then they complete a character study chart to provide character analysis for the story. After that, they choose two or more characters and write emails, text messages, or phone conversations to present they relationship between these characters. It's an interesting assignment to help students understand the different characters and their importance in the novel. I would definitely use this in my classroom because it allows students to use technology and put their everyday uses to work in the classroom. It would be an easy assignment for them that still requires creativity and critical thinking.
    Strategy #9:
    ...
    the novel.
    Strategy #10:
    This source provides a venn diagram that can be used for students to individually compare three different aspects of the story. These aspects can be either characters, ideas, themes, versions of the story, or the novel itself and pieces of art relating to it. This would be an interesting assignment that could broaden students understanding of the novel and encourage them to branch out to different works of art that may relate to it. I think students would enjoy this activity because it gives them a choice and and an opportunity to show what they knows without narrowing it down to specifics of the novel.
    Strategy #11:
    This strategy refers back to the texting idea between characters. However, this source provides a chart for students to use and also questions to think about while forming the conversation. It also requires a rationale to be stated for each comment made by each character. I would use this in my classroom because it once again allows students to bring in to the classroom things they are interested and find to be fairly simple.
    Strategy #12:
    This link is strictly for helping teachers teach A Tale of Two Cities. It provides assignments and activities that can be used, pop quizzes, discussion and essay questions, as well as challenges and opportunities to give to students throughout the lesson. This could be very helpful when looking for new ideas for such a lesson and I know I would definitely refer back to it in times of need.
    Strategy #13:
    This link is

    (view changes)
    7:25 am
  10. page Strategies edited ... Strategy #6: This strategy is another study guide type link. It provides plot summaries, char…
    ...
    Strategy #6:
    This strategy is another study guide type link. It provides plot summaries, character analysis, and vocabulary help. However, what I feel makes this source so helpful and different is that rather than only giving essay ideas, it also gives activities, examples of those activities, background info on the novel and the time period it was based in, and also a biography on Charles Dickens. This study guide seems to cover all the basics but again, it is also more of a teacher's guide rather than a student's because of all the activity ideas. It is something that I find would be very helpful as an educator, especially if that educator has never taught A Tale of Two Cities.
    Strategy #7:
    This site is strictly vocabulary help for the novel. Providing nearly 300 words that students may find confusing, this site helps them to understand these words so that they may understand and follow the novel better. As a teacher, I can see myself for each day of the unit, putting up some of these words on the board that relate to that night or the previous night's reading to copy down as bellwork so that students may better understand what they are taking in as they read.
    Strategy #8
    This link contains a very interesting instructional strategy. It requires that students compare first several forms of communication: email, text messages, phone calls. Then they complete a character study chart to provide character analysis for the story. After that, they choose two or more characters and write emails, text messages, or phone conversations to present they relationship between these characters. It's an interesting assignment to help students understand the different characters and their importance in the novel. I would definitely use this in my classroom because it allows students to use technology and put their everyday uses to work in the classroom. It would be an easy assignment for them that still requires creativity and critical thinking.
    Strategy #9:
    I chose this particular link because it shows how not only to use the book in the classroom, but also the movie. It gives in depth descriptions and examples of applying a teacher's guide to the film, as well as background info on Dickens and his time. As a teacher I would refer to this source because students like and usually prefer visuals, so watching the movie might really benefit their learning and understanding of the novel.
    Strategy #10:

    (view changes)
    7:07 am

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