"A book, too, can be a star, 'explosive material, capable of stirring up fresh life endlessly,' a living fire to lighten the darkness, leading out into the expanding universe." - from Madeleine L'Engle's Newberry Medal Acceptance Speech

Friday, September 19, 2014

Reading Focus: Readers analyze character's emotions.

Focusing on Fiction: Readers think deeply about characters’ emotions.


Characters in stories are real people with real feelings. And like us, they experience a variety of feelings that vary with intensity and are often complex.

Here is a wheel that provides us with accurate vocabulary to describe emotions. Circle or highlight words you don’t understand.

In your notebook, think of a moment such as the first day of 8th grade or 6th grade, and describe how you felt using some of this language. Be specific. Explain why you felt the way you did and how you showed or didn’t show it.

Ex. On the turf where we lined up on the first day, I made sure to smile and stand confidently, holding the laminated 812 sign up with strong, straight arms. I wanted my new students to feel comfortable and excited about a new year.

Emotions are complex and can change very quickly. When you read a story, track a character’s emotions by looking for:
·      Explicit descriptions of emotions (external and directly stated)
·      Implicit descriptions of emotions shown through:
§       Dialogue
§       Thoughts
§       Actions and reactions – what characters do or don’t do
§       Strong language and descriptive words

Let’s reread “Am I Blue?” and note Vince’s emotions.


HW: As you read your independent reading book, go back and take notes on a character’s strong emotions.

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