HW # 9 (9/20/12)

English Language Arts:

Read 20 minutes and log

The writer takes a very serious subject—kidnapping—and turns it into a very funny story. Think of other stories or movies where this happens. List them. Choose one and create a plot diagram about it.

Read Clean Sweep and answer the following:

1.    What objects does Katie treasure because of their association with her father?

2.    Why is Katie able to help Mrs. Leonardo figure out what is important and what she should treasure?

3.    What might the author be saying about the relationship between organization and what is important in life?

4.    Why might the author choose to reveal the details about Katie’s father in a flashback, rather than as part of the story’s exposition?

Writing:

Create a chart using the brainstorm list from a few nights ago. In your chart answer the following questions:

• What specific, relevant details do I remember about the experience?

• What does the experience reveal about me or someone else?

• Why might reading about this experience be engaging or important to other people?

• Am I comfortable sharing my thoughts about the experience with readers?

• Who will read my narrative? What information will they need to understand my story?

• Why am I writing about this experience? Do I want to make my audience laugh—or cry? Do I want them to understand something about me or the world we live in?