This week we have been identifying the mood in a poem and using the mood to help us make interpretations of the poems we read. Read the poem below, written by Shel Silverstein, and identify the mood of the poem using words from the poem to support your thinking. Then, discuss the theme of the poem. What lesson can you learn? What is this poem really about? 

YESEES AND NOEES

The Yesees said yes to anything
That anyone suggested.
The Noees said no to everything
Unless it was proven and tested.
So the Yesees all died of much too much
And the Noees all died of fright,
But somehow I think the Thinkforyourselfees
All came out all right.

- Shel Silverstein 

Dear Poets, 
This week I would like you to find a favorite poem. I would like you to bring in that poem to share with the class. If you don't have a favorite, then just bring in any poem that you like. Remember that poems can show up in a lot of places. If you would like to do some searching, here are a few websites you can go to:

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/resources/children
https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/text/poems-kids

Have fun! I can't wait to hear your poems! : )

STAY OPEN TO NEW IDEAS AS YOU READ
Readers, tonight you should devote a good amount of time to read your historical fiction books. As you read, keep asking yourself, “What is the book really about?” Remember to stay open to new ideas as you read, as you did in class. Even if these ideas may not seem connected to your interpretation of the story, take note of them. These new ideas may take you on a journey of thought in ways that will surprise you. These ideas may inspire you to change your mind about your interpretation, perhaps more than once.
Leave a little time at the end of your homework time to do a quick write. Choose one of the thought prompts, and then go! Write fast and furious. Fill an entire page and then another. Three minutes and you’re done!
Now read your quick write and star your best thoughts. Then use those thoughts to add to or change your interpretation.

Readers, you have been reading your historical fiction books in class. Tonight I want you to do some research about the time period in history that you are reading about. When did the book take place? Where did the book take place? What was going on in history during this time (be specific and explain)? How did this affect the characters? Write long and strong about your books and how history affected the story!  

Mystery readers pay close attention to the characters as they read. They track their inside traits and outside traits to help them better understand the characters and their motives. Pick a character from your book and develop ideas about that character. Write about their inside traits and outside traits. What do the inside and outside traits tell you about this character? What type of person are they? Use the chart below to help you write about the character. 

This week we are finishing up our mystery books and starting new books! Mystery readers assume that the only work they must do is follow the fast- moving plot and solve the mystery, but it is important to step back. Mystery readers solve mysteries, but they also learn about life. They know it pays off to step back and ask, “What choices has this character made? What lesson(s) could I learn from these?” readers slow down a bit and realize that characters in mysteries are not just on the page to entertain, they also teach valuable lessons that readers can apply to their own lives. It pays off to look closely at characters actions, noticing whether these lead to positive or negative results. What lesson(s) could I learn from the choices that character made? Write about the life lessons you learned from your characters. 

This week you will continue to read mysteries with your book club. Write one theory you have about your mystery and support it with clues and text evidence. Just like writing a persuasive essay use boxes and bullets to plan your piece and be persuasive using reasons and examples from the text. Use character names, plot, clues, character motives, suspects, etc. to support your theory. 

In my opinion I think....
One reason is.... (with text evidence) For example... 
Another reason is.... (with text evidence) For example...
My final reason is.... (with text evidence) For example... 
My theory is _____ because ______, ______, and ______. 

A Week of Gratituide: 
This week we have been discussing "gratitude". Gratitude is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Write three good things. Pick one of these things and write about it. Why are your grateful for that person, place or thing? What can you do to show gratitude toward that person, place or thing? 

Example: My three good things are the sunshine, my students, and challenges. 
I am grateful for challenges in my life because they help to grow my brain and learn from my mistakes. Challenges give me the opportunity to take risks, make mistakes and learn from them. I am grateful for challenges every day! When I am faced with a challenge I will write it down in my journal and say to myself, "I am grateful for this challenge, I am up for the challenge, I will learn and grow from it." 

RESEARCHING WITH MULTIPLE AGENDAS/ QUESTIONS
Researchers, tonight, as you research, continue holding your own agenda in mind as you read. Your research question should be front and center as you tackle your new text. That is, if you are reading about droughts, your agenda might be, “Who has power over water?” If you are reading about earthquakes, your agenda might be, “Where are the most potentially dangerous places to live?”
One thing to consider though, is just like your ideas about your topic evolved as you gathered more information, so too could your research question. As you read tonight, you may find that your initial question along with your new learning may lead you to an additional research question or idea; try coming up with an additional agenda or question as you tackle your reading. If you are studying tsunamis, perhaps one question you have is, “What part of the tsunami causes the most destruction?” And another could be, “How does poverty influence tsunami damage?” Read with both these questions in mind, adding the new information you learn to your growing collection of notes on your topic. Write a summary of your notes on the blog.