tips for writing a good post-it
you only write post-its for the top 4
Remember, as you read you write jot dots about what you think is important.
Then, on Thursday you discuss with your book club and decide the Top 4 events.
Then you will write post-its for just those 4 events. These post-its will get stuck on the reading log.
write enough
You might have a great idea. For example, when you read about Captain Orlov arriving on the island, you might have thought that he was a jerk. You were so right! However, if you just wrote "Captain Orlov is a jerk!" you started with a great idea. But, you have to write more to really show your deep thinking. Instead, add more like this:
- Captain Orlov is a jerk! He acts like the island belonged to him shouts! I would not trust him.
- Captain Orlov is a jerk! He doesn't want to pay the tribe fairly. He thinks he doesn't even have to pay.
- Captain Orlov is a jerk! He says the tribe doesn't own the ocean so he shouldn't have to pay anything. But he suddenly agrees to pay. Weird!
feedback about your post-its
Feedback will be given for each of the 4 post-its. The key is:
- 1 = Nailed it! Hooray!
- 2 = On the important list, but what you wrote didn't explain enough about why it was important.
- 3 = On the important list, but you basically just wrote about the plot.
- 4 = You just wrote more about the same thing. It was not a new idea.
- 5 = Not on the important list, but it was a logical idea.
- 6 = Not something important, or it was confusing, or it missed the main point.
Remember, you don't just write questions on the post-its.
post-it examples from island of the blue dolphins
nailed it! - rated 1
Karana decides not to kill the wild dog: She sees he is helpless and something inside her has mercy. Maybe she thinks it is unfair to attack when he is so weak.
on the list, but didn't say enough - rated 2
Karana decides not to kill the wild dog: She feels bad for him.
on the list, but just saying the plot - rated 3
Karana takes the wild dog home. She feeds him and takes care of him. She finally started to like him and they become friends.
on the list, but more about the same thing - Rated 4
Karana decides not to kill the wild dog: She sees he is suffering and has pity on him. Maybe she will feel better if she helps him heal?
not top 4, but a logical idea - rated 5
Karana runs into a giant devilfish: She tries to kill it and is in danger. She escapes but when she's on the beach it attacks Rontu! He might be killed!
not important - rated 6
Karana and Rontu spend time together: They go fishing and gather food to eat. It keeps them busy on most days.
missing the point - rated 6
The devilfish attacks Rontu: It is really big and has lots of arms with tentacles. It can wrap its arms around Rontu. It's very strong!