In War Time

Do now #1

Introductory Activity

Workbook pp. 3-4: In War Time

In war, what happens to soldiers? To people in the war zone? To friends and families at home?

• Read the questions on workbook p. 3.
• Jot down what you already know on workbook p. 4.

Previewing Unit Materials and Making Predictions 

Workbook p. 5: Previewing Unit 2

Take a look at the 3 books for our unit: The Man Who Walked Between the Towers, War in Afghanistan and Iraq, and The Big Nothing.

• Look at the front and back covers. Flip through the pages. If you do not have the books, you may refer to this summary: PDF
• Then make a prediction and ask a question on workbook p. 5.

Journal Write

Workbook p. 7: Journal write

Reading about war can be hard. Write your ideas on workbook p. 7.

Exit ticket #1

Do now #2

Mini-lesson

Video: Predicting vimeo • download

Workbook pp. 9-10: What will happen next?

Text: The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

• Good readers use strategies to understand what they read. We’ll practice a new strategy, prediction.
• Soon we’ll read about the September 11 terrorist attacks. They destroyed the World Trade Center in New York. We’ll first read a true story.
• Watch the video to listen to a teacher summarizing, clarifying, and predicting. 
• Continue reading The Man Who Walked Between the Towers. Stop to make predictions. Write your predictions on workbook pp. 9-10. Stop at the line, “It was past dawn before they were ready.”

Exit ticket #2

Homework

Workbook pp. 11-12: Making a prediction 

Do now #3

Guided Reading 

Let’s check our predictions. We’ll read on to find out what really happened.

Text: The Man Who Walked Between the Towers 

Hero or criminal?

Workbook p. 13: Hero or criminal?

Was Phillipe Petit a hero or a criminal?

• Who is a hero you know about? Who is a criminal?
• Write their names at the top of workbook p. 13.
• Add some adjectives under the names.

Exit ticket #3

Homework

Workbook pp. 15-16: Philippe Petit: Hero or criminal?

Do Now #4

Debate Prep (teams discuss opinions and choose a position)

Was Philippe Petit a hero or a criminal?

Workbook pp. 17, 19, 21: Preparing for the debate, Facilitator checklist & Recorder notes

Exit ticket #4

Do now #5

Debate

Workbook p. 23: Debate reaction sheet

Exit ticket #5

Homework

Workbook p. 25: Taking a stand: Was Petit a hero or criminal?

Do now #6

Fluency work

Practice fluency with passages about the September 11 attacks.

Passage 1, Day 1: Select A • B • C • D

1. Silently read the passage.
2. Time yourself reading for 1 minute. Put slashes / when the timer goes off. Record your words per minute (WPM). Then finish the passage.
3. Answer the questions.
4. Practice reading the passage in phrases. Pause when you see a slash /. Pause longer when you see //.

What happened on September 11, 2001?

Workbook p. 27: September 11

• Circle words connected to the attacks on September 11.
• Write a summary of what happened using the 5 Ws.

September 11 Attacks 

Online resources: view choices 

• Choose several September 11 resources to look at or listen to.
• For each resource, what do you notice?
• How does this add to what you know about September 11?
• What questions do you have?

Exit ticket #6

Homework

Workbook p. 29: What do you remember?

Do now #7

Fluency work

Practice fluency with passages about the September 11 attacks. 

Passage 1, Day 2: Select A • B • C • D

1. Practice reading tricky phrases and words and do the decoding activity.
2. Time yourself reading for 1 minute. Put slashes / when the timer goes off. Record your words per minute (WPM). Then finish the passage.
3. Answer the questions.

Mini-lesson

Video: Syllable chunks vimeo • download

Workbook pp. 31-32: Syllables and vowels & Quick quiz

• Watch the video to hear a teacher explain syllable chunks.
• Follow along on workbook p. 31. Circle the vowels in Afghanistan. 
• Practice counting vowels in plummeted, rope, and beneath.
• Complete the Quick quiz on workbook p. 32.

Mini-lesson

Video:  Cause and effect vimeo • download

Workbook p. 33-35: Cause and effect Part 1 & Linking words

• Watch the video to hear a teacher explain cause and effect.
• Follow along on workbook pp. 33-34. Draw arrows connecting the causes with their effects.
• Write sentences using the linking word ‘so’ on workbook p. 34.
• Match up the causes and effects on workbook p. 35. Write sentences using the linking words ‘because’ and ‘since’ on workbook p. 35.

Exit ticket #7

Homework

Workbook pp. 37-38: Finding syllables 

Do now #8

September 11 Timeline

Workbook p. 39: September 11 timeline

1. Read the list of events that happened on September 11.
2. After you read each event, try saying it in your own words.
3. Four planes crashed on September 11. Circle the events in the timeline that tell about each plane crash.

Mini-lesson

Video: More on cause and effect vimeo • download

Workbook p. 40: Cause and effect Part 2

• Watch the video to hear a teacher explain more about cause and effect.
• Follow along on workbook p. 40. Draw arrows connecting the causes with their effects.
• Write sentences that connect each cause with its effect. Begin your sentences with ‘because’ or ‘since’ in front of the cause. Include a comma in between the cause and the effect.

September 11: The People in the World Trade Center

Image links: People in the World Trade Center

• View some of the images from the World Trade Center on September 11.
• What were people wearing or carrying inside the World Trade Center?
• From what you see, why was it hard for people to get out of the building?

Partner Work: September 11 story of Arlene Charles

Workbook pp. 41-42: September 11 stories

• Read Arlene Charles’s story about September 11 on workbook p. 41.
• On workbook p. 42, write the names of the people who helped Arlene Charles escape.
• Write 2 cause and effect sentences about Arlene Charles’s story. Choose 2 effects from the ovals on p. 42. Find the causes of these effects in the story on p. 41. Start your cause and effect sentences with ‘because’ or ‘since.’

Exit ticket #8

Homework

Workbook p. 43: “How My Life Has Changed” 

Do now #9

Fluency Work

Practice fluency with passages about September 11 and the war in Iraq.

Passage 2, Day 1: Select A • B • C • D

1. Silently read the passage.
2. Time yourself reading for 1 minute. Put slashes / when the timer goes off. Record your words per minute (WPM). Then finish the passage.
3. Answer the questions.
4. Practice reading the passage in phrases. Pause when you see a slash /. Pause longer when you see //.

Guided reading: “Burnt Ground” and “Names” 

Workbook pp. 45-46: Poets respond to September 11

• Read the explanation of the fires at the World Trade Center on workbook p. 45.
• Read the poem “Burnt Ground” to yourself or out loud.
• Notice details: what was happening just before the attacks?
• Read the poem “Names” on workbook p. 46 to yourself or out loud.
• Who are all the people in “Names”? Why are their names important?

Exit ticket #9

Homework

Workbook p. 47: What changed after September 11

Do now #10

Fluency Work

Practice fluency with passages about September 11 and the war in Iraq.

Passage 2, Day 2: Select A • B • C • D

1. Practice reading tricky phrases and words and do the decoding activity.
2. Time yourself reading for 1 minute. Put slashes / when the timer goes off. Record your words per minute (WPM). Then finish the passage.
3. Answer the questions.

Mini-lesson

Video: Chunking long words, part 1 vimeo • download

Workbook pp. 49-51: Chunking long words part 1

• Watch the video to hear a teacher explain syllable chunks.
• Follow along on workbook p. 49.
• Divide words at the bottom of p. 49 between double consonants like:  at | tack
• Read the chunks then blend together.
• Divide words on p. 51 between double consonants.

Peer Edit

Workbook p. 53: Peer edit: Writing about September 11

• If possible, exchange the paragraph you wrote on workbook p. 47 with a partner.
• Read your partner’s paragraph and use workbook p. 53 to offer some feedback.

Exit ticket #10

Homework

Workbook p. 55: Chunking words into syllables

Do now #11

Partner Work: Previewing using pictures 

Text: War in Afghanistan and Iraq

Workbook pp. 57-58: Previewing using pictures

• Look through the new unit text, War in Afghanistan and Iraq.
• Find 2 interesting photos.
• Write down what you notice and read about the photos on workbook pp. 57-58.
• Write down a question you have about the photos.
• Look at the photo on page 6. Write about it on workbook p. 58.

Mini-lesson

Video: Using the table of contents vimeo • download

Workbook pp. 59-60: Using the table of contents

• Watch the video to hear a teacher explain how to use a table of contents.
•  Follow along on workbook p. 59.
• Answer the questions on the bottom of p. 59.
• Write information from the table of contents on p. 59 in the bubbles on workbook p. 60.
• Add facts or topics you know about to the bubbles.

Exit ticket #11

Do now #12

Fluency work

Practice fluency with passages about soldiers and the war in Iraq.

Passage 3, Day 1: Select A • B • C • D

1. Silently read the passage.
2. Time yourself reading for 1 minute. Put slashes / when the timer goes off. Record your words per minute (WPM). Then finish the passage.
3. Answer the questions.
4. Practice reading the passage in phrases. Pause when you see a slash /. Pause longer when you see //.

Unit 2.2 timeline

Texts: The Man Who Walked Between the Towers, War in Afghanistan and Iraq, The Big Nothing

Workbook p. 61: Unit 2.2 timeline

• Unit 2.2 uses 3 books: The Man Who Walked Between the Towers, War in Afghanistan and Iraq, and The Big Nothing.
• Workbook p. 62 shows a timeline of events that the books describe.
• Read the timeline of important events.
• Next to each event, write the name of the book that tells about the event. You will need to flip through the books to check the dates.
• Bonus: Look in the workbook for poems or short articles you can add to the timeline.

Mini-lesson

Text: War in Afghanistan and Iraq

Video: Using an index vimeo • download

Workbook pp. 62-63: Using the index

• Watch the video to hear a teacher explain how to use an index.
• Follow along on workbook p. 62.
• Look at the index pages for War in Afghanistan and Iraq.
• Find page numbers in the index for the topics on workbook p. 62 (Baghdad, etc.).
• Turn to those page numbers in the book to find answers to the questions (Where is Baghdad, etc.).

Exit ticket #12

Do now #13

Fluency Work

Practice fluency with passages about soldiers and the war in Iraq.

Passage 3, Day 2: Select A • B • C • D

1. Practice reading tricky phrases and words and do the decoding activity.
2. Time yourself reading for 1 minute. Put slashes / when the timer goes off. Record your words per minute (WPM). Then finish the passage.
3. Answer the questions.

Partner work: Previewing using section headings

Text: War in Afghanistan and Iraq

Workbook pp. 64-65: Previewing using section headings

Headings let us know about the information that can be found in a section or on a page. 

• Find the section heading WHAT LED TO WAR? in War in Afghanistan and Iraq.
• On workbook p. 64, describe what you see in the photos under that heading.
• Find pages 4, 6, and 24 in War in Afghanistan and Iraq.
• On workbook p. 65, write down the headline, what the pictures show and a fact you learned for each page.

Exit ticket #13

Homework

Workbook p. 67: Interviewing a service member 

Do now #14

Fluency Work

Practice fluency with passages about Tallahassee, Florida, reasons for war, and women soldiers in combat.

Passage 4, Day 1: Select A • B • C • D

1. Silently read the passage.
2. Time yourself reading for 1 minute. Put slashes / when the timer goes off. Record your words per minute (WPM). Then finish the passage.
3. Answer the questions.
4. Practice reading the passage in phrases. Pause when you see a slash /. Pause longer when you see //.

Partner work: Scanning

Text: War in Afghanistan and Iraq

Workbook p. 69: Scanning 

We read for different purposes. Sometimes, we skip over details and just read for specific information. 

• Read the top of workbook p. 69 to learn about scanning.
• Scan for key words from workbook p. 69 in War in Afghanistan and Iraq (2:00 am, midday, Stryker, cost). The workbook tells the page numbers where you can find the words.
• Read the sentences around these key words. Write down the facts you learn.

Partner work: What was it like to fight in the war on terror? 

Text: War in Afghanistan and Iraq

Workbook pp. 71-73: What was it like to fight in the war on terror? & Planning for a letter home from Iraq

• Use the index pages in War in Afghanistan and Iraq to find facts about soldiers during the war.
• Write down facts on workbook pages 71-72. Be sure to include your reactions!
• What if you were a US soldier in Iraq? Who at home would you want to write to? What could you write about?
• Jot down ideas for a letter home on workbook p. 73.

Exit ticket #14

Homework

Workbook p. 75: Writing a letter home from Iraq

Do now #15

Fluency work

Practice fluency with passages about Tallahassee, Florida, reasons for war, and women soldiers in combat

Passage 4, Day 2: Select A • B • C • D

1. Practice reading tricky phrases and words and do the decoding activity
2. Time yourself reading for 1 minute. Put slashes / when the timer goes off. Record your words per minute (WPM). Then finish the passage.
3. Answer the questions.

Mini-lesson

Video: Chunking long words, part 2 vimeo • download

Workbook pp. 77-78: Chunking long words part 2

• Watch the video to hear a teacher explain a new syllable chunking rule.
• Follow along on workbook p. 77.
• Write the VCCV pattern for the words in the middle of p. 77 
• Draw a line between the 2 middle consonants: in | vent                                             
• Follow the directions on workbook p. 78.

Mini-lesson

Text: War in Afghanistan and Iraq

Video: Using a glossary vimeo • download

Workbook pp. 79-80: What’s a glossary?

• Watch the video to hear a teacher explain the glossary in a nonfiction book.
• Follow along on workbook p. 79. Answer the questions.
• Find the glossary in War in Afghanistan and Iraq.
• Find the words terrorist, IED, and Al-Qaeda in the glossary.
• Write the definitions in your own words and use each word in a sentence.

Exit ticket #15

Homework

Workbook pp. 81-82: Syllable division 

Do now #16

Fluency Work

Practice fluency with passages about veterans and life during the Iraq War.

Passage 5, Day 1: Select A • B • C • D

1. Silently read the passage.
2. Time yourself reading for 1 minute. Put slashes / when the timer goes off. Record your words per minute (WPM). Then finish the passage.
3. Answer the questions.
4. Practice reading the passage in phrases. Pause when you see a slash /. Pause longer when you see //.

Mini-lesson

Text: War in Afghanistan and Iraq

Video: Skimming vimeo • download

Workbook pp. 83-84: Skimming & Iraqi children

• Watch the video to hear a teacher explain how and why to skim.
• Follow along on workbook p. 83.
• Skim on workbook p. 83 for the most important idea about Iraqi homes during the war. Write down the big idea.
• Open War in Afghanistan and Iraq to pp. 44-45. Skim for information about problems for Iraqi children in the war. Write down the big ideas and your reactions.
• Skim pp. 44-45 in the book for ideas about how children felt in the war. Write down big ideas and your reactions.

Exit ticket #16

Do now #17

Fluency Work

Practice fluency with passages about veterans and life during the Iraq war.

Passage 5, Day 2: Select A • B • C • D

1. Practice reading tricky phrases and words and do the decoding activity.
2. Time yourself reading for 1 minute. Put slashes / when the timer goes off. Record your words per minute (WPM). Then finish the passage.
3. Answer the questions.

Guided reading: Fiction inspired by the Iraq War

Workbook pp. 85-86: Diary entries

How did Iraqi kids feel during the war?

• Read the 3 diary entries on workbook pp. 85-86.
• Use the 5 Ws to summarize each kid’s story. Jot down your notes for each W.
• Discuss with classmates: How are these kids like us, different from us?

Debating the Iraq War 

Text: War in Afghanistan and Iraq

Workbook pp. 87-88: Debating the Iraq War

• Jenny and Shane are 8th graders. They have different ideas about the Iraq war. Jenny feels it was a mistake for the US to join the Iraq war. Shane feels the US had to join the war.
• Read Jenny and Shane’s ideas on workbook p. 87. Underline Jenny’s and Shane’s best points.
• Look in War in Afghanistan and Iraq for facts that will back up Jenny’s ideas. Write the facts and page numbers on workbook p. 88.
• Look in War in Afghanistan and Iraq for facts that will back up Shane’s ideas. Write the facts and page numbers on workbook p. 88.

Exit ticket #17

Homework

Workbook p. 89: Writing a diary entry 

Do now #18

Mini-lesson

Video: Vowel teams vimeo • download

Workbook pp. 91-92: Vowel teams

• Watch the video to hear a teacher explain vowel teams.
• Follow along on workbook pp. 91-92
• Underline the vowel teams in the words on the bottom of p. 92.
• Put a long vowel mark – over each first vowel.
• Put a slash / through each second vowel. It is silent. Read the words out loud.

Mini-lesson

Text: War in Afghanistan and Iraq

Video: Captions vimeo • download

Workbook pp. 93-94: Captions & Writing a caption

• Watch the video to listen to a teacher explain captions.                                
• Find pp. 42-43 in War in Afghanistan and Iraq. Follow the directions on the bottom of workbook p. 93.
• Look at the picture of a military family on workbook p. 94.
• Follow the directions for writing a caption to go with the picture.

Exit ticket #18

Homework

Workbook p. 95: Vowel teams

Do now #19

Block party: Launch The Big Nothing

Phrase strips

Workbook p. 97: The Big Nothing Making predictions

1. Read the phrase strips from our new book, The Big Nothing.
2. From what you have read and heard, make some predictions about The Big Nothing.
3. Write your predictions on workbook p. 97.

Guided Reading

As you read, figure out what life is like in Justin’s family.

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• paranoid: not trusting, fearful for no good reason
• indignantly: with anger about something unfair
• confess: admit something wrong
• confronting: standing up to someone

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 1-9

Who is Justin?

Workbook p. 98: Who is Justin? Fillable PDF • Google Doc

• Draw Justin in the box on workbook p. 98.
• Add some words that the author uses to describe Justin. Include the page number where you found each word, like this: zits p. 6
• Write some quotes that show Justin’s personality on the lines below.
• Add the page for each quote.

Exit ticket #19

Do now #20

Fluency work

Practice fluency with passages about children in wartime, enlisting, soldiers staying in touch, and Tallahassee, Florida.

Passage 6, Day 1: Select A • B • C • D

1. Silently read the passage.
2. Time yourself reading for 1 minute. Put slashes / when the timer goes off. Record your words per minute (WPM). Then finish the passage.
3. Answer the questions.
4. Practice reading the passage in phrases. Pause when you see a slash /. Pause longer when you see //.

Partner Reading

Look for facts about Duane, Justin’s older brother.

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• recruiter: someone who signs people up for the military
• M60s: machine guns
• Military Occupational Specialty: the job you sign up for in the military, your MOS for short
• Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic: Duane’s job in the military

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 10-14

Workbook pp. 99-100: Partner reading questions

Exit ticket #20

Do now #21

Fluency work

Practice fluency with passages about children in wartime, enlisting, soldiers staying in touch, and Tallahassee, Florida.

Passage 6, Day 2: Select A • B • C • D

1. Practice reading tricky phrases and words and do the decoding activity.
2. Time yourself reading for 1 minute. Put slashes / when the timer goes off. Record your words per minute (WPM). Then finish the passage.
3. Answer the questions.

Guided Reading

As you read, look for how the author describes Justin’s mom.

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• convictions: strong beliefs
• mediocre: so-so; just okay
• surgeon general:  the top doctor for the US

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 15-26

Add some notes about Justin to Who is Justin? from Lesson 19.

Exit ticket #21

Do now #22

Fluency work

Practice fluency with passages about military dogs and life for soldiers in wartime.

Passage 7, Day 1: Select A • B • C • D

1. Silently read the passage.
2. Time yourself reading for 1 minute. Put slashes / when the timer goes off. Record your words per minute (WPM). Then finish the passage.
3. Answer the questions.
4. Practice reading the passage in phrases. Pause when you see a slash /. Pause longer when you see //.

Partner Reading

Look for ways that Justin tries to help his mom.

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers: famous dancing couple from the 1930s and 40s
• civilized: well-behaved, elegant
• fedora: old style hat with a big brim

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 26-30

Workbook pp. 101-102: Partner reading questions

Exit ticket #22

Homework

Workbook pp. 103-104: The Big Nothing characterization

Do now #23

Fluency Work

Practice fluency with passages about military dogs and life for soldiers in wartime.

Passage 7, Day 2: Select A • B • C • D

1. Practice reading tricky phrases and words and do the decoding activity.
2. Time yourself reading for 1 minute. Put slashes / when the timer goes off. Record your words per minute (WPM). Then finish the passage.
3. Answer the questions.

Guided Reading

As you read, look for hints for how Justin feels about Jemmie.

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• multiplex: movie theatre with multiple screens
• oblivious: not noticing or aware
• relapse: when someone gets sick again
• disconnected: not in touch with other people

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 30-37

Add some notes about Justin to Who is Justin? from Lesson 19.

Exit ticket #23

Homework

Workbook p. 105: Connecting your experiences to The Big Nothing 

Do now #24

Partner Reading

Look for 3 different bad things happening for Justin’s family.

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• neutral: not taking a side
• insist: say that something has to happen
• ponder: think over carefully
• animated: lively, upbeat

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 39-47

Workbook pp. 107-108: Partner reading questions

Guided Reading

Justin is worrying about Duane. He keeps thinking about Jemmie.

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• nonchalant: cool, relaxed
• barbarian: with no manners
• reverbates: a sound that vibrates and lasts

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 49-59

Workbook p. 161: How is Justin changing? Fillable PDF • Google doc

Exit ticket #24

Homework

Workbook p. 109: Is war a “team sport”?

Do now #25

Fluency work

Practice fluency with passages about women soldiers, bomb injuries in Iraq, and bomb experts.

Passage 8, Day 1: Select A • B • C • D

1. Silently read the passage.
2. Time yourself reading for 1 minute. Put slashes / when the timer goes off. Record your words per minute (WPM). Then finish the passage.
3. Answer the questions.
4. Practice reading the passage in phrases. Pause when you see a slash /. Pause longer when you see //.

Partner Reading

Look for quick changes in Justin’s feelings.

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• realigned: lined up neatly again
• defensive: touchy, easily hurt
• psychic: able to read people’s minds or see the future
• hyperactive mouth: talking too much

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 59-65

Workbook pp. 111-113: Partner reading questions

Exit ticket #25

Do now #26

Fluency Work

Practice fluency with passages about women soldiers, bomb injuries in Iraq, and bomb experts.

Passage 8, Day 2: Select A • B • C • D

1. Practice reading tricky phrases and words and do the decoding activity.
2. Time yourself reading for 1 minute. Put slashes / when the timer goes off. Record your words per minute (WPM). Then finish the passage.
3. Answer the questions.

Guided Reading

Look for more details about Justin’s feelings for Jemmie.

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• Persian Gulf: a big body of water next to Iraq and Iran
• encouraging: a good sign
• deliberately: on purpose

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 67-79

Add some notes about Justin to How is Justin changing? from Lesson 24. 

Exit ticket #26

Homework

Workbook p. 115: Learning more about how Justin is changing

Do now #27

Partner Reading

Things are getting shaky at Justin’s house. See what action Justin is planning.

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• utilities: home services like water, gas, electric
• exasperated: fed up, angry
• inscrutable: something you can’t understand
• State of the Union Address: a speech where the President of the US gives updates

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 80-90

Workbook pp. 117-119: Partner reading questions

Guided Reading

Duane writes Justin a letter that worries him. At home, Justin takes a big step.

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• ordnance: military weapons, equipment, and ammo
• unconvincing: fake
• incinerated: burned up
• distractions: things that can get your mind off something

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 91-100

Add some notes about Justin to How is Justin changing? from Lesson 24.

Exit ticket #27

Homework

Workbook p. 121: Advice for Justin

Do now #28

Fluency Work

Practice fluency with passages about African American and Latino responses to the Iraq war and soldiers writing home from war.

Passage 9, Day 1: Select A • B • C • D

1. Silently read the passage.
2. Time yourself reading for 1 minute. Put slashes / when the timer goes off. Record your words per minute (WPM). Then finish the passage.
3. Answer the questions.
4. Practice reading the passage in phrases. Pause when you see a slash /. Pause longer when you see //.

Mini-lesson

Video: IGH letter combo vimeo • download

Workbook p. 123: The IGH letter combo

• Watch the video to hear a teacher explain the IGH letter combo.
• Follow along on workbook p. 123.
• Come up with your own way to remember that the IGH combo makes the long I sound.

Partner Reading

Look for something important that Ben says to Justin.

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• undisputable: true; can’t be argued with
• self conscious: overly worried about how you look or act
• soundtrack: music that goes with a movie or TV show
• imploding: exploding inside

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 101-108

Workbook pp. 124-126: Partner reading questions

Exit ticket #28

Homework

Workbook p. 127: The igh letter combo

Do now #29

Fluency Work

Practice fluency with passages about African American and Latino responses to the Iraq war and soldiers writing home from war.

Passage 9, Day 2: Select A • B • C • D

1. Practice reading tricky phrases and words and do the decoding activity.
2. Time yourself reading for 1 minute. Put slashes / when the timer goes off. Record your words per minute (WPM). Then finish the passage.
3. Answer the questions.

Guided Reading

How are Justin and Jemmie feeling about each other? Make a prediction about the ‘undate’.

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• objective opinion: a judgment based on facts
• professional: something done with skill or done for money
• indifference: not caring
• spontaneously: suddenly, all on its own

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 109-118

Add some notes about Justin to How is Justin changing? from Lesson 24.

Exit ticket #29

Do now #30

Partner Reading

Check your prediction about Justin and Jemmie’s ‘undate’. Are they becoming a couple or just friends? Look for big news from Duane.

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• apologetic: sorry
• reassure: try to make somebody feel better
• pachyderm: elephant
• AWOL: absent without leave: a military term meaning leaving base without permission

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 118-127

Workbook pp. 129-132: Partner reading questions

Guided Reading

How are Justin’s feelings about the Iraq war different from his friends’?

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• intense: serious; heavy
• crucial: really important
• sociable: liking the company of other people
• patriotic: supporting your country

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 129-137

Add some notes about Justin to How is Justin changing? from Lesson 24. 

Exit ticket #30

Do now #31

Fluency Work

Practice fluency with passages about military families and soldiers with PTSD.

Passage 10, Day 1: Select A • B • C • D

1. Silently read the passage.
2. Time yourself reading for 1 minute. Put slashes / when the timer goes off. Record your words per minute (WPM). Then finish the passage.
3. Answer the questions.
4. Practice reading the passage in phrases. Pause when you see a slash /. Pause longer when you see //.

Mini-lesson

Video: Chunking long words, part 3 vimeo • download

Workbook p. 133: Chunking long words part 3

• Watch the video to hear a teacher explain vowel sounds in VC | CV words.
• Follow along on workbook p. 133.
• Build words on the bottom of p. 133 with the syllable chunks on the page.
• Label the vowels long ¯ or short ˘. Use workbook pages 91-92 to help.

Partner Reading

Look for Justin to come to the rescue.

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• muffle: block a sound
• suspended: hanging in the air
• murmur: low voice, hard to hear
• fracture: break

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 138-143

Workbook pp. 134-136: Partner reading questions

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Homework

Workbook p. 137: Causal words help connect ideas 

Do now #32

Fluency work

Practice fluency with passages about with passages about military families and soldiers with PTSD.

Passage 10, Day 2: Select A • B • C • D

1. Practice reading tricky phrases and words and do the decoding activity.
2. Time yourself reading for 1 minute. Put slashes / when the timer goes off. Record your words per minute (WPM). Then finish the passage.
3. Answer the questions.

Guided Reading

Look for ways that Justin is growing as a character. Is he feeling more confident? Is he taking more risks?

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• regret: feel sad or disappointed
• ensure: make sure of something
• syncopation: changes in rhythm that make music sound jazzy or funky
• tempo: the speed of music

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 145-160

Add some notes about Justin to How is Justin changing? from Lesson 24.

Exit ticket #32

Do now #33

Partner Reading

Look for details about Duane’s daily life.

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• in unison:  together
• transport ship:  a military boat that moves people and equipment
• PX:  a store on an army base

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 161-165

Workbook pp. 139-141: Partner reading questions

Guided Reading

Look for new developments in Justin and Jemmie’s relationship.

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• embellishing: making something fancy or complicated.
• swells: gets bigger or louder
• rummage: dig through a container

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 167-174

Exit ticket #33 

Do now #34

Partner Reading

How is the war affecting Duane’s family?

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• vacate:  leave
• random:  by chance
• spontaneous combustion:  burst into flames
• barrage:  heavy bombing or shooting

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 175-183

Workbook pp. 142-144: Partner reading questions

Guided Reading

Look for a boost and a blow for Justin.

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• casualties: deaths in a war
• oblivious: not noticing
• aspirations: hopes and dreams
• hesitation: a short weight or delay

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 185-192

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Homework

Workbook p. 145: Connecting your experiences to The Big Nothing

Do now #35

Partner Reading

Look for ways that Justin’s friends help him get through the day.

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• high maintenance: needing a lot of attention
• humiliating: embarrassing
• latrine: toilet
• court martial: trial for a soldier who has broken rules

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 193-202

Workbook pp. 147-149: Partner reading questions

Guided Reading

Look for two setbacks. See how Justin reacts.

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• refuge: safe place
• pathetic: weak
• suffocate: stop breathing
• disentangle: pull free

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 203-212

Exit ticket #35

Do now #36

Partner Reading

Look for ways that Justin shows strength.

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• wilts: gets limp and droopy
• backbone: your spine; being tough
• dissolve: fall into pieces
• reliable: can be counted on

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 213-222

Workbook pp. 150-152: Partner reading questions

Guided Reading

Look for ways things are changing for Justin.

Here’s some vocabulary you'll see today:

• considerate: thinking of other people’s feelings
• converge: come together
• desolate: lonely, sad
• expectations: what you think will happen

Text: The Big Nothing, pp. 223-235

Exit ticket #36

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Introduce Final Debate

Workbook p. 153: Debate: What’s next for Justin and Jemmie?

Debate Roles

Workbook p. 154: Preparing for the debate

Teams Prepare Arguments

Workbook p. 155: Facilitator checklist

Workbook p. 156: Recorder notes

Exit ticket #37

Do now #38

Teams Rehearse

Workbook p. 157, 159: Debate reaction sheet

Teams Present

Debrief Unit and Celebrate

Exit ticket #38