Conversing with the Composer

I challenge you to re-define the way you read.

While the simple act of picking up a book and reading the pages is a very necessary and effective way to gain information, as readers we often forget to actually ENGAGE with the text. 

Reading is more than just words, strung into sentences, built into paragraphs, and formulated into stories. There is more there than what meets the eye. It's what's under the words and between the lines that often reveals the most about the book, and about life.

For this assignment you will be asked to engage with THE GIVER. Think of this has having a conversation with the book. As you read you are required to keep notes about your thinking. Once a week you will be required to post on your blog about a significant thought you had while reading.

Your blog post will need to include the following ...

1. Short summary of what you read over the week - what's currently happening in Jonas's Dystopia?
2. Identify a reading strategy that impacted you the most during your reading - be sure to include the quote that inspired your thinking.
3. Explanation and final comments of your thinking.
4. Enhancements (pictures, videos, or some type of multimedia image)

Good readers don't just read, but THINK about what they read. This assignment will teach you how to think better about what you read. Not to mention, it will better prepare you for your class discussions and final writing assessments.

Now it is time to begin our conversation with the composer. The first step of the reading process is called PRE-READING. For your first BLOG POST you will complete the PRE-READING steps below, then complete a post in which you address the 4 required components of the assignment.

PRE-READING STEPS: "INTERVIEW THE BOOK"

• Look at the front and back cover.
• Read the summary found on the back of the book, and read the reviews on the inside cover. 
• Read the excerpt found on the first page of the book

TODAY'S BLOG POST SHOULD MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ...

1. Short summary of what you think this book will be about. How would you describe it after having "interviewed" the book?
2. Read the dedication page where Lowry says, "For all the children to whom we entrust the future." What do you think Lowry means by this statement? Explain your thinking with a minimum of 3 sentences. 
3. Make a prediction about what you think will happen in this book?
4. Include a multi-media image that relates to something you talked about in your post.

Happy Reading :)