Week 3

Week #3

        I enjoyed reading about the write around strategy because it seems useful. It would be useful to teach students how to respectfully agree and disagree with each other. For example you could have them write an opinion piece on a story or topic that is being learned. The students would be able to freely share their opinions and the others int heir group could question and comment on it appropriately. I think this strategy would be useful in all content areas except maybe not as helpful with math because typically with math there is one right answer and it cannot be debated. I think this would be a useful strategy for reviewing for tests or to test prior knowledge.
        I think doing the character analysis activity was helpful however it was a little more challenging with this book I thought. It was challenging because Cole is mostly alone except when it flashes back to the past. Even with the flashbacks we don't get to learn a ton about the other characters. I did like this activity but I wonder if it would be more helpful to do farther into the book when we know the characters better. So far I have liked reading Touching Spirit Bear because I'm curious if Cole will ever change. He seems very adamant about not changing and escaping the island. I don't think he will be successful at escaping though because of the fact that he is on an island and doesn't know which way would get him back. I think students may enjoy reading this book because it talks about a rebellious kid. It isn't about an easy topic and makes it more of a real life type story. I think students could relate to him especially if they have parents who are divorced or if they feel like no one cares.