Speaker misses her so much that things that were exciting/fun are no longer so
Craft and Structure Focus: Repetition
Highlight the poet’s repetition of the phrase “Since Hanna moved away” at the end of each stanza.
Discuss how the author uses repetition to show that the things that used to be fun are no longer fun since Hanna moved away.
Day 2 Focus: Responding to Literature in Writing
Title: “Since Hanna Moved Away” (Poem)
Question 1: How does the speaker feel since Hanna moved away?
Sample answer: The speaker feels upset/lonely/sad or misses Hanna.
“The sky is grouchy gray” (line 2)
“Chocolate ice cream tastes like prunes” (line 5)
“Nothing’s fun to laugh about” (line 13)
Question 2: How does the poet convey the speaker’s feelings about Hanna leaving?
Sample answer: The poet conveys the speaker’s feelings by describing how everything in life is now gloomy or depressing.
“They’ve taken back the Mays and Junes” (line 7)
“Flowers smell like halibut” (line 9)
“Every handsome dog’s a mutt” (line 11)
Day 3 Focus: Read and Understand the Text
Title: “Running Song” (Poem)
Main Idea Jot:
Narrator finds running to be exhilarating/exciting
Wishes he could go on running for forever
Craft and Structure Focus: Word Choice
Discuss word choice and how the author’s choices create a sense of rhythm and movement that is exhilarating.
Discuss why the author titles this poem “Running Song”. No one is actually singing so why call this poem “Running Song”?
Day 4 Focus: Responding to Literature in Writing
Title: “Running Song” (Poem)
Question 1: How does the speaker react to people staring at him?
Sample answer: The speaker doesn’t care that people are looking at him and just keeps running.
“I’m not looking” (line 13)
“I’m not caring” (line 14)
“I’m just running hard and long” (lines 15-16)
Question 2: How does the speaker feel about running?
Sample answer: The speaker loves running and finds it exciting.
“I am running just for fun” (lines 3-4)
“I’m not looking, I’m not caring, I’m just running hard and long” (lines 13-16)
“Rushing rivers/ run forever/ Maybe I can/ if I try” (lines 27-29)
Week 2
Day 1 Focus: Read and Understand the Text
Title: “Jamaica Louise James” (Fiction)
Main Idea Jot:
Jamaica changes the subway by bringing joy to grandma and others.
Individuals have the power to affect positive change.
Craft and Structure Focus: Descriptive Language
Discuss how Jamaica describes the subway station in the beginning and end to highlight her change in perspective.
Also discuss how the passengers’ attitudes change from downtrodden/annoyed to upbeat/joyful because of Jamaica’s artwork.
Day 2 Focus: Responding to Literature in Writing
Title: “Jamaica Louise James” (Fiction)
Question 1: How does Jamaica feel at the end of the story?
Sample answer: Jamaica feels proud at the end of the story.
“Everyone is sure in love with my subway.” (paragraph 10)
“Then Grammy tells everyone about Jamaica Louise, age 8.” (paragraph 10)
Question 2: Describe Jamaica’s character traits.
Sample answer: Jamaica is kind/caring/creative.
“Everyday I add a picture to my collection and everyday I think about my cool idea.” (paragraph 7)
“What we do is hang a painting on the old tile wall…Before you know it the station is filled up with color.” (paragraph 8)
Day 3 Focus: Read and Understand the Text
Title: “Emma’s Echo” (Fiction)
Main Idea Jot:
Emma is annoyed with her echo (sister) because she is always tagging along.
When her sister gets sick, Emma realizes that she misses her.
Sometimes you don’t realize how important someone is until they are absent.
Craft and Structure Focus: Descriptive Language
Discuss how the author describes Emma’s echo (e.g. through her actions).
Discuss how the author shows us that Emma’s echo is actually her sister.
Day 4 Focus: Responding to Literature in Writing
Title: “Emma’s Echo” (Fiction)
Question 1: Why does Emma change her attitude towards her echo?
○Sample answer: Emma changes her attitude because she feels lonely when her echo is not around.
“It was so quiet. Emma felt alone.” (paragraph 12)
“‘I missed you,’ said Emma.” (paragraph 14)
Question 2: How does the author show us that Emma’s opinion of her “echo” has changed?
Sample answer: The author shows us that Emma’s opinion has changed by describing her reaction to her echo at the beginning of the story and then at the end of the story.
“Sometimes Emma got tired of her echo.” (paragraph 2)
“She tried to leave her echo in the house…” (paragraph 2)
“It was so quiet. Emma felt alone.” (paragraph 12)
What Else Do I Need?
Shared Text Selections:
Poem: “Since Hanna Moved Away” by Judith Viorst from If I Were in Charge of the World and Other Worries
Poem: “Running Song” by Marci Ridlon from The 20th Century Children’s Poetry Treasury
Fiction: “Jamaica Louise James” from Jamaica Louise James by Amy Hest
Fiction: “Emma’s Echo” from Highlights by Haley Kelly
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