Valdosta State University College of Education SEED 3100 Approaches to Learning for Secondary English Reading Logs

Directions:
You do not have to type your reading log. The reason for the reading log is for you to make notes of what you have read and ideas for teaching/learning activities.  It is important to jot these down as you read.

My only requirements are that your notes are legible and that you have numerous, specific activities.

The following are some notes that I made from the first chapter of ABE'S STORY:

The Beginning
Notes:
The story is told from the first person point of view. The reader is introduced to 16 year-old Abram Korn. Members of his family are introduced and briefly described. The reader learns that WWII has just begun. Little by little, the reader learns of the cruelty to the Jews. At the end of the chapter Abe is badly beaten because he is a Jew.

Questions and Activities:
 

1. From what point of view is the story told? If it were told from a different point of view, how would it change what the reader learns? Class discussion.
2. When does the story take place? Year? What is going on?
3. Have students research WWII -- who are U.S.  Allies? Who is in control of Germany?
4. Why are the Jews being persecuted? Note the following quotation:
   "The Germans identified and recorded the names of the Jews in Lipno. They ordered us to wear distinctive arm bands, called Judenstern (Jewish star), displaying the six-pointed Star of David" (p.6).
   Have students research Judenstern and the Jewish Heritage. Have guest speakers come to class to discuss these topics.
5. Locat Lipno, Poland on a map. Locate Germany on a map
6. What was the name of Hitler's air force?
7. Identify the literary form used in this quotation:
   "Moments later, the Nazi's announced that, at the count of three, we were to flee as though a thousand devils were kicking us" (p.10).  What literary form is used in the underlined passage. Spend class time writing more of these.  The teacher should give several examples before the students write their own.
8. Research the Nuremberg Laws.
9. Define the following terms as they were used in chapter one:
   confiscated (p. 6)                    quaint (p.8)
   surmising (p.7)                        modest(p.8)
10. Write one paragraph or several sentences to summarize the action of the first chapter.

Course Name - SEED 3100 Approaches to Learning for Secondary English

Instructor: Dr. Robbie W. Strickland, Ed.D.
                  Professor, Secondary Education
                rstrickl@valdosta.edu
                  912-333-5927

College of Education

Valdosta State University -

Valdosta,GA 31698
Office -