Useful Forms Book Reports for a novel and for short stories collection

These are my book report forms.  Feel free to use them for your classes.

Rachael Orbach
http://rachaelorbach.weebly.com/english-teacher-
0527500608


Book Report

Your name ……………………………………………………

Name of the book ……………………………………………

The Author …………………………………………………..

Did you enjoy reading the book?  Yes / No   Why ……………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………

Would you recommend this book to your friends?  Yes / No    Explain why

…………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………

Choose one (only one) of the following as a topic for your book report.  Remember to relate to all

aspects of the question.  Use correct language, spelling and punctuation.  Write about 150 words.

In order to get full points, you must provide details from the book to prove or substantiate what you

1. You are presenting an award to one of the characters in the book you read.  Decide what award

this character deserves and why he / she deserves this award.

a. Write the speech that you would give when you present the award to the character.  Make

sure to explain what the award is and why the character you chose is getting this award by

b. Write a letter to the committee that is giving out the award and explain why you think

your character deserves the award.  Make sure to present details from the story to strengthen

2. One of the characters in the story is having a birthday party.  Explain what present you would

bring this person and explain why you think this present is perfect for him or her. Make sure to

present details from the story to strengthen your claims.

3. Write a letter that does not actually appear in the book.  You could write a letter that is mentioned

in the book, or that could have been written by one of the characters.

Then explain briefly why this letter is important to the story.

Make sure to give details from the story to support what you write in the letter.

Good Luck!





Book Report  -  Short stories

Your name ……………………………………………………

Name of the book ……………………………………………

The Author …………………………………………………..

Did you enjoy reading the book?  Yes / No   Why ……………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………

Answer the questions below. Make sure to give details from the story to support your opinions. Use

correct language, spelling and punctuation. (60 points for content, 12 for vocabulary, 20 for

1. Which story or part of the book do you like the most or did you find most interesting.  Explain

why. ……………………………………………………………...

 ………………………………………………………………………………….……...

………………………………………………………………………………….……...

………………………………………………………………………………….……...

………………………………………………………………………………….……...

2. Which story is most unusual?  Explain why.    …………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………….……...

………………………………………………………………………………….……...

………………………………………………………………………………….……...

………………………………………………………………………………….……...

3. Do some of the stories have something in common?  Explain what this is.

………..…………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………….……...

………………………………………………………………………………….……...

………………………………………………………………………………….……...

4. Why do you think the stories were put into one book? ……………………………

………………………………………………………………………………….……...

………………………………………………………………………………….……...

………………………………………………………………………………….……...

Good Luck!

Snow Treasure Projets

I use this when I am studying the Holocaust in an English Speaker class for a high level English speaking class.  This book could also be used for 5 points Bagrut, with English Ministry approval, of course.


You can change anything that you need to in order to make it work for your class.





• Find the country of Norway on a map or globe. Answer these questions.

o What is the capital of Norway? Where is it located?

o Why is fishing an important part of Norway's economy?

o What percentage of the country falls within the Arctic Circle?

• A fiord is a deep narrow inlet of the sea between high, steep banks or

cliffs. Find photographs of fiords in the library. These will help you

understand the setting of this story better.

• What was unusual about the weather in Norway in the winter of 1940?

• What was Peter's father planning to do with the gold bullion? Why was

• What did Uncle Victor mean when he said to Peter, "You're all right,

• The opening chapters of Snow Treasure provide background information

for the book. Complete a chart that shows the information that you have

gathered about characters, using their name and description as well as

the central problems in the story.

• Do you think children should be trusted to transport the gold? What risks

would they face? Would you want a similar responsibility? Why or why

• What evidence was there that the adults of Riswyk had great faith in

• Why was Herr Holm worried about the weather?

• As Peter was made aware of the plans to remove the gold, he "could

hardly believe this was real life and that it was his father who was

talking and not two characters in a book or film." Write about a dramatic

moment in your own life that had a similar feeling or unreality.

• Imagine you are a newspaper reporter in 1940. Write a news story

describing the German invasion of Norway. Remember that a good news

story tells who, what, where, when and why in the first paragraph. The

other paragraphs include important details.

• Imagine that the young German captain must write a report of his day's

patrol. Write what the captain might say about what he saw in his two

• Imagine you are Peter. Write a journal entry describing what you have

been doing and how you feel about the events so far.

• Imagine the Germans put up posters in Riswyk after Peter and Jan Lasek

disappeared. Write these "wanted" posters describing each fugitive and

telling the reasons he abandoned Norway.

• After a five-minute planning session with your literature circle group,

role-play any of the following imaginary scenes:

o Peter has a farewell scene with his mother just as the ship is about

o Peter and Jan talk with Uncle Victor about their future plans.

o Peter and Jan are recaptured by the German Commandant, but

o Mama receives her first letter from Peter in America. She shares it

with Peter's father and the rest of the family.

• Although much of this story is historically correct, no one is certain

whether the story about the children of Norway actually happened.

Nonetheless, the people of Norway acted courageously under Nazi

occupation. Do some research on Norway during World War II and find

out what life was like during the occupation and what acts of courage are

• Create three brief news announcements for Radio Free Europe based on

descriptions found in Snow Treasure._

Rules of the Game - with HOTS!

This is my Unit on how to teach Rules of the Game by Amy Tan.  Feel free to change, add or subtract what is needed for your particular class!  5 points

Rachael Orbach 

http://rachaelorbach.weebly.com/   052-7500608

Rules of the Game.  

LOTS Rules of the Game.

What is the conflict of the story? _________________________________

Who is the main character?  ____________________________________

What is the plot of the story? ____________________________________

How does the setting affect the outcome of the story? _________________

____________________________________________________________

What time frame does the story take place?  Weeks, months, years?

_____________________________________________________________

What do the supporting characters add to the story?

_____________________________________________________________

What is the climax of the story?

______________________________________________________________

What is the resolution?

_______________________________________________________________

HOT Generating Possibilities

Fun exercise …

Scenario: Imagine there is a hungry mosquito in the room whilst you are trying to sleep.

Think of at least 20 possible responses*

1____________________________2__________________________________

3____________________________4__________________________________

5____________________________6__________________________________

7____________________________8__________________________________

9____________________________10_________________________________

11___________________________12_________________________________

13___________________________14_________________________________

15___________________________16_________________________________

17___________________________18_________________________________

19___________________________20__________________________________

Now, apply this to Amy Tam’s story.

What options does Amy have in her relationship with her mother?

Think of at least 20 possible responses*

1____________________________2__________________________________

3____________________________4__________________________________

5____________________________6___________________________________

7____________________________8___________________________________

9____________________________10__________________________________

11___________________________12__________________________________

13___________________________14_________________________________

15___________________________16__________________________________ 

17___________________________18_________________________________

19___________________________20__________________________________

Prediction: Now that you have read the entire story, Write the next chapter of the story. What happens between Amy and her mother, do they resolve the conflict?

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

Bridging text

Biography of Amy Tam    http://www.notablebiographies.com/St-Tr/Tan-Amy.html

Writer. Born February 19, 1952 in Oakland, California. Tan grew up in Northern California, but when her father and older brother both died from brain tumors in 1966, she moved with her mother and younger brother to Europe, where she attended high school in Montreux, Switzerland. She returned to the United States for college, attending Linfield College in Oregon, San Jose City College, San Jose State University, the University of California at Santa Cruz and the University of California at Berkeley.

After college, Tan worked as a language development consultant and as a corporate freelance writer. In 1985, she wrote the story "Rules of the Game" for a writing workshop, which formed the early foundation for her first novel The Joy Luck Club. Published in 1989, the book explored the relationship between Chinese women and their Chinese-American daughters, and became the longest-running New York Times bestseller for that year. The Joy Luck Clubreceived numerous awards, including the Los Angeles Times Book Award. It has been translated into 25 languages, including Chinese, and was made into a major motion picture for which Tan co-wrote the screenplay.

Her other two books, The Kitchen God's Wife (1991) and The Hundred Secret Senses (1995), have also appeared on the New York Times bestseller list. Her latest novel, The Bonesetter's Daughter, was published in 2001. Tan has also written two children's books: The Moon Lady (1992) and The Chinese Siamese Cat (1994), the latter of which was adapted to television for PBS.

Amy Tan has been married to her husband, Lou DeMattei, for over twenty years. They live in San Francisco and New York.

1. What theme run though most of Amy Tam’s fiction?

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

2. How did Amy begin to write fiction?

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

3. How did A,my deal with the relationship with her work?

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

4. Do you think that she is successful at resolving her conflicts?

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

Post reading activity

  Have a Talk Show! Assign roles and have students participate in a talk show featuring main characters and “experts” who can shed light on the issues addressed in the short story. One student (or the teacher) can be the talk show host. Audience members should formulate questions they would like to ask during the show.

Each student formulates questions to ask Amy Tam, about her work, the short story, and how she got the ideas to write

“The Rules of the Game”

Reflection: 

reflection on the piece of literature:  Did you  enjoy reading it? Why or why not?  _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ What did you find interesting, memorable, surprising, annoying, moving, challenging, upsetting, etc.? ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Rflection on the process of learning HOTS  How did learning the Higher Order Thinking skill help you understand the story? ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________  Give 3    examples.

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

Reflection on the wider application of thinking skills.  In what other situations can you use these skills?

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

Name _______________________________________  Date ___________________________

:  Test  Rules of the Game

What is the conflict of the story? _____________________________________________________

Who is the main character? _________________________________________________________

What is the plot of the story? ________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

How does the setting affect the outcome of the story?

What time frame does the story take place?  Weeks, months, years?

What do the supporting characters add to the story?

What is the climax of the story?

How does Amy change as result of her learning how to play chess? _____________________________

Do you think that she has changed for the better or worse? ____________________________________

HOTS

Generating possibilities:

What  responses can Amy do now that she knows Chess?  _____________________________________

Think of at least 5 responses that she can do with her mother.

 _________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

Good Luck!

Homework Rubric for 4-5 points class

I find that it is helpful to spell out expectations at the beginning of the year:

Here is my homework rubric

Homework

Name: ________________________ Teacher: Rachael Orbach

Date Submitted: ____________ Title of Work: ___________________

Criteria Points 4 3 2 1 Assignment Completeness All items attempted 9/10 of items attempted. At least 1/2 of the items attempted. Less than 1/2 of all items attempted. ____ Accuracy All items are correct. 9/10 of items are correct. Between 1/2 and 9/10 of items are correct. Less than 1/2 of all items are correct. ____ Demonstrated Knowledge Shows complete understanding of the questions, mathematical ideas, and processes. Shows substantial understanding of the problem, ideas, and processes. Response shows some understanding of the problem. Response shows a complete lack of understanding for the problem. ____ Requirements Goes beyond the requirements of the problem. Meets the requirements of the problem. Does not meet the requirements of the problem. 4 ____ Legibility Legible handwriting, typing, or printing .. Marginally legible handwriting, typing, or printing. Writing is not legible in places. Writing is not legible. ____ Total----> ____

Teacher Comments:

Class Rules for the New Year

Here is a draft of my class rules for higher level classes.

Welcome to ________________ !

Class rules

Attendance:
Everyone  must attend class according to the general school rules.  If you miss classes, you will be warned, then your homeroom teacher informed and then your parents will be called in for a meeting.

2. Grades include quizzes, tests, book reports, projects, classwork and homework,

3. You may not come late to class. I come: on time, and you
should, too- Students who are late: will not be allowed to enter the classroom.

4. Books: Each student must have his own books- A student without a book will
be asked to do an assignment in the library. Sharing a. book with a friend is
NOT an option.

5. You are allowed to use the Oxford English Hebrew Dictionary  on all
work and tests so GET ONE!

6, English: l am grading you on all aspects of your work: vocabulary, spelling,
grammar and content  Everyone will be graded on his or her level and the goal
is to improve your knowledge of English. In addition to the
technical aspects of learning English, you will hopefully gain some knowledge
in the area of literature and culture. Part of your studies will include exposure
to some important works of literature.

7. Always do your homework. I do cheek it, and I do expect it to serve as a
review of the material we go over in class. Therefore, you are responsible for
reviewing the material you study in class, as I am not allowed to notify you in
advance of a quiz.

8, A11 work (tests included) may be corrected to improve your grades. You will
probably learn a lot from correcting your mistakes

Rachael Orbach
http://rachaelorbach.weebly.com
0527500608

Present Perfect Progressive Tense

Here is an exercise that I use to teach and practice the Present Perfect Progressive Tense.  Bagrut 5 points 

Name_________________  Date__________________

The Present Perfect Progressive Tense

ההווה ממושך מושלם מתאר פעולה, אירוע, או דבר שהתחיל בעבר וממשיך להיום.

אנחנו משתשים את זה כדאי להגדיש שהפעולה ממש ממשך

כל הפעלים הבה הוא בהווה ממשיך מושלם וכל משפט מגדיש שהפעולה התחיל בעבר וממשיך עד היום

Like the present perfect, the present perfect progressive is used to describe an action, event, or condition that has begun in the past and continues into the present. The present perfect progressive, however, is used to stress the on-going nature of that action, condition, or event.

Each of the highlighted verbs in the following sentences is in the present perfect progressive tense and each sentence suggests that the action began in the past and is continuing into the present.

That dog has been barking for three hours; I wonder if someone will call the owner.

I have been relying on my Rosh Hashana bonus to pay for the gifts I will buy for my large family.

They have been publishing this comic book for ten years.

We have been seeing geese flying south all afternoon.

 I have been playing the piano for 10 years.

How long have you been playing Football?

The Daf Yomi group has been studying together for 5 months.

I have been reading the newspaper every day since I was 10 years old.  .

Present Progressive / Present Perfect Progressive  - choose the correct tense and write the word or phrase in the blank.

Part 1

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

Top of Form

1. It (rain) _______________all week. I hope it stops by Sunday  because I want to go on the trip to the Galil.


2. A: Where is Gary?
B: He (study, at the library) ________________for his Spanish test on Wednesday. In fact, he (review) ______________for the test every day for the last week.


3. You look really great! (You, exercise) ____________________at the fitness center ?


4. David, where have you been? We (wait) __________________for you since 1 P.M..


5. A: What is that sound?
B: A car alarm (ring) __________________somewhere down the street. It (drive) ________________me crazy – I wish it would stop! It (ring) ____________________for more than twenty minutes.


6. Amir’s English (improve, really)_________________, isn’t it? He (watch) __________________American television programs and (study) ________________his grammar every day since he first arrived in San Diego. Soon he will be totally fluent.


7. A: You look a little tired. (You, get) __________________enough sleep lately?
B: Yes, I (sleep) ____________________relatively well. I just look tired because I (feel) ____________________a little sick for the last week.
A: I hope you feel better soon.
B: Thanks. I (take, currently) some medicine, so I should feel better in a couple of days.

Part 2

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

Top of Form

Mr. Smith: So tell me a little bit about yourself, Mr. Harris. I would like to find out a little bit more about your background.


Mr. Harris: I (work) ______________in the IT industry for over ten years. I worked for Apple for six years and Yahoo for four and a half. During that time, I heard many good things about Texas IT and that's why I (apply) _____________for the new sales position.


Mr. Smith: Tell me a little about your hobbies and interests.


Mr. Harris: In my spare time, I hike in the mountains outside of town, volunteer at the Sierra Club and play golf. In fact, I (compete) _______________in a golf tournament this weekend.


Mr. Smith: Really, how long (you, play) _________________golf ?


Mr. Harris: I (play) ___________________since high school. I love the sport.


Mr. Smith: Great! We like dedication here at Texas IT You mentioned you volunteer at the Sierra Club. I (work, currently) _______________with them on the sea turtle project. We (try) _______________to create a wildlife sanctuary near the bay.


Mr. Harris: Do you know Frank Harris? He's my brother. He (work, presently) ________________on the same project.


Mr. Smith: I know Frank quite well. Any brother of Frank's would be a welcome addition to Texas IT. Just one more thing, we (look) ________________for somebody who is fluent in Spanish; many of our clients are from Mexico.


Mr. Harris: No problem. I (study) ___________________Spanish since elementary school.


Mr. Smith: Sounds like you are the perfect candidate.

Bottom of Form

Bottom of Form

Part 3

With a partner, write a story, using the present perfect progressive tense.  You can "interview" a famous movie star, a sports figure or rock singer. Be sure to ask how long the person has been doing their activity.  Use as many present perfect progressive verbs that you can.

Getting ready for next year; Useful forms

I'm busy getting ready for next year and this is a useful form that you can use in the classroom. I use this for lower level grades, 3-5 to send home to parents when the kids don't bring to class their English book.

Good luck!

Dear  Parent,____________________     לכבוד הורי

Date________________________________תאריך

Your child has forgotten to bring          ילדך שכח לביא

________________________________________

to class.  In order to                                לכיתה. כדאי

insure a successful learning           לבטח אוירה לימודית

environment please make sure                     נא לדאוג

that your child comes prepared        שילדך בא לשיעור

for English class.                 אנגלית עם כל הציוד הנדרש

Parent’s Signature _________________חתימת הורים

 Rachael Alice Rachael Alice English Teacher  052-7500608

Phrasal Verb Get Exercise

I use this as either in class or a homework that is to be handed in.  

Name____________________ Date _________________

Phrasal verbs  are verbs that have two words, one is the verb and the other is a preposition.  They are used in many expressions in English.  פעילים בעל שני מילים הם מאוד חשוב באנגלית.  המילה הראשון הוא הפועל והשני מילת יחס.

Fill in the following verb (get) with the correct prepositions (away,

down, in, off, on, out, no preposition).

תכתוב המילת יחס המתאים בשבלי המשפט

Example:       

Rover you wet dog, get ___________ the couch!  (off)

1. Quick! Get _______________ the train. It's ready to leave.

2. Get ______________ the ladder, it is broken!

3. Come home, and get ________________ of the rain, you don’t have a raincoat!

4.  Will you please get _________________ me the bread from the table?

5.  Get _____________ the house, It is too late to be outside at night.

6. Get _________ from the street! There is a truck coming!

 Write your own sentences using the word get and prepositions.

1. _______________________________________

2.________________________________________

3.________________________________________

4.________________________________________

5.________________________________________

  

Reflection on Teaching

"You cannot teach a person anything, 
you can only help them find it 
within themself."

~ Galileo

Enjoy the last of your vacation, and start the new year refreshed!  As teachers we always get the feeling that we are "giving" the students information.  We plan lessons, teach the lessons, and evaluate the lessons via homework or tests.  But in the long run it is the student who decides what to keep or throw away from our teaching.  We have to awaken the thirst for knowledge, and with the new technology, it is easier in some ways, but harder in others to discern what is important, true and enduring.  

I bless everyone to have a restful August and come back in September with renewed energy and enthusiasm for our holy profession. 

Rachael Orbach 

052-7500608