The program helps prepare teachers for the student programs by sharing ideas for room arrangement, classroom management, pre-program preparation, and pacing of instruction. Four 45-minute programs Shiloh , winner of the 1992 Newbery medal for the best in Children's Literature, written by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, involves the reading in a universal dilemma confronted by a young boy in West Virginia when he befriends an abused dog. Throughout the four broadcasts, students in the classroom become better readers, writers and discussants as they help Marty with his difficult decisions and possible consequences. 1 - Building Connections Students make connections with Marty, the main character in Shiloh , as they explore how it feels to be lonely by reading and discussing the poem Alone Students use a double entry journal. 8 - Developing Understanding Students visualize to develop their understanding of the story.
Students learn the elements of a good persuasive letter and begin their draft.
Oct 15 - Expanding Meaning Students share their persuasive letters and collaborate on a project they would like to start in their classroom or neighborhood. Students compose a tanka - a Japanese form of poetry. 24 - Writing to Learn Students share their initial response to the story in a Grand Conversation. Through personal writing and visualizations they start a literary mandala for Marty. The module is sequenced around the reading of the novel Letters from Rifka .