In other news, we have been learning all about how to identify different story elements while reading. We have become champs as discussing the setting, characters, plot, problem/solution, and main idea of any text we can get our hands on. I recently introduced what we call a "five finger retell". This essentially means you use your hand as a tool to organize your thoughts as you are giving a retell to a friend. Here's how it works.
Thumb: What is the setting?
Pointer: Who are the characters?
Middle: What is the beginning, middle, and end? (one for each of the three sections of your finger)
Ring: Problem
Pinky: Solution
Palm: Main idea
Noah and I had a reader's conference today to discuss how he used this new tactile strategy for his workshop time. He is not so much a sitter (he tends to wander about during any intense literary discussion). As he was pacing and talking through his story elements, he seemed to be having a bit of trouble identifying and organizing the plot (the beginning, middle, and end).
Consequently, he was giving me the finger for most of our conference. All for the sake of learning, right? :)
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