|
Logographic Cues
|
Print the
PDF
Blackline Master |
 |
|
Reading Skills
- Understanding text structure
- Identifying the main idea
Overview of the "Logographic
Cues" Strategy
A logographic cue is a simple symbol
or picture that acts as a visual reminder of an important
literary element in a text, thereby providing a support
for students as they read. While this strategy may be
used before, during, or after reading, the activity
below employs the strategy during the reading of Wish
You Well. Baldacci's use of description assists
the reader in visualizing characters, setting, and motifs
throughout the novel. However, a student reader might
find it helpful to mark the text with symbols to remind
himself/herself of the location of these elements.
Activity for the "Logographic
Cues" Strategy
- As a means of modeling the strategy, tell the students
that one of the major motifs used by Baldacci is that
of the railroad. In the text, the railroad serves
as a division as well as a connection between places
and people.
- Ask the students to design a cue for references
to the railroad and to mark the text with this cue.
(The railroad is first introduced at the beginning
of chapter 4.)
- Read aloud passages referring to the railroad, and
point out the importance of this motif in determining
one of Baldacci's intentions in this novel.
- For individual practice, ask the students to design
their own logographic cue for Baldacci's descriptions
of Virginia.
- Invite the students to mark the text with this cue
each time they read a passage that describes some
aspect of the Virginia setting of the novel.
- Divide students into small groups, and have the
groups discuss the passages they have marked with
logographic cues for the Virginia setting. Be sure
that the students discuss the importance of setting
in each passage.
- In a whole-class discussion, ask the groups to share
their determinations of the importance of setting,
and determine if similarities of importance of setting
exist among the student groups.
Assessment
As a concluding activity, ask the
students to write an essay in which they discuss the
importance of the railroad in the conflict of the novel
or the importance of setting in determining theme. Use
the following rubric to assess the essays.
Argumentative Writing:
Analytic Rubric
Standard: To convince
a reader to consider an opinion.
Scoring Guide:
Each category is rated 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest)
| Statement of Opinion |
_____ of 5 |
- States opinion in the first paragraph
- Asserts an arguable position
- Provides a clear, specific, and elaborated
focus for the essay
|
|
| Arguments and Explanations |
_____ of 5 |
- Supports opinion with clear and compelling
reasons
- Provides detailed, specific explanations
of reasons
|
|
Opposing Point of View
|
_____ of 5 |
- Acknowledges other point(s) of view
- Addresses and refutes arguments in other
point(s) of view
|
|
Tone
|
_____ of 5 |
- Chooses precise and appropriate words
- Reflects awareness of audience through use
of appropriate voice
|
|
Language Control
|
_____ of 5 |
- Makes few or no errors in grammar, usage,
and mechanics
|
|
| Total: |
_____ of 25 |
|
