Students,  you are encouraged to annotate the texts we read.

1. •To annotate, you simply make notes in the book or on Post It notes, and place the  Post Its on the appropriate pages.
   

2. •The notes you make when you annotate are both symbols and longer reflective pieces and questions.
   

3. •The symbols and notes you make should help you to “have a conversation” with the text.  Good readers are constantly asking questions about the texts they read and constantly making notes.
   

4. •You can use my notes and symbols or your notes and symbols or any combination of the two.  I will list a few of mine here now and list a few more later. 
   

5. •If you are in one of the book challenges (AMIGOLAND or THE BOY WHO HARENESSED THE WIND) you are encouraged, as an extra challenge, to annotate your books, take pictures of your annotations, and send the pictures to me at coffeeandtea@gmail.com.  I will post your pictures.
   

6. •Good readers are always asking questions, taking notes, making comparisons to previously read texts and trying to understand how the lessons learned by characters in the books may be helpful in our lives.
   

annotation tip #1

    * Mark the Thesis and Main Points of the Piece

    * Mark Key Terms and Unfamiliar Words

    * Underline Important Ideas and Memorable Images

    * Write Your Questions and/or Comments in the Margins of the Piece

    * Write any Personal Experience Related to the Piece

    * Mark Confusing Parts of the Piece, or Sections that Warrant a Reread

    * Underline the Sources, if any, the Author has Used

annotation tip #2

    * Underline the important facts.

    * Circle the thesis.

    * Highlight important sentences.

    * Highlight facts with different colors, based on degree of importance.

    * Circle numbers so that they are more visible.

    * Put stars next to important paragraphs. **********

    * Write notes in the margin that will help you remember what you read.

In the SAMURAI SHORTSTOP, I am noticing that girls/ladies/women are frequently referred to in a derogatory manner.  Here is some textual evidence to support this claim.  Check it out on page 12.

On page 41, here is one of the conflicts in the book: Seppuku is denied.

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Here are some symbols and notes to get you started on annotating.  You do not have to use these, you can develop your own system, or borrow the abbreviations I use:

CA = Character

ST = Setting

TH = Theme

CO = Conflict (Sometimes I just write conflict as in the example above.)

R = Resolution

FL = Figurative Language: similes, metaphors, imagery, etc.

Consider keeping these questions in mind as you read and annotate:

1. 1.•What issue(s) is the character facing?
   
   

2. 2.•What words or ideas keep recurring/repeating as I read the text?
   
   

3. 3.•How is the character changing, growing from chapter to chapter?
   
   

I encourage students to use my symbols and notes, or come up with their own system for annotation.

I generally annotate in the book, but I am using a few Post Its to demonstrate for those who do not want to write in their books