APW Elementary

APW Elementary
Rebel Pride Starts Inside

Friday, October 17, 2025

Day 32: 10/17/25 - Analyzing Plot & Reading Freak the Mighty Chapter 17

Homeroom:

Good Morning, I hope you are all having a great day.

Do Now:

  1. Check that your homework is done
  2. Check to see if you have all your materials
  3. Sharpen pencils


ELA: 

Today we will organize the plot line of Freak the Mighty, and read chapter 17.
                                
Do Now:

  • Pick up a copy of the plot line
  • Hand in your grade report
  • Write tonight's homework in your agenda
  • Open your Notebook to page 16
Homework:
  • Finish reading chapter 17 & complete the reading guide.

Activity #1

Analyzing Plot
I can analyze the exposition, inciting incident and the point of view of Freak the Mighty, and record my thinking on a plot line.

Directions:
Complete the following parts of the plot line.
  • Setting & Main Characters
  • Point of View & Perspective
  • Whole Group: Organize the Exposition, Rising Action, & Climax Events


Activity #2
Read Chapter 17
(10 - 15 Minutes)
Directions:
  • Read chapter 17
  • Complete the Reading Guide

Have a Great Day!

Thursday, October 16, 2025

Day 31: 10/16/25 - Compare & Contrast Mini-Essay (Part 2 - Day 2) & Evaluating Writing

Homeroom:

Good Morning, I hope you are all having a great day.

Do Now:

  1. Check that your homework is done
  2. Check to see if you have all your materials
  3. Sharpen pencils

ELA: 

Today we will finish writing our mini-essay and you will have the opportunity to evaluate your own writing before submitting your work.
                                
Do Now:

  • Put your grade report in the red bin
  • Write tonight's homework in your agenda
  • Take out the Compare/Contrast Graphic Organizer
  • Open your chromebook and go to your mini essay
Homework:
  • Work on IXL

Activity #1
Compare & Contrast Mini-Essay

  • Literary Elements that we have been analyzing: Setting, character, & plot
    • Characters - Are the characters developed in the movie the same as the book? HINT: Think about the way their friendship is developed.
    • Setting - How do the settings compare? Include the way you envisioned the setting in the book to what you see in the movie.
    • Plot - How do the events in the movie compare to the events in the book? Focus on the larger more important events and not the small details. Ask yourself, "Did the movie omit, insert, or change any of the plot events?"

Step 1: Discuss

Directions
1. Small group - share your compare & contrast graphic organizer with the people at your table. While you work please add, change, and edit your own graphic organizer. You want to have as much information as you can. 

2. Whole group - Share. 

How was the setting the same?
How was the setting different?

How are the characters the same?
How are the characters different?

How is the plot the same?
How is the plot different?


Step 2: Group Writing (SKIP FOR PART 2)
I will write one paragraph with you, then you will need to write the other paragraph on your own. Students open your chromebook and go to my google classroom. (For the Teacher - Use google drive to open a new blank document.)

Writing Strategy - Constructing a written response with:
  1. Introduction
  2. Claim
  3. Evidence (from both the book and movie)
  4. Reflection 

Examples from part 1 :

Block 1

(I) By reading the book, Freak the Mighty and watching the movie,The Mighty, I have discovered they are different in many ways. (C) One big thing that is different is the plot. (E) In particular the scene when Kevin gets his ornithopter stuck in a tree. In the book Max helps Kevin get his toy out of the tree, but in the movie he runs away from Kevin and never helps him. (R) In my opinion the book is much better than the movie, however the movie is still pretty awesome.


Block 2

(I) By reading the book, Freak the Mighty, and watching the movie, The Mighty, I have concluded that there are many differences between them. (C) One major difference is the plot. (E) In the book Kevin gives them the new name of “Freak the MIghty” on the 4th of July when a police officer asks for their name, but in the movie they just skip that part completely. Instead, the movie inserted a scene with Max and Kevin helping a woman in a diner. (R)In my opinion the book is better than the movie. 


Block 3

(I) By reading the book and watching the movie I have learned that there are many differences between the book, Freak the Mighty, and the movie, The Mighty. (C)One of the most important differences between them is the setting. (E) In the book Max lives in a small town, and the events take place in the summertime before 8th grade, but in the movie he lives in a big city, and the events take place during the school year while max is in the 7th grade. (R) In my opnion the movie is better than the book 


Block 4

The book Freak the Mighty and the movie “The Mighty” are very different.  One difference I noticed was the plot.  Max and Kevin’s friendship did not start the same way in the movie as it did in the book.  In the book Max helps Kevin get the ornithopter out of the tree and then the boys played with it.  In the movie Max sees Kevin with the ornithopter and it gets stuck in the tree, but Max does not help Kevin.  Instead, Max runs away because Kevin notices him. In my opinion the book is much better than the movie




Step 3: Independent Writing 
Now that we have written one paragraph together, you will need to write the other paragraph on your own. When we are done we will be evaluating our writing, so it is important that you stay on task and work diligently to finish your mini-essay. 

 

Activity #2

Evaluate Writing 


Directions: Work with a random partner assigned by the teacher (Use Name Sticks) to score your essay

Remember: your essay should focus on the similarities and differences pertaining to these literary elements:
  • Characters - Are the characters developed in the movie the same as the book?
  • Setting - How do the settings compare? Include the way you envisioned the setting in the book to what you see in the movie.
  • Plot - How do the events in the movie compare to the events in the book? Focus on the larger more important events and not the small insignificant details.
****THE WORDS CHARACTER, SETTING, AND/OR PLOT SHOULD BE IN YOUR ESSAY SOMEWHERE, MOST IMPORTANTLY IN YOUR CLAIM! IF YOU HAVE NOT USED THESE WORDS SOMEWHERE IN YOUR ESSAY, ASK YOURSELF WHERE YOU COULD ADD OR EDIT A SENTENCE TO INCLUDE THEM. 

Remember each paragraph should have an Introduction, Claim, Evidence, & a reflection:
Each paragraph is worth 5 points total. 
  1. 1 point - Introduction
  2. 1 point - Claim
  3. 1 point - Evidence (from both the book and movie)
  4. 1 point - Reflection
  5. 1 point - Mechanics = Capitals, punctuation, sentence structure
In the margin of your paper please write:
I - 
C -
E -
R - 
M - 

  • With your partner read your essay and score yourself on each of the components. 
  • ***In each category you can give yourself a full point, a half point, or zero points*** 
  • Add up your total points. 
  • Write your score somewhere on your paper. 

Follow up questions:
  1. How many points did you earn?
  2. What did you do well in your writing?
  3. What do you still need to work on to improve your writing?

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Day 30: 10/15/25 - Compare & Contrast Mini Essay (Part 2 - Day 1)

 Homeroom:

Good Morning, I hope you are all having a great day.

Do Now:

  1. Check that your homework is done
  2. Check to see if you have all your materials
  3. Sharpen pencils

ELA: 

Today we will begin writing our mini-essay comparing & contrasting the second part of book Freak the Mighty with the movie The Mighty.
                                
Do Now:

  • Put your signed grade report in the red bin
  • Write tonight's homework in your agenda
  • Take out your completed copy of the Compare/Contrast Graphic Organizer
  • Open your chromebook and go to my blog
Homework:
  • Work on your Mini-Essay (During Study Skills & W.I.N.)

Activity #1
Compare & Contrast Mini-Essay

  • Literary Elements that we have been analyzing: Setting, character, & plot
    • Characters - Are the characters developed in the movie the same as the book? HINT: Think about the way their friendship is developed.
    • Setting - How do the settings compare? Include the way you envisioned the setting in the book to what you see in the movie.
    • Plot - How do the events in the movie compare to the events in the book? Focus on the larger more important events and not the small details. Ask yourself, "Did the movie omit, insert, or change any of the plot events?"

Step 1: Discuss

Directions
1. Small group - share your compare & contrast graphic organizer with the people at your table. While you work please add, change, and edit your own graphic organizer. You want to have as much information as you can. 

2. Whole group - Share. 

How was the setting the same?
How was the setting different?

How are the characters the same?
How are the characters different?

How is the plot the same?
How is the plot different?


Step 2: Group Writing (SKIP FOR PART 2)
I will write one paragraph with you, then you will need to write the other paragraph on your own. Students open your chromebook and go to my google classroom. (For the Teacher - Use google drive to open a new blank document.)

Writing Strategy - Constructing a written response with:
  1. Introduction
  2. Claim
  3. Evidence (from both the book and movie)
  4. Reflection 

Examples from part 1 :

Block 1

(I) By reading the book, Freak the Mighty and watching the movie,The Mighty, I have discovered they are different in many ways. (C) One big thing that is different is the plot. (E) In particular the scene when Kevin gets his ornithopter stuck in a tree. In the book Max helps Kevin get his toy out of the tree, but in the movie he runs away from Kevin and never helps him. (R) In my opinion the book is much better than the movie, however the movie is still pretty awesome.


Block 2

(I) By reading the book, Freak the Mighty, and watching the movie, The Mighty, I have concluded that there are many differences between them. (C) One major difference is the plot. (E) In the book Kevin gives them the new name of “Freak the MIghty” on the 4th of July when a police officer asks for their name, but in the movie they just skip that part completely. Instead, the movie inserted a scene with Max and Kevin helping a woman in a diner. (R)In my opinion the book is better than the movie. 


Block 3

(I) By reading the book and watching the movie I have learned that there are many differences between the book, Freak the Mighty, and the movie, The Mighty. (C)One of the most important differences between them is the setting. (E) In the book Max lives in a small town, and the events take place in the summertime before 8th grade, but in the movie he lives in a big city, and the events take place during the school year while max is in the 7th grade. (R) In my opnion the movie is better than the book 


Block 4

The book Freak the Mighty and the movie “The Mighty” are very different.  One difference I noticed was the plot.  Max and Kevin’s friendship did not start the same way in the movie as it did in the book.  In the book Max helps Kevin get the ornithopter out of the tree and then the boys played with it.  In the movie Max sees Kevin with the ornithopter and it gets stuck in the tree, but Max does not help Kevin.  Instead, Max runs away because Kevin notices him. In my opinion the book is much better than the movie




Step 3: Independent Writing 
Now that we have written one paragraph together, you will need to write the other paragraph on your own. When we are done we will be evaluating our writing, so it is important that you stay on task and work diligently to finish your mini-essay. 

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Day 29: 10/14/25 - Freak the Mighty Movie (Part 2)

Homeroom:

I hope you are all having a great morning.

Do Now:

  1. Please make sure your homework is done
  2. Check to see if you have all your materials
  3. Sharpen pencil

ELA:

Today we will watch the second part of the movie.

Do Now:

  • Get a clipboard
  • Pick up a copy of the Compare/Contrast graphic organizer, and a pencil
Homework: 
  • Complete the compare & contrast graphic organizer
  • Get Grade Report signed and return it tomorrow

Activity #1
Watch Movie - Freak the Mighty (Part 2)
37 Min 20 Seconds - 1 Hour 5 min

Directions: 

  • While you are watching you should record as many similarities, and differences that you can.  
  • Focus on the Literary Elements that we have been analyzing: Setting, character, & plot
    • Characterization - Are the characters developed in the movie the same as the book? HINT: Think about the way their friendship is developed.
    • Setting - How do the settings compare? Include the way you envisioned the setting in the book to what you see in the movie.
    • Plot - How do the events in the movie compare to the events in the book? Focus on the larger more important events and not the small details. Ask yourself, "Did the movie omit, insert, or change any of the plot events?"

Compare & Contrast Mini-Essay

Step 1: Discuss

Directions
1. Small group - share your compare & contrast graphic organizer with the people at your table. While you work please add, change, and edit your own graphic organizer. You want to have as much information as you can. 

2. Whole group - Share. 

How was the setting the same?
How was the setting different?

How are the characters the same?
How are the characters different?

How is the plot the same?
How is the plot different?


Step 2: Group Writing
I will write one paragraph with you, then you will need to write the other paragraph on your own. Students bring your graphic organizers and a chair to the front of the room. (For the Teacher - Use google drive to open a new blank document.)

Writing Strategy - Constructing a written response with:
  1. Introduction
  2. Claim (about both the book and movie)
  3. Evidence (from both the book and movie)
  4. Reflection/Conclusion

Examples from last year:

         Block 1 - Similarities

Through my analysis I have discovered that there are many similarities between the book, “Freak the Mighty” and the movie, “The Mighty.” Some similarities include the characters and the conflicts that they face. In both the book and the movie Max is big and tall. His mom is dead, his dad is in prison, he lives with his grandparents, and he feels dumb. In a like manner Kevin is short, uses crutches, and is really smart. Furthermore in the book and movie Max and Kevin have an ongoing conflict with Tony D. and his gang. Also, Max feels dumb, and Kevin struggles with his disability. In my opinion I think that the book and the movie are both really good.


Block 2 - Differences

Through my studies I have learned that there are many differences between the book, “Freak the Mighty” and the film, “The Mighty.” Some differences between them are the setting and the friendship between Max and Kevin. In the book the setting is in a small town during the summertime, but in the movie the setting is a big city during Max and Kevin’s 7th grade year of school. Their friendship in the book begins when Max helps Kevin with his ornithopter, and then goes to dinner at Kevin’s house. They also go to the 4th of July fireworks. On the other hand, in the movie their friendship starts when Kevin is assigned to be Max’s tutor, and then Kevin pays Max to take him to Riverfest. In my opinion the movie is really good, but you should still read the book first. 


Block 3 - Differences

Through my studies I have learned that there are many differences between the book, “Freak the Mighty” and the movie, “The Mighty.” Some differences are the setting, and the friendship between Max and Kevin. The setting in the book is in a small town in the summertime, but in the movie it is a large city named Cincinnati during the school year. In the book Max and Kevin’s friendship begins in the backyard when Max helps Kevin get the Ornithopter out of the tree. Then Max goes to dinner at Kevin’s house, and takes him to the fireworks on the 4th of July. However, in the movie their friendship starts when Kevin gets assigned to be Max’s tutor, and then Kevin pays Max five dollars to take him to Riverfest. In my opinion the book and the movie are both good, but you should read the book before you see the movie.


Block 4 - Differences

Through my studies I have learned there are many differences between the book, “Freak the Mighty” and the movie, “The Mighty.” One difference between the book and the movie is the plot. In the movie Kevin is assigned to be Max’s reading tutor, but in the book he is not. In addition, in the book Kevin names them Freak the Mighty on the 4th July after the cop asks for their names, but in the movie they don’t include that scene. In my opinion the director of the movie should have made it more like the book.



Step 3: Independent Writing (Complete on Tuesday 9/30)
Now that we have written one paragraph together, you will need to write the other paragraph on your own. Tomorrow we will be evaluating our writing, so it is important that you finish your min-essay before you come to class tomorrow.