Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secret of the Universe
Lesson 1
In the next few weeks will read a book named Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secret of the Universe.
The author is Benjamin Alire Sáenz a Hispanic author of poetry and prose for adults and teens. He was born at Old Picacho, New Mexico, the fourth of seven children, and was raised on a small farm near Mesilla, New Mexico. He lives and works in El Paso, Texas.
Have you heard La Bamba with Richie Valens before?
Do you know what Hispanic means?
Do you know where in the world we find El Paso and Texas?
Have you heard about Aristotle?
1. Today I will read to you, but I don't know how far we will come.
While you listen to me I would like you to have a pen in your hand and write down words you don't know or find hard to spell. I don't want you to use the computer.
Together in class we will then collect words in Padlet and talk about their meaning.
2. Homework for Wednesday is to write a few sentences in the reading log and read til page 40. You can find a copy of your reading log in Classroom.
9a you have time to read during "homework -class" on Thursday and 9B on Friday.
3. On Wednesday you will get a short test where I would like you to answer the questions:
- Which characters do we encounter at the beginning of the book? Give examples of who they are ie: Mrs Q is Ari's mum... etc...
- Describe Ari. What kind of person do you think he is?
- How does Ari meet Dante?
Lesson 2 Wednesday You got a short test with 5 questions then Sara read pages 40 - 58 and you listened.
We gathered more words and discussed their meaning.
Lesson 3 Monday
1. Those of you who were absent last time will take the short test in Trelson.
2. While they are taking the test I would like the rest of you to try to beat me in Quizziz! The link will take you to a quiz about the first part of the book:
Quizziz - Ari and Dante Sign in with the code:
3690 6715 and write your real first name. Start the game! You need to be correct and quick to beat me! You can take the quiz twice if you want to.
2. Vocabulary.
- Go to Quizlet: Ari and Dante part 1 and rehearse the words, by using Flashcards. In Classroom, you can see how many words you knew when you took the test last time. Study at least 10 words more deeply and write them down in your notebook or in the document attached called "Word knowledge". Use the model for learning new words that you find below.
If you don't understand the Swedish words use Lexin to look up their meaning in the language that you understand the best. There are many different languages to choose from:
In Classroom you will find your own copy or you can click on the link here and make your own copy: Word knowledge .
3. Page 1- 58. Questions to answer about what happened in the book.
Go to Trelson and answer the questions there. Use your book if you need to look up the answers.
* Do you think Ari has a close relationship with his parents? Motivate your opinion.
* How does his relationship with his mother differ from his relationship with his father?
* Where is Ari’s older brother Bernardo, and what does Ari think about not seeing his older brother?
* Why is Ari’s father silent and how does he manage to deal with his emotional problems? How does his wife gloss over his emotional distance?
* Describe the different ways in which Dante and Ari handle the boys with the BB guns and the death of the bird? What would you have done in the same situation?
4. For Wednesday read until page 99.
Questions to think about for the book test on Wednesday:
(You just have to write a few sentences per question. 5-6 sentences will be fine.)
* What kind of dreams does Ari have when he’s sick? What do you think these dreams mean?
* How does Ari getting the flu change his relationship with his father? What does his father realize?
* What sketch does Dante leave for Ari? How does it represent Ari? How does that make Ari feel?
Lesson 5 (Wednesday, January 25)
1. Discussion!
- Let's make a mind map of the characters and talk about what you think about them.
First, think on your own and then discuss with your neighbour. Use your notebook and write down your thoughts. Then you will come to the whiteboard and help each other build the mind map.
- Describe the main-characters - Ari and Dante. What kind of persons are they?
What are the similar
- Which of the characters do you like the most and why? Is there anyone you dislike?
(Does anyone know why I write anyone and not someone?)
- Would you like to hang out with Ari or Dante or both? Why?
2. Reading!
- Together we will read and talk about pages 99- 120.
- What would you have done if you were Ari?
3. Book test!
- Go to Trelson and choose three of the questions to write about.
For next Wednesday, February 1, read til page 154.
Lesson 6 Monday, January 30
- Today we will work with the questions above that we didn't do last time since you wanted me to read instead.
- Read individually. (p. 154 til Wednesday)
Lesson 7, Wednesday, February 1
Grammar!
I have taken a few examples from the answers you wrote last time. We will take a closer look at how to improve your answers.
1. Work together in pairs and try to fix the sentences.
Improve your grammar and spelling
2. We will take a look at the sentences in class and I will help you correct the sentences.
Reading
- What happened in the chapters you just read?
- Work together in pairs and help each other make a mind map of what happened.
- What do you think will happen next?
Vocabulary
Individually - practice and learn both spelling and the meaning of the words below:
Homework for next Wednesday is to learn the words (both spelling and meaning) from part 3 and read til page: 194