Jesse Aarons Character Project and Discussion Notes

Novel Rating Exercise: The class begins with a five-minute warm-up task. Students are required to rate the novel they recently finished and provide a written justification for their rating.
- Rating Statistics: The teacher noted that most students rated the novel a $5$. Several others gave it a $4$, and only one student rated it a $3$. No students gave ratings of $2$ or $1$.
Secondary Activity: A word search is provided for students who finish the rating task early. This is to be kept in njihov bags for later completion.

Project Rationale: Instead of a traditional multiple-choice assessment or test, students will complete a character project to demonstrate their understanding of the novel.
Subject Matter: The project focuses on the character Jesse Aarons. Although the teacher initially considered assigning Leslie to girls and Jesse to boys, it was decided that the entire class would focus on Jesse because the novel provides an in-depth view of his internal thoughts, making him a more accessible subject for analysis. Leslie is utilized by the teacher as a model/example for the project.
Inspiration/Examples: The teacher showcased successful projects from summer school students based on the book Refugee. Examples included posters for the characters Joseph, Mahmoud, and Isabel.
- The final product will be a visual poster that includes colored illustrations (not necessarily hand-drawn by the student), detailed character information, and textual evidence.

Group Structure: Students are divided into specific groups of three or four.
- Group Roles: Each round requires students to fulfill one of four roles:
  - Discussion Facilitator: Uses a script to ask questions and selects specific group members to respond.
  - Notetaker: Transcribes the group's responses onto a central note-taking sheet for Jesse Aarons.
  - Group Members: Respond to the facilitator's questions using academic language and evidence from the text.
- Role Rotation: Roles switch after each round by passing materials and responsibilities to the person on the right.
Professionalism Standards: The teacher emphasizes that students must act like they are in a professional business meeting. This is preparation for the "Access Test," which evaluates a student's ability to sound professional.
- Language Requirements: Students must use academic words, transition words, and compound or complex sentences.
- Recording: Conversations are recorded on iPads to be graded on professionalism, participation, and content accuracy.

Round 1: Appearance and Physical Description
- Description: Jesse is an $11$-year-old boy. He is characterized as a "farmer boy" who often dresses in clothes suitable for farm work.
- Specific Details: Chapter $1$ mentions that he frequently goes outside without shoes or a shirt.
Round 2: Strengths and Abilities
- Artistic Talent: Jesse is a talented artist and a creative soul.
- Athleticism: He is a remarkably fast runner and spends significant time practicing in the fields to be the fastest in his grade.
- Practical Skills: He is useful and helpful around the farm, specifically knowing how to milk cows.
Round 3: Interpersonal Relationships and Loves
- Key Figures: Jesse loves his younger sister Maybelle, his teacher Miss Edmunds, and his best friend Leslie Burke.
- Interests: He has a deep passion for art and visiting art museums.
Round 4: Character Growth and Transformation
- Overcoming Fear: Throughout the novel, Jesse changes from a fearful, "cowardly" state (feeling "shaking like Jell-O") to becoming more adventurous and brave.
- Leslie's Influence: Leslie teaches him to stand up to his fears and "not let them squeeze you white." By the end of the novel, Jesse learns to move forward despite his grief and fear.
Round 5: Goals and Accomplishments
Queen, thereby passing on the creativity and courage Leslie gave him.

Quote Requirements: Each student must find a unique, verbatim quote from the text that describes Jesse’s character, growth, or relationships.
Citations: Students must include correct punctuation (using quotation marks) and provide the exact page number of the quote.
Punctuation Note: The teacher explained the rule for nested quotes (a quote within a quote), advising students to use single quotation marks for the inner dialogue when it is wrapped in the student's double quotation marks.
Leslie Burke Example Quote: "Just close your eyes, but keep your mind wide open."
Jesse Aarons Example Contexts:
- His desire for his father's approval.
- His self-perception as a "coward" or "weird."
- His growth in becoming "less fearful" or "less frightened."

Facilitator Grade: Based on professionalism and the ability to ask at least two scripted questions.
Group Member Grade: Based on professionalism and providing substantive, evidence-based answers.
Notetaker Grade: Based on content correctness (aligned with the book's facts) and legibility (the physical quality and readability of the handwriting).
Next Steps: Information gathered during the discussion and the individual quotes will be transferred to the final posters during the next class session (Monday).
- Achievement of Bravery: One of his best accomplishments is conquering the fear of the creek that initially terrified him.
- Legacy: A primary goal/accomplishment at the end of the book is building a bridge to Terabithia and crowning Maybelle as the new