These students did a great job answering the question, "What really hard things are happening in the text?" about their independent reading books. Notice how they consider things like: what issues are at the root of the conflict? What social commentary might the author be making or hinting at? How do the problems in this book play out in the real world and affect large populations?
Sebastian's blog post: http://happytoasterstroodle.blogspot.com/2010/10/hard-things-in-old-mans-war.html
Louis's blog post: http://louisvazquez.blogspot.com/2010/10/village-place-for-everyone.html
Peter's blog post: http://ridingapancaketoschool.blogspot.com/
Graham's blog post: http://guttentagfurlein.blogspot.com/2010/10/social-issues-on-1984.html
Liza's blog post: http://lizaisawesome.blogspot.com/2010/10/independent-reading-book-entry1.html
