Name that Signpost!
A character who is normally kind and respectful shouts at his mother, “I don’t care what you think!”
Contradiction
*Or Contrast/Contradiction
Fill in the blank: the anchor question for Again & Again is: Why does this keep showing up ____________?
Again & again
Juan finds an Again & Again signpost: he sees the word “alone” a lot. He says the anchor question is “Why is the character acting this way?” He answers, “I think the character is acting this way because he is lonely.”
The anchor question was incorrect.
Jen felt her face turn red as she handed the card to Vinny. “Happy…” her voice cracked. She cleared her throat. “Happy Valentine’s Day!” Vinny rolled his eyes.
Jen’s big sister, Victoria, witnessed the whole thing. “Listen,” she said. “You don’t have to try so hard to get Vinny’s attention. You’re awesome,” she insisted. “You just be yourself. Everyone will realize how amazing you are.”
SIGNPOST: Words of the Wiser
WHY: Victoria gives her younger sister advice.
ANCHOR QUESTION: What is the life lesson, and how might it affect the character?
Answers will vary.
Example: I can infer that Jen will feel more confident in the future.
If I had to sum up the past two months with one word, I would choose the word "change."
First, there was the monumental difference between middle school and elementary school. Getting used to changing teachers and changing classrooms every 45 minutes had been challenging for me. Instead of trying to figure out the habits and expectations of one teacher, I had to figure out how seven different teachers ran their classrooms.
Then, there were changes going on at home. My big brother, Alex, had decided to move to Dad's house, leaving Mom and me alone. I could tell that Mom missed Alex, terribly, and I did too. Yes, he visited weekends, but it just wasn't the same.
What’s the SIGNPOST?
What’s the ANCHOR QUESTION?
What’s the ANSWER TO THE ANCHOR QUESTION?
Signpost: Again & Again
Anchor question: Why does this keep showing up again and again?
Answer to AQ: I can infer that “change” is the constant in this person’s life. The author is trying to help us understand how much of an impact change has had on her.
“I don’t know if I can ever forgive myself,” Ciara cried. “How could I, after what I’ve done?”
Tough Questions
This is the anchor question for Words of the Wiser.
What is the life lesson, and how might it affect the character?
Jayda finds an Aha moment. She answers the anchor question, “how might this realization change things?”, by saying, “The character realizes he was wrong.”
This describes the Aha moment, but it does not make an inference or explain how things will change!
Kayla knew she was in trouble the minute the ball was served in her direction. She hated volleyball. This intramural team was just another one of her dad’s bright ideas to try to make her an athlete - something Kayla had no interest in being.
Sure enough, when the ball flew toward her, Kayla screamed and ducked. She glanced into the bleachers just in time to see her dad shake his head and look down.
Kayla steadied herself and waited for the next serve. Why is this so important to him? She wondered. Why does it matter if I’m an athlete? Why is that such a big deal?
SIGNPOST: Tough Questions
WHY: She asks herself questions at the end of the passage. The questions don’t have easy answers.
ANCHOR QUESTION: What does this question make me wonder? (Then, make an inference!)
Answers will vary.
Example: I wonder why Kayla’s relationship with her dad is so difficult. I can infer that Kayla is frustrated by her dad’s attempts to involve her in sports.
“Mark!” Nicole cried. “Why did you do that?”
The students had been playing kickball, and the game was tied, 3-3. Mark, who had said he didn’t want to play, suddenly ran in and took the ball from Jen, who was pitching. He hurled it over the schoolyard fence, laughing as he ran away. The game was ruined.
Contrast
*Or Contrast/Contradiction
What is the anchor question for
Contrast & Contradiction?
Why would the character act/feel this way?
In the story “How to Transform an Everyday, Ordinary Hoop Court into a Place of Higher Learning and You at the Podium,” the main character’s father is usually quiet and serious. One day, he has to talk to a police officer, and he is really enthusiastic, smiling a lot and shaking the officer’s hand. This is an example of Words of the Wiser, because the dad shows us how to treat police.
What’s wrong with this statement?
This is an example of Contrast & Contradiction, not Words of the Wiser. The dad does not actually give us advice. He also is not really telling us that this is how we should treat police.
“No, mom,” Nate said, “I don’t have any homework!” He felt bad lying to his mom, but he really wanted to try out his new XBox game!
A few hours went by, and then Nate started to get worried. He knew he should probably tell the truth… or at least part of it.
“Mom?” he said, creeping down the stairs at 10:00 p.m. “Turns out, um, I actually did have homework. I just… forgot.”
Nate’s mom raised her eyebrows. “I see,” she said.
“Actually,” Nate continued, “It’s a science project. And I might sort of need help.
“That’s too bad,” his mom said. “I was available earlier, when you were playing XBox. But it’s 10 p.m., and I’m off-duty. Good luck with the project!”
SIGNPOST: Contrast
WHY: Moms don’t normally react this way to kids lying to them!
ANCHOR QUESTION: Why would the character act this way?
Answers will vary.
Example: I can infer the character is acting this way because she is trying to teach her son a lesson.