Katya and I chose 'The Book Thief' as her next book. We will use the text for lessons on narrative, creative writing, analytical reading, grammar, syntax, and mechanics. We discussed the importance of knowing authors and backgrounds of both the authors and the settings of their writing. To prepare for reading 'The Book Thief,' Katya found information on Markus Zusak that we noted and discussed. We talked about using our own experiences and knowledge in writing both fiction and non-fiction. Grammar will be a focus; vocabulary (her strongest point) will be augmented by three new academic words per week (in notebook with synonyms, sentence example, part of speech, and so forth). Katya will use these words in her writing and speaking. HOMEWORK: pre-write/pre-think a vignette to write based on something in her past experience (true story writing, or changed to fictional character). She will memorize the three new vocabulary words. Our first reading will be the introduction and chapter one in 'The Book Thief.'