In class our focus has been on insects that go through metamorphosis with a direct focus on butterflies and dragonflies. Students have asked wonder questions on these insects and have determined whether their questions are researchable or are heart questions (can be answered from personal knowledge/feelings). If they are researchable, students have used iPads and books to find the answer to their wonder questions. We have also incorporated short video clips and music for students to visually see how nature works and to sing songs to remember life cycle processes. Students have written question/answer books, short reports, and paragraph responses. To add to our understanding of how things change and grow, students planted lettuce seeds. Each day, students are observing changes and writing about what they see. Finally, students have gone on “Walk Abouts” to observe nature and formulate more wonder questions.
The answers from students’ wonder questions have motivated them to write copiously. Students are also enjoying sharing their short reports through author’s chair as well as incorporating technology (video, music, and research websites) into their writing. We have been pleasantly surprised by the way each student has responded to the freedom to write free of restrictions. Students are no longer asking how long something has to be. Instead, they are anxious to find the answers to their wonder questions. Many students have surprised us by wanting to take their writing to publishing and are willing to work through break because of their passion to get their writing done.
Grade 3
"Are you a snail?" This is the question 3rd grade began during their Workshop for week one. We have been using books, the Web, and real snails to research and write about "wonders" that the students have regarding snails. Additionally, students have begun a research report. They have especially enjoyed writing and illustrating their own stories based on "This morning, when I woke up, I was a snail!" Meeting the classroom snails and observing them in their little habitats was another engaging and exciting activity. Teachers have been working with small groups of three or four students, helping them research, observe, and write about snails. Students have surprised us with their creativity and engagement. We have had a wonderful first week!
Grade 4-6
Our first week has been packed with exciting ideas and demonstrations based on Kelly Gallagher's Write Like This. Mr. Gallagher's premise is that our best teaching of writing is through the use of real-world topics modeled by teachers and mentor texts. We started with encouraging the children to create a 6-word memoir (bumper sticker) that best describes them. Next, students created brochures of rules to follow to become a success in a variety of fields. We will wrap up the week with students evaluating restaurants based on certain criteria and creating a Restaurant Review which will then be compiled into a student Restaurant Guide. In our computer lab, we are guiding the students on the many uses of Google.docs and Kidblog and helping them publish many of their creations for all to see and enjoy. Stay tuned next week as we continue to face writing challenges and victories!
Grade 7-12
This week students have done a variety of writing activities exploring who they are. They’ve written poems about being in charge of the world, they’ve written six-word memoirs, and written about the perfect day. In addition, student have written about who they wish they were or things they wish they could do. From this they created a super hero alter ego that allows them to be everything they are not. Through their writing they have been imagining a world where the impossible is possible.