May is here!! Where did the year go? We have only 5 weeks left, so we will be busy!!
Eighth graders are nearing the end of The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. This contemporary classic is a fast paced coming of age novel with realistic characters and situations the kids can really relate to. It is mature fiction appropriate for the growing maturity of this group of students. The 8th graders are also getting ready for their Reading Workshop field trip over to Memorial School on the afternoon of June 5th. The kids will read to kindergarten and first grade classes, then celebrate their success with an ice cream party. At the end of this school year we will enjoy some speed reading to improve fluency, and some final "Real life Heroes" reading to practice comprehension strategies and increase vocabulary.
Seventh graders are currently reading Bull Run by Paul Fleischman. This poignant novel speaks to the reader in the voices of 16 different characters, half from the North and half from the South. The characters range from an 11 year old Southerner who at first wants "to kill a Yankee", to an escaped slave who fights for the North. It is a very realistic portrayal of what happened to people during The Civil War. In addition to the history, students are learning a great deal of vocabulary.
Sixth graders are currently researching gods and goddesses of ancient Greece. They will "become the character" within a week, and work in groups to perform short skits about the gods and goddesses.
They are doing a wonderful job reflecting on what they have learned, and are learning to use the four comprehension strategies of Question, Clarify, Predict, and Summarize.
Your son or daughter may have told you he/she sat down with me recently for a short one-on-one reading assessment. I meet with each student individually to assess their progress, and to let them know about their improvement. If you have any questions regarding this reading assessment, please call or email me.
Finally, I have many wonderful books in my personal classroom library to borrow. Please stop by when you need a new book for SSR or personal reading at home. Parents, please discuss with your son or daughter what he or she is reading. Discussion of reading material is key to motivating and improving comprehension.
Laura Bradley
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