In the Classroom: ELA with Heather

January Update

This is our third annual participation in the Mock Caldecott Awards. Students are reading anywhere from 16-25 books from our list of possible Caldecott winners for 2024. As they read, they complete an evaluation form for each story based on the art. They look for the art to elevate the elements of the story, and if the art helps to create a mood and/or express an overall theme. On January 22nd, the entire school  will vote for their favorite, and then we will watch the American Library Association present the awards to see if we chose correctly! Pictures below are from some of our favorite books and of the students working hard reading and evaluating the stories. 

September Update

The Joy Of Reading

ELA class has started the year by getting back into the joy of reading. Students are encouraged to use the first ten minutes of class every day to “read, write, or create.” Some students draw in art journals, others choose to write or draft stories with pictures or on their chromebooks, but most choose to read. Our library is stocked with engaging titles that are accessible to all readers. There is truly something for everyone here at the Accord School Library! 

Brave

Block 2 Students are starting their first class novel together, a graphic novel titled Brave by Svetlana Chmakova. We did some pre reading exercises this week about what it means to be brave in terms of friendships, and how to identify explicit and implicit exclusive behaviors from peers in the literature, but also in real life. 

Descriptive Writing

Blocks 1 and 3 students have started out the year with some short stories that emphasize descriptive writing. We reviewed some literary devices such as personification, alliteration, similes, and imagery, and students have begun writing a personal narrative about a physical place in their lives. They are focusing their writing on creating an image of this place with their word choice. Many of them are writing about a specific moment or memory in their lives at this place, and all of them have been working this week to write for 10- 15 minutes of uninterrupted time as they build their writing stamina.

Excerpt From Lauren D’s narrative piece: 

“Get up!” my little brother screeched as he shook me awake, “it snowed! It snowed!”

I rub my eyes and sit up, “really?” I mutter groggily. I quickly came to my senses and jumped out of bed to bolt to the window. It was true, outside the ground and trees were completely covered in a beautiful clean blanket of untouched snow.

Excerpt from Basil D’s narrative piece:

 You can notice the floor is soft and pale pink. It feels like you’re walking on a cloud, letting your feet sink in and feel the fluffy texture. Right over there, you can see a door. The door is light brown with a golden handle. Once you go inside you can notice a few things. The smell is of lavender, consuming your senses and putting your mind at ease. The inside has a sofa made of silk and feathers.

Excerpt from Alex J’s narrative piece:

 I look around us, and the water is murky, almost as if an alligator were about to jump out at us. I put my hand in the water that was once cold, and is now warm, almost like bath water. My cousin with the paddle stands up to see better, but it just makes the paddle board wobble even more. I start to yell at him, “Sit down you're gonna tip us over.”