While it was pleasant to ease into the school year with shortened weeks, it is likewise comfortable to finally settle into the usual routines. Along with the school-wide PBIS initiative to encourage and facilitate positive behaviors throughout the building, we've been brainstorming and revisiting as needed expectations for our ELA classes to run smoothly and productively.
Students have been exercising their creative muscles by brainstorming and drafting their poems. Their editing and revising work should focus on adding in description through the use of colorful words--adjectives, adverbs, and vivid verbs. We also took a first look at literary devices, and students are expected to use at least two in every poem they write this year. I will also be encouraging them to use devices to elevate any type of writing they do.
While students are busy revising their poems and working on their projects at home, in class they will begin their exploration of the elements of fiction within short stories we read together. We will kick off with Ray Bradbury's All Summer in a Day, with a focus on the way that the author develops setting, character, and conflict in the story.
Happy new year to those celebrating the Jewish holidays! Please know that students absent for the holidays can certainly take extra time needed to complete the assignments.
Homework:
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday: work on editing/revising poem (add description through word choices and devices); work on project
Thursday/Friday: work on project
I Am From poetry project
Example of descriptive writing
