We Are Back

I was so excited to get back to work today. I loved the time off but enough is enough it is time to get learning. I am not one to ease back into things so we just put the pedal to the floor.

First of all we got to start our new read aloud. I love this book. The book is called Rain Reign and is written by Ann M. Martin. I usually only read a bit of a book that I am going to read aloud to a class. I like the class to see my reaction as I read the book. I think it leads to a more authentic read aloud experience. When I read the first two chapters of this book, I was hooked. I quickly read half the book and then forced myself to stop so I would not have read the whole book before we got started.

I am not the only one singing the praises of this book here are a few blurbs:

"There's an old-fashioned quality to the story, especially the family elements, that makes the book sturdily accessible." - BCCB

 

*"Rose is a character we root for every step of the way. She is resilient, honest, and, in her own odd way, very perceptive; a most reliable narrator." - The Horn Book, STARRED REVIEW

 

*"Though Rose's story is often heartbreaking, her matter-of-face narration provides moments of humor. Readers will empathize with Rose, who finds strength and empowerment through her unique way of looking at the world." - School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

 

*"Simplicity, clarity, and emotional resonance are hallmarks of Rose's first-person narrative, which offers an unflinching view of her world from her perspective . . . A strong story told in a nuanced, highly accessible way." - Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

 

*"Martin has penned a riveting, seamless narrative in which each word sings and each scene counts." - Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

 

*"Newbery Honor author Martin (A Corner of the Universe) is extremely successful in capturing Rose’s perspective and personality..."- Publishers Weekley,STARRED REVIEW

I cannot wait to get going in this book and see what the class thinks of my pick.

For the next few weeks in reading and social studies we will be studying the build up to and the beginning of the Revolutionary War. I think this period in our history is so interesting and important for our students to understand. To get us started thinking about this period in history we did an 11 minute essay. We have done a few other 11 minute essays this year. I think they make a very complex idea (the essay) seem so simple. During the 11 minute essay the class has different prompts/idea starters that lead to writing. These prompts are divided into paragraphs and in the end the students have an essay. 

In the essay today we thought about what might make a nation strong. In another section we looked at a quote from George Washington and wrote about what we thought he might have meant. It is amazing to see how much the students can write in 11 minutes. Some students filled up to three pages of organized writing!!

After we wrote the essay we read Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem "A Nation's Strength" I have a personal connection to Emerson and have grown to enjoy his work. This poem fit perfectly with parts of our essay and allowed the class to see what Emerson thought made a nation strong.

We also started our poetry unit which is my favorite writing unit of the year but I will catch you up on that tomorrow. 

I hope you all had a great start to your week.