Whole Class Novel Units
The study of novels is a vital part of students developing as a reader, writer and thinker. There are so many possibilities with what could be done. Students will have the opportunity to think critically, take a look at reading strategies and participate in group discussions to name just a few of those possibilities.
Students will read at least three novels as a class. The first novel is Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen. It is a historical fiction story about a boy named Samuel who lived and experienced the effects of American Revolution.
Another class novel is To Be a Slave by Julius Lester. It is a collection of interviews and narratives of former slaves gathered during FDR's Federal Writers Program. The accounts describe life from ship to plantation to freedom and everything in between.
Another novel we read is Walter Dean Myers' The Glory Field, is a fictional novel celebrating the history of the Lewis family from the 1700s to the present day. The story tells of struggles, hardships and victories in overcoming the shackles of bondage that held members of the Lewis family physically and/or psychologically captive.
Students will read at least three novels as a class. The first novel is Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen. It is a historical fiction story about a boy named Samuel who lived and experienced the effects of American Revolution.
Another class novel is To Be a Slave by Julius Lester. It is a collection of interviews and narratives of former slaves gathered during FDR's Federal Writers Program. The accounts describe life from ship to plantation to freedom and everything in between.
Another novel we read is Walter Dean Myers' The Glory Field, is a fictional novel celebrating the history of the Lewis family from the 1700s to the present day. The story tells of struggles, hardships and victories in overcoming the shackles of bondage that held members of the Lewis family physically and/or psychologically captive.
Writing Workshop
As writers, it is my desire that my classes write proficiently in an organized and clear manner. During our writing workshop, students will develop techniques that will help them write with independence and confidence. There will be an emphasis on their writing containing effective claims, effective elaboration, transitional words and phrases, and correct grammar/usage. Students will write in narrative, informational and argumentative styles.
Creative Writing
This year, students will have a number of opportunities to creatively write. Students will read and write poetry. They will learn about different types of poetry and the poetic devices used. At the end of our study, students will publish poems they've written around the classroom. Students will develop their narrative voice through a series of voice lessons. During our study of the Civil War, students will have an opportunity to create poetry inspired by war photography. They will also complete a Civil War Letters narrative writing project.