Week of May 23-26

This week, some 3rd grade classes worked on self image poems, making sure to include very specific details that allow us to really get to know them. One class learned about how to create blackout poetry. A blackout poem is when a poet takes a marker (usually black marker) to already established text–like in a newspaper or book- and crosses out words until a poem is formed. The trick is to find important words that, when put together, have meaning to the poet that is totally unrelated to the original text. Check out some examples written by my AMAZING 3rd grade poets!

he landed
thump!
he laughed
did I do wrong?
No
nice try
I'll try again
I believe

you could do it
breathe deeply
now climb
to the top of the
world
then jump out into
the air

Because of the field trip and NJ ASK, I didn't get much time with the 4th graders this week. The one class I met with learned about the director's role in a play. One student took on the role of the director and guided his/her classmates in acting out the opening scene from Macbeth. We will continue working on this next week!

The 5th graders added visuals to enhance their TED Talks and practiced with a partner. I can't wait to hear the talks the next time we meet!

Week of May 16-20

This week, some 3rd grade classes continued to work on using line breaks and white space to enhance the meaning of poetry, while other classes read George Ella Lyons's famous poem, "Where I'm From." After discussing how her poem gives us a sense of who she is and where she comes from, we began writing our own self image poems. In all classes, we discussed the importance of using really specific details to make our readers feel like they are in the moment with us.

In 4th grade, we read and analyzed some of Shakespeare's famous sonnets. We then tried to write our own sonnets. I was so impressed with the students' abilities to write in iambic pentameter! I think we might have some future Shakespeares on our hands!!!

The 5th graders learned about how to write a conclusion for their TED Talks. It is important to remind readers of the thesis and to include a call to action. Tell listeners what they should do or how they should change their behavior as a result of listening to this talk. 

Week of May 9-13

This week, the 3rd graders continued to learn about aspects of poetry like line breaks and white space. We discussed that, in addition to careful word choice, decisions about how to place those words on the page can affect and enhance the meaning of a poem. The poet, Douglass We continued to write and share poems, applying the techniques we have learned so far. Check out a few examples below!

In 4th grade, some classes learned about sonnets. After learning about the rhyme scheme and iambic pentameter, we also read and discussed the themes of some of Shakespeare's famous sonnets (sonnet 18 and sonnet 73). I was very impressed with the students' abilities to find the deeper meanings in the poems! We then started to write our own sonnets. I can't wait to see how they turn out!

The 5th graders spent time researching and crafting the bodies of their speeches. We learned some techniques to avoid saying "um" and "ah": pay attention and notice when you do it, close your mouth, and take a pause. It IS possible to break this habit!

Week of May 2-6

Due to PARCC testing this week, I haven't been able to see many classes. I can't wait to get back to work next week!!!