Dragon Dictation

Do you have the Dragon dictation ap on your iPad or phone? The seventh graders invited Mrs. Krog, the learning resource teacher,  into our class to teach us another method to help record our stories or other writing on paper. We divided into small groups of two or three people and proceded to follow directions and create a short story by collaborating with our group - no pens or pencils allowed! Students took turns being the speaker and the editor because after all a dragon does not know where to put a period, capital letter or a comma! It was fun and the group stories are hilarious. :) Here are a few pictures of us working in our small groups. Remember, you can talk your story now - you do not have to type it!

Symbolism in Literature

We are all surrounded by symbols: hearts representing love on Valentine's Day, the American flag is our symbol for patriotism and our united country, and a pencil and paper might symbolize writing and expression. Literature is no different. Eighth grade students recently completed symbolism projects by thinking about objects in their books that had symbolic meaning to the characters or the plot of the story. It was very interesting to "see beyond" the obvious and explore what hidden meanings an object, song, or person might hold.

Black and White Poems

Eighth grade students investigated black and white art galleries on line and chose a poem that grabbed their attention. Just like Jonas in the community of Sameness in The Giver by Lois Lowry, living in a world of black and white presents a different perspective. Every poem written by an eighth grade student ended to be solemn and serious. Why?

Elements of Fiction

 Students in grade 7 recently finished reading the novel Anna of Byzantium by Tracy Barrett. This is such an exciting piece of historical fiction! Anna did really exist and she finished writing 11 volumes explaining the history of her father Alexius Commnenus, which are still in publication today. We disected the eight elements of fiction using this novel. Student work is so creative! Take a look at the bulletin board in room 311 to see examples of character, setting, plot, conflict, mood, theme, and resolution. We decided not to illustrate point of view because Anna is telling the story and she is also the main character. Using these eight elements of fiction, students planned and wrote short stories that are truly imaginative and interesting!

Haiku Poetry

5-7-5. When you mention those numbers in that sequence to a student in grade 7, they know that a haiku poem is being discussed. Every student wrote a haiku in the traditional Japanese manner focusing on nature and an action that is taking place. We also used water colors to paint the scenes we wrote about. Here are a few poems. Students, please show your parents your haiku poems unless they are still on the bulletin board outside room 311 that is. :)

The Wise Koa Trees

The Dry Rivers Cross The Road

The One Sound, Silence.
by CD gr.7

JOY is . . .

What does JOY look like, sound like, or feel like to you? Students in grades 7 and 8 are sharing their thoughts about JOY as they learn about imagery which is a literary device writer employ. Imagery is when a writer uses words to paint a picture in the mind of the reader. Imagery is wonderful because it uses the five senses and written words come alive. That is what makes a book truly enjoyable and how we get "hooked" on reading! Our bulletin board is full of giant post-it notes of imagery written by students. We are just getting started, but it won't be long before everyone has a chance to share a favorite image of what joy means.



Here are a few examples students and I have written. :)

Joy is popping a smooth morsel of silky, salty, sweet caramel in my mouth.
-E.S. gr. 7

       
Joy is the twinkling, shimmering lights on the minty green tree.  C.K. gr. 7 


      Joy is flopping onto my fuzzy, furry, thick, mushy, feathery mattress! A.S. gr.7

Joy is the frozen silence of a single, serene snowflake wafting to earth. Mrs. H 

Gender Roles

Here is a question for students (or parents) who have read The Giver by Lois Lowry:
Do you think roles and job opportunities were more fair for women in the book setting or in our society today? Tell what you think and why you think this to be true. Click on the comment button below. Express your opinion.