Working in Literature Circles

It is so much fun for me to watch students read and think while they work together in Lit. Circles! First they read pages together out loud. This is often the best part to observe because they sometimes read while imitating the voices of the characters and with an overabundance of expression. :) After reading aloud, there is always a task or a question(s) to answer. A group discussion takes place prior to any written work and is my very favorite part because of the intense opinions and debates that occur within the group. Very interesting to hear and observe!Take a look at some of the pictures below to see some of the emotions captured in Literature Circles.

                        

Poems of Peace

What does peace mean to you? Students in grades 7 and 8 wrote poems about what peace means to them. They are entering the International Peace Poem Project.  More information can be found at this website www.peacepoem.org if you would like to enter a poem. All poetry entries must be postmarked by February 28, 2013, or emailed. I am entering a poem from every student I teach in grades 7 and 8. Our poems are posted on the bulletin board outside between rooms 310 and 311 and inside room 311. Here are a few poems reflecting on peace.

Peace is when you are reading a book
and you get lost in the story.
    by JM grade 8
                               
                                                                                           Peace is like a butterfly's wing
                                                                                                       fragile, magestic
                                                                                                     and when obtained
                                                                                                    impossible to sustain
                                                                                                            by ZH grade 8
Peace is hovering around me
Waiting for my eyes and heart to snatch it up
It is like the mustard bottle inside of the fridge,
I can't seem to find, even though it is right in front of me
The one that is blatant, yet intangible
Until I wipe my glasses and finally see
that it was face to face with me
Anticipating me to notice
by TT grade 8

 The Ladder to Peace

Bravey leads to hope

Hope leads to harmony

Harmony leads to love

Love leads to forgiveness

And forgiveness leads to peace

by MN grade 7