Happy Holidays!

We spent this week progressing with our Lit. Circle books, writing our odes to ordinary things, and responding to quotations from our novels.  On Wednesday, we had a "catch-up, wrap-up" class, where students ensured that they had spoken with their group about how much to read over break, and where I introduced the final assignments for the Lit. Circle unit.  Students were given time to write, read, talk, think and share.  When we return from the break, we will wrap up our Lit. Circle unit.

I hope you all have a safe and restful break.  I look forward to working with you again in 2013!

Odes to Ordinary Objects

Ms. Barsky shared two odes written by Pablo Neruda: "Ode to an Artichoke" and "Ode to My Socks".  We discussed how Neruda turns the typical ode on its head, paying homage to everyday objects instead of heroic people or events.  Neruda's ability to bring an elevated, exalted description to something so average makes the ordinary appear extraordinary.  Who knew an artichoke could sound so noble?  That socks could sound so integral to the human experience?

Students then wrote their own odes to ordinary things.  Or, they continued working on their gender poems.  Or, they read their totally amazing, can't-put-it-down-it's-so-good Lit. Circle book.  They are so good, right?  So good... you just can't put it down it's so good.

Please be ready to discuss your latest chunk with your group on Monday.

Also, please remember that I expect you to submit a poem for the Voice of the Mind contest.

Holy novel reading, Batman!

Students are devouring the Lit. Circle books!  And this warms my heart like you would not believe....

Lit. Circle groups met yesterday, to debrief what has been read so far.  I asked that groups share questions, connections, inferences, frustrations, predictions, quotations....  and anything else of interest to you and your group.

Then, at 2:30, students returned to their desk and wrote me a letter about how the book is going so far.  If you did not submit your letter to me at the end of class, please email it to me at msbarsky@yahoo.ca.  I look forward to reading about your reading.

You should be reading your next chunk of your book for Monday's class.  We will be participating in a Writer's Workshop on Thursday.

Presentations II

We concluded our Lord of the Flies presentations today.  Fantastic job by all of you!  I thoroughly enjoyed all the presentations.

Students found out which Lit. Circle book they were assigned, and each student signed out his/her book.  I asked groups to meet and select a small chunk to read for Friday.  We will complete an introductory activity on Friday.

Presentations... Round One

We began with three of our Lord of the Flies presentations, and we will finish with our final three presentations on Wednesday.  You are welcome to return your novel to me if you are finished with it.

Students were then asked to select three novels that they are interested in reading for a Literature Circles unit.  I asked students to pick a top three and then tell me one that they are really not interested in reading.  I GUARANTEE I will not ask you to read the book you do not want to read.

You will find out your Lit. Circle book on Wednesday!