Week of November 7
We explored many genres in the classes this week at the middle school. We began the week with poetry. As some seventh graders begin to write their own poetry, we discussed how the poets are the keepers of history. To quote a line from the movie The Dead Poets Society, "We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race." We watched and discussed examples of Middle School Poetry Slams, including one from Mill Valley. Students explored controversial topics in another seventh grade class. Others read peer written literature reviews and chose books they are interested in reading based on the reviews.
In sixth grade we discussed Newbery books and biographies as students chose books for their next book wrap-up.
We explored many genres in the classes this week at the middle school. We began the week with poetry. As some seventh graders begin to write their own poetry, we discussed how the poets are the keepers of history. To quote a line from the movie The Dead Poets Society, "We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race." We watched and discussed examples of Middle School Poetry Slams, including one from Mill Valley. Students explored controversial topics in another seventh grade class. Others read peer written literature reviews and chose books they are interested in reading based on the reviews.
In sixth grade we discussed Newbery books and biographies as students chose books for their next book wrap-up.
Week of October 31
Time flies when you are having fun! That is for certain. We began this week at the elementary schools with Halloween stories and ended with Ms. Sarah from the Corte Madera Public library visiting some of our classes to discuss books being considered for the Newbery Medal. In between we read about scientists and architects, shared science hypotheses we have investigated, and discussed idioms and theme, and some of us learned how to find books at our reading level using the library catalog. (Can I just say I am always blown away by the topics that come up in our discussions!)
Time flies when you are having fun! That is for certain. We began this week at the elementary schools with Halloween stories and ended with Ms. Sarah from the Corte Madera Public library visiting some of our classes to discuss books being considered for the Newbery Medal. In between we read about scientists and architects, shared science hypotheses we have investigated, and discussed idioms and theme, and some of us learned how to find books at our reading level using the library catalog. (Can I just say I am always blown away by the topics that come up in our discussions!)
We read Ada Twist, Scientist, by Andrea Beaty and illustrated by David Roberts who also created the NYT bestselling picture books Rosie Revere, Engineer and Iggy Peck, Architect. We read a bit of those as well when we had time. The character Ada Twist's full name is Ada Marie Twist. She is named after the scientists Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie.
And, let's not forget that the new Diary of Wimpy Kid came out!
Week of October 24
The highlights of this week were the two author visits made possible through our local bookseller, Book Passage.
The highlights of this week were the two author visits made possible through our local bookseller, Book Passage.
Henry Neff visited Hall seventh graders at the middle school and Holly Goldberg Sloan spoke to fourth and fifth graders at our two elementary schools. Henry Neff gave one of the most engaging presentations in recent memory. He explained both his process of writing and his process of illustrating his books. A former teacher himself, Mr. Neff kept students engaged and asking questions. Watch the trailer for his latest book, Impyrium.
Holly Goldberg Sloan entertained students with her stories behind the story. Her novel, Counting by Sevens, is a beloved book and almost always checked out. Ms. Sloan has written many family films including Angels in the Outfield. Learn more about Ms. Sloan here.