March 2010

Spring has arrived and spirits feel lifted and ready to move forward.  The RHS Language Arts teachers continue to guide students through the  challenging process of writing the research paper.  Since we try to spread the demands on the Media Centers and their staffs, March sees the AP 11 students slogging through their research on the Victorians and Honors American Literature working with The Great Gatsby.

Over the past several weeks, I have had the privilege of working with various elementaryclasses during their Writing Workshops.  Grades 3-4 & 5 at Oak Street School and multiple grade 5 sections at Mount Prospect have explored strategies for success in writing.   Still to come this month will be a visit to Grade 4 at Liberty Corner School.  As always, I am thrilled with the writing abilities of our students and the fine instruction that the teachers impart.

Grade 6 at WAMScontinues to learn about Greek Mythology as well as the myths of other cultures.  These students are writing an original nature myths of their own.



February 2010

As we move into the second semester, we also begin to think more about September 2010.  As the population bubble continues to impact on WAMS and RHA, the Language Arts teachers at the high school have begun to explore new titles for the various high school courses and the Summer Reading list. 

Students and parents alike, please feel free to contact any language arts teacher or me to suggest a new title for our students to read.  We did a small pilot with The Book Thief, a story of Nazi Germany told from the point of view of death.  Currently we are reviewing The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.   Recently a parent approached me about using Jody Piccoult's  Nineteen Minutes.  We had considered this title a few years ago and were concerned about the dreadful power of this tale of bullying in the schools.  What are your thoughts? 

NJASK Grades 3-8 Student Writing Responses

After a Herculean effort by our support staff, all students responses from the Spring 2009 have been printed and labeled.  Classroom teachers have been returning these students response to the boys and girls.  Techers will help the class review last year's writing efforts and work on goal setting to improve writing.   Once the grade level has completed teaching selected mini-lessons, I will alert the parents that the papers are ready to go home.   We are very proud of the student writing here in Bernards Township.  Of course, we are always looking for ways to further enhance the writing abilities of our young authors.

LITERATURE CIRCLES

Grades 6, 7 & 8 are completing this round of literature circle discussions.  Grade 6 reading targeted titles that had an environmental slant while grade 8 have examined the effective of bias and prejudice on a segment of society.  When the students gather for their discussions, an observer can see the growing comprehension and appreciation for the power of words.  Studens support ideas with textual references and everyone hones their discussion skills while working in small groups.   Check the teachers websites for additional information.