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What's Going on in Reading and Language Arts?

We currently have three novels going...ask your kids what reading the ocean means and how it applies to their Core Block's novel.

We are analyzing these novels as readers AND writers, seeing how each event, character, character trait, and even setting placement align to allow the main character's struggle to be the focus of the book. We've been talking SIGNPOSTS:
Again and Again
Contrast and Contradiction
Words of the Wiser
AHA! Moments
Tough Questions
Memory Moments
and how each of those lead us to ask questions and reveals more about the character's struggle and the theme of the book.

I am so proud of their incredible deep thinking! It's more challenging to do this with longer novels, and they are doing it so naturally! The nature of our responses and discussion is fabulous!

Also, we have started our reading partnerships -- they are reading the same book as a friend -- and are planning their meetings and discussions. It's so exciting to see their independence and seriousness about talking as readers!


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