March
15
Category: 100 Word Challenge, Authors Spotlight, Book Reviews, Featured Writers, Mrs.Darden Thinking, Project Based Learning and Agile, Student Column, Uncategorized | Comments Off on
March
15
February
24
Holocaust Survivor Newspaper Project
Recently, we read the captivating narrative of White Bird by R.J. Palacio as part of a unit study focusing on the following essential question, To what extent do tragedy, trauma, and adversity build resilience? After reading the graphic novel, my students embarked on a research project to connect with a Holocaust survivor. With the help of our amazing librarians, we learned how to use Noodle Tools and our school databases. Empowered by newfound knowledge, students designed a newspaper to showcase the Holocaust survivors using Canva. Last week, we showcased all the newspapers during an interactive Gallery Walk in our classroom where students gave each other feedback in the form of “Grows” and “Glows”. We hope you enjoy reading and learning about some of the survivors.
Kate friedman by Dalal
gisella pearl newspaper!! by FaithM
Copy of Sample designs of Newspaper templates by Parker H.
Holocaust Survivor Project by Sophie
Holocaust Newspaper English 7 by Leon
Copy of Sample designs of Newspaper templates by Lexi
Copy of Sample designs of Newspaper templates by Alex
December
8
Character Mind Maps
During our novel-in-verse unit, students explored the use of figurative language, characterization, conflict, and other elements of literature. Our culminating mini-project consisted of creating an open-mind map using Canva for a character in the story. We hope you enjoy a glimpse of various characters’ minds.
Betita’s open mind
Kenneth
Character- Madrigal
Mind Map by Nirav
Nick Hall
Mind Map by Sophie
Jacqueline Woodson
December
16
Consumers Beware During the Holiday Shopping Season
After reading some articles on how advertisers capture consumers’ attention, we learned how to deconstruct ads to make us more aware of the tactics that are used. We used our annotations and new found knowledge to create teen guides that help consumers shop more effectively during the holiday season. We hope you enjoy a few of our showcased teen guides!
Teen Guide Created by Phillip
Teen Guide Designed by Lola
Teen Guide Written by Anwita
November
18
Student Poets
Death Itself
By Adam
In the shadows
Cold as the winds
With an ember inside and within
Eating away all of mankind’s sins
Feeling empty as a hollow
Deaths embrace will come to follow
Depression and sadness settle in
Without a doubt on man’s whims
People cry People mourn
Over their loved ones that have been born
In this world of Despair
None can ever be repaired
O’ Death do us part
Some shall never have a heart
Broken inside and through
Such is one who has never bloomed
John was inspired to write this poem during hurricane season.
McLane wrote this rhyming poem on Canva.
September
24
Refugee Experience Challenge
Alan Gratz
After reading Refugee by Alan Gratz this summer, students returned to school and embarked on a short research challenge. They browsed through the UNHCR website to learn about a variety of refugees around the world. After deciding on a focused refugee story, the students created a short profile for the refugee. Thank you to Emily at readitwriteitlearnit.com for the idea and resource. We hope you enjoy reading a few of these profiles written by some of our students.
January
10
Board Game Creation
December
8
Bookcreator
One of our favorite digital tools to use for publishing is Book Creator. It is user-friendly and a great way to share with a larger audience. Recently, we read the graphic novel Cardboard by Doug TenNapel and were inspired to write short graphic-style stories. We had too much fun creating characters and developing a short plot using Book Creator’s features. We hope you enjoy some of our stories on Book Creator.
