Today learners had a choice between an extension and reading time. Many have asked, “can we keep reading instead? Can we read the whole time?” 🥰 Proud that LA8 has created an environment that has kids excited to get in (and stay in) their books! #villagenorth

❗️COOL ACTIVITY❗️Learners worked together across the whole grade level today. Ls decided to “teach”(make a video)or “learn” (watch a vid made by peers) and they worked with each other on an 8th-wide Google Sheets page! Brave, constructive, supportive, collaborative! #villagenorth

Today, students are finding the connections between characters and the plot. What a high level task!! We found events and asked, “what does this event show about the character?” This activity is low risk-students can go way in depth or stay surface level-and super aligned!!

Today students browsed a virtual gallery walk. I missed having them roam the room, but the conversations from the virtual version were still good!

Yesterday’s writing assignment- how cool!!!

Zoom Teaching: where “give me a thumbs up if...” and “show me on your fingers how well...” have become my new best friends

Last year, I started digging into sketchnoting. Now, it feels even more important to look for ways I can model and apply these visual note taking skills- whether that’s in recorded lessons, zoom lessons, etc. Check out this student who has mastered the art already!

AND check this out- the appendices of #WorkshoppingtheCanon include hundreds of paired texts and media to go with many commonly used classroom classics! #R10ELARwkshp

I participated in a book study over the book Workshopping the Canon this summer- and it was AWESOME! I know this year will look different (to say the least) but it is SO validating to see strong literacy values reflected here. Thanks @GunnTexas !!#R10ELARwkshp

#todayincreativewriting we had 100% engagement for 37 minutes because we <3 clocking! This strategy is our go-to, final-steps editing technique, and we’re pros when it comes to giving and receiving feedback on our writing. What a highly underestimated, empowering skill!

Learners are tracking their research takeaways the old fashioned way- and it makes a cool gallery walk for our most interesting finds!

I’m excited about the Lit. Analysis Hexagon in Creative Workshop. Learners of ALL levels are able to contribute something, and completing a hexagon depends on actively reading and thinking about the text. I love seeing different levels of analysis appear on my wall!!

Creative Writers got their pen pal letters back from @MsCassidyCRE and @MrsHernandezCRE ‘s 3rd graders!! Look at how big their smiles are!! #CISDOurStory

#villagenorth creative writers became impromptu pen pals with @CRECoyotes today! We wrote letters to @MsCassidyCRE ‘s third graders, congratulating them on a great first semester and offering advice for middle school. Another reason to love living with you Ms. Cassidy!!!

After reading Pandora’s Box, we’re group-writing myths of our own!! Such a fun Friday-before-the-last-week activity 🤪 #villagenorth

Another day of clocking in creative writing!! This is our favorite type of peer editing! “It’s helpful to see what other people see in my writing without feeling like I’m wrong”😍 #villagenorth

Creative writers use one of our favorite sharing strategies- EKG! Students record the “exciting” parts of each other’s writing on a sentence strip like a heartbeat. Now writers know the most engaging parts of their piece! #todayincreativewriting #villagenorth

Creative Writers sorted model texts into their correct genres: narrative, expository, or persuasive? Then we took a closer look at what details make a genre! #villagenorth #todayincreativewriting