MAKE A SPLASH ~ READ!

This year our summer reading initiative is Make a Splash ~ Read!

As part of this initiative, all students were able to chose a brand new book to take home to jump start their summer reading.

In the fall we hope students will bring drawings or written descriptions of a favorite part from one book they have read to be displayed at school.

We are grateful to Mrs. Pyszka and the Maple Avenue Student Council for their support of this reading initiative.

Make a splash with a good book this summer!

See you in September.

Literacy and the Arts Festival

It has been a wonderful year of learning, thinking and creating.

As you view this slideshow of our work, you will see evidence of a
culture of learners who 'show what they know" and take pride in all that they do.

April is Poetry Month

Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me Too
by Shel Silverstein



Poetry is everywhere!

Naomi Shihab Nye recites One Boy Told Me, a found poem created from the things her son said to her. Perhaps this will inspire you to take out your writer's notebook and record some of those funny and interesting things your students say!

Celebrate Poetry Month with some Concrete Poems



And be sure to check in with GottaBook Blog for a new poem each day in April!

And for even more ideas, check out 30 Ways to Celebrate from Poets.org.
Here's one suggestion I really like:

Put poetry in an unexpected place
"Books should be brought to the doorstep like electricity, or like milk in England: they should be considered utilities."

Digital Writing: Teaching Writing in the 21st Century

Digital Writing Workshop on Prezi

The Digital Writing Workshop is a new book about using technology to teach writing by Troy Hicks, Director of the Chippewa River Writing Project at Central Michigan University. Technology can be a powerful tool when integrated into the workshop model of student choice, revision, and author study that values both the writing process and the final product. Troy also facilitates The Digital Writing Workshop NING, a companion to the book, for teachers interested in learning more about teaching digital writing in an online community.

The Plymouth Writing Project will be offering two special focus sessions this summer on using technology to teach writing: Exploring Technology and Writing and Writing Instruction and Multimedia. Information and registration forms can be found on the Plymouth Writing Project website.