"Words are our most
inexhaustible source of magic."
-J.K. Rowling
Book clubs are well underway. We’re figuring out how to divvy up tasks and set aside our self conscious worries long enough to read the text aloud. We’re helping each other and stepping back when we sense that is not what is needed. It’s not easy. But it does feel familiar and closer to normal that online school sometimes feels. Some breakout rooms buzz with off-topic chatter, some with enthusiasm, some with tension, and some with the struggle to connect. But, with the aid of technology, we are in actual groups. That alone feels like progress. Parents, you may notice a lack of grades being posted. Don’t worry, a writing assignment is on the horizon. For now it’s all about the reading. It’s such good fun to watch the plots thicken, let’s just enjoy that.
You guys are on it! I have to confess, I was a little nervous about the book club book pick-up last Wednesday. I mean over 200 Dragon students, 5 different novels, and only two hours to hand them all out. Let’s face it, it was a recipe for disaster. Except that it wasn’t. Almost as though you telepathically spaced out your arrivals, there was no back-up, no lag time, and almost no forgetting. Every one of my students now has his/her Q3 materials. I’m so grateful for everyone’s enthusiasm and support.
The best part was seeing my students. I know it was brief and masked and mega-socially distanced, but it was an utter joy. The Dragon teachers are still talking about it. This week we will read together. And students will get to talk together and think together in a way that only book clubbing together allows. Third quarter is going to rock! To kick off Q3, I've decided we need virtual book clubs. I know the kids are starved for interaction with their peers and the joyful distraction of a good book, so we're going for it!
This means you'll need to swing by campus to pick up your student's book club novel as well as other Q3 math and science materials. Just one trip this time! Plan to drive through at Dartmouth on: Wednesday, January 13th: 9:30 - 11:30am. Just pop the trunk and we'll drop in the goods. Holding up a sign with your student's first and last name will help make the line go faster and get you in and out quickly. Thank you for helping make this happen! Welcome back! Two weeks off is a beautiful thing. We want to keep this new year, post-break bliss going as long as possible. This week we will focus on a fun celebration of reading. Students will write themselves into their favorite novels and visually create the scene they imagined. At the end of the week, we’ll share our reimagined storylines. It’s possible that my ultimate plan is for students to become interested in reading a book their peers chose to jump into. A new year just calls for a new book to read.
It is also the last week of Q2. My grading is complete. Students and parents should check grades for all classes. I’d love to give partial credit for missing work - send me a very polite email and we’ll work through it together. |
AuthorBeth Fabiano - Busy 7th Grade ELA teacher, wife, mother Archives
May 2021
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