Two weeks into the new year and although students have been back to school since January 2nd, I am positively sure that many wish they were still enjoying winter break!
Upper Elementary English classes are in full swing with new units and my excitement is racing as we dig into some amazing stories of courage, survival, and standing up for what is right.
Sixth grade is beginning a unit on the novel A Long Walk to Water, by Linda Sue Park. “Two young people...two stories. One country: Sudan.” This novel explores the theme of survival and courage - “The human spirit is capable of the impossible when faced with the unthinkable.” Students will be collaborating in their Social Studies class on several aspects pertaining to this novel such as the civil war of Southern Sudan, water-borne illnesses and clean drinking water, and cultural differences among others.
Fifth grade began a study of the novel Hoot, by Carl Hiaasen - This book is a total “HOOT!” Students will love Hiaasen’s sense of humor and purpose. A fun, engaging story about young kids standing up for what is right; bullying and protecting a group of burrowing owls from destruction. This novel teaches that “sometimes (in life) you’re going to be faced with situations where the line isn’t clear between what’s right and what’s wrong. Your heart will tell you to do one thing and your brain will tell you to do something different. In the end, all that’s left is to look at both sides and go with your best judgment.” Students will be collaborating in Science class on discussions raised in the novel, such as burrowing owls, owl habitats and the effects of industrial growth, endangered species, and ecology.
In a collaborative effort on this novel (Hoot), Mrs. Klamm’s sophomore art class spent a day with my fifth grade English class teaching us how to draw burrowing owls with chalk and oil pastels. Please enjoy the photos below, we have some amazing, budding artists at NVA!
Also, please enjoy some of the owl drawings from our high school students who participated:
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