Strong Endings

Our focus in writing this week was to make sure our endings were strong in our fiction pieces.  We created a chart of questions to consider in revising those endings. 

Theme

This week our focus was on the different Themes in our class novel, Voices of St. Augustine.  Theme is the message or lesson the author wants to the reader to take away from the story.

Voices in St. Augustine

Students have read to chapter 13 so far in our class novel, Voices in St. Augustine.  As strong readers, we have focused on the "Big Ideas" and summarizing to check for understanding.  We also focused on the Idioms in the novel to clarify their meanings. 

Fiction Writing

We have focused on developing a well thought out plan for our fiction stories, making sure there is a story arc (heart beat).  Students tried again and again until their plan felt just right.  We have moved into the drafting process of our fiction stories.  We have drafted our stories scene by scene and studied other authors for ways to make our stories better!

Developing Characters for Our Fiction Stories

Students spent a few days this week picking one of their small moments and developing a believable character.  Students develop external and internal character traits as well has developing struggles and desires for their character.