Redcoats and Rebels:  

The Pursuit of Life, Liberty, and Happiness on American Soil

The Brisbin Crew is hard at work developing personal Maxims for our final product for our expedition.  Students have begun to learn how to scribe via the use of calligraphy pens and are practicing their letters and lines.  By studying the endearing Benjamin Franklin through the lens of documentary and anchor text, we are exploring the fabric of our American history.  Students have been dissecting complex text and have used the “Getting the Gist” protocol to understand non-fiction.  We are moving into the third case study:  “The Power of Words” and will examine documents like The Constitution, The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Payne’s “Common Sense,” and other vital works that have shaped our past.

The Daily Five and CAFE literacy model is in full swing in our classroom.  Students are reading award winning literature with a buddy as well as independently.  We are conferencing and progress monitoring daily, keeping track of what “good fit” books are available to us and finding that necessary cusp between comfort and discomfort in reading at our level.  By challenging ourselves as readers and using the strength Habit of Work, we become stronger readers.  

Students are in the throes of their final personal narrative working with the Ideas writing trait.  The title of this piece is “My Side of the Story,” and students have chosen a figure from the American Revolutionary time period to emulate.  By following the learning target and rubric, students will conduct their first peer review this week, with final drafting stages to happen right before our Celebration of Learning.  We have worked diligently on conventions as of late, and not only have taken quizzes on -ie/-ei combinations and idioms (come check out the Brisbin Crew Idiom Alphabet!).

Dates to remember:

Wednesday December 12:  Minimum Day

Thursday December 20:  Celebration of Learning

Friday December 21:  Last day of school before Holiday Break

Monday January 7:  Return back to school from Holiday Break

Friday January 18- End of the term

Monday January 28- Progress Reports distributed

Have a safe and happy holiday!  Enjoy the snow!

Mrs. Brisbin