First Impressions

Today I had the opportunity to begin informally assessing the students on their writing. The assignment asked them to write about Sandra Cisneros's vignette "My Name." I was impressed by what my 3rd period students had done. Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to get around to all of 5th and 6th periods, and 4th worked on a model to help them on future writings. Young people often do not have confidence in what they have to say, especially if they are asked to be thoughtful or analyze how a writer accomplishes his/her purpose. Ask your student about this piece and what they have learned about a different culture and expectations.

We will be moving toward writing an "I am from" poem. Talk to your student about family traditions, sayings, heirlooms, or anything that you think could be used to discuss "where they are from."

I am from Saturday morning cartoons, TV's with two channels and rabbit ears, a childhood without gadgets, but with enough imagination to take me into the woods, to allow me to lie in the grass and see dinosaurs and bunnies in the clouds, and enough safety to provide freedom to roam the neighborhood!