What Makes Reading Important?

Reading is important for so many reasons. But, what do sixth graders think? And, what do their parents and grandparents think? Although I usually hate homework on the weekend, students have a special assignment for this weekend.

They must answer the following questions:

Why do you believe reading is important?
How do you think reading skills will help you throughout your life?

In addition, they must interview either a parent or grandparent and ask them these questions to find out their opinions about reading.

It will be interesting to hear opinions. I wonder if there will be much difference between students and their parents/grandparents?

Thanks at Thanksgiving

One of our latest projects in Writing Workshop is to write a thank you letter to someone in your life that has made your life better. Students chose parents, grandparents, aunts, cousins, and family friends. Most of the letters were exceptional in sincerity and meaning. The following letter below, by Trey is one examples.

November 8, 2007

Dear Grandpa,

I would like to tell you how much I appreciate everything you have done for me. So get ready to be very amazed at my writing about my dedication to you.

I am very grateful when you take me to the camper every weekend. When we go there it's like we are in heaven. The reason why I think it's heaven is because it is just so peaceful there. The birds are always chirping and the deer are always grazing. When we go there we ride around on golf carts. Sometimes we work for the manager or sometimes we fish. I am very grateful because if you did not take me to the camper, I would be watching Addy, or siting in my room really bored. I would probably be planning a prank on Ashlee (Should I use water balloons filled with hot water or the old whipped cream in the hand prank?).

I am grateful that you were always there for me when Dad was not. If you would not have been there for me I would not have had any other boys to have fun with. Like that time in Tar Hollow when this kid laughed at me because I had no Dad around like most kids but I told him that I did have a Dad, my Grandpa. Since then you have been my substitute Dad.

Grandpa I can't tell you how grateful I am. Especially not in this little peace of writing but I am really grateful that you have done all those things for me. Thank you Grandpa.

Your Grandson,

Trey

Grandfriend's Day

Today is the best day of the year for a lot of students. They have fun with their grandparents/grandfriends. They get to spend time with their grandparents at school, in their classes. Some grandparents travel a long way to get to visit with their grandchildren and participate in class. We had 29 grandparents/grandfriends join our class today. Thank you for joining us.

Students worked hard preparing letters, poems, and journals. They enjoyed sharing them, and even received extra credit for reading them aloud.

AND, the best part--at the end of the day, students got to leave with their grandparents.