Diving Deeper into Literature
2/15/2020
We read, read, read across the day in 5th grade. We read to prepare our Morning Announcements; we read to learn about our various units of study; we read novels and articles and short stories and directions and websites. We read to learn, laugh, cry, and wonder. Students work hard to comprehend the texts they read and to stretch themselves as readers. As we move into our next writing unit, the literary essay, students will challenge themselves to read more deeply and closely than ever, searching to develop deeper understanding of literary texts and express that thinking in an organized, thoughtful essay. Literary analysis asks learners to think critically about literature; to look beyond the words on the page; to analyze symbolism, theme, and literary devices. We’ve been doing this work regularly, in small doses, with small journal entries and class discussions, but our upcoming unit will push students to engage in this thinking process on their own as they carefully analyze a short story and write a literary essay about it. We started this work in small steps this week as we began reading some picture books and short stories that are rich with meaning. Our mentor text, Fox, by Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks, will serve as a model throughout the process. This book is deceptively simple: the story is brief, but the characters’ motivations and the rich symbolism develop several universal themes that will resonate with readers for a long time. Watching our students as they listened to the story in utter silence and fascination was a delight, and hearing the stunned words from one of them, "That was such a good story…” foreshadowed the rich conversations we will have as we analyze this story in depth. Over the next few weeks students will read many short stories, choose one to read more closely, and learn to dive deep. They will push beyond their initial understanding and question the text to find topics they want to analyze: characters, theme, literary devices, setting. They will look to answer a "why" question. Instead of simply describing the text, "why" pushes them to analyze and even synthesize to identify a relevant thesis related to modern-day issues and concepts. The goal is to think critically at higher levels and to express that thinking in an organized way. Students will stretch their abilities to push beyond mere description into ideas that are convincing, argumentative, and defend a position. They will explore how literature challenges us, delights us, empowers us. We are diving deep! Comments are closed.
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Elizabeth FerryMs. Ferry's experiences include teaching with the Peace Corps in Tanzania, teaching high school English in Maine, and this is her second year at PNA. She loves moose, outdoor activities, and being with her students. Archives
April 2021
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