Solving a Great Mystery!

Funded Oct 29, 2020

First of all, I'd like to say thank you for the novels, chart paper, and markers. My students have absolutely loved solving the mysteries within their novels. I have two classes of Book Literacy, where the students are grouped based on their novel choices. They ranked all 5 books and the majority received their top choices.

While in their groups, the students read together, discuss the book, and working on different skills. For this particular unit, we are focusing on characters, plot, mood, tone, vocabulary, and higher-order thinking/questions. Each week, the students have a different area of focus. By the end of the book, they will have gone through all of the skills and become an expert on their book.

The chart paper and markers are being used as a final product to discuss the plot as a group, once they finish the book. A small group at a time will go to our new Design Lab and work together to determine what the pivotal object would be for their book. They will then use the chart paper and markers to create a game based on the plot elements in their books.

In my class, I'm all about group work and really learning how to collaborate with one another. Covid has definitely changed how I approach the different projects, but the students are really enjoying working with one another again and really seeing a book through the eyes of a classmate.

I have one group in particular that sticks out in my mind... they are "mad" at me because I won't let them take their book home to finish it before the rest of the groups. They are really into solving the mystery and figuring out how the pieces fit together. I love that they want to keep reading and know when they've found a good book.

From the bottom of my heart, I truly appreciate your support with this project. It hasn't been an easy year, but this has made my students happy and for that, I am forever grateful!”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Cowden