Busy bees (or rather yellow jackets!)...

Just wanted to update everyone about the exciting projects we have going on in our classroom at the moment...

1. If you're reading this right now, then you obviously realize that this blog exists. However, the exciting part is the student postings. I certainly haven't reached them all, but many students have taken interest and ownership in their education. I am writing about things that I deem important in the English classroom, and my students are posting their reactions to my comments....lovely academic conversations!

2. Because of a blog posting, I received a donation from a community donor to the IHSEF for the book clubs we have been doing in our classroom. The donation will go toward some book titles in which the students have shown interest. IHSEF says that they may match the donation in the Spring...fingers crossed! The book clubs have been a hit!! You should hear their discussions...so adult-like !!

3. I sent letters out to the Columbia community and asked people to write our classroom telling us how they use English in their everyday jobs. We've had a huge response. (If you are reading this and are intersted in helping out, email me at amoody.lex5.k12.sc.us. The letters are flooding in, and I'm reading them as often as possible in class. We had two speakers last week, and we will continue to have them each month for the rest of the year. The students took an interest in job shadowing some of these people, and Allison Johnson is helping make those arrangements.

4. After having mentors themselves through Mr. Wise's mentor program, I thought it would be a neat experience to have those same students give back to the community by being mentors to some of Columbia's youth. Therefore, three of my classes have become pen pals with a few local second and third grade classrooms. I was blown away by the heart felt letters, not to mention the proper grammar, and sincere interest they've displayed in their letters.


5. And last for right now, I am hosting a parent workshop, this Wednesday and Thursday night in the IHS library, to empower parents to help their children become better and more confident readers and writers. The parent response has been awesome, and I cannot wait!!