Dear Gardner Bullis Families,
As I continue listening and learning across Gardner Bullis, one of the best parts is getting to learn more about our students through their writing. A visit to classrooms this week offered such a wonderful window into what our young writers are thinking, planning, and creating.
In first grade, our young authors are creating “how-to” books that teach readers about something they know well with topics from how to ski or how to make a braid. Students are thinking carefully about sequence, details, and how to make their directions clear for a reader.
Across third and fourth grade, students are building “story mountains” to plan their narratives, making sure their stories include important elements such as conflict, rising action, and resolution. In third grade, writers are also zooming in on transition phrases to help their stories move smoothly from one moment to the next. They are setting individual writing goals and even annotating writing samples to notice the moves strong writers make and apply them to their own work.
One of my favorite parts about being a Principal is seeing just how much thinking goes into writing! Our students aren’t simply putting words on a page - they are planning, revising, reflecting, and making intentional choices about how to bring their ideas to life.
If you ask your child, What are you working on as a writer right now? You might be surprised by just how much they have to say about the choices they’re making as authors!
Sincerely,
Ellen
