Our Independent Novel Studies students have been blogging about reading a "banned" book. We've not only learned about banned books from our reading, but we've also spent time doing some research and discussing our reactions to the ideas of challenging and removing books from public libraries. In the coming weeks, we'll be presenting our research and reflections to our school librarians, township librarians, teachers, administrators, and hopefully even a couple of school board members. In the meantime, we would love your feedback on our reading! Please hover over the images below to find links to our blogs. We would love to read and respond to your comments.
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Although it hasn't felt like it with our recent streak of hot weather, fall is under way. We are already seven weeks into our first semester at Grandville High Sschool, and we have spent a good chunk of that time talking about some amazing books! We were very fortunate a few weeks ago to have our Donors Choose project funded for 24 high-interest, diverse novels. We've added copies Eleanor and Park, Every Day, Solo, and one of our favorite new reads - Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give. Have you read this book yet? If not, we have nine copies, and we're happy to loan you a copy, especially if you will join us in our digital space to discuss the story. In our Independent Novel Study classes, we've also had the pleasure of hearing from our favorite teachers, administrators, and Grandville KDL youth librarians about their favorite books. We spent the month of September sharing all those books that have touched our lives. In addition to each student sharing through our book talks, we heard from GHS's own Mr. Tower, Mr. Kennedy, Ms. Schoch, Mr. Lancto, Mrs. Ernst, among others. We also welcomed Ms. Lawrence and Ms. McMullin from Grandville's Kent District Library branch to join us in class on Friday, September 29th. They shared with us so many of the wonderful resources offered by our township library as well as some their favorite new reads. In our tenth grade honors American Literature class, affectionately known as HAmLit, we just wrapped up our first unit, an introduction to some of our foundational American writers. Throughout the month of September, we delved into some classics of American literature. Each student has selected a classic American text to read as an independent reading novel. Students are reading The Scarlet Letter, The Awakening, The Red Badge of Courage, Native Son, Huckleberry Finn, among so many others. We're looking forward to discussing these texts in the coming weeks. Parents and family members - we would love for you to join us in our reading journeys! If you have book recommendations or would be interested in joining us for one of our many discussion days, please let me know. We would love to have you join us! Happy Homecoming Week! -Ms. Ward |
AuthorMs. Jen WardAn interest in helping young people discover and define their writing voice and reading interests drives Ms. Jennifer Ward to cultivate a student-centered learning environment, one that supports individual learning goals and incorporates purposeful use of technology. In March 2017, Ms. Ward was named teacher of the month by Michigan's 86th district state representative, Thomas Albert. In March 2016, she was named a TED-Ed Innovative Educator and is also a Google Certified Innovator, National Writing Project Consultant, and a 2014 PASCD Emerging Leader. Ms. Ward taught for 13 years in a Philadelphia suburban district and returned to her home state in 2015. In 2017, she joined the Grandville High School bulldogs! Archives
September 2023
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