WOH For Tuesday, March 5, 2019
The Value of Co-Reading by Lucy Kuhn, 4th grade teacher
This year Hope School has adopted a new comprehensive K-5 literacy curriculum called Journeys. This excellent program has many components and addresses comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and decoding, using a variety of resources. So far I am really impressed with the organization and content of our new curriculum. However, I still make time in fourth grade to read whole text novels in a variety of genres that not every student could access on their own, and the students love it! When we ‘co-read’ a novel as a class everyone has access to the text, and we are able to discuss our ideas as the story progresses and as individual characters develop. We notice the way published authors structure their writing and see a rich variety of words in context. The grammar that is specifically taught in a textbook or using worksheets comes to life in the pages of a book, and sometimes rules are intentionally broken to add voice to a character. We are able to notice the choices an author has made while reading a great story.
We read just a few chapters at a time, so finishing a book does take more time as a group. However, we have a collective experience to discuss and characters to refer to throughout the year who we have grown to know together. When we complete a book the kids ask eagerly, “What will we get to read next?” We discuss favorite authors and compare their writing styles to those we are studying in class. We write about the novels and sometimes create art based on the images we visualized as we read. This year fourth grade students have read realistic fiction (Because of Winn-Dixie), historical fiction (Island of the Blue Dolphins), and are about to begin a fantasy fiction book (Gregor the Overlander) as a group. Although I have read these books multiple times over the years, the stories and characters remain fresh and relatable to me because each class of readers brings something personal to the experience, and because the writing is rich and the characters are interesting and authentic.
When I look back on novels I remember reading and enjoying in school, the books were whole text fiction novels or complete short stories, and often were not books that I would have chosen to read on my own. They were also not easy to read. As I studied Great Expectations or a Tale of Two Cities in middle school, I developed an appreciation for more complex writing and literary techniques. I also became a more careful reader and intentional thinker. It is easy to read something quickly; to ‘get it done.’ It is not easy to answer a detailed question about anything one reads unless you are able to learn to read for a purpose and with care; to learn to reflect on the writing rather than rushing to the end. We are practicing those skills at the intermediate level with the hope that students will develop into young adults who love literature and are able to apply lessons learned from fictional characters to the interpersonal challenges they might face in their own lives. Our goal is to grow readers who truly love to read.
March 5 – March 8: School Uniform Swap
Wed. 3/6: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Pastor Peter – Ash Wednesday
Mon. 3/11: No School Tri 2 Grading Day / ESC Open with Pre-registration
Wed. 3/13: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Grade 1
Talent Show Coming! March 27, 2019
Hear ye, hear ye, all you aspiring thespians, musicians, dancers, and generally goofy people: the much-loved annual Hope Talent Show is coming up in four weeks, on Wednesday, March 27 at 1:15 PM! Show us your best juggling and ear-wiggling skills during auditions coming up March 13, 14 and 15 after school. Registration forms will go home in the Tuesday envelope or you can access it online here; forms are due to the office by March 13, 2019.
School Uniform Swap Continues to March 8
Uniform Swap – are your child’s uniforms looking a little short? Bring them to school and swap sizes. Uniforms will be available in the school’s main floor thru March 8th.
School Clubs at Hope – Click Here
Possible startup of Lego Club after spring break, watch here for information.
PTH & PIP Opportunities – Click Here
Visit signupgenius.com and search by pth@hopeseattle.org
We have the following opportunities: Teacher Appreciation planning for week of May 6-10, Arts Walk – Tuesday evening meetings with event date of June 1st and we still have a PTH position for this 2018/2019 school year for a Member-at-Large.
Church News & Activities – Click Here
Vacation Bible School – July 29 – Aug. 2, 2019
Making plans for the summer? Make sure to include Vacation Bible School (VBS) -July 29-August 2, 9:00- Noon. Our theme this year is “Roar”! Online registration opens soon.
Ash Wednesday, March 6, Begins Our Mid-Week Lenten Services At 7:00 P.M.
We will gather for a short worship experience featuring some of the best of our traditional and contemporary worship hymns and songs, “The Series of Jake” skit each week, and inspiring messages to take us deeper into Jesus’ amazing love. Communion will be served on Ash Wednesday as we enter the Season of Lent.
Lenten Skits – Our mid-week services will include skits written by Jonathan Kopecky, (our Youth Minister), and will have youth actors under the direction of Hope member, Sandra Scragg. Next week’s skit is “Jake Reveals Who He truly Is.” (This is the first miracle that reveals Jesus’ true nature.)
Wednesday Soup Suppers – Come to the Fellowship Hall at 6 p.m. beginning Wednesday, March 6, for an informal meal of a variety of soups, green salad, and bread. It’s a wonderful and delicious way to connect! Our first Host Group is the Board of Elders. Thank you, Elders!
St. Paddy’s Dinner – Sunday, March 10, 5 P.M.
Fundraiser for Hope Youth to attend the LCMS National Youth Gathering in July – Join us in the Fellowship Hall for a delicious St. Paddy’s Dinner complete with all the fixings! Sign up here or in the Church Commons to let us know you are coming! Note: If you have dietary concerns regarding sodium—do sign up and also contact Greta Thode at 206-419-6442. (Greta will prepare an alternate meat entrée.)
Seattle Lutheran Sailing Club Fundraiser Rescheduled – Bunco fundraiser at Seattle Lutheran High School has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 9, 5:30 p.m. Please join us for an evening of fun, fellowship, food and prizes! All proceeds benefit the SLHS Sailing Club. Cost $20.00 includes Brats & Salad Dinner (beverages available for purchase). Adults 21 and older. RSVP at www.seattlelutheran.org no later than today, Tuesday, March 5th.