October 7, 2006

Dear 4B Parents,

 

In Literature, our reading of Island of the Blue Dolphins continues.  Our focus this past week was to study 3 types of questions.   The class is learning how to write and answer 'right there', 'think and search' and 'what do you think' types of questions.  We also went on google earth and flew closely over the channel islands in the hopes of figuring out which of the islands the author, Scott O'Dell described in his book.  The book is based on the true story of a woman who is known to have lived on San Nicolas island from 1835 to 1853 in solitude and known historically as The Lost Woman of San Nicolas.  But Mr. O'Dell didn't appear to be describing San Nicolas island in his book.  We wanted to look at each island in the chain to see what island he was describing, or perhaps conclude he was simply making up an imaginary island.  This activity gave us the opportunity to talk about components of historical fiction. 

 

We also are reading Diane Siebert's book titled, Mojave.  She uses personification to make the desert come alive.  The class has been working on personification writings of their own.

 

We are continuing to study the regions of California.  The class will be making some 'dough' relief maps of the regions of California this week. 

 

-Steve