Speyer Dragons Celebrate the Art of Writing and Storytelling!
Before Spring Break, some of our Dragons celebrated their study of writing and storytelling with some inventive and cross-curricular projects!
Our first graders recently explored fiction writing and story structure by studying the Jory John series as inspiration. Our writers learned that characters face challenges and work hard (with the help of secondary characters) to solve their problems. They also discussed how memorable characters display unique and striking characteristics that help hook a reader's attention. Using all of this knowledge, our first graders then planned and wrote their own stories! They created original characters (Wensil the Pencil, Kristina the Snow Leopard, and Tony the Chef...just to name a few) and brainstormed what problems they might face. They executed their plans into a five-page story including an introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and a resolution.
To celebrate their published work, our students brought their stories to life by dressing up and becoming their characters! We saw fake mustaches, animal tails, homemade t-shirts, and more as our students incorporated creativity and fun to their learning. They also shared their writing with Speyer second graders who have fond memories from doing this project last year. It was a sweet culmination of a writing process that required stamina as well as imagination!
Meanwhile, over in the Middle School, our seventh graders and their families celebrated the completion of the Seventh Grade Medieval Manuscript Project! This process-based, interdisciplinary collaboration between Ms. Belski in Humanities and Ms. Moorhead in Art began as a study of world view, trade, literacy, and storytelling in the Middle Ages.
By using the raw materials and tools bookmakers had access to during the time period, students were able to experience historical bookmaking through kinesthetic learning, express their individual and creative thoughts through storytelling and design, and deepen their understanding of labor and process in a modern world that often undervalues the importance of craft. These books took five months to create from start to finish, embracing a commitment to slow, dedicated craftsmanship from a world gone by! In addition to displaying their finished books, each section of the Seventh Grade performed a song that related to either medieval times or Romeo and Juliet!
We are so proud of First Grade and Seventh Grade writers! GO DRAGONS!
