English and Social Studies Update

In ELA we are about to embark on narrative writing with our Stargirl novel. Students have been focusing on various techniques authors use to hook a reader's attention. We have been focusing on the elements of plot and how conflict drives the key events in a plot. Students have been paying close attention to how the characters' thoughts, actions and words create conflict in a plot line of a story. They will now have an opportunity to write their own version of Chapter 24 in the novel. Most exciting of all, we send these writing narratives to the author of the novel, Jerry Spinelli himself!

In social studies we are about to begin our study of ancient Egypt. We will look at the geographical location of Egypt and Kush. The guiding essential question we will think about is how does location or place have an impact on the growth of a civilization?  We will also study a variety of pharaohs and their achievements, along with daily life in ancient Egypt and the kingdom of Kush. Students will be able to identify the achievements of the three major periods of ancient Egyptian history: Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom and the New Kingdom. Through their studies, students will also be able to explain the social pyramid of Egyptian society.