Character Traits

While reading "My Brother Sam is Dead" with fifth grade students, they filled in the following chart to reveal character traits of the major characters. By using this form, students were asked to think deeply about the characters and discuss how their traits influenced the events in the story. One group filled in a chart on Father, another on Tim, and yet another on Sam. Some students also wanted to do a chart on Mother...a quiet, but pivotal character. At the end of the story we were able to take the charts and compare the characters. Interesting to learn how members of the same family can have similar traits, yet act and behave so differently.

Seven Simple Secrets

I just finished reading the "Seven Simple Secrets: What the BEST Teachers Know and Do!" The authors, Annette Breaux and Todd Whitaker list the seven secrets is a clear concise manner. They include detailed descriptions, examples and poems to really help the reader reflect. A great book for validation or a reminder of the impact we, as teachers, have on our students. Enjoy!