Literature Lessons

This year, we decided to put some of Amelya's grammar and writing lessons to work in a more creative way. We used a series called Shakespeare Can Be Fun! which introduces 2nd and 3rd graders to the themes of Shakespeare. Ameya was tasked to assume the role of some of the characters and write journal entries, letters, newspaper articles and poems. She also created artwork depicting various scenes from the plays.

We began the study with A Child's Portrait of Shakespeare, and Amelya learned about the Bard's life. Next, we moved onto Twelfth Night. Her final project was a "character love map" which charted the changing relationships of the characters throughout the play. Last, we studied A Midsummer Night's Dream. For her final project, she made a fairy out of pipe cleaners (it looked much better in my head!)!

After Shakespeare, we read The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes. This study involved more vocabulary and less writing (we determined my lesson plans for Shakespeare were a little too jam packed with writing projects which made it difficult to complete proper story webs, rough drafts and final drafts in the time I alloted). However, it did focus on teaching kindess and compassion for those different from us. For her final project, Amelya created a dress of her own and wrote a sequel to the story.

Now, we're back to formal writing and grammar lessons, so there won't be any pictures...although Amelya continues to write great "books" and stories for fun in her free time!