Third Annual Vassal Lane ELA Night: A Showcase of Student Work
Posted on 02/17/2015
Vassal Lane scholars, families, and faculty participated in our third annual English Language Arts Night on January 22, 2015. Over one hundred families attended the event and learned more about the work that scholars are accomplishing in our ELA classrooms. Superintendent Jeff Young and School Committee members Fran Cronin and Fred Fantini were also in attendance.
Sixth grade families heard moving statements of belief as they listened to sixth graders’ “This I Believe” essays that had been recorded using Voice Thread. Many families stayed for two sessions so that they could hear as many essays as possible.
Seventh grade families and families in our Sheltered English Immersion program had the opportunity to spend significant time reading student writing and to deepen their understanding of the workshop model in our ELA program. Families read a variety of writing assignments and provided valuable feedback for our seventh grade writers.
Eighth grade families observed engaged, student-led discussions of editorials addressing the issue of whether English should be the national language in the United States. The eighth graders demonstrated their ability to think deeply about persuasive writing techniques and to facilitate rigorous conversations independently in Socratic Circles. In addition, many families enjoyed exploring eighth graders’ editorial websites.
The Vassal Lane English Language Arts department was proud to celebrate the work of its readers and writers and to build on what has become an important winter tradition at our school.