Focuses on the final part of the paragraph: the conclusion. Students learn to 'seal' their writing by restating their main idea in a new way and providing a final thought that protects the whole structure.
A comprehensive 3-night homework sequence based on 'Ollie's Nightly Adventures'. Each grade level (K, 2, 4) has three distinct assignments focusing on character/setting, sequencing, and inference/summarization using the same story text for the week.
An introductory lesson to the novel 'Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet', focusing on the historical setting of the Panama Hotel and initial character impressions through an anticipation guide and guided reading.
A specialized essay-writing workshop focused on comparing and contrasting two fictional narratives. Students analyze how family influences shape the identities of Maria and Evan, leading to a full-length essay response aligned with Book 2 of the IA.
Focused on identifying central ideas in informational texts and analyzing how point of view shapes a narrative. Uses 'Humans With Amazing Senses' to study scientific concepts and 'No Horizon Is So Far' to explore personal perspective in extreme environments.
Focused on theme development, diction analysis, and identifying argumentative claims. Uses 'Clash of the Condiments' to explore author's tone and 'Birdology' to examine evidence-based claims.
Focused on retell, inference, and structure analysis using 'The Peerless Four' and 'The Guest Cat'. Students practice identifying plot milestones and how structural choices affect meaning.
A literacy intervention lesson focusing on paired texts about the Great Migration, teaching students to use evidence-based strategies for both fiction and nonfiction.
A deep dive into the Ceremony of Twelve, focusing on themes of individuality, community control, and the mysterious role of the Receiver of Memory in chapters 6 through 8 of The Giver.
A comprehensive lesson exploring the Latin root 'man/manu' (hand) through visual slides and practical word-building activities.
A 40-minute lesson on Chapter 11 of Persepolis (The F-14s), focusing on war from a child's perspective, analyzing visual storytelling, and connecting historical themes.
A mini-lesson focused on identifying the author's purpose and controlling idea using the article 'Photo and Video Manipulation: Tricks or Treats'. Students will analyze text structure and evidence to decode the author's intent and central message.
The culmination of the sequence. Students use all the 'Building Block' skills to write a complete, structured paragraph on a topic of their choice with minimal scaffolding.