I was so distracted that I forgot to get to my main point in the last two posts. The "big picture" goal of the highest 1st grade reading group was to see the connection between reading and writing and then to understand what exactly is literary "voice." Then they had to reflect upon their own writing and what kind of voice they want to develop as a writer. I used to roll my eyes at how developmentally inappropriate this seemed but I now realize I was being rather narrow-minded. I'm now fully reformed.
St. Margaret, I'm so glad to hear that Harry Potter is alive and well. I haven't seen anyone read HP in my neck of the woods in years. I was afraid that it is no longer appreciated by youngsters these days.
oh my, alive and strong. DD12 had a HP birthday last year (she made all kinds of props etc.) and most of her friends are huge fans. They frequently reread the books and watch the movies.
