Big Question: "What is the best way to find the TRUTH?"

Each unit in our new Prentice Hall Common Core edition anthology series uses a "Big Question" to guide the students in thinking about their role in the world and also in guiding the exploration of the unit.  We are beginning a unit examining the genres of "fiction" and "nonfiction" as preparation for reading and writing on the MCAS test.  The "BIG ?" is "What is the best way to find the truth?"  Students will write about and reflect on the various ways truth can be revealed or discovered as they read the selections in the unit.  We are learning academic vocabulary to prepare for writing about and discussing the concept of truth through music.  Students are listening to and examining song lyrics of "Truth"performed by Becca Schack, a song especially composed for the anthology series that challenges to think about the various ways we learn about "truth."

What little light will you shine?

Prior to Winter Break, students in Grade 7 anticipated how they would shine a light in 2012 and made New Year's resolutions which also provided some excellent bulletin board material for the classroom.