What a wonderful week we had conferencing! Students did an outstanding job leading them and setting goals. Thank you to all our wonderful families for your encouragement and support.
A special thank you also goes out to all our class families for registering and joining PTA. Thanks to you, our class will be receiving extra funds for special projects and activities. Thank you so much for supporting our school.
This week we wrapped up our study of solar energy. Students chose topics of interest and created projects to demonstrate their understanding. There was a variety of projects from blog posts, to Minecraft solar houses, to commercials on the benefits of solar power. Here are just a few samples.
Nathan S.’s Movie on Solar Power
Sheri’s Animals Use Solar Power Poster
Ian’s Animals and Solar Power Project
We have been enjoying our historical fiction mentor text, Island of the Blue Dolphins. This week we explored point of view in historical fiction and why the first person point of view is so powerful. Take a look at a couple of students’ responses.
Kamille wrote…
Scott O’dell chooses to tell the story Island of The Blue Dolphins in the first person for three different reasons. First, it makes the story have more depth, as it helps the reader understand more about Karanas feelings in an interesting way. On page 46 the author wrote, “All night I sat there with the body of my brother and did not sleep. I vowed that someday I would go back and kill the wild dogs in the cave.” This made me think about how Karana craved revenge after the death of her brother, her last family member on the island with her.
In addition,the first person invites the reader onto the island with Karana, allowing the reader to relate to her experiences. This is evident on page 24, it said, “That night was the most terrible time in all memory of Ghalas-at.” I felt her pain when I read that because it made me understand the hardships that the village would have to go through. I knew life would never be the same for Karana. It would’ve been very different if someone else had been telling this story as everything would be set on their thoughts instead of Karanas experience.
Finally, writing in first person view it makes changes in the protagonists life more clear. I could see change more clearly when reading it through protagonist’s perspective. When she described that Ulape and her were assigned to pick abalone, while Ramo defended the abalone from other animals like the now wild dogs, she made it seem like everything was different when she said, “Dozens of our animals, which had left the village when their owners had died, joined the wild pack that roamed the islands.”This gavea an emphasis on the what the effects were of the owners dying. We would not have known of that if it was told by someone else, because it wouldn’t talk about Ramo, which led to us knowing about the wild dogs that the owners left behind when they died. The text shown there also gave us a hint about why Ramo died. He mainly died because the wild dogs that killed him were only there because their owners died, and their owners died because of the Aleuts. The first person point of view, is the most powerful way to tell the story for these many reasons.
Andrea wrote…
Scott ‘O’Dell wrote the story Island of the Blue Dolphins from Karana’s point of view for many good reasons. First, it takes us on the journey from Karana’s view. It is clear how she feels, what she knows, how she deals with things, and most importantly what she thinks and her reactions to things. For example it says in the end of chapter 8 she says, “I vowed that someday I would go back and kill the wild dogs in the cave. I would kill all of them.” This part makes me know that Karana wants to kill the dogs. It also helps me know that she is angry.
In addition, the first person view helps understand her feelings and makes her feel more believable.She feels helpless when the rescue boat is leaving Ramo on the island and she is very confused as to why everyone doesn’t care that Ramo is being left behind. The story also states “I was overcome with fear. ‘Where is my brother?’ I cried.” Karan’s voice helps me understand her feelings and how fearful she is. It is believable because she about to lose her only family left and was suppose to take care of him. It makes it clear how Karana is feeling.
Finally, the first person point of view helps me understand how Karana changes. The author writes, ‘We cannot wait for Ramo,’ he said. ‘If we’ do, the ship will be driven on the rocks.’ ‘We must!’ I shouted. ‘We must!’ Here Scott O’Dell shows how Karana has changed and how she loves Ramo. At the start of the story they nagged at each other,but now she is willing to risk her life to get back to him. He also shows how Karana changes when it starts to sink in that she has to survive on her own and she feels such regret and sorrow. The first person point of view helps me understand Karana, the island, and her situation better.
Sarah wrote…
Scott O’Dell Chooses to tell the story the Island Of The Blue Dolphins in first person point of view for many reasons. First of all, It makes what Karana says, does and thinks believable and relatable. On page 46, the author writes, “ All night I sat there with the body of my brother and did not sleep.” This is very relatable and believable. This is relatable and believable because if my little sister died, I would be weeping on the floor and I would definitely get something that reminds me of her.
In addition Scott O’Dell wrote the story in first person point of view because, it helps the reader feel like they are there and it helps them picture the story in their minds. The author writes on page 36,,” I shouted,” We must!”
The ship will come back another day” Matasaip said.
“He will be safe. There is food for him to eat and water to drink and places to sleep”
“ No” I cried.” This really took me to the ship and I pictured Matasaip arguing with Karana as she was crying. I pictured the storm as it was raining, and the people on the boat, while Karana is in despair and I could see Ramo’s very worried face.
Lastly, with first person, readers see how Karana changes throughout the story. For example on page 2, the author writes,” The is not a stone without scratches,” I said. “ It is water and no waves.” This is Karana talking to Ramo but if you compare it to this, on page 46, after Ramo dies, she thinks,” But mostly I thought of Ramo, my brother.” She is way more sympathetic saying this.
The first person is a most powerful way to tell Karana’s story for many reasons.
We’re looking forward to seeing everyone on Monday morning between 9:35 and 9:50 for school pictures. Remember to wear a mask and bring your blue bag to turn in. Students will be receiving a new bag of books and materials for October and November.