Contributed by Michael Ganci, Syntax, for The Bronxville School

Apr. 11, 2018: Bronxville Elementary School second-graders--who have been reading a variety of books as part of the Books in a Series unit from the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project curriculum--recently examined the literary techniques that authors use in their books.

During a recent lesson, the students independently marked on Post-It notes the literary language--which refers to any words or phrases that are not meant to be taken literally--they found in their books. Then, working in groups, they discussed with their peers what they think literary language means and shared the intended meanings of different phrases from their books.

“The second-graders studied the author's craft, and the goal was for them to notice that authors write in similar ways across the books in one series,” said Justine Rutherford, a second-grade teacher and curriculum leader. “They discussed book series in small groups, practicing many skills, specifically, maintaining eye contact as others are speaking and ensuring each person in the group has a chance to speak. The students were challenged to ask one another questions to create a real conversation.”

Some of the series that the students examined are the Bones Mysteries series by David A. Adler, the Cam Jansen Mysteries by David A. Adler, the Captain Awesome series by Stan Kirby, the Fly Guy series by Tedd Arnold, the Ivy and Bean series by Annie Barrows, the Mr. Putter & Tabby series by Cynthia Rylant, the Poppleton series by Cynthia Rylant, The Boxcar Children series by Gertrude Chandler Warner, and The Kingdom of Wrenly series by Jordan Quinn.  

The students are continuing to use their skills to write letters to other readers, state their strong opinions about the books they’ve read, and craft book nominations as part of their writer’s workshop.

Pictured here:  Second-graders studying literary techniques.

Photo courtesy The Bronxville School

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