iSearch Unhaunted

A team of collaborators - English Language teacher, her assistant, and Media and Information Literacy specialist - once again has proved that collaboration is a powerful strategy to deepen student learning and reach an effective understanding of academic material. Ms. Salem, Ms. Cannon and Ms. Bee support 9 Grade students in their research skills acquisition on iSearch project.

Students create essential questions, identify primary and secondary sources to find evidence in reliable sources, conduct interviews, provide proper citations and  organize information into a research paper.
 

In groups, students reflect what skills they have learned, practiced and mastered, and discuss how these skills are necessary not only for their academic success but for being effective in day-to-day operations.

[Ms. Cannon and Ms. Bee demonstrate what personal interviews should NOT be]

[Ms. Salem and Ms. Bee address students' questions about their First Drafts]

Interview with John Coy

John Coy 

is vividly talking to WBAIS students about an arduous journey of writing. He inspires them to persevere inevitable rejections every author receives from the publisher and steadily continue to revise their writing in order to succeed.

It was a privilege to ask John five questions about reading and his books. Here are his thoughts:

1       Could you tell us a little bit about two teams, Shirts and Skins?

The members of Shirts are glad they get to be Shirts. Members of Skins are embarrassed to take off their shirts. But once they start, Skins enjoy playing without their shirts on. They feel more free as they run up and down. They feel like they can run forever.

2    What is your favorite thing about being an author?

Oh, there are so many. Creating something that begins with a thought is exciting. Going through drafts and making the story better and better is satisfying. And being invited to visit great schools like AIS is so much fun.

3  What’s the hardest thing about being an author?

Waiting to hear back from an editor on whether a story will be accepted can be nervous making. And even after many Nos, hearing No can still be difficult.

4   If you could spend one day inside the world of any book which book would you pick?

I would love to take that trip in Night Driving.

5   What advice do you have for the young writers in my classroom? 

        Read. Read. Read.