We are Creators and Communicators.
We communicate orally by sharing our opinions and viewpoints, asking clarifying questions, collaborating in large- and small-group activities, and building on others’ ideas.
We also communicate as writers and authors with a voice. We write to communicate our thoughts, ideas, and feelings. There are numerous reasons why we write. Sometimes it is to reflect on events or new learning while other times, the purpose is to play with language or to create stories to exercise our creativity.
Here are the curricular competencies from BC’s Curriculum – English Language Arts (writing, speaking, and representing): Grade 3
- Language and story can be a source of creativity and joy.
- Stories and other texts connect us to ourselves, our families, and our communities.
- Everyone has a unique story to share.
- Through listening and speaking, we connect with others and share our world.
- Playing with language helps us discover how language works.
- Curiosity and wonder lead us to new discoveries about ourselves and the world around us.
- Exchange ideas and perspectives to build shared understanding
- Create stories and other texts to deepen awareness of self, family, and community
- Plan and create a variety of communication forms for different purposes and audiences
- Communicate using sentences and most conventions of Canadian spelling, grammar, and punctuation
- Develop and apply expanding word knowledge
- Explore and appreciate aspects of First Peoples oral traditions
- Use oral storytelling processes
Students will have opportunities to practice their creative writing. Our class inquiry into what makes a good story has lead us to learn about the elements of a story: character, plot (problem and solution), setting, characters, theme (or author’s message). Through the writing process, we have regularly edited and revised our work, considered writing for an audience, and included our voice. Anytime students write, they are asked: DYRIO? which means Did You Read It Over? Students are encouraged to review their writing by reading it over three times:
- First time is to make sure the writing makes sense. They read it like a reader with an objective eye.
- Second time is to look for something to make the writing better – perhaps add an adjective or a detail like an example, a reason, or a thought/feeling. They read it like a revision expert.
- Third time is to look for complete sentences – capitals to begin sentences with proper ending punctuation. They read it like an editor.
We will be using the Office 365 platform to develop our communication skills too.