Todd Elementary Fourth Graders are Reading Around the Campfire

February has been so cold that students in Christina Hurley’s class had to build campfires in the classroom. Well, sort of.

As part of their essay unit, students read their own essays to one another in small groups in a “Reading Around the Campfire” themed setting. Sitting around an inflatable campfire, surrounded by posters of camping and with nature sounds in the background to create a “nature” atmosphere, students shared their essays in quiet voices.

Several week ago, students began working on the essays with the theme of “New Year’s Resolutions.”

“Essay writing is a big part of fourth grade so we try to give topics that each student can take on as their own, while still using an essay format,” Ms. Hurley said.

Students brainstormed five resolutions for each subject: a physical, a personal and an education resolution. Next, they eliminated all except for one resolution for each of the three subjects and wrote about those in their essays. They added introductions and concluding paragraphs.

“They put a lot of focus on their opening sentence,” Ms. Hurley said. “They really wanted their reader to connect with the writing.”

Students then edited and revised their essays, both individually and with their writing partners, and when the essays were complete they read them aloud around the campfire.

“I wanted them to have a fun activity where they could share their essays and be proud of their work,” Ms. Hurley said.

Students will also be able to take pictures with the camping backgrounds in the room and also participate in a digital Camping Breakout Room activity, which combines small group cooperation and outside-the-box thinking.

The chirping of the crickets, along with the posters and bright orange campfires created a camping ambience. All that was missing was the scent of roasted marshmallows.

“Maybe next year we will add s’mores!” Ms. Hurley said.