The following assignments are now considered late:
All current items in the gradebook are considered late.
Upcoming Assignments:
Due 3/3-3/4: Boomtown Bonanza Personal Narrative
Due 3/5-3/6: Boomtown Bonanza Character Card
Due 3/5-3/6: Boomtown Bonanza Project
Upcoming DOLs and Tests:
3/9-3/10: Progressive Era DOL
A Book Study To Remember...
Beginning the week of March 9, our class will begin an exciting Civil Rights Book Study. As part of our learning, students will have the opportunity to choose between two powerful historical fiction novels:
White Lilacs by Carolyn Meyer
All the Stars Denied by Guadalupe García McCall
Both books connect deeply to our study of the Civil Rights era and will help students explore themes of justice, equality, resilience, and courage through engaging storytelling.
Throughout the book study, students will participate in activities designed to strengthen their ELAR skills ahead of the Reading STAAR, including reading comprehension, vocabulary development, written responses, discussion, and text evidence analysis. At the same time, they will apply their understanding of the Civil Rights movement, making meaningful connections between history and literature.
I encourage students and families to review the two book options together at home prior to making their selection in class. Talking through the themes and topics as a family can help students make a thoughtful choice about which story they would most like to explore.
While I will have class sets of both books, students can also purchase their own copy of the book if they would like. Books in the class will not be able to leave the classroom, but there will be photocopy versions of the chapters online.
I look forward to a meaningful and engaging learning experience as we dive into these important stories! Learn more about the books and the real historical events these stories are based on below.
White Lilacs by Carolyn Meyer
Young Rose Lee Jefferson is shocked to learn that the white residents of Dillon, Texas, want to raze the city’s black enclave, Freedomtown, and build a park in its place. Rose Lee and the other residents of Freedomtown cannot bear the thought of losing their homes. But fighting the city’s plans could be costly—or even life threatening. Will the families of Freedomtown be able to save their thriving community?
This story is based on the real story of the residents of Quakertown in Denton, TX. Learn more about Quakertown by watching the video below!
All the Stars Denied by Guadalupe García McCall
In the heart of the Great Depression, Rancho Las Moras, like everywhere else in Texas, is gripped by the drought of the Dust Bowl, and resentment is building among white farmers against Mexican Americans. All around town, signs go up proclaiming "No Dogs or Mexicans" and "No Mexicans Allowed."
When Estrella organizes a protest against the treatment of tejanos in their town of Monteseco, Texas, her whole family becomes a target of "repatriation" efforts to send Mexicans "back to Mexico" -- whether they were ever Mexican citizens or not. Dumped across the border and separated from half her family, Estrella must figure out a way to survive and care for her mother and baby brother. How can she reunite with her father and grandparents and convince her country of birth that she deserves to return home?
This story is based on the real story of the lives of Mexican-Americans during the Mexican Repatriation. Learn more about the Mexican Repatriation by watching the video below!
