The third/fourth-grade combined class has worked on several writing projects and activities this year. These projects help the students to develop their writing skills while allowing them to use their creativity. The students have written essays comparing their shoes, a Halloween story and an essay from the perspective of a turkey.
One of the larger writing projects is the one-act skit the students wrote about the recent Christmas season. The students worked on groups of three or four to develop an original idea, create dialogue, and make scenery and props for their skit. The skits were then performed for their parents and many of the classes from the school. This activity allowed the students to learn about the theater, increase their writing skills and develop their speaking skills.
Recently the students wrote essays in which they taught their classmates how to make or do something. The instructions included roller-skating, knitting, making paper airplanes, and how to play a game. After writing the instructions, the students then read and demonstrated the activity that they chose. Once again this activity helped the students to become better speakers.
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During Catholic Schools Week the students wrote essays about a favorite memory with a grandparent or favorite adult friend. The essays were then read for the grandparents who had the opportunity to eat lunch and then join their grandchild for a short program in the classroom. This event is a favorite of both the students and their grandparents.
The third- and fourth-grade combined class has created a wonderful environment for both grade levels. As the students are writing the ability for the students to discuss ideas with older students has increased the level of writing for the third grade. The fourth-grade has benefited from this configuration through the ability of to demonstrate and use the skills they have learned.