CHEERS to the winners of the Middle School’s annual Bookmark Design Contest! Students and staff members were invited to vote on their favorites to determine the top three winners! These winning designs will be professionally printed and made available for people to take from the library.
It’s really true: A bookmark may save your page, but a good book always leaves its mark on you!
Congratulations to:
--- Eighth-grader Delilah Becerril
--- Sixth-grader Alicia Suen
--- Eighth-grader Elisa Vernatter
It’s really true: A bookmark may save your page, but a good book always leaves its mark on you!
Congratulations to:
--- Eighth-grader Delilah Becerril
--- Sixth-grader Alicia Suen
--- Eighth-grader Elisa Vernatter
Please join us in congratulating the student musicians and singers for their wonderful performances at the recent NYSSMA Solo Festival at Mount Academy in Esopus! They proudly represented Minisink Valley with tremendous musical excellence!
The New York State School Music Association Solo Festival (NYSSMA) is a music evaluation event for student musicians and singers where students perform a prepared solo piece for a certified judge and receive a score plus written feedback on their musical skills, technique, tone, rhythm and overall performance.
The festival uses difficulty levels from 1 to 6, with higher scores at advanced levels sometimes helping students qualify for honors ensembles like All-State or strengthen college music applications
The New York State School Music Association Solo Festival (NYSSMA) is a music evaluation event for student musicians and singers where students perform a prepared solo piece for a certified judge and receive a score plus written feedback on their musical skills, technique, tone, rhythm and overall performance.
The festival uses difficulty levels from 1 to 6, with higher scores at advanced levels sometimes helping students qualify for honors ensembles like All-State or strengthen college music applications
GRADE 6-12 FAMILIES:
The Cheerleading Program is holding spring open workouts for interested students in grades 6 to 12 starting tomorrow, May 14 at 6 p.m., followed by the same time on subsequent Tuesday and Thursdays. These gatherings will allow students to come together to train and experience the sport before tryout season, all under coach observation. Use this google form to sign up! Don’t miss out if interested.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaBIcV7KwbN_BzjAbqSw04uPSPgZPTwl43dis1lzp0wUWdxg/viewform
The Cheerleading Program is holding spring open workouts for interested students in grades 6 to 12 starting tomorrow, May 14 at 6 p.m., followed by the same time on subsequent Tuesday and Thursdays. These gatherings will allow students to come together to train and experience the sport before tryout season, all under coach observation. Use this google form to sign up! Don’t miss out if interested.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaBIcV7KwbN_BzjAbqSw04uPSPgZPTwl43dis1lzp0wUWdxg/viewform
Please join us in congratulating members of our faculty and administration who were granted tenure by the Board of Education during its May 7 and earlier in the year meetings! #MINISINKProud
High School
Jacquelyn Campbell, Special Education teacher
Thomas Connolly, Mathematics teacher
Jonathan Hannes, Special Education teacher
Toni McGinn, Special Education teacher
Rachel Moran, English as a Second Language teacher
Middle School
Francine LaDonna, Social Worker
Kaitlin Santos, Elementary teacher
Ramon Torres, Foreign Languages teacher
Otisville Elementary
Lisa Assaiante, Special Education teacher
Victoria Frascone, Special Education teacher
Stephanie Gove, Elementary teacher
Nikachi Griffin, Assistant Principal
Bryon Imbarrato, Elementary teacher
Jessica Kahn, Elementary teacher
Nicole Martinez, Elementary teacher
Intermediate School
Lilivette Alten, English as a Second Language teacher
Andrew Fenner, Elementary teacher
Elementary School
Megan St. Clair, Elementary teacher
After a recent Arbor Day mini-lesson, sixth graders stepped outside to take in the atmosphere and observe the structure and character of nearby trees. Later, students were divided into groups and given one minute to forage through an oversized bin of assorted materials. With just 20 minutes on the clock, each group set to work “planting” their own tree—assembling everything from trunks to canopies using only what they had gathered. The groups then presented their creations, identifying each tree’s species, origin and defining traits.
Following the recent Sixth-Grade Green Team vote, one standout group was recognized for cultivating the most innovative design. To celebrate, students received Arbor Day bookmarks and their own Colorado spruce saplings to take home and root in the real world.
Congratulations to this winning Sixth-Grade Green Team:
Amelia McCarey
Stacia Spongberg
Charlotte Kohler
Rayleigh Ford
Following the recent Sixth-Grade Green Team vote, one standout group was recognized for cultivating the most innovative design. To celebrate, students received Arbor Day bookmarks and their own Colorado spruce saplings to take home and root in the real world.
Congratulations to this winning Sixth-Grade Green Team:
Amelia McCarey
Stacia Spongberg
Charlotte Kohler
Rayleigh Ford
Congratulations to the 15 students who were recognized at the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NYSAHPERD) Catskill Zone Leadership Awards Ceremony, held May 2 Wallkill High School!
This event honors top-grade-level students who exemplify excellence in fitness, leadership, and citizenship — key components of New York State learning standards.
These students were selected for their commitment to an active lifestyle, responsible behavior, leadership qualities, and contributions to their school community. While athletic ability is not a requirement, each honoree embodies the spirit of personal growth and positive influence.
“These students set a strong example for others, demonstrating how character, dedication, and service make an impact both in physical education and in all areas of life,” said Elementary School Physical Education teacher Anthony Pascarelli, who represented Minisink Valley faculty at the event.
Students honored were:
Middle School
Justin Artola
Charlotte Ringus
Maximus Sisto
Jasmine Tepper
Otisville Elementary
Peter Caputo
Helen Hutchital
Callan Mark
Frank Ortiz
Intermediate School
Lucas Ayala
Logan Flynn
Siena Paccio
Grace Rolon
Elementary School
Augustine Paccio
Delilah Useo
Everett Whalen
This event honors top-grade-level students who exemplify excellence in fitness, leadership, and citizenship — key components of New York State learning standards.
These students were selected for their commitment to an active lifestyle, responsible behavior, leadership qualities, and contributions to their school community. While athletic ability is not a requirement, each honoree embodies the spirit of personal growth and positive influence.
“These students set a strong example for others, demonstrating how character, dedication, and service make an impact both in physical education and in all areas of life,” said Elementary School Physical Education teacher Anthony Pascarelli, who represented Minisink Valley faculty at the event.
Students honored were:
Middle School
Justin Artola
Charlotte Ringus
Maximus Sisto
Jasmine Tepper
Otisville Elementary
Peter Caputo
Helen Hutchital
Callan Mark
Frank Ortiz
Intermediate School
Lucas Ayala
Logan Flynn
Siena Paccio
Grace Rolon
Elementary School
Augustine Paccio
Delilah Useo
Everett Whalen
KUDOS to the Varsity Softball team for knocking it out of the park with its fantastic “Rising Stars Night,” held May 4!
More than 60 future varsity stars representing the Minisink and Otisville Little Leagues stepped up to the plate to join the fun — and what a night it was! The festivities were capped off with a thrilling 9–8 varsity comeback win over Warwick Valley! Amazing!
These young student athletes — clearly future varsity standouts — were all smiles as they received their “Rising Star” bracelets, rounded the bases alongside varsity players, and even scored big by getting all the varsity player autographs they wanted! From dugout chats to on-field memories, it was a home run evening filled with mentorship, teamwork and plenty of heart.
What a beautiful display of paying it forward, beginning to build a future lineup by showing how much fun the game is, and reminding these rising stars that with practice, hustle, and love of the game, anything is possible!
More than 60 future varsity stars representing the Minisink and Otisville Little Leagues stepped up to the plate to join the fun — and what a night it was! The festivities were capped off with a thrilling 9–8 varsity comeback win over Warwick Valley! Amazing!
These young student athletes — clearly future varsity standouts — were all smiles as they received their “Rising Star” bracelets, rounded the bases alongside varsity players, and even scored big by getting all the varsity player autographs they wanted! From dugout chats to on-field memories, it was a home run evening filled with mentorship, teamwork and plenty of heart.
What a beautiful display of paying it forward, beginning to build a future lineup by showing how much fun the game is, and reminding these rising stars that with practice, hustle, and love of the game, anything is possible!
Twenty-three posters were created by sixth-graders to mark Earth Day, and the votes from 268 students were recently tallied. Congratulations to the winners of the Sixth-Grade Earth Day Poster Contest! Their work is colorful and filled with important messaging!
First Place: Alicia Suen
Second Place: Hailey Reganess
Third Place: Leah Galligan
First Place: Alicia Suen
Second Place: Hailey Reganess
Third Place: Leah Galligan
Congratulations to the eight outstanding Middle School students who proudly represented Minisink Valley with distinction at this past Friday and Saturday’s Orange County Music Educators Association (OCEMA) Junior High All-County Music Festival, hosted at Valley Central School!
These talented musicians and vocalists joined their peers as part of the “best of the best,” showcasing their dedication, passion and musical excellence at this truly special event. Bravo to all for an unforgettable performance!
Orchestra
--- Carson Murphy, Horn
Band
--- Adele Vernatter, Clarinet
--- Lauren Galligan, Horn
Chorus
--- Emily Reicherter, Soprano
--- Brianna Blumenberg, Alto
--- Aubrey Johnson, Alto
--- James Young, Alto
--- James West, Baritone
These talented musicians and vocalists joined their peers as part of the “best of the best,” showcasing their dedication, passion and musical excellence at this truly special event. Bravo to all for an unforgettable performance!
Orchestra
--- Carson Murphy, Horn
Band
--- Adele Vernatter, Clarinet
--- Lauren Galligan, Horn
Chorus
--- Emily Reicherter, Soprano
--- Brianna Blumenberg, Alto
--- Aubrey Johnson, Alto
--- James Young, Alto
--- James West, Baritone
Congratulations to the 23 students representing the Middle School, the Intermediate School and Otisville Elementary this past weekend’s Orange County Music Educators Association (OCEMA) Elementary All-County Music Festival held at Monroe-Woodbury High School this past Friday and Saturday! These talented musicians and singers represented the district with honor and distinction!
Band:
Elizabeth Claus, Flute
Leah Galligan, Saxophone
James Karpinski, Trumpet
Adrien Kusztykiewicz, Horn
Dejana Rosa, Clarinet
Chorus:
Julianna Andrade, Alto
Isabelle Decker, Alto
Nicolas Ellert, Alto
Hanna Elman, Soprano
Kenzie Ferdula, Alto
Mariyah Fonrose, Soprano
Penelope Greenberg, Soprano
Helen Huchital, Alto
Everly Johnson, Alto
Carla Lajara, Alto
Jemma Marsala, Alto
Gracelynn Morse, Soprano
Jillian O'Sullivan, Soprano
Alaina Paredes, Soprano
Devin Paredes, Soprano
Jandi Romualdo, Soprano
Finley Rossi, Soprano
Emilee Vernatter, Alto
The Elementary All-County Music Festival brought together talented young musicians from across the county to perform in bands, choruses, and orchestras. It featured rigorous selection processes to showcase elite elementary school performers, overseen by the OCMEA.
Band:
Elizabeth Claus, Flute
Leah Galligan, Saxophone
James Karpinski, Trumpet
Adrien Kusztykiewicz, Horn
Dejana Rosa, Clarinet
Chorus:
Julianna Andrade, Alto
Isabelle Decker, Alto
Nicolas Ellert, Alto
Hanna Elman, Soprano
Kenzie Ferdula, Alto
Mariyah Fonrose, Soprano
Penelope Greenberg, Soprano
Helen Huchital, Alto
Everly Johnson, Alto
Carla Lajara, Alto
Jemma Marsala, Alto
Gracelynn Morse, Soprano
Jillian O'Sullivan, Soprano
Alaina Paredes, Soprano
Devin Paredes, Soprano
Jandi Romualdo, Soprano
Finley Rossi, Soprano
Emilee Vernatter, Alto
The Elementary All-County Music Festival brought together talented young musicians from across the county to perform in bands, choruses, and orchestras. It featured rigorous selection processes to showcase elite elementary school performers, overseen by the OCMEA.
Madison Wyman’s middle school sixth-graders had a fun and meaningful Earth Day experience yesterday! They explored the history and purpose of Earth Day and discovered just how powerful the ideas of “reduce, reuse, and recycle” can be.
Their creativity shone brightly as they designed colorful posters, each featuring a catchy slogan and two thoughtful ways to help keep our planet clean and healthy. It was a wonderful blend of learning and creativity—a perfect way to grow their awareness!
Their creativity shone brightly as they designed colorful posters, each featuring a catchy slogan and two thoughtful ways to help keep our planet clean and healthy. It was a wonderful blend of learning and creativity—a perfect way to grow their awareness!
Shhh...we don't want to give anything away, but it's quite possible these are potential Mother's Day gifts being created by Jonathan Clemmons' eighth-grade technology students! Take a peek at their mason jar projects in progress!
Did you know that April is Autism Acceptance Month?
A heartfelt thank you to everyone at the Middle School who recently wore blue in support of students and families impacted by autism — your kindness and awareness make a meaningful difference.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone at the Middle School who recently wore blue in support of students and families impacted by autism — your kindness and awareness make a meaningful difference.
Who doesn’t love popcorn? It’s the ultimate classic — but in today’s snack scene, plain butter just doesn’t cut it. To stand out, you need bold flavors, sharp branding and a little bit of magic!
Enter Middle School’s Popcorn Wars, held April 16. It was a delicious showdown where creativity met crunch. Under the guidance of FACS teacher Victoria Ingrassia, students stepped into the roles of food scientist, chef, and marketing professional to launch their very own specialty popcorn products.
This wasn’t just about tossing kernels in a bowl. Students were challenged to think like real-world innovators, blending culinary creativity with technical know-how to create a product worthy of store shelves.
Each team developed:
• A signature flavored popcorn recipe, complete with detailed steps and precise measurements
• A full ingredient list for their creation
• A professional food label including nutritional info and serving size
• A standout packaging design to catch a customer’s eye
From concept to creation, students tackled every stage of product development. Templates helped guide their work—but the flavors, branding and flair? All their own!
And yes, the building smelled amazing! Popcorn was offered to all who were interested!
For those brave enough to compete, samples were submitted for taste-testing. After school, a mysterious panel of judges gathered at an undisclosed location in the building to crown the most crave-worthy creation.
The result? A fun, flavorful assignment that proved innovation isn’t just taught — it’s tasted!
Congratulations to the winners:
First Place
•The student team of Sofia Couto Lamonica, Emily Chase and Kali Holliman
Second Place
•Student Ariana Rivera
Third Place
•The student team of Caitlyn Moran, Natalie Wargo and Kyleigh Terwilliger
Honorable mention
•Teacher Kristine Ostensen
•Teacher Lauren Pullen
Enter Middle School’s Popcorn Wars, held April 16. It was a delicious showdown where creativity met crunch. Under the guidance of FACS teacher Victoria Ingrassia, students stepped into the roles of food scientist, chef, and marketing professional to launch their very own specialty popcorn products.
This wasn’t just about tossing kernels in a bowl. Students were challenged to think like real-world innovators, blending culinary creativity with technical know-how to create a product worthy of store shelves.
Each team developed:
• A signature flavored popcorn recipe, complete with detailed steps and precise measurements
• A full ingredient list for their creation
• A professional food label including nutritional info and serving size
• A standout packaging design to catch a customer’s eye
From concept to creation, students tackled every stage of product development. Templates helped guide their work—but the flavors, branding and flair? All their own!
And yes, the building smelled amazing! Popcorn was offered to all who were interested!
For those brave enough to compete, samples were submitted for taste-testing. After school, a mysterious panel of judges gathered at an undisclosed location in the building to crown the most crave-worthy creation.
The result? A fun, flavorful assignment that proved innovation isn’t just taught — it’s tasted!
Congratulations to the winners:
First Place
•The student team of Sofia Couto Lamonica, Emily Chase and Kali Holliman
Second Place
•Student Ariana Rivera
Third Place
•The student team of Caitlyn Moran, Natalie Wargo and Kyleigh Terwilliger
Honorable mention
•Teacher Kristine Ostensen
•Teacher Lauren Pullen
DON'T COOK THIS THURSDAY, April 23!
Enjoy some great sandwiches, salads or soups at Panera in MIddletown and support the High School's FBLA Club! Details are in the flyer below, and thanks for sharing!
Enjoy some great sandwiches, salads or soups at Panera in MIddletown and support the High School's FBLA Club! Details are in the flyer below, and thanks for sharing!
Kaylin Morran’s seventh-grade art students are learning about surrealism and parodies as an art form! Using Rene Magritte’s “The Son of Man” as their inspiration, students were tasked with replacing the man with a new character and the apple object to create mystery and conversation. Their work is exemplary! Take a look!
Magritte’s “The Son of Man” is an excellent artwork for teaching middle school students about surrealism because it presents the core ideas of the movement in a clear, accessible, and engaging way.
The painting shows an ordinary man in a suit whose face is mysteriously hidden behind a floating apple — an unexpected and dreamlike combination that immediately communicates the surrealist goal of disrupting reality. Because the image is simple, yet puzzling, students are asked to ask questions about meaning, identity, and symbolism, which encourages curiosity and critical thinking.
Magritte’s use of familiar objects in unusual contexts also helps students understand that surrealism doesn’t rely on fantasy creatures or complicated scenes; instead, it often transforms everyday items to create something imaginative and strange, making the style approachable for young artists. Additionally, themes such as identity and concealment resonate with middle schoolers, helping them connect personally with the artwork.
Surrealism in art is a style that mixes real, everyday things with strange, dreamlike, or unexpected elements to create images that feel magical, mysterious, or unreal.
Magritte’s “The Son of Man” is an excellent artwork for teaching middle school students about surrealism because it presents the core ideas of the movement in a clear, accessible, and engaging way.
The painting shows an ordinary man in a suit whose face is mysteriously hidden behind a floating apple — an unexpected and dreamlike combination that immediately communicates the surrealist goal of disrupting reality. Because the image is simple, yet puzzling, students are asked to ask questions about meaning, identity, and symbolism, which encourages curiosity and critical thinking.
Magritte’s use of familiar objects in unusual contexts also helps students understand that surrealism doesn’t rely on fantasy creatures or complicated scenes; instead, it often transforms everyday items to create something imaginative and strange, making the style approachable for young artists. Additionally, themes such as identity and concealment resonate with middle schoolers, helping them connect personally with the artwork.
Surrealism in art is a style that mixes real, everyday things with strange, dreamlike, or unexpected elements to create images that feel magical, mysterious, or unreal.
“Next Gen Science” is asking the Middle School faculty to reinforce phenomena-based learning, along with inquiry, and having students be innovators and creators!
Some of the best theories came from scientists wondering and questioning life and the world around us. Through these questions, theories and brilliant ideas have evolved and helped our world to thrive! Nicole Lee’s, Alison Miller’s and Alison Tierney's sixth-grade science recently created their own “wonder of the week” to promote thought and meaningful conversations. Students were tasked with creating images for their peers and teachers to guess or wonder about.
The sixth-grade wing then voted to determine the Top 3. Congratulations to Hayleigh Reganess, Leo Piccininni and Faith Scaglione for their wonderful “wonder of the weeks!”
"Next Gen Science of Wonder of the Weeks" refers to educational, phenomena-based learning resources aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), designed to spark curiosity ("wonder") in students. These resources often focus on exploring real-world events, such as why hot water freezes faster than cold water or how landforms change.
Why is this important? Because it transforms science learning from memorizing facts into actively figuring things out. By starting with real-world phenomena that spark curiosity, students are encouraged to ask questions, investigate, and think like scientists rather than simply receiving answers. This approach helps them connect science to everyday life, making concepts more meaningful and easier to understand. It also strengthens critical thinking and problem-solving skills, since students must observe, test ideas, and revise their understanding. As a result, learning becomes more engaging and memorable, leading to deeper, long-term comprehension and a greater interest in science overall.
Bethany Ortiz’s seventh-grade FACS students are become expert product testers! Students were recently tasked with testing paper towels for absorbency and strength, toilet paper, dish soap, zipper bags, stain remover, laundry detergent trash bags and duct tape.
Students applied the scientific method, developed hypothesis and created a procedure for the experiment. They also collected the data, reached a conclusion based on the findings of their experiment and the cost comparison and eventually presented their results to the class.
Assignments like this are important because they help students actively use the scientific method instead of just memorizing it. By forming hypotheses, engaging in experiments, collecting data, and drawing conclusions, students gain a deeper understanding of how science works in real life. It also builds critical thinking skills, as they must evaluate product performance and compare costs to decide which items are the best value.
In addition, the assignment connects learning to everyday life, since students are testing products they actually use at home. This makes the lesson more engaging and practical. Plus, students further develop data analysis and communication skills when they present their results. Activities like this teach students how to think, make informed decisions, and apply what they learn beyond the classroom!
Students applied the scientific method, developed hypothesis and created a procedure for the experiment. They also collected the data, reached a conclusion based on the findings of their experiment and the cost comparison and eventually presented their results to the class.
Assignments like this are important because they help students actively use the scientific method instead of just memorizing it. By forming hypotheses, engaging in experiments, collecting data, and drawing conclusions, students gain a deeper understanding of how science works in real life. It also builds critical thinking skills, as they must evaluate product performance and compare costs to decide which items are the best value.
In addition, the assignment connects learning to everyday life, since students are testing products they actually use at home. This makes the lesson more engaging and practical. Plus, students further develop data analysis and communication skills when they present their results. Activities like this teach students how to think, make informed decisions, and apply what they learn beyond the classroom!
Brian Maione’s eighth-grade art students are diving into the world of Pop Art by designing bold, oversized sculptures inspired by the legendary Claes Oldenburg.
Each student selects a favorite snack — whether it’s candy, cookies, chips, or any treat that comes crinkling out of a bag. They begin by sketching their chosen snack, paying attention to dynamic composition, eye-catching layout, and strong overall design. Their final pieces are brought to life on 12x18 paper using vibrant acrylic paint and crisp Sharpie linework, giving every sculpture a striking Pop Art punch.
Claes Oldenburg, a Swedish-American icon of the Pop Art movement, became famous for reimagining everyday objects as monumental, playful sculptures. From giant hamburgers to towering tubes of lipstick—and his “Spoonbridge and Cherry”—Oldenburg’s work transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. His imaginative style sets the perfect stage for students to explore scale, color, and creativity in their own snack-inspired masterpieces.
Each student selects a favorite snack — whether it’s candy, cookies, chips, or any treat that comes crinkling out of a bag. They begin by sketching their chosen snack, paying attention to dynamic composition, eye-catching layout, and strong overall design. Their final pieces are brought to life on 12x18 paper using vibrant acrylic paint and crisp Sharpie linework, giving every sculpture a striking Pop Art punch.
Claes Oldenburg, a Swedish-American icon of the Pop Art movement, became famous for reimagining everyday objects as monumental, playful sculptures. From giant hamburgers to towering tubes of lipstick—and his “Spoonbridge and Cherry”—Oldenburg’s work transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. His imaginative style sets the perfect stage for students to explore scale, color, and creativity in their own snack-inspired masterpieces.
INTRODUCING THE SIXTH-GRADE BOOK CLUB!
Advisors Kaitlin Santos and Noelle Ferguson are happy to announce the creation of the Sixth-Grade Book Club!
All sixth-graders were recently invited to a “book tasting” to determine the first book, with five options to “taste!” Each cover book was wrapped because advisors wanted to encourage students not to “judge a book by its cover!”
Instead, they were given the title, author and a quick summary --- without spoilers --- for each book. Then, they rated the books they wanted to read.
The highest rated book was Madeleine L’Engle’s “A Wrinkle in Time.” It’s a science-fantasy novel following Meg Murry, her gifted brother Charles Wallace, and friend Calvin O'Keefe. Guided by three supernatural beings (Mrs. Whatsit, Who, and Which), they traverse space and time via a "tesseract" to rescue Meg's scientist father from an evil, disembodied brain called “IT.”
The advisors report the club continues to have a great turnout and students have been doing a fantastic job during discussions. They mark tricky vocabulary words, point out powerful quotes, make predictions and find themselves making connections to the characters. During these meaningful conversations, students are having fun while increasing their fluency, comprehension, vocabulary and public speaking skills.
And, of course, there’s always great snacks!
Middle school book clubs are highly useful because they shift reading from an often times solitary task to a social, student-driven experience. By empowering students with choice, these clubs increase motivation, deepen comprehension through peer conversation and foster a sense of community around reading, which hopefully increases reading among teens!
Advisors Kaitlin Santos and Noelle Ferguson are happy to announce the creation of the Sixth-Grade Book Club!
All sixth-graders were recently invited to a “book tasting” to determine the first book, with five options to “taste!” Each cover book was wrapped because advisors wanted to encourage students not to “judge a book by its cover!”
Instead, they were given the title, author and a quick summary --- without spoilers --- for each book. Then, they rated the books they wanted to read.
The highest rated book was Madeleine L’Engle’s “A Wrinkle in Time.” It’s a science-fantasy novel following Meg Murry, her gifted brother Charles Wallace, and friend Calvin O'Keefe. Guided by three supernatural beings (Mrs. Whatsit, Who, and Which), they traverse space and time via a "tesseract" to rescue Meg's scientist father from an evil, disembodied brain called “IT.”
The advisors report the club continues to have a great turnout and students have been doing a fantastic job during discussions. They mark tricky vocabulary words, point out powerful quotes, make predictions and find themselves making connections to the characters. During these meaningful conversations, students are having fun while increasing their fluency, comprehension, vocabulary and public speaking skills.
And, of course, there’s always great snacks!
Middle school book clubs are highly useful because they shift reading from an often times solitary task to a social, student-driven experience. By empowering students with choice, these clubs increase motivation, deepen comprehension through peer conversation and foster a sense of community around reading, which hopefully increases reading among teens!
