Language Arts - Manchester Public Schools

Curriculum & Instruction Newsletter
Spring 2012
Using the book, Julius, the Baby of the World by
Kevin Henkes, students were involved in dramatic
activities which closely align with the reading
strategies taught to improve comprehension. Acting
out the story really made it come alive for the
students and they truly enjoyed receiving their own
copy of the book! Many second graders have
chosen to read the book as part of their independent
reading long after the theater program ended!
In fifth grade, Bowers students will focus on
understanding colonial America through art. This
curriculum is focused on exploring the influence of
art and propaganda in early America.
Bennet Academy
Read Across America is an annual reading
motivation and awareness program that calls for
every child in every community to celebrate reading
on March 2, the birthday of beloved children's
author Dr. Seuss. In cities and towns across the
nation, teachers, teenagers, librarians, politicians,
actors, athletes, parents, grandparents, and others
developed Read Across America activities to bring
reading excitement to
children of all ages.
Governors, mayors, and
other elected officials
recognized the role
reading plays in their
communities with
proclamations and floor
statements. Athletes and
actors issued reading
challenges to young
readers, and teachers and principals seemed to be
more than happy to dye their hair green or be ducttaped
to a wall if it boosted their students' reading.
At Bennet Academy, Mr. Welch donned his Cat-inthe-Hat
costume and read to all teams at various
times, in hopes of strengthening students’ resolve to
read, read, and read!
The University of Hartford’s Women’s Basketball
Team, the Hartford Hawks, has been coming to visit
Team Robinson at Bennet Academy once a month
to participate in a reading program. Each book the
team members read to the class teaches students an
important life lesson. These lessons tie into
Bennet’s Pillars of Character and the importance of
reading. For example, one of the books the team
read was Salt in My Shoes, a story about Michael
Jordan. The main idea of this story was
determination. No matter what your dream is, you
should never give up, or stop believing in yourself.
Another story the students have read was Wings by
Christopher Myers. The theme of this story was
acceptance. Children learned about valuing people
for their differences.
The Hartford Hawks have been great role models,
especially to the girls on Team Robinson, because
the Hawks excel in what
normally is viewed as a man’s
sport. The Hawks speak with
students about maintaining
their grades and staying on a
positive path in order to be
successful as they grow older.
They also remind students not
to limit themselves, that school
is important, and that every one of them can go to
college. In addition, they give gentle reminders
regarding images, to be good in and out of school,
because students represent Bennet Academy
wherever they go. The Hawks will come again next
month and students are looking forward to their
visit.
Mathematics
The Office of Teaching, Learning and Equity has
been working diligently to get the Common Core
State Standards aligned curriculum into the hands of
administrators, teachers, and students. Diane Burns,
Associate Director of Teaching, Learning and
Equity, has already visited teachers in Manchester
to administer and discuss the format for the
Mathematics Common Core State Standards
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