This week, in Primary 7, we have been learning how to analyse texts.  In our reading groups, we’ve had a lot of discussion about unfamiliar words and the many different ways to decode them:  substituting the word with another word to see if it’s a ‘best-fit’ and by using the context around it to give us clues to the meaning.  We’ve also looked at the author’s use of language, in particular, the use of similes and adjectives to create the setting at the beginning of a novel.  We’ve also noticed that through the ‘selective’ (and not over) use of descriptive language, it can create a vivid image in our heads, as if we can see, hear, smell and taste and even touch the environment!  Taking what we’ve been discussing in our reading, we’re going to create our own novel in our jotters with a particular focus every few weeks on the setting, characterisation and plot. Using pictures, objects and sense/mind maps, we’ll be building up the setting before creating our main character and deciding upon how they will interact with the plot.  Watch this space………………..

Also, many thanks to the parents who visited Primary 7 on Thursday evening and allowed me to share with you what we will be doing this academic session.  It was also great to catch up with a few old faces and to meet a few new faces. I will soon include an abridged version of the Meet the Teacher PowerPoint with the main points – sorry if you were hoping for some ‘cute’ photographs.

Mr Hunter