1st Grade

West University Elementary School

1st Grade

Special Ed 5th Grade 4th Grade 3rd Grade 2nd Grade Kindergarten ART Clinic Computer Lab Math Lab Robotics Sanctuary Violin	Caroline Burnett, Evan Poythress and Lily Schueppert, students in Allison Wise’s first-grade class, critique books as part of Authors in the Classroom academic study.	Front row l to r: Stacey Andell, Diane McNeely, Erin McClung, Jodi Berman Back row l to r: Michelle Marshall, Allison Wise, Marilyn Morton, and Kathryn Adams
	Authors in the Classroom February 20, 2008 — As part of a year-long ‘authors in the classroom’ academic study, West U. Elementary first graders are participating in extensive readings of acclaimed children’s book authors Robert Munsch, Kevin Henkes, Jan Brett and Tomie DePaola. Students recently journaled their critiques in the form of book reviews of Munsch favorites Purple Green and Yellow, Mortimer, More Pies, I’m So Embarrassed and Smelly Sox, which are posted outside first-grade classrooms in West U. Elementary hallways. Allison Wise, who has taught first grade at West U. Elementary for six years, observes, “Our authors in the classroom unit draws students into the adventures afforded by the world of reading and gives them an opportunity to journal thoughts, critique books and become writers in a classroom environment.” Book Critique Excerpts“Mortimer is such a hilarious book.” — Megan, reviewing Mortimer “You won’t stop laughing.” — Nicholas, reviewing Alligator Baby “If your mom embarrasses you, you can get I’m So Embarrassed in the library and you can embarrass your mom.” — Madeline, reviewing I’m So Embarrassed