Dear Parents,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As you may know, this term your 5th grade student in the Bilingual Program will be reading The One and Only Ivan<\/em> by Katherine Applegate. This will not be an adapted or abridged text, but rather the original work of American children\u2019s literature. We\u2019d like to give you some background about the novel, mention the benefits and challenges from the students\u2019 point of view, and also make suggestions for how you could help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reading in any language expands the mind and helps us explore vital topics and real-life situations, all the while allowing students to develop their comprehension skills, critical thinking capabilities and complexity of thought both in general and also in that specific language. Indeed, research indicates that reading skills directly relate to future academic and professional success. It can help students gain a deeper understanding of context and why characters \u2013 and people \u2013 make the choices they do. Reading also helps build independence and self-confidence and has a positive effect on the development of empathy as well as concentration. Finally, reading is a major resource for using and understanding language \u2013 including grammatical structure, lexical knowledge and writing skills. Not only can students pick up new words, but reading them in an authentic context can also help students understand the subtle nuances of the lexis that was chosen by the author. The same is true when we process the plot and character development through the linguistic structures employed by the author \u2013 helping students understand a variety of uses \u201cin the linguistic wild\u201d, as it were. All in all, reading in any language develops skills that are essential for each student\u2019s continuing studies and life in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The One and Only Ivan<\/em> has been a beloved children\u2019s novel since its debut in 2012. Through a variety of animal characters it helps children access themes of friendship, empathy, and loss. It won the prestigious John Newbery Medal in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The One and Only Ivan <\/em>is a compelling and heartfelt story that deeply engages fifth-grade students, making it a powerful tool for language learning. Through Ivan’s narration, students are introduced to accessible yet rich vocabulary and grammatical structures, helping them improve their reading comprehension and writing skills. The novel\u2019s themes of friendship, freedom, and empathy encourage thoughtful discussions, allowing students to practice expressing complex ideas in English. Additionally, the emotional depth of the story fosters social-emotional learning, as students connect with the characters’ struggles and triumphs. Overall, the book helps students build language skills while instilling a love for reading and critical thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The novel is told through the eyes of Ivan, a silverback gorilla who has been in captivity for his whole life. The chapters are short and give his insights with a variety of emotional language and literary devices. This can be rewarding yet challenging for some students. It would be helpful to talk about the novel and ask questions as the class makes its way through the book. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Please let us know if you have further questions. We would like to thank you for your support in helping your child keep up with his or her chapter-by-chapter reading assignments at home. Finally, we hope your son or daughter learns from this novel and, most importantly, enjoys reading it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Katherine Applegate Dear Parents, As you may know, this term your 5th grade student in the Bilingual Program will be reading The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. This will not be an adapted or abridged text, but rather the original work of American children\u2019s literature. We\u2019d like to give you some background […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-9211","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhy is it important for my child to read in English?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Why was this novel chosen?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What are the benefits of this novel?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What are some of the challenges?\/How can I as a parent help?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n