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Sweet Learning
Life's most important lessons are rarely taught in school.
1. As students read out loud the two stories, “In My Father’s Kitchen,” by Laura Tourtillot, and “Mi Abuelita,” by Alejandro Vidales, I ask them to think about what Laura learned in her father’s kitchen and what Alejandro learned from his grandmother.
2. After we’ve discussed what Laura and Alejandro learned, we go through each story and look for the “elements of fiction” that help the writers tell their story. I ask students to circle the dialogue and underline the descriptions of characters and setting.
3. I start the writing by making a list on the board of people who’ve taught me over the years:
- My father taught me how to row a boat and fish.
