Grade 6: Thinking Outside the Box
Over the summer, Grade 6 students chose one of four books to read: “Alone” by Megan E. Freeman, “The Last Musketeer” by Stuart Gibbs, “The Academy” by T.Z. Layton, or “Amari and the Night Brothers” by B.B. Alston. This month, they revisited their summer reading in Mrs. Katie Singleton’s English class through a creative “Book in a Box” project, transforming their understanding of each story into a three-dimensional display.
Students began by completing a written packet focused on five elements of their book: character, setting, conflict, resolution, and symbol. They described the main character, explained where and when the story took place, identified the central conflict, and explained how it was resolved. They also chose an important object, animal, or image and analyzed what it symbolized. In each section, students supported their thinking with a quote from the book.
Next, students brought their analysis to life using a box as the foundation for their display. In or around each box, they visually represented the main character and setting, showed the story’s conflict and resolution, and featured their chosen symbol. Short written descriptions and quotations explained each element and connected their creative choices to the book.
Once their boxes were complete, students shared them with their classmates. Using their projects as visual guides, they explained the story’s key elements and supported their ideas with evidence from the text. From written analysis to creative displays and presentations, the project gave students several ways to show their understanding and practice communicating their thinking clearly.
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
