Eighth graders in the Language Arts class at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School recently took the concept of  graphic organizers for writing essays to new heights. Tasked with taking a “boring” outline more aesthetically pleasing, the group effort resulted in visual devices including football fields, ice cream cones, snowmen, pyramids and duck trails.

Students are working towards their first big essay of the year. Learning how to plan before writing is key. Concepts covered in class include theses and the difference is between a single paragraph and a whole essay.