This week many of us will be celebrating Thanksgiving on Thursday. We have discussed the traditions and history of Thanksgiving in class and how it has changed in modern times.
Thanksgiving is also a time of year when we have the opportunity to say out loud what we are thankful for in our lives. When we say what we are thankful for, we are allowing the people around us a peek into our lives and what makes each of unique and important.
This weeks assignment is to write about two SPECIFIC things you are thankful for and give a brief (which means short) explanation for each. After you have finished posting your own comment, I want you to comment on two other students posts.
example: I am thankful for my wife Corynne for many things. One reason is that she is always willing to try the food I cook for her, even when it is a new recipe and might taste like cat food!
I am also thankful for all of the students in my class. Everyday they remind what it feels like to be a kid, and they never cease to amaze me with their humor, enthusiasm for life, and opinions on everything from restaurants to recess!!
Welcome to our classroom blog! The goal of this site is to provide a place where we the students can share our work with family and other students, as well as keep our parents updated on all the activities and events that take place in our room throughout the year.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Discussion Question # 5
We've been talking about "signposts" in class, and how they can help us to understand an article or book we are reading. Nonfiction texts often use signposts to get our attention and highlight important information from the passage.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to pick an article or passage from any nonfiction text, and explain how the signposts helped you understand the text better.
example: I chose a nonfiction book titled, "Home Game" by Ken Dryden. The book is about ice hockey in the 1970's and is an autobiography (Ken Dryden wrote it about his own experiences). I used the signposts on page 86 to help me understand what the pictures were showing (ice hockey games with a caption that said, "Boston Bruins versus Montreal Canadiens playoff game 1973.") Many of the words in this book are in bold print when the author thinks they are important words to remember. My favorite quote from this book is, "Winning 6 Stanley Cups in 8 years was quite an accomplishment, but the two years I didn't win seem to be the ones most people ask me about." I like this quote because it shows how brutal sports fans can be when it comes to their SUPER HIGH expectations.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to pick an article or passage from any nonfiction text, and explain how the signposts helped you understand the text better.
example: I chose a nonfiction book titled, "Home Game" by Ken Dryden. The book is about ice hockey in the 1970's and is an autobiography (Ken Dryden wrote it about his own experiences). I used the signposts on page 86 to help me understand what the pictures were showing (ice hockey games with a caption that said, "Boston Bruins versus Montreal Canadiens playoff game 1973.") Many of the words in this book are in bold print when the author thinks they are important words to remember. My favorite quote from this book is, "Winning 6 Stanley Cups in 8 years was quite an accomplishment, but the two years I didn't win seem to be the ones most people ask me about." I like this quote because it shows how brutal sports fans can be when it comes to their SUPER HIGH expectations.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Discussion Question # 4
In class we have been working on improving our writing by using leads, show not tell, and trying to focus on the moment. In this discussion you guys are going to put it all together. Your assignment for the week...
Write the opening paragraph of your latest story.....the prompt is: Write about an unforgettable moment in your life.
remember: You do not need a vacation spot or a super fancy story to have a good moment. Some of our best moments happen in the most ordinary, everyday places!!
Use a lead, focus on living in the moment, and remember to S-N-T!!
You have all been doing an incredible job with these posts and I'm proud of all your hard work in making this classroom blog so wonderful and unique!
Write the opening paragraph of your latest story.....the prompt is: Write about an unforgettable moment in your life.
remember: You do not need a vacation spot or a super fancy story to have a good moment. Some of our best moments happen in the most ordinary, everyday places!!
Use a lead, focus on living in the moment, and remember to S-N-T!!
You have all been doing an incredible job with these posts and I'm proud of all your hard work in making this classroom blog so wonderful and unique!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Discussion Question # 3
Lately you have all been working on S-N-T (show-not-tell) writing. It is always helpful to SNT in your stories because it makes them stand out and hook the reader. Your assignment this week is to take 2 telling sentences from a story you have been working on (including quickwrites) and make them show sentences.
A telling sentence would be: The Rockers are the best band ever.
A showing sentence would be: The Rockers have sold more records than any other band in history. They have been on the cover of all of the famous magazines and have millions of fans.
A telling sentence would be: The Rockers are the best band ever.
A showing sentence would be: The Rockers have sold more records than any other band in history. They have been on the cover of all of the famous magazines and have millions of fans.