Wishing all of you wonderful kids a happy and safe new year!! If you'd like to blog about any of your experiences over the break, this is the place to do it! Pictures and descriptions are welcome. I look forward to seeing all of you soon, and hope you enjoy the rest of your break!
love,
Mr. Dickson
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Have a terrific holiday!
What a fantastic first half of school we've shared together! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and come back safe (if not a few inches taller!)
Here is a video I think you'll all enjoy!
love,
Mr. Dickson
Here is a video I think you'll all enjoy!
love,
Mr. Dickson
Monday, December 7, 2009
Discussion Question # 8
Today in class we talked about truisms.
Write a truism for the picture below.
Write a truism for the picture below.
Friday, December 4, 2009
snow pictures from the kids in Mr. Dickson's classroom
You can post any pictures you take from this weekend on here!
Enjoy the snow and stay warm!!
Mr. Dickson
Enjoy the snow and stay warm!!
Mr. Dickson
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Discussion Question # 7
Learning new words to add to our vocabulary is super important. New words help us express ourselves through writing and discussion. Today we learned about how to take an unfamiliar (something we do not understand) word, make a prediction about it, and then CLARIFY (make sense of or to define clearly)what the word means.
your assignment this week is to take one unfamiliar word from the book you are reading and make your prediction about what you think the word means and then clarify (make sense of) your prediction.
Write the sentences you found the word in and then make your prediction and clarification.
example:
the book I am reading is Fablehaven 2: Rise of the evening star by Brandon Mull.
"The demon had grown considerably larger"
Predict: Considerably means a lot more.
Clarify: When something is Considerable it means "large in amount". I found this on the website: www.freedictionary.com
your assignment this week is to take one unfamiliar word from the book you are reading and make your prediction about what you think the word means and then clarify (make sense of) your prediction.
Write the sentences you found the word in and then make your prediction and clarification.
example:
the book I am reading is Fablehaven 2: Rise of the evening star by Brandon Mull.
"The demon had grown considerably larger"
Predict: Considerably means a lot more.
Clarify: When something is Considerable it means "large in amount". I found this on the website: www.freedictionary.com
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Discussion Question # 6
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!!
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!!
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.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Discussion Question # 2
Writing a lead to your story is a great way to hook your reader and keep them wanting more. There are many different kinds of leads, but for now we are going to focus on the SNAPSHOT lead. A snapshot lead paints a picture in the readers head by using colorful and exciting descriptions.
example of a good snapshot lead: "Icy cold waves of blue shattered against the hull as our boat tumbled forward, threatening to pull us beneath the angry sea and into the darkness below."
Your assignment is to find an example of a snapshot from the book you are reading, and post it online. Snapshots can be found anywhere, not just the beginning of a chapter, so find a snapshot that hooks you and would make you want to read the book and post it online as your comment. We will share them in class tomorrow!
example of a good snapshot lead: "Icy cold waves of blue shattered against the hull as our boat tumbled forward, threatening to pull us beneath the angry sea and into the darkness below."
Your assignment is to find an example of a snapshot from the book you are reading, and post it online. Snapshots can be found anywhere, not just the beginning of a chapter, so find a snapshot that hooks you and would make you want to read the book and post it online as your comment. We will share them in class tomorrow!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
DISCUSSION QUESTION # 1
This is our first discussion question that you will comment on. Remember to keep your answers thoughtful and appropriate, because everyone in the class will be able to read your comments and respond to them.
todays discussion question:
How do you feel blogging can help us to learn and grow as readers and writers?
todays discussion question:
How do you feel blogging can help us to learn and grow as readers and writers?
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Welcome back students and parents!
Hello all of my wonderful students and parents!! Another summer vacation has come and gone, and now it's time to start all over with a brand new school year. Fourth grade is going to be an awesome year, and I can't wait to get started. I created this blog as another way to communicate with the friends and family of my students. Each student will be contributing to the page (whether it's updating the calendar, posting a new composition, commenting on a photo, creating a video, etc..), and in doing so will help create and maintain our special classroom community known as: The Amazing Scribblers! There is a classroom calendar that will be updated regularly with fourth grade and school related events, as well as a section dedicated to homework and spelling words. The blog will look, sound and feel different as the year progresses, and I hope that you enjoy coming along for the journey.