Welcome class of 2010-11

This is our classroom blog where we will answer discussion questions, share projects and grow as a community of readers and writers. Have something you've written and would like to share? This is a place to post it. Do you have a comment you'd like to add and share with the class? This is the place to post it. There is also a challenge list on the this page that has different questions and categories you can master!! We will also post the videos you create throughout the year so you may share them with friends and family.

this is going to be a fantastic year and I look forward to seeing what all of you will accomplish this year!!

Mr. Dickson

Discussion Question # 9

Sorry for the delay, but we are up and running once more. This week we begin the "new look" of our classroom. This post is dedicated to you the student. If you have any ideas that you think will help make this classroom the best it can be, feel free to share here. We will review and discuss these posts on Wednesday (1/13).

Have a fantastic day....I am looking forward to an amazing second half of the year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

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

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

Discussion Question # 8

Today in class we talked about truisms.

Write a truism for the picture below.

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

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

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!!

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.

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!