I don't care if people stare
or gawk or gaze or look.
And I don't care if people think that
I face I wear is one
I really took.
I don't care if people say
I'm a rat, hippo or pig.
I don't care if people think
that the hair that is mine is really
a long silky wig.
I don't care if people say
I look like a baboon
and I don't care if people think
that I'm as fat as a full moon.
Cause I am what I am
I I is what I is
And that's what I like about me.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Liz
My Planner
The rainforests and oceans all over the world are getting destroyed and also there is way too much driving and pollution.
One of the ways oceans are getting polluted and destroyed is by people are throwing way too much waste in it. For example, people throw garbage and other stuff in the water like, pop cans, old dog toys, paper plates and lots of other things. Its bad to do that because then the water can not recycle all of that stuff and the animals that live in the oceans will eat that and maybe die. Also with all of the boating, oil sometimes leaks out of the boat and then the oil will roam around the water and fish and other water animals will die from it.
One way the rainforests are getting cut down is that some people want more room for houses, lumber, and more stores. But when people are cutting down all of the rainforests lots and lots of animals are loosing there home and food. And that isn’t fair to the animals and plants.
All over the world people are driving way too much. That is making too much pollution, so the air is really dirty but you just can’t see it. I think people should walk, ride bikes, run or do something else that doesn’t involve motors. That way the world would be much cleaner and a better place to live. Because this is the only world we have so we have to take care of it!
The End
The rainforests and oceans all over the world are getting destroyed and also there is way too much driving and pollution.
One of the ways oceans are getting polluted and destroyed is by people are throwing way too much waste in it. For example, people throw garbage and other stuff in the water like, pop cans, old dog toys, paper plates and lots of other things. Its bad to do that because then the water can not recycle all of that stuff and the animals that live in the oceans will eat that and maybe die. Also with all of the boating, oil sometimes leaks out of the boat and then the oil will roam around the water and fish and other water animals will die from it.
One way the rainforests are getting cut down is that some people want more room for houses, lumber, and more stores. But when people are cutting down all of the rainforests lots and lots of animals are loosing there home and food. And that isn’t fair to the animals and plants.
All over the world people are driving way too much. That is making too much pollution, so the air is really dirty but you just can’t see it. I think people should walk, ride bikes, run or do something else that doesn’t involve motors. That way the world would be much cleaner and a better place to live. Because this is the only world we have so we have to take care of it!
The End
Sofiya
The paper
The white papers in the dark brown shelves, at the back of the classroom. Like lined paper, drawing paper, thin paper, and thick!
Gets me thinking of all those trees that are getting down. But, we still need paper but I think we all need to not use as much! Don’t just throw it away, put it in the recycling bin. We can use the old to make new paper just by recycling it. We don’t waste as many trees! If we recycle we can have lots of paper and trees for oxygen. We can save the trees and our oxygen, and still have lots of paper by recycling. I don’t mean just us kids I mean the whole world.
I hope what I’m saying will help.
The white papers in the dark brown shelves, at the back of the classroom. Like lined paper, drawing paper, thin paper, and thick!
Gets me thinking of all those trees that are getting down. But, we still need paper but I think we all need to not use as much! Don’t just throw it away, put it in the recycling bin. We can use the old to make new paper just by recycling it. We don’t waste as many trees! If we recycle we can have lots of paper and trees for oxygen. We can save the trees and our oxygen, and still have lots of paper by recycling. I don’t mean just us kids I mean the whole world.
I hope what I’m saying will help.
Emily R.
The Ocean
The ocean is a great place to live, well, not if you’re a fish. A lot of people think ocean is just it’s just fish but it also has turtles, dolphins, sharks and much more.
YOU may think it’s would be great to live there but for fish and a lot of other animals there are predators like for a fish there is almost every other animal there is a animal that wants to eat them or do other things like people who don’t recycle are killing thousands of fish in just a year. And you thought it was a great place to live! Every animal has to worry about at least two things to hurt them other animals and us. We kill fish, it may not be on purpose but we do and thousands of animals are dying of pollution. This is importent because we won’t have all the beautiful fish and animals in the water.
The ocean is a great place to live, well, not if you’re a fish. A lot of people think ocean is just it’s just fish but it also has turtles, dolphins, sharks and much more.
YOU may think it’s would be great to live there but for fish and a lot of other animals there are predators like for a fish there is almost every other animal there is a animal that wants to eat them or do other things like people who don’t recycle are killing thousands of fish in just a year. And you thought it was a great place to live! Every animal has to worry about at least two things to hurt them other animals and us. We kill fish, it may not be on purpose but we do and thousands of animals are dying of pollution. This is importent because we won’t have all the beautiful fish and animals in the water.
Peter
My Dog
My dog Tache is one spoiled dog. For example is he eats from the table. Another one is that he always gets his way. On the other hand it’s good he’s happy. I used to think that he eating from the table was okay but now I realize it can hurt him.
Some people think a dog is something to punish but I think that a dog is a living creature and it has feelings too. The reason for this is that dogs are something to come to when you are mad, happy or angry. This is giving me the idea that dogs should go to obedience school. I want people to remember their dog and typing stuff down will help you remember your dog.
Dogs have different personalities and that makes them unique.
My dog Tache is one spoiled dog. For example is he eats from the table. Another one is that he always gets his way. On the other hand it’s good he’s happy. I used to think that he eating from the table was okay but now I realize it can hurt him.
Some people think a dog is something to punish but I think that a dog is a living creature and it has feelings too. The reason for this is that dogs are something to come to when you are mad, happy or angry. This is giving me the idea that dogs should go to obedience school. I want people to remember their dog and typing stuff down will help you remember your dog.
Dogs have different personalities and that makes them unique.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Charlotte
I Think Mrs. West Goes to Too Many Meetings
I notice that Mrs. West goes to too many meetings. This makes me think that she is learning a lot, but sometimes she is gone more than half the week. When she is gone, we have to have substitutes that are always really strict. When they are strict I get mad and then I’m mad all day. The only substitutes that I like are Kim and Michelle. Also, I don’t like her being gone because I like the way she teaches. Another reason I think she goes to too many meetings is that I have usually already learned the stuff Mrs. West teaches after her meetings. This is why I think Mrs. West goes to too many meetings. Plus, I just miss her.
I notice that Mrs. West goes to too many meetings. This makes me think that she is learning a lot, but sometimes she is gone more than half the week. When she is gone, we have to have substitutes that are always really strict. When they are strict I get mad and then I’m mad all day. The only substitutes that I like are Kim and Michelle. Also, I don’t like her being gone because I like the way she teaches. Another reason I think she goes to too many meetings is that I have usually already learned the stuff Mrs. West teaches after her meetings. This is why I think Mrs. West goes to too many meetings. Plus, I just miss her.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Hannah
My Journey to Florida
By Hannah
It’s a 3 or 4 hour trip to Fort Meyers, Florida. That’s where we land when we go to Sanibel Island. We rent a car and drive across a bridge on a little of the ocean. Then we drive to our house. The house that we go to is just for our family and relatives. My great grandpa had the house built. It is just up the hill from the beach. One time when we were coming to the house from the beach, I saw a tortoise on the path. My mom said it was probably a Gopher Tortoise. I felt proud of myself because I spotted the tortoise. It was in the bushes then slowly walked across the path. We collect shells every day. Sometimes we go to “Ding” Darling. “Ding” Darling is a place where animals can come and go as they want. You can either go in your car or you can walk. We see Mango Tree Crabs, raccoons, alligators, and all sorts of birds. There are Anhinga, Egrets, Herons, and your everyday songbird. My dad teases me whenever we go there about falling into the swamp with alligators. Being in Florida makes me happy. I love the sound of the waves and the smell of the sea. I love having wildlife all around me. I love Florida.
By Hannah
It’s a 3 or 4 hour trip to Fort Meyers, Florida. That’s where we land when we go to Sanibel Island. We rent a car and drive across a bridge on a little of the ocean. Then we drive to our house. The house that we go to is just for our family and relatives. My great grandpa had the house built. It is just up the hill from the beach. One time when we were coming to the house from the beach, I saw a tortoise on the path. My mom said it was probably a Gopher Tortoise. I felt proud of myself because I spotted the tortoise. It was in the bushes then slowly walked across the path. We collect shells every day. Sometimes we go to “Ding” Darling. “Ding” Darling is a place where animals can come and go as they want. You can either go in your car or you can walk. We see Mango Tree Crabs, raccoons, alligators, and all sorts of birds. There are Anhinga, Egrets, Herons, and your everyday songbird. My dad teases me whenever we go there about falling into the swamp with alligators. Being in Florida makes me happy. I love the sound of the waves and the smell of the sea. I love having wildlife all around me. I love Florida.
Nicholas 2
Persevere
I really love to play video games. I can just play, and play for hours. Yea, sometimes I lose but I use it to learn how to beat the challenge. For example I was playing Naruto Clash of Ninja 2 on my Game Cube. I kept being beat by this guy called Gara of the Desert, and I was Naruto Uzamaci. He kept hitting me with deadly combos, but finally I beat him. It makes me remember, if I persevere I can beat any challenge.
I really love to play video games. I can just play, and play for hours. Yea, sometimes I lose but I use it to learn how to beat the challenge. For example I was playing Naruto Clash of Ninja 2 on my Game Cube. I kept being beat by this guy called Gara of the Desert, and I was Naruto Uzamaci. He kept hitting me with deadly combos, but finally I beat him. It makes me remember, if I persevere I can beat any challenge.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Angela
Cabins
Do you have a cabin? If you do I bet you would have lots of fun. If you don’t then here’s an essay about what exactly they are.
Cabins are totally fun, most of them are right by lakes. It’s just I would want everyone to feel the same feeling I’m feeling when I think about mine. I want everyone to know what they are, how there fun and your opinion about them.
Cabins are places you can relax, play all day or just simply sit and stare. I wish everyone had one. In my opinion there the best place ever!
You could spend quality time with your family. And that’s just a few of the millions of reasons I should tell you about this.
Do you have a cabin? If you do I bet you would have lots of fun. If you don’t then here’s an essay about what exactly they are.
Cabins are totally fun, most of them are right by lakes. It’s just I would want everyone to feel the same feeling I’m feeling when I think about mine. I want everyone to know what they are, how there fun and your opinion about them.
Cabins are places you can relax, play all day or just simply sit and stare. I wish everyone had one. In my opinion there the best place ever!
You could spend quality time with your family. And that’s just a few of the millions of reasons I should tell you about this.
Emma
Favorites
I believe it is important for people to do things they like and have fun.
I can’t wait any longer, I thought. It was the first real day of horse camp and I had a horse named Thunder. I had put on her saddle with great care and love. She was the best! Some horses puff out their belly when you put on the saddle. (Thunder did this.)
I was standing next to her waiting to mount .Then, I looked back at my horse and saw her saddle had slipped to her stomach because she had puffed it way out! Half laughing, I said “Thunder!” and she lightly stepped on my toe.
I then had a counselor put on the saddle. I was covered in sand and laughing for 5 minutes!
It is important I think that people do their favorite things like I did, with their greatest care. People should have a little time to do something they want. This is good for everyone to know because otherwise people might be grumpy and unfun.
Even though you might have trouble (like in the story) doing your favorite thing if you just keep trying you will get it. For me horseback, caring for animals, playing viola, reading, and writing are the best. What are your favorites?
I believe it is important for people to do things they like and have fun.
I can’t wait any longer, I thought. It was the first real day of horse camp and I had a horse named Thunder. I had put on her saddle with great care and love. She was the best! Some horses puff out their belly when you put on the saddle. (Thunder did this.)
I was standing next to her waiting to mount .Then, I looked back at my horse and saw her saddle had slipped to her stomach because she had puffed it way out! Half laughing, I said “Thunder!” and she lightly stepped on my toe.
I then had a counselor put on the saddle. I was covered in sand and laughing for 5 minutes!
It is important I think that people do their favorite things like I did, with their greatest care. People should have a little time to do something they want. This is good for everyone to know because otherwise people might be grumpy and unfun.
Even though you might have trouble (like in the story) doing your favorite thing if you just keep trying you will get it. For me horseback, caring for animals, playing viola, reading, and writing are the best. What are your favorites?
Emma
Ice Caps Away!
Outside it is gray and old snow covers the ground. My parents talked about the snow and Global Warming. Global Warming is a terrible thing if you think about the animals that live where the ice caps are melting you would feel even worse. Polar bears, penguins, seals and much more are losing their homes and going extinct by the minute! People like these animals-they don’t want them to be gone! Most people actually know about this but don’t even care! Not at all! They don’t talk about it or try not to pollute as much. I wish I could do more to help also. At least I am interested. I am going to help by learning more and noting more people in on Global Warming. I hope reading this will make others want to help out too.
Outside it is gray and old snow covers the ground. My parents talked about the snow and Global Warming. Global Warming is a terrible thing if you think about the animals that live where the ice caps are melting you would feel even worse. Polar bears, penguins, seals and much more are losing their homes and going extinct by the minute! People like these animals-they don’t want them to be gone! Most people actually know about this but don’t even care! Not at all! They don’t talk about it or try not to pollute as much. I wish I could do more to help also. At least I am interested. I am going to help by learning more and noting more people in on Global Warming. I hope reading this will make others want to help out too.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Dominic
Drawing a Cartoon
By: Dominic
I feel like if I draw every day I can be very good. Good enough to draw a cartoon with Nick. Not only a cartoon but a comic and trading cards too. We don’t know what it will be called but we know it will be really good. If we don’t make it big at least well have made a cartoon. Well be pretty sad if it doesn’t go on T.V. I believe that we can do anything.
By: Dominic
I feel like if I draw every day I can be very good. Good enough to draw a cartoon with Nick. Not only a cartoon but a comic and trading cards too. We don’t know what it will be called but we know it will be really good. If we don’t make it big at least well have made a cartoon. Well be pretty sad if it doesn’t go on T.V. I believe that we can do anything.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Nicholas
The Ants in our Classroom
I’ve noticed the ants have died away. They’re gone forever. They have gone to heaven. They’re feasting on foods they have never thought existed. We will miss them crawling around and up our shirts. We can not play with them any more. But it makes me think they’re probably very happy.
I’ve noticed the ants have died away. They’re gone forever. They have gone to heaven. They’re feasting on foods they have never thought existed. We will miss them crawling around and up our shirts. We can not play with them any more. But it makes me think they’re probably very happy.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Will
How to Solve a Prolem
I noticed that a problem at, lets say, an elementary school can effect the whole school district. Like a person taking away cookie day or pizza. Could we change that? The point is if there’s enough people maybe we could. We could change it by having a petition. Maybe I could change it! If you try really hard you could accomplish anything.
I noticed that a problem at, lets say, an elementary school can effect the whole school district. Like a person taking away cookie day or pizza. Could we change that? The point is if there’s enough people maybe we could. We could change it by having a petition. Maybe I could change it! If you try really hard you could accomplish anything.
Emma
Musical Minuet
Music is very important to me. Ever since I started playing viola 4 years ago I’ve felt even it’s more important. An example is when I was 4 ½ I went to Kinder Konzert and decided I wanted to play cello. I told my parents but I was small and there wasn’t a cello that big. They suggested I play violin. My family went to who is now my teacher to meet her. She suggested I play viola because it is less popular. Soon after she started me out on a violin strung with viola strings. Music is amazing! It is JUST like learning a new language! But first you learn to read it, then you can play and understand it. This is important because music makes me happy and cheerful. In addition to that it makes others feel good too. Many people believe that music is just sound, but I disagree. Music is hard work, practicing, emotional, learning, sometimes difficult- but most importantly fun.
Music is very important to me. Ever since I started playing viola 4 years ago I’ve felt even it’s more important. An example is when I was 4 ½ I went to Kinder Konzert and decided I wanted to play cello. I told my parents but I was small and there wasn’t a cello that big. They suggested I play violin. My family went to who is now my teacher to meet her. She suggested I play viola because it is less popular. Soon after she started me out on a violin strung with viola strings. Music is amazing! It is JUST like learning a new language! But first you learn to read it, then you can play and understand it. This is important because music makes me happy and cheerful. In addition to that it makes others feel good too. Many people believe that music is just sound, but I disagree. Music is hard work, practicing, emotional, learning, sometimes difficult- but most importantly fun.
Aubrey
Lonely
By Aubrey
“I’m lonely since Paige is gone,” I whined. I’m going to go play in my room . There was nothing to do there ether. So I closed my eye and all of a sudden I started to imagine that all my stuffed animals were alive. I opened my eyes and right then I new what to play! I gathered all my stuffed animals and put them in a spot. I grabbed a book and started to read to them. I was pretending they were my audience and they were all listening to me read! I had no reason to be lonely any more. I had all my friends right there with me.
By Aubrey
“I’m lonely since Paige is gone,” I whined. I’m going to go play in my room . There was nothing to do there ether. So I closed my eye and all of a sudden I started to imagine that all my stuffed animals were alive. I opened my eyes and right then I new what to play! I gathered all my stuffed animals and put them in a spot. I grabbed a book and started to read to them. I was pretending they were my audience and they were all listening to me read! I had no reason to be lonely any more. I had all my friends right there with me.
Lila
What Really Makes Me Sad
By: Lila
What really makes me sad is thinking about my Grandpa who passed away last September. He lived in Iowa and I went to his funeral there. The reason it makes me sad thinking about him is because he was really special to me and it was hard to loose him. When I went to the funeral, all my cousins were there and we saw lots of good pictures of his memories. I actually saw him in the coffin and I touched his hand and I cried. It definitely didn’t look like the Grandpa I knew. When the burial happened, my whole family put roses and flowers in his grave. Now, whenever I go to Iowa I think about him. I always go visit his grave and, if anyone, my grandma is the saddest.
By: Lila
What really makes me sad is thinking about my Grandpa who passed away last September. He lived in Iowa and I went to his funeral there. The reason it makes me sad thinking about him is because he was really special to me and it was hard to loose him. When I went to the funeral, all my cousins were there and we saw lots of good pictures of his memories. I actually saw him in the coffin and I touched his hand and I cried. It definitely didn’t look like the Grandpa I knew. When the burial happened, my whole family put roses and flowers in his grave. Now, whenever I go to Iowa I think about him. I always go visit his grave and, if anyone, my grandma is the saddest.
Lila
What Really Upsets Me
By: Lila
What really, REALLY makes me upset is when my little brother hits me in the car. Always. He even does it at home. Whenever he does it I always get in trouble because my mom and dad always think it’s me hitting (or punching or kicking) him. When I react, I don’t punch him back, ‘cause I know that’s wrong, so I just say stop and if I say stop, I’ll hope he stops. If he doesn’t stop, I have to tell my dad or mom. Some times I just get so mad that I do hit him back. Then, me and Leo, my brother, both get in trouble. Why I get so upset and mad is because he does it every single day and I’m tired of it, (it also REALLY hurts!). Plus I get in trouble and it’s not fair.
By: Lila
What really, REALLY makes me upset is when my little brother hits me in the car. Always. He even does it at home. Whenever he does it I always get in trouble because my mom and dad always think it’s me hitting (or punching or kicking) him. When I react, I don’t punch him back, ‘cause I know that’s wrong, so I just say stop and if I say stop, I’ll hope he stops. If he doesn’t stop, I have to tell my dad or mom. Some times I just get so mad that I do hit him back. Then, me and Leo, my brother, both get in trouble. Why I get so upset and mad is because he does it every single day and I’m tired of it, (it also REALLY hurts!). Plus I get in trouble and it’s not fair.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Blogging Terms and Conditions
Blogging Terms and Conditions
1. Students using blogs are expected to act safely by keeping personal information out of their posts. You agree to not post or give out your family name, password, user name, email address, home address, school name, city, country or other information that could help someone locate or contact you in person. You may share your interests, ideas and preferences.
2. Students using blogs agree not to share their user name or password with anyone besides their teachers and parents. You agree to never log in as another student.
3. Students using blogs are expected to treat blogspaces as classroom spaces. Speech that is inappropriate for class is not appropriate for your blog. While we encourage you to engage in debate and conversation with other bloggers, we also expect that you will conduct yourself in a manner reflective of a representative of this school.
4. Student blogs are to be a forum for student expression. However, they are first and foremost a tool for learning, and as such will sometimes be constrained by the various requirements and rules of classroom teachers. Students are welcome to post on any school-appropriate subject.
5. Students blogs are to be a vehicle for sharing student writing with real audiences. Most visitors to your blog who leave comments will leave respectful, helpful messages. If you receive a comment that makes you feel uncomfortable or is not respectful, tell your teacher right away. Do not respond to the comment.
6. Students using blogs take good care of the computers by not downloading or installing any software without permission, and not clicking on ads or competitions.
7. Students who do not abide by these terms and conditions may lose their opportunity to take part in this project.
I have read and understood these blogging terms and conditions. I agree to uphold them.
1. Students using blogs are expected to act safely by keeping personal information out of their posts. You agree to not post or give out your family name, password, user name, email address, home address, school name, city, country or other information that could help someone locate or contact you in person. You may share your interests, ideas and preferences.
2. Students using blogs agree not to share their user name or password with anyone besides their teachers and parents. You agree to never log in as another student.
3. Students using blogs are expected to treat blogspaces as classroom spaces. Speech that is inappropriate for class is not appropriate for your blog. While we encourage you to engage in debate and conversation with other bloggers, we also expect that you will conduct yourself in a manner reflective of a representative of this school.
4. Student blogs are to be a forum for student expression. However, they are first and foremost a tool for learning, and as such will sometimes be constrained by the various requirements and rules of classroom teachers. Students are welcome to post on any school-appropriate subject.
5. Students blogs are to be a vehicle for sharing student writing with real audiences. Most visitors to your blog who leave comments will leave respectful, helpful messages. If you receive a comment that makes you feel uncomfortable or is not respectful, tell your teacher right away. Do not respond to the comment.
6. Students using blogs take good care of the computers by not downloading or installing any software without permission, and not clicking on ads or competitions.
7. Students who do not abide by these terms and conditions may lose their opportunity to take part in this project.
I have read and understood these blogging terms and conditions. I agree to uphold them.
Why Weblog our Writing?
Dear Families,
We will be piloting a new way to ameliorate our writing program by sharing our interests and sharing our writing with a real audience, you! We will be posting their writing to our weblog.
A weblog, or blog as they are commonly called, is a special type of web page that can be created and easily updated using a web browser. Each new entry has its own date stamp. Each entry has a comments section where visitors to the blog may leave comments to the author.
When we teach a writing lesson, students will have an opportunity to make a entry for the blog. Please read the parent letter for more information about the unit of study. The students usually choose the topic, but they need to make use of the skills taught in our lesson to help craft their writing. The emphasis is on the quality, not the quantity of what they write.
When a student is ready for publishing, students will use the computers in our rooms to word process their work. Students may also work from home! We, the teachers, will then post the blog entry.
Having a real audience is one of the key components to this pilot program. In addition to receiving comments from the teachers, they are also able to receive comments from parents, grandparents, family, friends and classmates. Parents are encouraged to visit the blog and respond to the writing. Potentially, anyone on the internet could respond to our blogs, however, it is not likely that the world at large will stumble across the blog.
This blogging project is designed to minimize any security risk to your child. The only personally identifying information included in the blog will be their first names. There will be no mention of our school name or our location. Students are allowed to post their interests and opinions, but not their age, e-mail addresses photographs of themselves, or other sensitive information.
Resources:
Blogs created by fifth grade students in the USA
http://itc.blogs.com/macros/
BBC News article about blogging in a school in the UK
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3804773.stm
We will be piloting a new way to ameliorate our writing program by sharing our interests and sharing our writing with a real audience, you! We will be posting their writing to our weblog.
A weblog, or blog as they are commonly called, is a special type of web page that can be created and easily updated using a web browser. Each new entry has its own date stamp. Each entry has a comments section where visitors to the blog may leave comments to the author.
When we teach a writing lesson, students will have an opportunity to make a entry for the blog. Please read the parent letter for more information about the unit of study. The students usually choose the topic, but they need to make use of the skills taught in our lesson to help craft their writing. The emphasis is on the quality, not the quantity of what they write.
When a student is ready for publishing, students will use the computers in our rooms to word process their work. Students may also work from home! We, the teachers, will then post the blog entry.
Having a real audience is one of the key components to this pilot program. In addition to receiving comments from the teachers, they are also able to receive comments from parents, grandparents, family, friends and classmates. Parents are encouraged to visit the blog and respond to the writing. Potentially, anyone on the internet could respond to our blogs, however, it is not likely that the world at large will stumble across the blog.
This blogging project is designed to minimize any security risk to your child. The only personally identifying information included in the blog will be their first names. There will be no mention of our school name or our location. Students are allowed to post their interests and opinions, but not their age, e-mail addresses photographs of themselves, or other sensitive information.
Resources:
Blogs created by fifth grade students in the USA
http://itc.blogs.com/macros/
BBC News article about blogging in a school in the UK
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3804773.stm
Essay Writing-Letter to Parents
We are about to begin our new unit of study on essay writing. Essay-writing has become a hot topic in schools, especially because many standardized tests, including the SAT, have added a writing section, usually in the form of an essay. Students are asked to write essays well into their college years, and we believe it’s crucial that they get a strong start, learning the skills and strategies to craft compelling essays, as well as developing a positive attitude toward the genre.
Your children will become essayists over the next several weeks, and they’ll start by collecting essay ideas in their notebooks for a little bit of time. Then they’ll develop their ideas through the now-familiar writing process, choosing an essay idea and turning it into a draft that will be revised and edited until it becomes an essay to publish.
As your children move through this unit, they’ll learn how essayists take an idea, an observation, or a question, and grow ideas about it. They will learn how to turn an idea they have into a thesis, of sorts, and then how to present evidence to support their claims about that thesis. Our experience tells me that it may be difficult, at first, for young writers to switch gears toward essay writing, especially because they’ve gotten so strong at writing personal narratives. A large part of the energy in this unit will be dedicated to familiarizing students with the genre of essay, to learning to think and organize thoughts like an essayist, and to crafting an essay that moves smoothly from the thesis statement to the supporting evidence. We will move quickly through the writing process, and we will revisit essay-writing again later in the year.
As always, we will continue to work on the mechanics of writing with your children. At this point, there is a clear expectation that writers pay attention to spelling and punctuation. Once students learn how to spell a certain word or use a particular kind of punctuation, we want to see it reflected in their writing, even in notebook entries and first drafts. During this unit, your children will learn more about the variety of uses for commas. Often when students are learning something new they tend to overuse it, so you may see an overabundance of commas for a while--their use of commas will soon become more precise.
We thank you for supporting your child’s writing development. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Lynnea West and Jason Pusey
Your children will become essayists over the next several weeks, and they’ll start by collecting essay ideas in their notebooks for a little bit of time. Then they’ll develop their ideas through the now-familiar writing process, choosing an essay idea and turning it into a draft that will be revised and edited until it becomes an essay to publish.
As your children move through this unit, they’ll learn how essayists take an idea, an observation, or a question, and grow ideas about it. They will learn how to turn an idea they have into a thesis, of sorts, and then how to present evidence to support their claims about that thesis. Our experience tells me that it may be difficult, at first, for young writers to switch gears toward essay writing, especially because they’ve gotten so strong at writing personal narratives. A large part of the energy in this unit will be dedicated to familiarizing students with the genre of essay, to learning to think and organize thoughts like an essayist, and to crafting an essay that moves smoothly from the thesis statement to the supporting evidence. We will move quickly through the writing process, and we will revisit essay-writing again later in the year.
As always, we will continue to work on the mechanics of writing with your children. At this point, there is a clear expectation that writers pay attention to spelling and punctuation. Once students learn how to spell a certain word or use a particular kind of punctuation, we want to see it reflected in their writing, even in notebook entries and first drafts. During this unit, your children will learn more about the variety of uses for commas. Often when students are learning something new they tend to overuse it, so you may see an overabundance of commas for a while--their use of commas will soon become more precise.
We thank you for supporting your child’s writing development. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Lynnea West and Jason Pusey
Monday, February 5, 2007
Preston
Unfortunate Events
How I got my idea, I was just looking around, seeing what I could write about when I saw my books and noticed the title, A Series of Unfortunate Events.
When something unfortunate happens, you feel like your going to say to the nearest person around, what the? What was that? So you go where ever the ruckus is going on! So then you get there, and you want to know what happened and how. What I don’t know is why people care I would care if it was a loved one. And I’m not saying I don’t do it (but occasionally I do, but don’t tell anyone). When your day is going so well like for instance if you were going to Disney land then everyone is sad because the flight cancels on account of rain. I just don’t get it why bad things happen do you?
How I got my idea, I was just looking around, seeing what I could write about when I saw my books and noticed the title, A Series of Unfortunate Events.
When something unfortunate happens, you feel like your going to say to the nearest person around, what the? What was that? So you go where ever the ruckus is going on! So then you get there, and you want to know what happened and how. What I don’t know is why people care I would care if it was a loved one. And I’m not saying I don’t do it (but occasionally I do, but don’t tell anyone). When your day is going so well like for instance if you were going to Disney land then everyone is sad because the flight cancels on account of rain. I just don’t get it why bad things happen do you?
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