Friday, December 16, 2011

A Winter Wonderland!

We've worked so hard this month,
We feel lucky we've survived,
But now it's time to relax
Because winter break has arrived!

We made decorations for the season,
Just as cute as they could be.
Can you think of anything better
Than your face and macaroni?

A classmate read a story
With the help of her dog named Jingles.
She would read, he would sing
The sound of it gave us tingles!

The snowball fight was exciting
especially since there was no snow.
Ball up a sock, stand across from your friends
Ready, aim, throw!

Auntie Claus stopped by for a visit,
Pulled out a book and took a seat.
She read the story, then said goodbye
And left us with a holiday treat!

We captured the fun in photos.
So many, we could fill a book.
If you're curious about the fun we had,
Scroll down and have a look!


























Happy Holidays!

Monday, December 5, 2011

A Book So Good, It's Scary!

I don't know about you, but I have really been enjoying our current read aloud, School of Fear: Class is NOT Dismissed.  Mrs. Z's voices just crack me up!  Her British accent is awesome and I giggle every time I hear Hyhy's voice.  Hyhy and Celery kind of remind me of me and Hobbs...two peas in a pod!  What do you think of the book so far?  Are you interested in reading the rest of the series?  I know I am!  Can you relate to any of the characters?  If you were going to the School of Fear, what would be the reason...what is your fear?  Mine is the dark!  Yikes...so spooky!  For more School of Fear fun, check out an interactive site, dedicated to the books by clicking here!  

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Persuasive Writing Info


This week we have been focusing on different persuasive strategies that can be used to convince an audience of your claim, or position on a particular issue.  

Claim – States the main  
point or stance 

Persuasive Strategies
Big Names –  Mentions experts and important people to support the argument 
Example:  Former President Bill Clinton thinks junk food should be taken out of vending machines.

Logos – Uses logic, numbers, or facts to support the argument
Example:  People who own dogs ____ years longer than people without dogs

Pathos – Appeals to the audience’s emotions 
Example:  Include a cute picture of a puppy with a caption that reads "Donate to the Humane Society to save this dog!"

Ethos – Tries to build trust and credibility 
Example:Get me this wallet, Santa, and I can organize all my money and cards.  You know what it's like trying to stay organized.  I know you have to keep all your lists in order.  

Kairos – Builds a sense of urgency for the cause 
Example:  Mom and dad, if you buy me a Nook Color this week, you can get it for 15% off the normal price.

Research – Uses studies and information to make the argument seem more convincing;  
this can be in the form of words, graphs, tables, or illustrations 
Example: A recent study reported in The New Yorker indicated that kids who play video games have faster reaction times.


P.S. Refer to the menu of choices in an earlier post to see whether you chose to create a letter, poster, advertisement, or dialogue.  If you chose to create a friendly letter, check out this site to review the five parts.


This is a copy of the persuasive writing rubric students will be using to assess their work next week.  Copies were distributed during the drafting phase, so that students would be aware of the expectations and could include all of the elements in their piece.


Persuasive Writing Project
Project Elements
Description of Project Element
Self Assessment
3  2  1
Peer
Assessment
3  2  1
Teacher Assessment
3  2  1
Followed Directions
-An option from the menu of choices was used
-Students made a letter, poster, or conversation as indicated on the menu of choices



Claim




-It is clear what your position is on the issue
-The audience can easily tell what you are trying to convince them to think/do



3 Persuasive Strategies




-Three reasons are used to convince the audience
-Reasons must be logical and truthful, with no repeats



CUPS




-An effort should have been made to correct errors in capitalization, awkward wording, punctuation, and spelling



Total Score (+2 on time):




Tuesday, November 22, 2011

We Maxed Out On Fun!

Today we took our first field trip of the year!  With excitement in the air, a sea of blue t-shirts eagerly piled onto a bus and headed to the IMAX Theater.  We arrived and were fitted with the ever-so-stylish 3D glasses, then settled in to witness the wonders of the Universe in, Hubble 3D.  We were left truly in awe.  The Orion star nursery was my favorite part.  Those tiny solar systems developing in cocoons...wow!  What was your favorite part?













Then it was off to the picnic area for those delicious homemade lunches...thanks moms and dads!










Finally, it was back into the theater for our final feature of the day, Under the Sea.  We witnessed the majesty of the ocean and its inhabitants.  Some were adorable (could those seals have been any cuter), some were creepy (sea snakes...aaaggghhh!), and some were fascinating (those leafy sea dragons).  All in all, a very enjoyable film. What was your favorite sea creature?  Which movie did you enjoy the most?  Why?  Check out more of the fun below.














Monday, November 21, 2011

Persuasive Writing Menu Choices

Here is a menu of choices for the second persuasive writing project we will be working on this year.  We have already done some writing to convince an audience with a group of friends, but now we will work individually to develop positions and create an argument.  Students were asked to peruse this menu of choices in class today.  They were asked to select their choice and copy it into their notebook before brainstorming with a partner.  Students are welcome to begin pre-writing at home over the long weekend, but they should not begin a draft until we learn more about the elements of persuasive writing in class.  Pre-writing is optional, not required.


Pretend you are a Christmas tree at a Christmas Tree Farm.  You really want a family to choose you.  Here comes the family now.  Create an advertisement that would convince them to choose you for their tree this year.

Imagine that you are a turkey…gobble, gobble!  You DO NOT want to be eaten this Thanksgiving.  Convince the hunter who has captured you to release you and eat other foods instead.

Write a letter to your parents convincing them to get you a pet.

Write a letter to Santa convincing him that you’ve been good and deserve a certain gift this Christmas.

Write a letter to the lunch lady convincing her that she should serve your favorite foods more often.

Pretend a litter problem has developed on your school’s campus.  Students are throwing trash on the ground, leaving empty soda cans and bottles outside on benches, and dropping napkins and other trash on the cafeteria floor rather than carrying them to the trash can.  Your principal has reacted by cancelling all outdoor recess until the problem is taken care of.  What is your position on this issue?  Make a poster convincing your classmates to stop littering.

Think about where people live.  People live in small towns, large towns, or even big cities.  Some people live on farms or in houses in the country.  Some people live inland and some live at the beach along the coast.  Think about where it is best to live and why.  Choose the one place where you would like to live and give reasons why you think it is the best.

Because of budget cuts, your school district is thinking of getting rid of resource classes for next year.  Write a letter to the school board that states your position and convinces them to change their minds.

We all know what happened to the gingerbread man when he rode on the foxes’ back to cross the river.  Write a conversation between you and the gingerbread man, where you convince him to use another method to cross the river.

P.S. Don't panic.  Fantastic Fables will be posted in time for you to share with your family on Thanksgiving.  But beware...they're so good, you won't even be able to eat your turkey dinner because you'll be so busy signing autographs for all your adoring fans!!!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Fantastic Fables In Progress!

What began with a study of common characteristics of fables, a review of common morals, and the creation of a story speed bump, has transitioned into the production of puppets and backdrops.  Our classes are preparing to wow audiences and convince others to have good character!  Check out these photos of students as they develop their fables and prepare to bring them to life with a puppet show!

Students practicing their show.
Students coloring their backdrop.







This group constructs a blueprint for their backdrop.