Thursday, November 16, 2017

What Should I Write?


March | 2011 | clairsimpson

Need an idea for a blog topic? Here are a few.
  1.  You Should Read . . .
  2.  My Favorite Book
  3.  Best Character in a Book
  4.  Interview a Family Member/Role Model
  5.  “How to” Post
  6.  Memoir--Share a Memory
  7.  Write about an Event From Your Life
  8.  Hobby Post
  9.  Write a Story
  10.  What I Saw at ________ Today
  11.  Respond to Another Post
  12.  Write a Poem
  13.  How to Write A Blog Post
  14.  Opinion Post
  15.  FAQ post
  16.  News Story
  17.  Write A Letter
  18.  Inspirational Post
  19.  Inspirational People Post
  20.  My Biggest Fear
  21.  "My Future" Post
  22.  Write From Someone Else's Point of View
  23.  Compare/Contrast Post
  24.  How I Stay Inspired
  25.  How to Succeed 
  26.  Favorite TV/Movie Star
  27.  Make a List
  28.  A Day In the Life Of…
  29.  School Survival Post
  30.  How to Be a Friend Post
  31.  Getting Good Grades 
  32.  Bucket List
  33.  Holiday Post
  34.  Slideshow
  35.  Advice Post
  36.  Turn a Post into a Poem
  37.  Sports Story
  38.  Top 10
  39.  If You Had to Live with a Handicap
  40.  Places--Where Would You Like to Go?
  41.  Facts Post
  42.  What I Want to Be . . .
  43.  My Goals for The Future
  44.  Write About Your Favorite Artist (Musician)
  45.  Write a Response to a Topic in the News
  46.  Tell About a Lesson Learned
  47.  Write a Play


Image from clairsimpson.wordpress.com

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Values?




At the Your World Within website, they say, Life is not predetermined; it’s crafted daily.  In the video they say, go all in on the things that bring value to your life while eliminating the things that don't

Your assignment, Reading Workshop students is to write what about values in your life.


Monday, November 13, 2017

Pictures While Reading

Zoom Reads to Kinsey
Students in Reading Workshop were challenged to post pictures from their life as they Read Any Way You Choose. Some of the pictures so far have been awesome with students reading to pets, reading to siblings, reading a TV scrollbar, reading while dribbling a basketball, and reading in the bathtub.

Here are a couple of pictures from my weekend with my grandson, Carter aka Zoom and my granddaughter, Kinsey.


Zoom and I Reading on Our IPads

Friday, November 10, 2017

What Does the Pledge Mean?


The Your Web: Usa Flag Pictures - Usa Flag - Usa National Flag - Usa Flag Images - Flag of america


I pledge allegiance 
to the flag 
of the United States of  America
and to the Republic 
for which it stands,
one nation 
under God, 
indivisible, with liberty 
and justice for all


For today's assignment, students had to look up meaning to words in the Pledge of Allegiance and rewrite it in their own words. Not only did they learn the meaning of some important words, but hopefully the next time they say the Pledge it will mean a  little more and they will know why it is so important to our country!

Vocabulary Words

allegiance
united
nation
all
indivisible
liberty
pledge
justice
republic

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Shine On!



Image from @Nandini_actor

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Reading Any Way You Choose


Pick one of the ways of reading listed below and RAWYC! Have someone take a picture or take a selfie, post it on your blog and you get 20 minutes of Read at Home credit plus you can log the minutes you read. You can do 5 of these a week, make your blog great, and get an A on your Read at Home all at the same time.

You can blog from a browser on your phone or tablet using Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. You can also post using the Edublog app with Android or Wordpress.org app using an IPhone or IPad.


Reading…
and
More Reading

Read a picture book

Listen to a parent or guardian read

Read closed-captioning on the TV

Read a chapter book

Read to a parent or guardian

Read with a pointer or finger puppet

Read and solve math word problems

Read in bed, past your bedtime

Read a story or book you wrote

Read a recipe aloud, step-by-step, while you help someone cook

Read a book about something you know nothing about

Read with a book club you created or joined

Read while eating

Read a book you love AGAIN

Read with your friends or neighbors

Listen to audio books
Read a book that became a movie
Collect words in a jar, diary, or app

Read a biography about a person you admire or don’t know

Read to the family pet or stuffed animal

Take turns reading a page at a time

Read at the local library, bookstore, restaurant, or coffee shop

Read a book that will teach you a new skill, trade, or technology

Read with a grandparent

Read about a state or country

Read with a brother or sister

Read in the bathtub (no water)

Read a book from your favorite author

Read to babies and toddlers

Read and sing song lyrics with the artist or choir

Read to family or friends with Skype or Facetime

Read a comic book or joke book

Organize your  bookshelves

Follow a recipe from a cook book

Volunteer to read at a retirement home, nursing home, or hospital

Create a puppet show

Read a craft book

Read at the park or playground

Read about caring for animals

Compile and share the shopping list

Read while riding on the bus or when riding in a plane, train, or
automobile

Read about a place you’d like to visit

Read a blog and respond with a positive comment

Read about fitness and exercise

Make or update a memories scrapbook with captions and/or titles

Read at the beach or poolside

Read a book that takes place in the past or future

Read at the laundromat or do the laundry while a parent reads to you

Read about your favorite sport or team

Keep a shared journal with
someone Take turns writing back
and forth

Read out loud with animated voices that go along with each character

Read a magazine or newspaper

Play reading games like Scrabble, Boggle, crossword puzzles
Read a folktale, fairy tale, or myth

Donate books to charity or check out books from the local library

Read a play, musical, or poetry

Read with a flashlight

Read a spooky book or mystery

Create a video of you reading and share it on your blog

Rewrite the ending of a book you found boring or confusing

Read a book that received an award or honor

Design, record, and share
commercials about books

Read while you wait at a restaurant, dentist, doctor’s office, or airport

Read about holidays, traditions, or cultures from around the world

Do a book talk or book trailer that tells all about your favorite book

Read cereal boxes, catalogs, flyers,
billboard signs, or street signs

Read on an eBook or iBook
















































Friday, November 3, 2017

Reading Strategies

Links to articles:

Harry Potter

Wonder


Please complete the questions and submit the form.


Thursday, November 2, 2017

Your Editing Shows if You're A Good Writer



Image from @Grammarly

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Happy Halloween!

Friday, October 27, 2017

Traveling Along on a Friday

It looks like Dora is on a rode trip.



And yes I can spell road.  :)


Image from @TheFunnyWorld

Thursday, October 26, 2017

To You and By You!

 

Image from @teachergoals


Monday, October 23, 2017

Make Your Weather Great!

It's Monday morning after a five day break. How's your weather? Take control and make it a great start to a great week!


https://pbs.twimg.com/card_img/922353145635917825/vGFPnEoF?format=jpg&name=600x314


Image from https://pbs.twimg.com/card_img

Monday, October 16, 2017

Yes, Spelling Matters

kentucky

Friday, October 13, 2017

Readers Need Strategies

Reading Workshop student, Lynsay VanHoose created this Google slideshow to point out what makes reading strategies so important.


Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Cheesy Joke for a Grate Day!


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Monday, October 9, 2017

Reading Strategies

The strategies in the picture below all help with understanding what you read. Reading Workshop students, your assignment is to pick one strategy, research it, create a Google slide show, and present it to the class.

The slide show needs to explain about the strategy, tell how it helps with comprehension, and how to use it. Demonstrating the strategy should be part of the presentation.

Slide Show Organization

1.    Title Page
2.    Definition
3.    Casual meaning (your definition)
4.    The way the strategy helps reading . . .
5-8. Sample passages
9.    Sources
10.  Image sources

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5PJ2_BVMAI4NBi.jpg:large


Image from http://www.theclassroomkey.com/tag/reading-strategies

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

C'mon, Dream Big!


Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Comparing Yourself

Image result for character
What are Your Character Traits?
For this project you will be writing a Dear Mr. McGuire letter. The topic of the letter is "How would the book be different if I was the main character?" The letter should have an opening paragraph that states basic information like the title and the main character's name. It also should connect with the reader.

For the second paragraph, start with the main character and build from there. Tell about the main character in the book you are reading. Describe him/her. What makes him like he is? How does he act? Think? Respond? Feel?

The next paragraph should be a compare/contrast between you and the main character. You might tell how you are alike or how you are different. You need at least one example to make your point clear.

One of the main keys to doing well on this project comes next. This paragraph needs to describe in detail how the book would be different if you were the main character. Specific details of differences will strengthen your letter.

Please use details to support your writing. For example, if you state that the main character is brave, you should have a detailed scene from the book that proves your claim.

Whatever you do, DO NOT RETELL THE STORY! This assignment is to write a letter to me about how the main character compares to you and how the book would be different if you were the main character. If you summarize or retell the book, you are not following the directions! The best essays will be written by a writer than gets inside the book and the character.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Is This You?

Monday, September 18, 2017

Get Motivated

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Investing in Humor

null 

Image from @ExcuseThePun

Thursday, September 7, 2017

You Look Great Today!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DIM7kVrUwAAXtRs.jpg 


Image from Puns @TheFunnyWorld

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

See Someone Being Kind? Share it!

Related image
Make our world a better place. Take care of your classmates and our school. When you see someone else being kind, share it. The tree in the hallway is bare. Fill it with leaves (Post it Notes). Share all the acts of kindness that you see in the hallway at SC.

Here are some ways you can be kind:

  1. Ask “How may I help you?”
  2. Listen to someone carefully and without interrupting.
  3. Say “I’m sorry.”
  4. Be polite.
  5. Say ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you.’
  6. Offer to carry a person’s book bag.
  7. Buy a box of cookies and offer them around to strangers.
  8. Buy someone a gift from the dollar store
  9. Offer your seat in the cafeteria.
  10. Ask someone to sit by you in the cafeteria that you haven't sat with before.
  11. Write someone a letter or note.
  12. Invite someone to play at recess.
  13. Smile.
  14. Give someone a handwritten card.
  15. Pick up some trash.
  16. Return a misplaced or lost item.
  17. Tell someone about the best part of the day you just spent with them.
  18. Keep that sigh to yourself.
  19. Use a kind voice even if you have to fake it.
  20. Listen for the feelings behind the words.
  21. Buy a stranger an extra at lunch.
  22. Let someone go first through a door.
  23. Hold a door open for someone.
  24. Respect someone’s wishes.
  25. Write Post-It notes with encouraging messages and leave them in someone's tub or bookbag.
  26. Write a thank you note.
  27. Let people through in hallway traffic.
  28. Thank someone when they let you pass in the hallway.
  29. Use a compost bin and recycle as much as possible.
  30. Acknowledge someone else’s kindness to you.
  31. Tell someone how wonderful they are.
  32. Tell someone how happy you are to have them in your life.
  33. Pay a compliment.
  34. Volunteer.
  35. Write a notes and put it in someone's lunchbox.
  36. Share your knowledge with someone who needs it.
  37. Help someone with their homework.
  38. Help someone that is confused in class.
  39. Welcome new people to the school.
  40. Donate your “read” books to the library.
  41. Express your empathy.
  42. Smile at every stranger in the hallway.
  43. Be patient when you want to yell.
  44. Point out when someone’s shoe is untied or their backpack zipper is open
  45. Greet your neighbours when you see them
  46. Say hello to a classmate you don’t normally talk to
  47. Invite a schoolmate sitting on their own to join in your game
  48. Say something nice about someone, just because
  49. Smile at everyone
  50. Eat lunch at a different table with people you don't know that well
  51. Sit with someone eating alone at lunch
  52. Count to 10 in your head to avoid yelling at someone when you get angry
  53. Give positive feedback in class when someone is making a presentation or answers a question
  54. Smile more often.
  55. Talk to someone that is shy.
  56. Stop complaining for a week.
  57. Listen to someone that has a problem.
  58. Compliment someone you don't know in the hallway.
  59. Hold your tongue and don't say something mean
  60. When you hear someone starting drama just walk away.
  61. Compliment someone in front of others.



Image from St. Patrick Parish News

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Believe It!


Image result for positive

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Fun Knee!

Make Today the Best Today Ever


Monday, August 28, 2017

Be Yourself and Stand Out!





Image from@chrisguillebeau

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Hotdog for Lunch?

null 


Image from @ExcuseThePun

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Welcome!

https://beyondgraduation.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/welcome-y.jpg

It's a new school year and I can't wait to get started! Welcome to the sixth grade. I hope your year at Salt Creek in the hallway is the best ever. Work hard, laugh loudly, and smile a lot. Great times are straight ahead!


Image from www.newegypt.us

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

If You Were There . . .

If you end of living in one of these spots, what would your life be like?

New York Habitat
A series of videos of New York, London, and Paris


Washington D.C.

Amazon Rain Forest

African Safari

Ireland

Yellowstone National Park Video Channel

Alaska 
Alaska Winter

Life in Naples, Italy

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Drowning in a Sea of Silliness

null 


Image from @ExcuseThePun

Thursday, April 27, 2017

No Worries Today

 


Image from @TheFunnyWorId

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Have a Successful Day!



Image from @WeAreTeachers

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Make Someone's Day Today


Image from @RespectYourself

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Dear Puns

 


Image from @TheFunnyWorId

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Writing an Introduction







Friday, March 24, 2017

This Pun is a Dog



Image from @ExcuseThePun

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Argumentative Essay

Pick an issue you care about and argue your point. The assignment is to write an argumentative essay. The key is to have facts to back up your opinion.

  1. Pick a topic question from the lists below.
  2. Begin with a topic sentence/introduction that shares your opinion.
  3. Research the issue and find at least two sources with facts that support your position.
  4. Find and rewrite three or more of the best facts that support your opinion. These will be the topic sentences for the paragraphs in your body.
  5. Write supporting details for each of these facts. These should not be opinions, thoughts, or ideas.
  6. Write a conclusion that restates your opinion, gives an interesting fact/point/idea about the topic, and wraps up the essay.
  7. Read the essay aloud to find mistakes/areas that are not clear.
Argumentative Essay Topics

    • Using cell phones make people more/less connected
    • Social media and texting hurt/improve the lives of teenagers
    • Violent video games cause/don't people to act out violently
    • Reading online is better/worse than reading a book
    • Helicopter parents help/harm their children
    • Recycling really makes/does not make a difference
    • Schools should/should not have vending machines that sell sodas, candy, and other "bad" snacks
    • Cell phones should/should not be banned in schools for both students and teachers
    • Students should/should not wear school uniforms
    • Students should/should not be held back for bad grades
    • Using animals for scientific research is/is not inhumane
    • Fast food, soda, chips and other unhealthy food should/should not be heavily taxed
    • Watching TV is good/bad for children
    • Athletes caught using steroids should/should not be banned from professional sports for life
    • Students should/should not have to learn cursive writing
    • Parents should/should not monitor what their kids are doing online
    • Social life is/is not more important than academics
    • Home schooling is more/less effective than public schools
    • Charter schools are more/less effective than public schools
    • Social media improves/reduces students reading skills
    • Social media improves/reduces students writing skills
    • Violent sports like boxing and MMA should/should not be banned
    • Sports involving animals should/should not be banned
    • Violent movies increase/do not increase teen violence
    • Lotteries should/should not be banned
    • Sports betting should/should not be legal
    • Carrying a concealed weapon should/should not be legal
    • Gun control reduces/does not reduce crime
    • Praying in school should/should not be legal
    • Youtube should/should not be legal under 18 years old
    • Cigarette smoking should/should not be banned



    Tuesday, March 14, 2017

    A Tacky Pun



    Image from @ ExcuseThePun

    Monday, March 13, 2017

    How Strong are You?

    Image result for Strong people stand up for themselves, but stronger people stand up for others

    Thursday, March 9, 2017

    Being a Part of the Team

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C6dHBqHVMAIQ42q.jpg

    Reading Workshop students, the question is what do you do to help your class be a team like this?  Patty Mills is a guard for the San Antonio Spurs. They are world famous for their teamwork. A class should be just like a team. All members should work together to make everyone successful. What role do you play in making your class world class?
    Image result for patty mills teammates


    Image from deadlyvibe.com

    Wednesday, March 8, 2017

    Be a Sunshiny You




    From The Twits by Roald Dahl

    Thursday, March 2, 2017

    Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

    Monday, February 27, 2017

    Whether You Want it or Not

     

    Image from@ExcuseThePun

    Thursday, February 23, 2017

    An Example of Why Langauge Arts is the Best Class




    Image from @AQA_NOT

    Pick a Strategy

    The strategies in the picture below all help with understanding what you read. Reading Workshop students, your assignment is to pick one strategy, research it, create a Google slide show, and present it to the class.

    The slide show needs to explain about the strategy, tell how it helps with comprehension, and how to use it. Demonstrating the strategy should be part of the presentation.

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5PJ2_BVMAI4NBi.jpg:large


    Image from http://www.theclassroomkey.com/tag/reading-strategies

    Tuesday, February 21, 2017

    Have a Good Day!


    Image from @superderek

    Friday, February 10, 2017

    Mistakes are OK

    Mistakes are just proof that you are trying.

    Thursday, February 9, 2017

    Excited by the Opportunity

    Opportunity not obligation!





    If you knew you could do anything, anything, anything at all, how would you act? Would you be different? Then why not be that way now? Describe yourself as that person that can do anything. Tell about it.

    Wednesday, February 8, 2017

    Even Animals Like Puns





    Image from @TheFunnyWorld

    Tuesday, February 7, 2017

    Are You Good Enough?

    A lot of people told this guy he wasn't good enough.

    Monday, February 6, 2017

    Want to Succeed?

     
    Image from@DesmondDreckett

    If You Were in This Video . . .



    Your assignment--write about this video. The rest is up to you.

    Thursday, February 2, 2017

    Is Your Meaning Clear?

    Make sure your writing says what you mean.





    Image from Puns @TheFunnyWorId

    Wednesday, January 25, 2017

    Be Responsible


    Tuesday, January 24, 2017

    Sometimes Word Choice is Everything