Week 2

This week we continued reading about how to keep a writer's notebook. Ask your child about writing small. We aren't talking about the size of the print! We also starting working on "Show, Don't Tell."

Our class also learned how to do a squiggle, which we will do during Work on Writing for Daily 5. You roll a letter die to choose your letter. Then you must draw a picture with that letter in it and write a story about it. We had several great squiggles this week. I even drew a squiggle, Carrot Man, and wrote a story.

The week ended by saving Fred. Fred is a worm that loves to go out on his boat. However, Fred can't swim and he hates wearing his life preserver. Fred's boat capsized and the life jacket was under the boat. Fred was stuck on top of the boat. The students had to use the steps of the scientific method to figure out a way to save Fred by putting on his life jacket using only 4 paper clips (no hands). Fred couldn't fall in the water (desk top). Every group was successful, however, some had to rethink the steps they were using to rescue Fred. Here are a few pictures of the Fred rescue.

Students: This week post what you wrote about this week during writing time. You can share your writing from the squiggle, writing small, or show don't tell. You don't need to type exactly what you wrote (but can if you want to). Just share enough for us to get an idea of what you wrote about.

We made it through the first week!

We all had a great first week of school. Next week we will begin our regular routine. We have started adding things in our science and social studies interactive notebook.

This is the read aloud we started this week. Middle School The Worst Years of My Life was written by James Patterson. It is written in the same style as the Wimpy Kid books the kids have been reading. It is a humorous story about a boy and his goal to break every rule at school.

Ask your child about his/her writer's notebook. We also read from Ralph Fletcher's Writer's Notebook. We started lists like: things that inspire and fascinate me, fears, and things I wonder about. As we read, we will add more things in our notebooks.

I have encouraged the kids to decorate their writer's notebook. This is a place for them to keep lists and ideas to help them with the writing process. It is important to have something to write about and it is much easier to write about something you know about. This will be a great resource for the kids once they begin writing during writer's workshop. I will also be asking students to share their original pieces on our class blog.

Students: What was your favorite part of the first week? If you post a comment you will get a ticket for the good job jar.

Have a great weekend! See you all Monday.

Tomorrow is the first day!

The room is ready and so I am! I can't believe the summer went by so fast. So my question for you is what is your least favorite part of starting back to school? Just click on comment to submit your answer. Make sure to sign the entry with your first name and last initial.

You probably want to know my answer too right? My least favorite part about starting back to school is getting up so early. I would be happy if school started around 10. That would give me time to sleep in and still get to school on time. Tomorrow morning my alarm will go off and 5:15 am! That is way too early.

See you tomorrow!