Dear Readers,
You have learned how to compare and contrast different topics like apples and oranges; boas and pythons; TV or no TV (gasp!). Next, I would like you to take it a step further and compare and contrast your reading. You may choose two storybook characters and tell me how they are similar and different. Be sure to include text evidence in your response. Please read my example below. I look forward to your comments!
Your teacher,
Ms. B
Harry Potter from the Harry Potter Series and Percy Jackson from the Percy Jackson Series, are two very well-know storybook characters. Harry and Percy are similar because they are both young boys who face great dangers, and demonstrate courage. They both battle forces greater than themselves, but triumph in the end. Also, they are both characters from popular book series.Harry and Percy both have the help of their friends like, Hermione and Annabeth to help them along the way. Although Harry and Percy are alike, they also have some significant differences. For example, Harry is an orphan, but Percy's mother is still alive. Harry deals with the world of wizards and Percy lives in a world of Greeks Gods and myths. I find both characters to be interesting and unique. I enjoy reading about their adventures.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
What is a Reading Community?
Dear Readers,
As an avid reader, I often find myself finishing a great book or an interesting article, and desperately wanting to share my thoughts with someone. When I lived in Charleston, I was lucky enough to have a group of friends who shared a passion for reading, so we formed a book club. While I am not in the same city as my book club anymore, I still reach out to my friends and family in Nashville, to discuss my wonderings and opinions about literature.
As a classroom of learners, we have created a community geared toward having a teachable spirit, so we may grow to become people of knowledge, wisdom, and ultimately character. One way we do this is by reading and forming ideas and connections that begin to shape us. In order to support this work, this blog will serve as a way to discuss various things when we are not in the class. Essentially, the blog will become a virtual classroom.
For example, I might post about a response about Thank You, Mr. Falker by explaining my connection to the character, Trish. I might say how much I relate to her overcoming an obstacle with the help of a teacher and how motivated I was to find out the author was the one who overcame her learning hurdle and became a published author. You will have the same chance to post your reactions, but also, to respond to what someone else might say. In this way, our posts become a conversation when we are away from the classroom.
As we begin this online blogging adventure, I challenge you to bring your working minds to the keyboard and let me know your thoughts and feelings about literature. We have so much to discover ...
So, join the community! Come on in, pull up to a computer, let me know your thoughts about literature and our blogging opportunity. Read my post and reply back to me.
As an avid reader, I often find myself finishing a great book or an interesting article, and desperately wanting to share my thoughts with someone. When I lived in Charleston, I was lucky enough to have a group of friends who shared a passion for reading, so we formed a book club. While I am not in the same city as my book club anymore, I still reach out to my friends and family in Nashville, to discuss my wonderings and opinions about literature.
As a classroom of learners, we have created a community geared toward having a teachable spirit, so we may grow to become people of knowledge, wisdom, and ultimately character. One way we do this is by reading and forming ideas and connections that begin to shape us. In order to support this work, this blog will serve as a way to discuss various things when we are not in the class. Essentially, the blog will become a virtual classroom.
For example, I might post about a response about Thank You, Mr. Falker by explaining my connection to the character, Trish. I might say how much I relate to her overcoming an obstacle with the help of a teacher and how motivated I was to find out the author was the one who overcame her learning hurdle and became a published author. You will have the same chance to post your reactions, but also, to respond to what someone else might say. In this way, our posts become a conversation when we are away from the classroom.
As we begin this online blogging adventure, I challenge you to bring your working minds to the keyboard and let me know your thoughts and feelings about literature. We have so much to discover ...
So, join the community! Come on in, pull up to a computer, let me know your thoughts about literature and our blogging opportunity. Read my post and reply back to me.
Friday, November 16, 2012
What do YOU think?
Readers,
As we read our fiction books, we have learned how to get to know a character in a deep way. We have studied:
Your post must state your opinion and then be supported by the text and what you know about the world. Be sure to edit.
Here is my example:
I think Ida B is trying to be tough because she doesn't know how to handle all of the heartache from her mother's illness and the changes in her life. In the story, her mother cries on her shoulder and apologizes to Ida B for the pain she is causing her, and Ida B has to give her best effort to not cry and be kind to her mother. Instead, she shows no emotion toward her mother. Also, when Ms. Washington puts her hand on Ida B, she feels it for some time after, which means Ida B still cares. I predict Ida B will come around because she cannot continue to live with such a hateful attitude. It will eventually get to her.
As we read our fiction books, we have learned how to get to know a character in a deep way. We have studied:
- character traits (appearance, actions, dialogue, and thoughts)
- a character's relationship with other characters
- how a character changes in the story
Your post must state your opinion and then be supported by the text and what you know about the world. Be sure to edit.
Here is my example:
I think Ida B is trying to be tough because she doesn't know how to handle all of the heartache from her mother's illness and the changes in her life. In the story, her mother cries on her shoulder and apologizes to Ida B for the pain she is causing her, and Ida B has to give her best effort to not cry and be kind to her mother. Instead, she shows no emotion toward her mother. Also, when Ms. Washington puts her hand on Ida B, she feels it for some time after, which means Ida B still cares. I predict Ida B will come around because she cannot continue to live with such a hateful attitude. It will eventually get to her.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Concise, Precise Summaries!
Readers,
As a voracious reader, I love discussing books with other lovers of literature. I have joined book clubs, emailed with friends, and sat down over many meals where the conversation turned to what everyone was reading. Books are a part of my life.
However, I have noticed I have certain friends who never fail to disappoint me with their EXCELLENT recommendations. I finally figured out why they are so great at this life skill ...
When recommending a book to me, they give a concise, precise summary of the book. Their summary consist of the main characters, the setting, and the problem and solution, otherwise known as, the plot. They use LITERARY ELEMENTS to explain what the book is about!
I would like for you to write a short summary about the fiction book you are reading, including characters, setting, and the plot (problem/solution). Assume I have not read the book and be sure to edit your work.
Here is an example from Ida B.
Ida B is about a young girl, who lives with her mom and dad on a farm and is home schooled after an unpleasant experience at school. She lives a happy life, using her imagination to play on the farm and with her pets. Sadly, her mother gets cancer and Ida B's life is turned upside down and she is heart-broken. She must return to school and she makes a decision to change into a person with a cold, hard heart.
I cannot wait to see your understanding of what you are reading!
As a voracious reader, I love discussing books with other lovers of literature. I have joined book clubs, emailed with friends, and sat down over many meals where the conversation turned to what everyone was reading. Books are a part of my life.
However, I have noticed I have certain friends who never fail to disappoint me with their EXCELLENT recommendations. I finally figured out why they are so great at this life skill ...
When recommending a book to me, they give a concise, precise summary of the book. Their summary consist of the main characters, the setting, and the problem and solution, otherwise known as, the plot. They use LITERARY ELEMENTS to explain what the book is about!
I would like for you to write a short summary about the fiction book you are reading, including characters, setting, and the plot (problem/solution). Assume I have not read the book and be sure to edit your work.
Here is an example from Ida B.
Ida B is about a young girl, who lives with her mom and dad on a farm and is home schooled after an unpleasant experience at school. She lives a happy life, using her imagination to play on the farm and with her pets. Sadly, her mother gets cancer and Ida B's life is turned upside down and she is heart-broken. She must return to school and she makes a decision to change into a person with a cold, hard heart.
I cannot wait to see your understanding of what you are reading!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
What exactly is a blog?
Dear students,
What exactly is a blog, and why are we using it in 4th grade?
We will use the blog to communicate about different things we discuss in class. Our online post will extend our conversations from class, and allow us to see what other classmates are thinking as well.
We will use the blog for many different things. Often I will write a post, and you will be asked to respond to it for homework. For example, we might post about different reading strategies, or use it to respond to poetry in the spring. However, this year I would also love to have students write a blog post, and classmates can respond to their post.
Today, I am interested in your thoughts about the blog. Please answer the following questions:
1. What excites you about the blog?
2. What questions do you have about the blog?
3. What ideas do you have for future blog posts or using the blog?
I look forward to reading your first blog response!
What exactly is a blog, and why are we using it in 4th grade?
We will use the blog to communicate about different things we discuss in class. Our online post will extend our conversations from class, and allow us to see what other classmates are thinking as well.
We will use the blog for many different things. Often I will write a post, and you will be asked to respond to it for homework. For example, we might post about different reading strategies, or use it to respond to poetry in the spring. However, this year I would also love to have students write a blog post, and classmates can respond to their post.
Today, I am interested in your thoughts about the blog. Please answer the following questions:
1. What excites you about the blog?
2. What questions do you have about the blog?
3. What ideas do you have for future blog posts or using the blog?
I look forward to reading your first blog response!
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