Would You Rather Part 7

Dear students,

For your final blog posts, you will write a persuasive paragraph in a series called "Would You Rather." In each post, I will give you a scenario, and you will have to defend your answer using the following criteria:

• A topic sentence stating your opinion
• At least 3 supporting sentences defending your opinion
• One counter argument
• A concluding sentence summarizing your writing

Here is your "Would You Rather" for today:

Would you rather have the ability to read or the ability to read minds (but you wouldn't be able to read)?

Please remember to check for mistakes by reading aloud your post to yourself before you publish it. I cannot wait to see what you write!

Your teacher,

Ms. B :)

P.S.-Here is my example:

        If I had the choice to have a 3-day weekend every week or have an extra month of summer vacation, I would rather have a 3-day weekend every week. If I had a 3-day weekend instead of 2 days, I would get a lot more done! In addition, I would not have to work as much, and I could spend more time working out, shopping, reading, relaxing, and hanging out with my friends. Plus, I would not feel so rushed on my weekends. I could even go out of town for long weekends and visit family and friends! However, some may prefer an extra month of summer vacation because they could take longer trips. I think the benefits of longer weekends out weigh the benefits of an extra month of summer. I prefer having a 3-day weekend  rather than having another month of summer vacation.

Would You Rather Part 6

Dear students,

For your final blog posts, you will write a persuasive paragraph in a series called "Would You Rather." In each post, I will give you a scenario, and you will have to defend your answer using the following criteria:

• A topic sentence stating your opinion
• At least 3 supporting sentences defending your opinion
• One counter argument
• A concluding sentence summarizing your writing

Here is your "Would You Rather" for today:

Would you rather always have to say everything on your mind or never speak again?

Please remember to check for mistakes by reading aloud your post to yourself before you publish it. I cannot wait to see what you write!

Your teacher,

Ms. B :)

P.S.-Here is my example:

        If I had the choice to have a 3-day weekend every week or have an extra month of summer vacation, I would rather have a 3-day weekend every week. If I had a 3-day weekend instead of 2 days, I would get a lot more done! In addition, I would not have to work as much, and I could spend more time working out, shopping, reading, relaxing, and hanging out with my friends. Plus, I would not feel so rushed on my weekends. I could even go out of town for long weekends and visit family and friends! However, some may prefer an extra month of summer vacation because they could take longer trips. I think the benefits of longer weekends out weigh the benefits of an extra month of summer. I prefer having a 3-day weekend  rather than having another month of summer vacation.

Would You Rather Part 5

 Dear students,

For your final blog posts, you will write a persuasive paragraph in a series called "Would You Rather." In each post, I will give you a scenario, and you will have to defend your answer using the following criteria:

• A topic sentence stating your opinion
• At least 3 supporting sentences defending your opinion
• One counter argument
• A concluding sentence summarizing your writing

Here is your "Would You Rather" for today:

Imagine your favorite food in the entire world. Now, imagine how yummy it tastes! MMMMMMMMM. Got it? Good! 

Would you rather eat your favorite food everyday for the rest of your life or never eat your favorite food again?

Please remember to check for mistakes by reading aloud your post to yourself before you publish it. I cannot wait to see what you write!

Your teacher,

Ms. B :)

P.S.-Here is my example:

        If I had the choice to have a 3-day weekend every week or have an extra month of summer vacation, I would rather have a 3-day weekend every week. If I had a 3-day weekend instead of 2 days, I would get a lot more done! In addition, I would not have to work as much, and I could spend more time working out, shopping, reading, relaxing, and hanging out with my friends. Plus, I would not feel so rushed on my weekends. I could even go out of town for long weekends and visit family and friends! However, some may prefer an extra month of summer vacation because they could take longer trips. I think the benefits of longer weekends out weigh the benefits of an extra month of summer. I prefer having a 3-day weekend  rather than having another month of summer vacation.

Would You Rather Part 4

Dear students,


For your final blog posts, you will write a persuasive paragraph in a series called "Would You Rather." In each post, I will give you a scenario, and you will have to defend your answer using the following criteria:

• A topic sentence stating your opinion
• At least 3 supporting sentences defending your opinion
• One counter argument
• A concluding sentence summarizing your writing

Here is your "Would You Rather" for today:

Would you rather be a giant hamster or a tiny rhino?

Please remember to check for mistakes by reading aloud your post to yourself before you publish it. I cannot wait to see what you write!

Your teacher,

Ms. B :)

P.S.-Here is my example:

        If I had the choice to have a 3-day weekend every week or have an extra month of summer vacation, I would rather have a 3-day weekend every week. If I had a 3-day weekend instead of 2 days, I would get a lot more done! In addition, I would not have to work as much, and I could spend more time working out, shopping, reading, relaxing, and hanging out with my friends. Plus, I would not feel so rushed on my weekends. I could even go out of town for long weekends and visit family and friends! However, some may prefer an extra month of summer vacation because they could take longer trips. I think the benefits of longer weekends out weigh the benefits of an extra month of summer. I prefer having a 3-day weekend  rather than having another month of summer vacation.

Would You Rather Part 3

Dear students,


For your final blog posts, you will write a persuasive paragraph in a series called "Would You Rather." In each post, I will give you a scenario, and you will have to defend your answer using the following criteria:

• A topic sentence stating your opinion
• At least 3 supporting sentences defending your opinion
• One counter argument
• A concluding sentence summarizing your writing

Here is your "Would You Rather" for today:

Would you rather have the ability to see 10 years into your own future or one year into the future of the world?

Please remember to check for mistakes by reading aloud your post to yourself before you publish it. I cannot wait to see what you write!

Your teacher,

Ms. B :)

P.S.-Here is my example:

        If I had the choice to have a 3-day weekend every week or have an extra month of summer vacation, I would rather have a 3-day weekend every week. If I had a 3-day weekend instead of 2 days, I would get a lot more done! In addition, I would not have to work as much, and I could spend more time working out, shopping, reading, relaxing, and hanging out with my friends. Plus, I would not feel so rushed on my weekends. I could even go out of town for long weekends and visit family and friends! However, some may prefer an extra month of summer vacation because they could take longer trips. I think the benefits of longer weekends out weigh the benefits of an extra month of summer. I prefer having a 3-day weekend  rather than having another month of summer vacation.

Would You Rather Part 2...

Dear students,


For your final blog posts, you will write a persuasive paragraph in a series called "Would You Rather." In each post, I will give you a scenario, and you will have to defend your answer using the following criteria:

• A topic sentence stating your opinion
• At least 3 supporting sentences defending your opinion
• One counter argument
• A concluding sentence summarizing your writing

Here is your "Would You Rather" for today:

Would you rather win five million dollars or become a famous superstar?

Please remember to check for mistakes by reading aloud your post to yourself before you publish it. I cannot wait to see what you write!

Your teacher,

Ms. B :)

P.S.-Here is my example:

        If I had the choice to have a 3-day weekend every week or have an extra month of summer vacation, I would rather have a 3-day weekend every week. If I had a 3-day weekend instead of 2 days, I would get a lot more done! In addition, I would not have to work as much, and I could spend more time working out, shopping, reading, relaxing, and hanging out with my friends. Plus, I would not feel so rushed on my weekends. I could even go out of town for long weekends and visit family and friends! However, some may prefer an extra month of summer vacation because they could take longer trips. I think the benefits of longer weekends out weigh the benefits of an extra month of summer. I prefer having a 3-day weekend  rather than having another month of summer vacation.

Would You Rather...

Dear students,

For your final blog posts, you will write a persuasive paragraph in a series called "Would You Rather." In each post, I will give you a scenario, and you will have to defend your answer using the following criteria:

• A topic sentence stating your opinion
• At least 3 supporting sentences defending your opinion
• One counter argument
• A concluding sentence summarizing your writing

Here is your "Would You Rather" for today:

Would you rather have a 3-day weekend every week or have an extra month of summer vacation?

I cannot wait to see what you will write!

Your teacher,

Ms. B

P.S.-Here is my example:

        If I had the choice to have a 3-day weekend every week or have an extra month of summer vacation, I would rather have a 3-day weekend every week. If I had a 3-day weekend instead of 2 days, I would get a lot more done! In addition, I would not have to work as much, and I could spend more time working out, shopping, reading, relaxing, and hanging out with my friends. Plus, I would not feel so rushed on my weekends. I could even go out of town for long weekends and visit family and friends! However, some may prefer an extra month of summer vacation because they could take longer trips. I think the benefits of longer weekends out weigh the benefits of an extra month of summer. I prefer having a 3-day weekend  rather than having another month of summer vacation.

Poetry Madness: Championship Game!!!

Welcome to the FINAL SHOWDOWN!! Please reread Mother to Son and Roger the Dog.

Your post needs to include the following:

1. What is the meaning of the first poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

2. What is the meaning of the second poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

3. Based on the criteria, which poem did you choose and WHY?  You must answer the following bullet point in your response:

• Which poet's craft do you enjoy more? Poet's craft can include repetition, word choice, rhyme, simile/metaphor, etc.
• Which poem's meaning is more important to you?
• What personal connection can you make?

If your response is not detailed and does not answer ALL parts, it will be disqualified. In addition, if there are multiple grammatical and spelling mistakes, your response will be disqualified.

It takes attention to detail and hard work to be a champion, so your blog post needs to reflect your best writing and thinking. May the best poem win!

Poetry Madness: Final Four, Game 2!!

Welcome to the Final Four! Roger the Dog and Do You Carrot At All For Me? will face off. Answer each question below. Remember to explain WHY you chose the winner based on poet's craft (rhyme, line breaks, punctuation, simile/metaphor, word choice, repetition) AND your personal connection to the meaning. Don't forget to write with M.I.N.T.S.!

Your post needs to include the following:
1. What is the meaning of the first poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

2. What is the meaning of the second poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

3. Based on the criteria, which poem did you choose and WHY?

 ***Please tell me everything you think, but use your best writing. 

Poetry Madness: Final Four, Game 1!

Welcome to the Final Four! Mother to Son and Life Doesn't Frighten Me will face off. Answer each question below. Remember to explain WHY you chose the winner based on poet's craft (rhyme, line breaks, punctuation, simile/metaphor, word choice, repetition) AND your personal connection to the meaning. Don't forget to write with M.I.N.T.S.!

Your post needs to include the following:
1. What is the meaning of the first poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

2. What is the meaning of the second poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

3. Based on the criteria, which poem did you choose and WHY?

 ***Please tell me everything you think, but use your best writing. 

Poetry Madness: Elite Eight, Game 4!!!

Do You Carrot At All For Me? and The New Suit will face off. Answer each question below. Remember to explain WHY you chose the winner based on poet's craft (rhyme, line breaks, punctuation, simile/metaphor, word choice, repetition) AND your personal connection to the meaning. Don't forget to write with M.I.N.T.S.!


Your post needs to include the following:
1. What is the meaning of the first poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

2. What is the meaning of the second poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

3. Based on the criteria, which poem did you choose and WHY?

 ***Please tell me everything you think, but use your best writing. 

Poetry Madness: Elite Eight, Game 3!

Choosing Shoes and Life Doesn't Frighten Me will face off. Answer each question below. Remember to explain WHY you chose the winner based on poet's craft (rhyme, line breaks, punctuation, simile/metaphor, word choice, repetition) AND your personal connection to the meaning. Don't forget to write with M.I.N.T.S.!


Your post needs to include the following:
1. What is the meaning of the first poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

2. What is the meaning of the second poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

3. Based on the criteria, which poem did you choose and WHY?

 ***Please tell me everything you think, but use your best writing. 

Poetry Madness: Elite Eight, Game 2!

Roger the Dog and Who Has Seen the Wind? will face off. Answer each question below. Remember to explain WHY you chose the winner based on poet's craft (rhyme, line breaks, punctuation, simile/metaphor, word choice, repetition) AND your personal connection to the meaning. Don't forget to write with M.I.N.T.S.!


Your post needs to include the following:
1. What is the meaning of the first poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

2. What is the meaning of the second poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

3. Based on the criteria, which poem did you choose and WHY?

 ***Please tell me everything you think, but use your best writing. 

Poetry Madness, Elite Eight: Round 1!!!

Welcome to the Elite Eight! In the first round, Mother to Son and The Eagle will face off. Answer each question below. Remember to explain WHY you chose the winner based on poet's craft (rhyme, line breaks, punctuation, simile/metaphor, word choice, repetition) AND your personal connection to the meaning. Don't forget to write with M.I.N.T.S.!


Your post needs to include the following:
1. What is the meaning of the first poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

2. What is the meaning of the second poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

3. Based on the criteria, which poem did you choose and WHY?

 ***Please tell me everything you think, but use your best writing. 

Poetry Madness: Game 8!

Read Game 8 poems. Answer each question below. Remember to explain WHY you chose the winner based on poet's craft (rhyme, line breaks, punctuation, simile/metaphor, word choice, repetition) AND your personal connection to the meaning. Don't forget to write with M.I.N.T.S.!


Your post needs to include the following:
1. What is the meaning of the first poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

2. What is the meaning of the second poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

3. Based on the criteria, which poem did you choose and WHY?

 ***Please tell me everything you think, but use your best writing. 

Poetry Madness: Game 7!

Read Game 7 poems. Answer each question below. Remember to explain WHY you chose the winner based on poet's craft (rhyme, line breaks, punctuation, simile/metaphor, word choice, repetition) AND your personal connection to the meaning. Don't forget to write with M.I.N.T.S.!


Your post needs to include the following:
1. What is the meaning of the first poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

2. What is the meaning of the second poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

3. Based on the criteria, which poem did you choose and WHY?

 ***Please tell me everything you think, but use your best writing. 

Here is an example of proficient writing:

The first poem, Do You Carrot All For Me?, is about someone who wants to get married. The person keeps using his favorite foods to describe how much he loves her, and what their life is going to be like. 

The second poem, The Castle in the Fire, is  telling a story about a knight fighting a dragon to save a princess. This story is really thrilling with a lot of fighting.

I liked Do You Carrot All For Me? because even though it had no rhyme scheme, it used funny little food jokes to paint a picture in your mind. Also, it makes you smile a little bit. I also like it because the author used metaphors between foods and face features. For example, he says she has "radish" hair instead of "reddish" hair.

Poetry Madness: Game 6!

Read Game 6 poems. Answer each question below. Remember to explain WHY you chose the winner based on poet's craft (rhyme, line breaks, punctuation, simile/metaphor, word choice, repetition) AND your personal connection to the meaning. Don't forget to write with M.I.N.T.S.!


Your post needs to include the following:
1. What is the meaning of the first poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

2. What is the meaning of the second poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

3. Based on the criteria, which poem did you choose and WHY?

 ***Please tell me everything you think, but use your best writing. 

Poetry Madness: Game 5!

Read Game 5 poems. Answer each question below. Remember to explain WHY you chose the winner based on poet's craft (rhyme, line breaks, punctuation, simile/metaphor, word choice, repetition) AND your personal connection to the meaning. Don't forget to write with M.I.N.T.S.!


Your post needs to include the following:
1. What is the meaning of the first poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

2. What is the meaning of the second poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

3. Based on the criteria, which poem did you choose and WHY?

 ***Please tell me everything you think, but use your best writing. 

Poetry Madness: Game 4!

Read Game 3 poems, If and Who Has Seen the Wind. Answer each question below. Remember to explain WHY you chose the winner based on poet's craft (rhyme, line breaks, punctuation, simile/metaphor, word choice, repetition) AND your personal connection to the meaning. Don't forget to write with M.I.N.T.S.!


Your post needs to include the following:
1. What is the meaning of the first poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

2. What is the meaning of the second poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

3. Based on the criteria, which poem did you choose and WHY?

 ***Please tell me everything you think, but use your best writing. 

Here is an example of proficient writing:

The first poem, The Eagle, is about an eagle flying over the sea and close to the sun. Then he is watching the mountain and swoops down like a lightning bolt to catch his prey. 

The second poem, Casey at Bat, is about a boy whose baseball team is losing,but there's two people on base. Then Casey gets two strikes, and the crowd is very upset. Finally, Casey strikes out, and the crowd is outraged.

 For the winner, I choose The Eagle. I choose it because it had a deeper meaning and understanding for me. I also liked how used a rhyme scheme of AAABBB. Also, the author used a simile comparing the eagle to a thunderbolt, "He watches from his mountain walls, And like a thunderbolt he falls." That is why I choose The Eagle.

Poetry Madness: Game 3!

Read Game 3 poems, The Eagle and Casey at Bat . Answer each question below. Remember to explain WHY you chose the winner based on poet's craft (rhyme, line breaks, punctuation, simile/metaphor, word choice, repetition) AND your personal connection to the meaning. Don't forget to write with M.I.N.T.S.!


Your post needs to include the following:
1. What is the meaning of the first poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

2. What is the meaning of the second poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

3. Based on the criteria, which poem did you choose and WHY?

 ***Please tell me everything you think, but use your best writing. 

Here is an example of proficient writing:

The first poem, Roger The Dog, is about a dog who is very lazy and won't get up. He uses all of his strength to eat food, so  this dog is not the healthy type.

The second poem, The Falling Star, is about a boy who spots a shooting star falling through the sky and explains that it is priceless, memorable, and to be forever gone out of his life.

I think that the winner is the poem, The Falling Star. The reason I chose this poem is because it has great imagery, like when the woman stated,"Blinding the north as it went by". Another reason I chose this poem is the author uses the rhyme scheme: AA BB CC. This makes the poem fun to read and gives it a rhythm.

Poetry Madness: Game 2

Read Game 2 poems, Roger the Dog and The Falling Star. Answer each question below. Remember to explain WHY you chose the winner based on poet's craft (rhyme, line breaks, punctuation, simile/metaphor, word choice, repetition) AND your personal connection to the meaning. Don't forget to write with M.I.N.T.S.!


Your post needs to include the following:
1. What is the meaning of the first poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

2. What is the meaning of the second poem? (Summarize in one sentence)

3. Based on the criteria, which poem did you choose and WHY?

 ***Please tell me everything you think, but use your best writing. 

Here is an example of profcient writing:

The first poem, Dust of Snow, is about a boy who is having a bad day until a crow lands on the tree above him, shakes the dust of snow on him, and gives his heart a change of mood.

The second poem, Mother to Son, is about a mother and a son. The mother had a rough life which she compared to a set of stairs that she had a rough time climbing.She told her son to not give up and keep moving forward when life gets hard.
I choose Mother to Son as the winner because it touched my heart and showed me that no matter if something is hard you should always move forward.Also, the author repeated lines to emphasixe the message. It is a great story because it teaches you to persevere.That is why I chose Mother to Son.

Poetry Madness: Let the Games Begin!

During March, the best college basketball teams compete for the National Title. In order to be the best, each team must state their case by playing the best, scoring the most, and ultimately advancing to the next round.

To create a sense of poetry madness in our room and celebrate poetry, we will read a 2 poems each evening and advance a class winner the following day. However, like the basketball tournament, we must use specific criteria to judge a poem: meaning, poet's craft (rhyme, line breaks, punctuation, simile/metaphor, word choice, repetition), ability to visualize, and your personal connection.

 Each night you will answer the following 3 questions about the poems you have read.

1. What is the meaning of the first poem? (Summarize in one sentence)
2. What is the meaning of the second poem? (Summarize in one sentence)
3. Based on the criteria, which poem did you choose and WHY? ***Please tell me everything you think, but use your best writing.

You will complete Game 1 in class.  Please read Game 1 (Dust of Snow and Mother to Son), choose your favorite, and leave your comment below.  You will see I left an example in the comment section.

When I Grow Up...

Dear students,

 Write at least a 5 sentence paragraph answering the following question:

If you could have any job in the world, what would you do and why?

Be sure to include:

• a topic sentence
• supporting details
• complete sentences
• correct spelling, capitalization (M.I.N.T.S.), and end punctuation.

I cannot wait to read your responses!

Your teacher,

Ms. B :)

Principal for a Day

Dear students,

 Write at least a 5 sentence paragraph answering the following question:

If you could be the principal at Oak Hill school for one day, what would you do?

Be sure to include:

• a topic sentence
• supporting details
• complete sentences
• correct spelling, capitalization (M.I.N.T.S.), and end punctuation.

I cannot wait to read your responses!

Your teacher,

Ms. B :)

Wishful Thinking

Dear students,

 Write at least a 5 sentence paragraph answering the following question:

If you could go anywhere for spring break, where would you go and why?

Be sure to include:

• a topic sentence
• supporting details
• complete sentences
• correct spelling, capitalization (M.I.N.T.S.), and end punctuation.

I cannot wait to read your responses!

Your teacher,

Ms. B :)

Reflections on Hearts of Service Day

Dear students,

I had a wonderful time volunteering with you and your families at the Nashville Women's Rescue Mission. I learned a lot about myself as well as the importance of giving back to the community. Volunteering takes more than showing up for a few hours. It takes preparation, planning, action, and, now, reflecting. I want you to reflect on your time spent at the Nashville Rescue Mission. Please answer the following questions:

• What was your role(s) at the Nashville Women's Rescue Mission? How did you contribute?
• What was your favorite part(s) of our service project and WHY?
• Name some connections you made during your time at the Nashville Women's Rescue Mission.
• What is something new you learned from this experience? Be specific! Also, were you surprised by anything you saw or heard?

Please make sure you answered each bullet point before you publish your comment. Double check your comment for punctuation/spelling mistakes. Your comment must be at least 5 sentences.

I cannot wait to hear about your day.

You teacher,

Ms. B

Counter Argument: Summer Time!

Dear Writers,

In writing, we have learned to improve our writing by presenting counter arguments in our essays. Given the following thesis statement, please write a "counter argument" paragraph utilizing the writing skills we have practiced in class.

          Although (thesis statement), some may argue that (counter argument). For example,(evidence for counter argument). However, (evidence for your thesis). Closing sentencerestating your thesis.

Thesis statement:

Kids should have an extra month of summer vacation. 

I look forward to reading your responses.



Your teacher,
Ms. Blackmon

Counter Argument: Show me the Money!

Dear Writers,

In writing, we learned to improve our writing by presenting counter arguments in our essays. Today, I will give you a thesis statement for which you must write a counter argument paragraph. Remember a counter argument has the following structure:

          Although (thesis statement), some may argue that (counter argument). For example,(evidence for counter argument). However, (evidence for your thesis). Closing sentencerestating your thesis.

         Although I love ice cream, some may argue that cake is better. For example, cake is used for celebrations such as birthdays, weddings, and baby showers. However, one can have ice cream cake or cake batter ice cream for any occasion. I love ice cream because it is the most wonderful, versatile treat!

Now, it is your turn. Write a counter argument paragraph for the following  thesis statement: 

Kids should be paid for making good grades.

I look forward to reading your responses.

Your teacher,
Ms. Blackmon

Counter Argument: T.V.

Dear Writers,

In writing, we learned to improve our writing by presenting counter arguments in our essays. Today, I will give you a thesis statement for which you must write a counter argument paragraph. Remember a counter argument has the following structure:

          Although (thesis statement), some may argue that (counter argument). For example,(evidence for counter argument). However, (evidence for your thesis). Closing sentencerestating your thesis.

         Although I love ice cream, some may argue that cake is better. For example, cake is used for celebrations such as birthdays, weddings, and baby showers. However, one can have ice cream cake or cake batter ice cream for any occasion. I love ice cream because it is the most wonderful, versatile treat!

Now, it is your turn. Write a counter argument paragraph for the following  thesis statement: 

Children should be able to have a T.V. in their room.

I look forward to reading your responses.

Your teacher,
Ms. Blackmon