Wednesday, April 30, 2014

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:

  • 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.

Monday, April 28, 2014

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:

  • 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.

Sunday, April 13, 2014

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!

Friday, April 11, 2014

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. 

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

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. 

Monday, April 7, 2014

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. 

Friday, April 4, 2014

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. 

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

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.