April 30 Journal

Hi. I am glad you are back. Today we are going to work in Study Island for 20 minutes and then spend the rest of our time in My Access. We are going to pick topics, and research.

1. April 30 is National Honest Day. Do you think that there is ever a time when it is okay to be dishonest? Explain.
2. April showers are said to bring May flowers. Pretend that you are flower. Write a thank you note to the rain showers.

April 29 Jouranl

Good Day! I am glad you are here. Today you will work in Study Island for the first 30 minutes and then I am going to go over some academic vocabulary terms with you, we will pick topics and partners and review prompts. I really need for you to be present in mind and body today.

1. The zipper was patented on April 29, 1913. Imagine that you are camping in the woods with a friend. As you try to get out of the tent in the morning, you realize that the zipper is stuck. Write about what happens next.
2. Would you rather be an ant at a picnic or a bee in a flower garden? Explain.

April 20 Journal

I am glad you are here. If you are an 8th or 6th grader, we have a survey to complete. Once you are done with this journal I will pass them out. Today I will be explaining our next essay in My Access. It is very important that you take notes and are "present" during Direct Instruction since this is new material I will be covering. You also need to complete the "simile" poetry assignment by Wednesday.

1. Pretend that you are a bird. Write the steps for building the perfect nest.
2. Are you more like a spring thunderstorm or a winter snowstorm? Explain.

April 25 Journal

Good day! I am glad to see you back. Today we are in Study Island and catching up on our poetry assignments. We will be starting our next essay in My Access next week.

1. On this date in 1901, New York became the first state to require license plates on vehicles. Using no more than eight letters or numbers, design a personalized license plate for your self. Explain what it means and why you chose it.
2. Imagine that you are flying a kite when suddenly you are lifted up and start soaring with the kite. Write about what happens next.

Simile Poetry

*NOTES for your NOTEBOOK*

Definition: A simile is the comparison between unlike nouns (persons, places, things, or ideas) using AS or LIKE to make the comparison.
For example, my hand is like a tomato or my hand is red as a tomato.
The simile asks the reader to consider a tomato as one possible description of the hand.
For example, My hand is like a tomato, red and peeling from too much sun.

**Writing Assignment**

1. Complete one of the following sentences.
2. Answer: Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How?
3. Your poem must be the minimum of 6 lines long.

• Trees move like
• Sun looks like
• Moon looks like
• River is shaped like
• Stars feel like
• Oceans are like
• Rainbows bend like
• Earth is like
• Mountains stand like
• Wind whispers like
• Rain falls like
• Gold appears like
• Glaciers glide like
• Day begins like
• Night ends like

Example:

Glaciers glide like skiers (where?) down the sides of mountains.

Sample Poems:

"Rainbow"

A rainbow bends like a smile turned upside down,

not as a frown turned right side up.

Just as a rainbow stretches

from one end of the city to the other side,

so does a smile reach from one ear to the other.

"Night"

Night is the alphabet,

a mass of jumbled lines,

a jag of lightning before thunder,

some needles on some pines.

Night is like a thief,

a game of tic tac toe,

roots from a darkened cave,

an arrow from a bow.

"Rain"

Rain falls like crystals

in magic puddles

on glaciers

standing tall on the earth.

April 24 Journal

Hi. I am glad you are here. Today we will be working in Study Island, working on posting the Personification poem, writing the Metaphor poem, and finishing off "Special Day" if it is not done.

1. List as many words as you can that rhyme with SPRING.



2. Imagine that you could take a trip to any planet in our solar system. Which planet would you most like to visit? Which planet would you least like to visit? Explain.

April 23 Journal

I am glad you are here today. Remember if you did not post your Personification poem you need to do so today so you receive the 10 points.
Today you will work in Study Island and work on a Metaphor Poem. We will be starting our next essay at our next class, so if you did not finish the "Special Day" please do so today.

1. The first movie theater opened in new York City on April 23, 1896. would you rather watch your favorite movie at the theater or at your own house? Explain.
2. The first public school in America opened on this day in 1635. How do you think the first day of school in 1635 would compare to your first day of school this year?

Metaphor Poem

*Please copy these notes about metaphor into your notebooks*

Metaphors gain their power from our senses. When a writer names nouns (persons, places, and things), the reader automatically associates the nouns with smells, tastes, touches, sights, and sounds.
Because metaphors use one noun to describe another, they create instant pictures. For example, "Shoes are hats for feet" or "Shoes are the brains at the southern end." These both create pictures.
Metaphors are easy to write. Just compare one noun to another noun with a different meaning using the verbs IS, ARE, OF. Consider the following: "Love is a glove." "Love is a baseball." "Love is a turnip." These sentences may at first seem unusual. The connections between the nouns within the metaphors, however, can always be explained in interesting ways, as in the following example: "Love is a turnip. It is a root of happiness."

**Your writing assignment**

1. In your notebooks, write the name of a thing, place, or event from science, history, geography, nutrition, literature, math, or PE.
2. Begin each sentence with "I am."
3. Complete your sentences with facts about your subject.
4. Your poem should have the minimum of five stanzas or 10 lines total.

Choose one of the following topics or write about something of your own choice:

the sea a recipe an animal a planet a character in a book a novel a city a state a country a math fact an ocean a part of speech

***Here is an example-

"I Am Illinois"

I am Illinois, growing in the sunlight and soaking in the rain.

Like the corn of my farmland, I have my family roots.

I am the midwest, in the middle of somewhere in between

searching for identiy between the vastness.

I am the small town, a dot on the map

where people's lives intertwine to become one.

I am the farmer struggling to exist

Waiting and watching as nature plays its tricks

I am the tornatdo twirling and swirling.

I am Illinois all the way through.

April 22 Journal

Hi. Mr. Sartain is not here today, so I am subbing in the office. Please be on your best behavior- I have the webcam set up.

Today we have a few things to get done. First, you must finish your "Special Day" essay. If it is not done by the end of today a zero will be issued. Second, work in Study Island and get those blue ribbons! Don't forget you should be using your notebooks for notes and use the word wall. Third, you have a poem to work on today. The poem is due on Thursday. It must be posted on the blog for credit. All the directions for the poem are on the link under this posting.

Remember to behave since I would be the person processing your referral today.

1. "A penny saved is a penny earned" are famous words of Benjamin Franklin. What do you think he meant? Do you agree?
2. Today is Earth Day. What are four things you can do to help our planet?

Personification Poetry

Personification is the assignment of human characteristics to a non-human thing. Today you will write a poem that uses personification. If you like this poem, you may enter it for the Open Mic Poetry Reading at Barnes and Nobel on April 30 and receive 20 extra credit points in class.

Today's writing exercise is an easy one. You are going to take the shell that I give you and adapt it to fit your poem. Write your poem inside your notebook first and then you will post it on the blog.

First pick an emotion to work with. Don't pick a quarter word like Happy or Sad. Think more towards a $5 word like Elated or Depressed.

Now think of how that emotion would act? The better you can describe the feeling, the better the poem will turn out. Here is your writing shell.

"Title Should be the Emotion You Choose"

I saw ____________ clearly.

He/She was _______________________.

He/She turned _____________________.

I saw his/her ___________________ eyes and __________________ skin.

I heard him/her say __________________________

And I felt _________________________________.

Here is my personification poem I wrote after my mother past away from Leukemia:

"Cancer"

I see Cancer clearly.

It is standing along the sidelines,

watching,

looking for its next victim.

It's face is pale and body weak;

however, its eyes are glowing green with the ability to see through society's social classes.

It smells damp-

Feels cold-

Has the ability to regenerate.

Be cautious of Cancer for it strikes without warning...

One cannot hear it whisper their name-

Shh...

I hear something...

Here is TJ's poem, he was a former student:

"Joy"

I saw Joy clearly.

He was smiley and very polite.

He turned gingerly and walked towards me cleanly and gracefully.

I saw his great ocean-like eyes that seemed to conjoin perfectly with is tan skin.

I heard him say melodious things to me

And I felt calm and warm.

So you can see, the poetry shell has a lot to offer. You can really expand on this poem like I did or just do a fill in like TJ. Either way, you'll come up with a great poem!

This assignment is worth 10 points!

April 21 Journal

Today we will be spending time in Study Island, writing a piece of poetry since it's National Poetry Month, and then anyone who needed to finish up on Special Day will have time to do so.

1. April 21 is Kindergarten Day. Describe your favorite kindergarten memory.
2. Pretend that you are going on a hot-air balloon ride and can invite one friend. Your best friend is afraid of heights but still might feel hurt if you do not invite her/him. Explain what you would do.

April 18 Journal

I am glad you are here. Unfortunately, Gillion is feeling well so I had to stay home. However, I have set up my webcam and am recording class. Please be on your best behavior. You need to be on your assigned computer and stay seated unless you are using the word wall.
Today you'll have 30 minutes in Study Island an then I want you to move to My Access. Try and get the essay done and submitted today. Remember it is due on Monday. Also, remember what I said the other day: don't freak out if your score is low now. I expect it to be low, but I promise- if you trust me- the score will be higher by the end of the quarter.

1. national Coin Week is celebrated in April. Pretend that coin money will no longer be used in the United States. Explain how everyday life might be different.
2. Baseball? Piano? Dancing? What one after school activity would you like to participate in? Explain.

April 17 Journal

I am glad you are here. Did you start working on your Special Day essay? If you have it with you in written form and need to type it- once you are done with your blog posting you may go to My Access and begin typing. If you are working on the essay at home, you may go to Study Island after you are done posting. Please remember the essay is due by Monday, April 21 (no excuses). I am in the office for Mrs. Baldwin today, but I've gone over everything with Ms. Shannon. I have my webcam set up, so I will know if you are off task. Please be on your best behavior.

1. Imagine that you are walking through the park with your friend and you find a bag of money. Explain what you would do.
2. List five things that you and your family can do to help the environment.

April 16 Journal

I am glad you are here. Did you start working on your Special Day essay? If you have it with you in written form and need to type it- once you are done with your blog posting you may go to My Access and begin typing. If you are working on the essay at home, you may go to Study Island after you are done posting. Please remember the essay is due by Monday, April 21 (no excuses).

1. National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day is held each year the day after income taxes are due. Why do you think it is held on this day? When would be a good time to have a National Wear Your Pajamas to School Day? Explain.
2. What new school rule would you like to implement? How would this new rule make your school a better place?

April 15 Journal

Welcome back. Today when you are done with your journal, move directly into Study Island. After 30 minutes we will move into direct instruction and I will teach you a new application.

1. April is Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month. Write a list of 5 reasons you should not be cruel to animals.
2. April 15 is Income Tax Pay Day. Would you vote for a presidential candidate who said that she or he would eliminate the income tax for all Americans? Explain.

April 14 Journal

Welcome back. Today when you are done with your journal, move directly into Study Island. After 30 minutes we will move into direct instruction and I will teach you a new application.

1. Alfred M. Butts, inventor of the board game Scrabble, was born on April 13, 1899. What is your favorite board game and why?
2. Combine the features of two different insects to create a new insect. Name and describe your new creature.

April 10 Journal

Welcome back to the writing lab. I am glad you are here. Today I am going to review Study Island with you for about 5 minutes and then I will give you today to work inside the program and help you trouble shoot any questions. We are also going to have a quiz over the seven steps to making a blog/journal posting. Review your notes if you have to.

1. National Siblings Day is April 10. would you rather be an only child or have siblings? Explain.
2. The safety pin was patented on April 10, 1849. Write a story paragraph that ends with "That little safety pin saved the day!"

April 9 Journal

Welcome back to the writing lab. I am glad you are here. Today I am going to review Study Island with you for about 5 minutes and then I will give you today to work inside the program and help you trouble shoot any questions. We are also going to have a quiz over the seven steps to making a blog/journal posting. Review your notes if you have to.

1. April is National Poetry Month. Use the letters in the word "spring" to write an acrostic poem about spring.
2. Do you think thunderstorm are scary or cool? Explain.

April 8 Journal

Welcome to writing lab. This class is going to be work, but it is also going to be the best class you have had all year.
Today I am going to go over class expectations with you as well as how to log into two of our applications.
First I am going to walk you through how to make a posting and then how to log into Study Island. I expect for you to take notes.

1. National Soft Pretzel Month is in April. Write a silly paragraph explaining how pretzels came to be shaped the way they are.
2. All of you have been writing since you started school. What do you think you do well at as a writer and what is something you still need to work on? Explain.

April 7 Journals

Welcome to writing lab. This class is going to be work, but it is also going to be the best class you have had all year.
Today I am going to go over class expectations with you as well as how to log into two of our applications.
First I am going to walk you through how to make a posting and then how to log into Study Island. I expect for you to take notes.

1. Throughout your educational career you've had to write for all of your classes. What do you think you do well on as a writer and what do you think you need to improve on this quarter?
2. Would you rather be a bird or an insect? Explain.

April 4 Journal

Today is your last day in the lab. Be sure you get rid of red triangles, turn in your study island notebook, answer the three open ended questions on the back of your submission tracker, and turn in your submission tracker. I am very proud of all of you! Keep writing.

1. April is National Kite Month. Pretend that you are a kite. Write a weather report for a perfect day for you.
2. List four things that you can do indoors on a rainy day. Give reasons for your selections.

April 3 Journal

Today is your last day of class. Work on finishing up everything on the "focus" chart located in the room. Don't forget that we will be having visitors today and I'm not sure when they'll be walking through, but I do know you'll make me proud.

1. Today is National Humor Month. Imagine what life would be like if everyone in the world were always serious. Do you think this would be a positive thing? Explain.
2. Pretend that you are an earthworm crawling through the ground when suddenly a rain shower begins to soak the ground. Write about what happens next.

April 2 Journal

1. nickelodeon, the cable tv channel for kids, debuted on this day in 1979. What is your favorite Nick show?
2. April 2 is International Children's Book day. What is your favorite book from when you were a child? Explain.

April 1 Journal

Hi. Today I ask that you work in Study Island making sure your red triangles are gone and that you are up to date with your Study Island notebooks which are due on Thursday. Thursday, during the 3/4 block, we will have guests in the room and they want to see you working in My Access.

1. Today is April Fools' Day. Would you rather play a joke on someone or have a joke played on you? Explain.
2. Pretend that you are a raindrop. Describe what you see and do on your adventure through the water cycle.