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 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.

My Planet

Dear students,

You’re a scientist who has just discovered a new planet. In one year, people will be coming to live on it. What will your planet be like? What will you name your planet? Write a paragraph describing your new planet.

Your paragraph must…

• be at least 5 sentences long
• written in complete sentences
• use M.I.N.T.S.
• have a topic sentence and supporting details

Happy blogging,

Mrs. Eads :)

We are family

Dear students,

If you could spend an afternoon with one member of your extended family, who would it be? Tell why you chose this person and tell what you would do together.

Your paragraph must…

• be at least 5 sentences long
• written in complete sentences
• use M.I.N.T.S.
• have a topic sentence and supporting details

Happy blogging,

Mrs. Eads

Reflections on Heart's of Service

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,

Mrs. Eads

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,

Mrs. Eads

Teacher for the Day

Dear students,

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to the teacher for one day? Well, now is your chance! In your comment below, please write a paragraph describing what you would do as the teacher for one day For example, what would you teach? What kind of activities would plan? What would your students call you? Think about what would happen in class if you were in charge for a day and leave your comment below.

Remember to write in complete sentences, reread your post for errors, and use your capitalization rules!

Happy blogging,

Mrs. Eads

Monkey Business!

Students,

We have had some insightful conversations on our blog. We have discussed reading strategies, characters from our books, and compared and contrasted different ideas. Phew! I'm exhausted just thinking about it!

Now, let's have a different kind of conversation  and give you all the opportunity to have some creative writing.  I would like about the following prompt:

Imagine that for one day only you could have a pet monkey! What would you do with you pet? What would you name him/her? What adventures would you two have? Please describe your day with your new friend.

Remember, students, to watch out for run-ons, and to write in complete sentences. I look forward to reading your comments!

You teacher,
Mrs. Eads