Create & Share a Clerihew

On Friday we learned how to create a type of poem called a Class Clerihew. Although some clerihews were shared in class, I'd really like to see more of them. So, the topic for today's blog is to create or find some clerihews to share with the "bloggers". To help, I've included the link to Giggle Poetry along with listing the four rules of creating a clerihew. Can't wait to see what you come up with. And as always, thanks to those who post. 

       The Four Rules

1. They are four lines long.

2. The first and second lines rhyme with each other, and the third and fourth lines rhyme with each other.

3.The first line names a person, and the second line ends with something that rhymes with the name of the person.

4. A clerihew should be funny.

Some suggestions for your clerihews

*Consider other people's feelings (a.k.a. "no putdowns")

*Know who your audience is.

*Use a dictionary for hard to spell words.

*Have fun & be original. 

Link to Giggle Poetry

Who is your favorite author? Please explain why in a sentence or two (or more if you wish). Finally, please make sure you check your spelling before you post. Thank you for taking the time to be here on our blog.

The best and worst of Hatchet.

With everyone finished up with Gary Paulsen's novel Hatchet, I thought I would open up a conversation about the best and worst of this book.  In an earlier post, Amanda let everyone know she was not a big fan of when Brian was eating the raw turtle eggs. The best part of the book in my opinion is when Brian makes his new "home" and food storage area. I can only imagine how it would feel to make a shelter in the wild and how proud one might be once they are finished. It takes a lot of work, but what in life that is worthwhile doesn't require a lot of work? I'm looking forward to see your best and worst moments. Stay warm this weekend!

Here is my very first YouTube video! It is titled the Akin Road Fun Run. A special thanks to Jan Miller for the pictures used in this video and for the PTP for the post race snacks. Great job kids and remember to keep on runnin' (and reading)!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PYm9h-XbD4

Book dioramas on flickr!

Have you ever heard of flickr? It's a website that promotes photo sharing. Follow this link to see the class dioramas created after reading a book in a literature circle. Enjoy! And nice work students!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/feustel/

Hatchet reading

As we were filling out our planners, I forgot to think that there will be no school on Monday. So, if you are reading this (and I thank you for doing so) you can read chapters 13 & 14 in Hatchet (and that also means you could read 15 & 16 because of the rule we made about reading ahead). I can't seem to put the book down and thought others might be feeling the same. So, enjoy your day of on Monday and I'll see you on Tuesday when we will spend the whole afternoon with our Hatchet "text codes".  Keep on reading (and hopefully sharing your thought on this blog!)

Are you reading another book?

For those of you great readers who can read two books at a time. What is the other book (or books if you can handle 3 or more) you are reading. Or, what other types of literature are you reading besides Hatchet. If you are reading 30 minutes a night (and EVERYONE should be doing this to prepare for 6th grade) I think it would be great to see what everyone is reading. Please share. Thanks and let's enjoy a warm weekend. Did I just say warm when the temperature is only going to be in the 30's? YIKES, I'm a Minnesotan! 

Question for day?

What is the next book you are going to read? Why? Respond in complete sentences please. Also, dictionaries are great books to help you with your spelling. I know I need it! I look forward to seeing what you are reading next. If you don't know, ask a friend or someone you know reads a lot. Enjoy those books!

First day of the blog.

Hello there,

This blog is an attempt in getting my wonderful fifth graders to use the technology they have at their fingertips to communicate about reading and writing (and anything else academic). I'm not what one would consider a "blogger", but maybe that will change over the next 5 months. I'm sure this page will improve over time as we all learn more about blogging and what we can do to make this site an educational destination for many. Let's blog!