It's That Kind of Question

Working Hard?

Are You Working Hard on Editing?

Explicit or Implicit

Know Your Gift and Use It!

Because Causes Mistakes

Do You Care?

Grammar #7

Happy Enjoy a Good Book Friday

Grammar #6

Be the Best Kind of People

Yes, You!

Be Strong . . .

 

Image from @mollie_Apso1

There is Only One Correct Answer

A Daily Dose

Apostrophes and Plurals

All Ready or Already?

Argumentative Essay Project

After twenty years and six attempts, Logan Elm has passed a building levy. We will be building a new K-12 school. What do you think is the most important thing to consider when building a new school?

This could have to do with science labs, technology, separate areas for each grade level, middle school teams, lunch and cafeteria, playground for elementary, library needs, restrooms, music and band, art class, gyms, busing, school day (start and end time, length), office, intercom, safety/security, resources, furniture (tables or desks), parking, lighting, floors (carpet or tile), scheduling, handicap accessibility, or many other options. What is a priority for you, Reading Workshop students?


An Argumentative Essay:

• Has a clear introduction 
• States a focus/position statement clearly, precisely, and thoughtfully 
• Uses specific evidence from the text(s) to support and develop the position, and explains that evidence logically 
• Takes into account what people who disagree with you might think and tries to respond to that 
• Concludes effectively

Keep in mind that an argumentative essay is based more on facts as opposed to emotion. When picking a topic you’re interested in, be sure to pick one that you can support with evidence and reasoning. You will need facts, statistics, and reports from sources you and your audience can trust.

I. Introduction
     1. Introduce the topic by giving background information that briefly explains the topic so that the reader will understand the topic to be argued. (3-4 sentences)

     2. Add the thesis statement that clearly and strongly states your opinion concerning the
topic. Writing a direct thesis by including the reasons in your thesis is optional.

II. Body Paragraphs

     1. The first two (or more) body paragraph gives a reason that supports the opinion stated in the thesis. This reason is supported with facts, data, or information. You must quote an article or person that supports your position. You must also have a link to another article that has information that supports your position.

     2. One paragraph discusses the opposite viewpoint. After you pose the counter argument, contest it. Say why the counter argument is faulty and why your argument is stronger.

III. Conclusion

     1. Use a transition signal for the conclusion such as: in conclusion, to conclude, etc.
     2. Restate the thesis in different words than you used in your introduction.
     3. Summarize your main points.
     4. End with a final comment on the topic.

Perhaps the biggest mistake people make in writing an argumentative essay is to state their opinions instead of facts. Remember that each claim you make must be supported by solid evidence if your argument is to hold up to the opposing views.

Know Your Conflict

Yes You!

 

Make it a Great Monday!

Be the Driver of Your Car

Hhhhmmm, Who Would it Be?

Writing to the Prompt

The assignment:

Describe the impact the setting makes on the story in the book you are reading. Please give details from the book to support your response.

Hannah's Response is organized, stays on topic, uses topic sentences to keep the reader focused, and has many supporting details from the text.

Horizon Setting

In the book Horizon the setting first starts in a plane and then the plane crashes and leave nine people out of 500 to survive in the wilderness with nothing, but some items from the plane. The plane was heading to Japan for four of the kids to do a robot soccer championship. The kids brought their own robots but lost them in the crash. They had also got a cool gravity controller that can send them high up in the sky. The setting impacts the story because the kids have nothing but some luggage from other people, and a sword that Yoshi one of the people had brought on the trip to be safe. They have three survival kits that they found in the plane that had only three knifes and some water and a couple of snacks. They water and food wouldn't last for long knowing that they are in the wild. The setting impacted the story a lot in this book because the survivors saw some weird looking planet like things in the sky at night, this made them think that they were on a different planet.

The setting also changed the way they acted because knowing that they could be on a different planet made them scared. If they would have seen some type of town or other people that lived there, or even planes they had flown by could have helped. They got a cool gravity controller that could send them up in the air to see. This helped the kids because they could see some possible food sources or even water to drink after they ran out. The gravity controller helped them because the jungle that they wound up in had a really bad fog or mist in the day time and at night they could see the sky. The controller made them jump above the fog and they could see again. The setting impacted the book because they had to try new foods and there were no people to ask for help or to guide them. The jungle at night effected the story a lot because it was more scary to hear the noises and sounds. They were scared knowing that there might not be a way to leave the scary jungle.

The setting effected the book because the kids found some weird things that made them jump because they didn't know what it could be, like a scary bird or some big snake or even a new species. The setting could change the way they though. The kids were scared just because the planets made them think different. The setting made them want to explore more and get out there and see what they can do with what they have even if it's not much. The kids saw stuff that made them feel weird and not safe and it caused them to freak out and then freak out some more.

Be Kind, Be Caring, Be Great!

Just Be You

Signs of Success

What does your success look like? When you are at your best, how do we see it? How do you feel? What happens? Share your success on The Reading Workshop Forum Thought for the Day.

Edit Your Life

Outstanding, Outstanding Article

Great job Elliana Hutchison for your recommendation of an Outstanding Article. This is an interesting article and the thought provoking question made me think.

How would you feel if there was a lizard terrorizing you and your family?

Be Smart!

Outstanding Articles

We are looking for some Outstanding Articles in Reading Workshop. Students, you will research looking for interesting and intriguing articles online. When you find one, you will write a short (1-2 paragraph) review with a link and a thought provoking question.

Articles that are chosen will be read by the entire class and responses will be shared on the Reading Workshop Forum. The student that has the winning article suggestion will earn an A for the article and will not have to write a response.

You might search for articles at:

Newsela

TweenTribune 

Time For Kids

Dogo News 
Kids Post

Science News for Students

Live Science 

ESPN

Sports Illustrated Kids

Good Morning!

 

Image from @Jescakaye

What Does Your Face Say About You?

Start the Year on Fire

 

Image from @Lilovebananas76

Don't Settle for Average

A Little About You

#ItDoesntCostAnythingTo

You can view the responses HERE.

Survival Mode

I came in this morning with a cold. My brain was working at about half this speed.

Video from @tabbyrodriguez/twitter

Writing a Memoir

Take a Chance on Yourself

 

Image from @JohnMcGrathMB

Just Be You

Remembering Greatness

Responses from Insects

Cup of Tea

Be the Best You

Read Just Because

 

Image from @WeAreTeachers

National School Walk Up

Image from Jodie Katsetos

An Unexpected Visitor

Kyle was sitting in his room doing his Read at Home assignment when he had an unexpected visitor show up to listen to him read.

Are You Lucky?

Improve Your Slide Show

Be Cool

Slide Show Team Project

As Reading Workshop students begin work on a Google Slide Show project explaining how to read nonfiction, how the team works together will go a long way towards determining their success. This message should serve as a guide.

Moving, Moving, Moving

Be Yourself!

Your Thoughts?

Help with Your Writing

Just copy your essay, go to Hemingway App, paste it into the webpage, and click on edit. This web page will give you tips on making your writing better.

Online Outline

The best way to write an organized essay that makes sense is to organize your writing before you start. Here is a handy tool to help with that. The Outliner of Giants Online Outliner

 

Writing an Argumentative Essay

An Argumentative Essay:

• Has a clear introduction 
• States a focus/position statement clearly, precisely, and thoughtfully 
• Uses specific evidence from the text(s) to support and develop the position, and explains that evidence logically 
• Takes into account what people who disagree with you might think and tries to respond to that 
• Concludes effectively

Keep in mind that an argumentative essay is based more on facts as opposed to emotion. When picking a topic you’re interested in, be sure to pick one that you can support with evidence and reasoning. You will need facts, statistics, and reports from sources you and your audience can trust.

I. Introduction
     1. Introduce the topic by giving background information that briefly explains the topic so that the reader will understand the topic to be argued. (3-4 sentences)

     2. Add the thesis statement that clearly and strongly states your opinion concerning the
topic. Writing a direct thesis by including the reasons in your thesis is optional.

II. Body Paragraphs

     1. The first two (or more) body paragraph gives a reason that supports the opinion stated in the thesis. This reason is supported with facts, data, or information.

     2. One paragraph discusses the opposite viewpoint. After you pose the counter argument, contest it. Say why the counter argument is faulty and why your argument is stronger.

III. Conclusion

     1. Use a transition signal for the conclusion such as: in conclusion, to conclude, etc.
     2. Restate the thesis in different words than you used in your introduction.
     3. Summarize your main points.
     4. End with a final comment on the topic.

Perhaps the biggest mistake people make in writing an argumentative essay is to state their opinions instead of facts. Remember that each claim you make must be supported by solid evidence if your argument is to hold up to the opposing views.

Here are some sample topics. To find the entire list, go to the RW Wiki Argumentative Topic List.

School and Kids

Is child behavior better or worse than it was years ago?

Is homework harmful or helpful?

Is Cheating Getting Worse?

Should Students Be Able to Grade Their Teachers?

Does Your School Hand Out Too Many A’s?

Technology

Are we too dependent on computers?

Are cell phones dangerous?

Do violent video games cause behavior problems?

Have people have become overly dependent on technology?

Does Technology Make Us More Alone?

Social Issues

Are Adults Hurting Young Children by Pushing Them to Achieve?

Should the Government Limit the Size of Sugary Drinks?

Which Is More Important: Talent or Hard Work?

Is Your Generation More Self-Centered Than Earlier Generations?

Sports

Does participation in sports keep teens out of trouble?

Is competition good?

Should Home-Schoolers Be Allowed to Play Public School Sports?

Does participating in team sports helps to develop good character?

If Football Is So Dangerous to Players, Should We Be Watching It?

The Way to Start the Year Right

 

Image from #teachergoals‏

A Dinopunasaurus

Treat Others . . .

Living Large Loving Language Arts

Sometimes You Just Need to Rhyme

So what do you do when you need to rhyme?  How about going to Rhymezone?  When you are writing a poem and you need a word bank to help you, Rhymezone is a great resource.  All you do is type in the word and it gives you a bunch of choices.  Don't forget though, a poem still has to make sense and be meaningful.

The Road to Success

Image from @CRCarter313

Make Your Monday

Ms. Ewing RAWYC

Grace Ewing is in Chicago reading the Chicago Tribune and she jumped in with RAWYC!

Revising Poetry

So you get a first draft of a poem and it seems pretty good.  Now what?  Is it ready to publish?  Everything is spelled right.  It makes sense.  So how do you revise?  How do you make it better?  What can you do with a basic poem like this, that has a good topic choice with a nice twist at the end and make it into an A+ poem that grabs the reader?

Thank you to Maddie for allowing us to experiment with her writing.

That one kid makes me sad,                              

That one kid makes me mad.

When I see him I just go Eww!!!!

I don’t like him,

He doesn’t like me.

We fight all the time.

She started it!

No he started it!!

He makes me go crazy,

I make him flip out.

But the truth is………

He’s my brother.

One area that could be improved is word choice. The Reading Workshop Poetry Rubric says, Word choice is exact, colorful, and interesting. What words could be changed to improve this poem?  Is there a synonym for sad that would be more interesting? Or mad? Or doesn't like?

We could also look at improving and adding sensory details like the rubric describes as, Uses sensory details to help the reader see, hear, feel, and/or think. What could be changed to help what the reader visualizes?  Could the "one kid" be described in some way?   What changes would help the reader see the fight?

When you have completed your revised version, paste it into the form below.

You can see revisions HERE.

Oh, the Irony

 

Image from @TheFunnyWorld

Tell About a Book of Poems

Generate Some Words

If you want to write poetry but need a little help getting started, use the online site at Word Clouds. Just go to the wizard and put in words. When you are finished you can share this on your blog. 

Just go to the toolbar to File-->Save as PNG-->Open in Image Viewer -->Copy -->Paste into your blog. 

You can also File-->Save-->Open New Post in Edublogs-->Add Media-->Uploade Files

Image from dominicavibes.dm

Less Words for More Meaning

Cut out all those words.  This is poetry so you don't need them.  In fact, if the word doesn't do something to clarify meaning, or help make your point, just delete it.

Get rid of all those annoying little words and leave only the ones that matter. You really don't need all those it's and is's.  Nor do you need those are's and were's. Trim the fat and excess words.  Make your poem meaningful and exciting.

The best thing about poetry is that the author makes the rules.  You can choose whether or not to use capital letters, sentences, and punctuation.  The only rule is write in the best way to make your poem meaningful and understandable.  Just write so your reader relates to your message.

Author's note:  There are divided thoughts about using apostrophes in certain circumstances to show plural.  The general thinking is that it is allowable in a few instances if it helps considerably with making text more easily understood and more readable.

Image from kerileebeasley.com