October 12, 2010

Reminder (as if you needed it!):  No school this Thursday and Friday.  Do something fun and come back safe and sound!

1. Bell-Ringer: Finish Wonderful Words -- They are on a poster in the classroom.

2. Check Composition Books -- Also available next class time.

3.  Mini-lesson on titles:  Memorable, Distinct, Intriguing, Deliberate  -- in your composition book.
4. Ms. Dorsey shared a scary story about the students in this class.  Parents, I'm sorry if they have nightmares! : ) 

5. Computer Lab:  Especially focus on scary stories -- Due October 22.  Next computer labs: October 18, 20.
We also looked at the editing and revising pages, and typed in these three problems to check for:
1. Obvious stuff
2. For every word that you're not absolutely certain how the spell it, look it up.
3.  Capitalize titles:  first word, last word, all important words.

October 6, 2010

1. Bell-Ringer: Create a Halloween poem using five words or phrases you draw from the envelope.  You may add words, and use the words in any order.
2. Receive Word Bank Packets -- add color words if appropriate
3. Share poems (Return word slips.)
4. Read (in small groups) short stories from The Haunted House: A Collection of Short Stories edited by Jane Yolen and Martin H. Greenberg
5. Turn in poems.
6. Discuss Word Choice:   Dead Words and Wonderful Words
7. Collecting wonderful words
8. Write a short scene inspired by great words -- one from each category except Dead Words  -- Make sure you don't use any dead words.

Scary Short Story due October 22.  We will be able to use the computer lab October 12 and 20 to get these done.

Discuss books for children.