Happy Holidays

Have a truly enjoyable and relaxing holiday break. Thank you for all your hard work and effort. I'm very proud of each of you. Take care. See you in 2011.

Invictus - Reflection

Listen below to  an interview with the captain of the South African rugby team (Matt Damon's character) as he speaks about Nelson Mandela.



How will you use the last lines of  Invictus in your life going forward?

I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of  my soul

Watch the real live ending of the 1995 Rugby World Cup final below.



H/W
Character Sketch due in tomorrow - Make sure you are making 'clear'  judgments throughout.

Bring in your comfort zone rectangles (if you still have it) for discussion in tomorrow's class (Fri). How have you stepped out of your comfort zone recently?

Character Sketches- Due Friday

Finish the trimester strong!

What are you doing over these next two nights to make sure your character sketch is the best that it could be?

Use the 'Character Sketch' proof reading sheet (the last page of your Making Judgments package) as a checklist on Thursday night to help you review your paper for accuracy and advanced sentence integration.

Comma Rules and Run-ons: Test Queries

I just don't get it...

Write down anything that confuses you related to COMMAS rules, fragments, and run-ons. Maybe you can get answers from your friends...

eg. Could you fix this sentence?

The dogs and cats played and jumped around the yard the cats made the most mess the dogs made the most noise.

Homework Week 7

Click on the above link to see you last H/W sheet for 2011.

Next week is an important week for grades. Make sure you FINISH STRONG, and don't allow yourself to slip before the holiday vacation.

Maybe it is worth watching this video again! Hint ! Hint!

Review of Today's Lesson - Making Judgments

Change to H/W sheet
Spend this evening collecting notes on your chosen person for the character sketch. You do not need to write the GRAAB sentences

Enjoy a more detailed explanation of the Sugihara story. How would you judge this man?


 
 
Enjoy these impressive poems from your classmates

A Spin to Victory by Sophie Smith

Joannie Rochette steps onto the ice,
Her sparkling dress makes her look rather nice.
Music starts playing and filling her ears,
As she pushes away her sadness and fears.

Her new polished skates make a peculiar sound,
And at that moment, her heart starts to pound.
She spun on the ice like a Hanukah driedel,
Reminding herself that a fall could be fatal.

Joannie decides to add a little flair,
So she stretches her leg high in the air.
The shouting and yelling of the crowd decreased,
And Joannie wished for bronze at the least

Lovely red roses landed by her side,
And her smile becomes really wide.
Her sparkling dress makes her look quite nice,
As Jonnie Rochette steps off the ice.



A Day to Remember
by Mary Louise Kenny
Early morning dew rested in the grass
Little laced sneakers scattered to class
A normal winter day, and so it began
As the monster schemed its horrible plan

Citizens looked up and wondered why
The faded grey clouds dotted the sky
Rain started to pour and danced on the road
As the earthquake in itself started to explode

The white shutters galloped through the tiny, poor town
As the faces of many began to helplessly frown
Their shoulders hung low, as they watched in fear
Hoping that a hero would be somewhere near

Soon, the heroes came with their love to share
Their big hearts opened with a desire to care
The memories were gone with all the debris
But the survivors that lived now shine with glee

The Soccer Shocker
by Scott


Iniesta sprinting in his black cleats
Trying his hardest not to fall in defeat
Johannesburg Africa is where his team Spain was playing
Before the game probably desperately praying

Spain and the Netherlands were in extra time
If one team screws up it would be a crime
The game was the world cup finals
The team that wins would become idols

Jubalani was the name of the ball
Fighting to get Jubalani a brawl
Vuvuyelos being buzzed by peers
Some of the players even grasping their ears

Suddenly Iniesta found the ball at his feet
Hoping to score so he wouldn’t be beat
He kicked the ball hoping to win their first title
The ball went in and the whole team was vital


Will you be ready for the Talent Show reward party...coming soon! Look at the talent we have!

Making Judgments

Here is another look at today's video on making judgments. How will you learn from the innocent mistakes of these children?  How will you judge in the future?

 Comments welcome on any aspect of today's session.

Week 6 H/W

Click on the link above to get your H/W sheet for next week

From Mrs. Ayeola
Use this video to help with your Spanish test

Copy/Paste your poetry for comment

I just wanted to share with you Austin F's. brilliant way of integrating poetry into her narrative writing. She also ended her piece with the line.

Falling for the Nutcracker
As I collapse, my face hits the hard wooden floor in the dark, silent backstage hallway and my tutu is crushed. A river of pain leaps into my ankle, and the pride in my heart becomes a sense of clumsiness. The fall makes the black walls spin like an optical illusion. I can't even move my foot to get up, or a sting shoots through my leg like a bullet grazing through a deer's heart. It feels like my leg was just smashed by a boulder.


"Remember," I thought about Maya Angelou's poem, "Shadows on the wall, noises down the hall, life doesn't frighten me at all." Lying there, I am as helpless as a newborn baby even though I am eight years old. "How have I even ended up in this mess?" I ask myself.

Anne Frank + Southeast Region Narrative

Check out the link below to recap the video from today's session on Anne Frank

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um3umnwgK3k
Will your narrative poem capture the emotion of  your event?


Enjoy Nick's Southeast region narrative below

From the marble-cutting mill, to the canal-navigation plane, and my most prized accomplishment, the “Clermont,” I have certainly come a far way in life. At the age of thirty-five in 1800, I thought that accomplishing everything in life was already complete. That was true until “Clermont,” my first successful steamboat, was created. By the way, my name is my name is Robert Fulton, the inventor. In 1793, I concentrated on steam navigation. Writing books on canal navigation was my occupation in 1796. Seven years later, the idea of inventing what eventually became the steamboat came into my mind. My first attempt at launching a steamboat with the support of Chancellor Livingston was on the Seine, a very large river between two parts of France, was not entirely successful. The boat immediately collapsed and plummeted to the bottom of the river like sand through an hourglass. Red in the face, I watched the horror of the boat tumble to the floor of the river. The odor of the oil burning in the air with the rest of the ship was a sure indication of the devastating moment, and from Livingston’s panicky expression, it was obvious he felt like me at the time. Despite this horrible failure, I had to persevere.



In 1807, I decided it would be the right choice to design a new steamboat. Newer wooden planks, a better engine, and a new supply of oil were essential to the ship’s success. My speedy hands began to assemble the components of the unfinished steamboat. After a while, my hands were still, the steamboat was unfinished, and my mind was nothing but a swirl of uncomfortable confusion. There was no Chancellor Livingston to assist me this time. Ten months later, my masterpiece was finished. Looking back at the steamboat reminded me of the sweat trickling down my back as I diligently finished the ship. I thought to myself, what name would suit my steamboat the best? My sister’s name is Clara, and my dog’s name is Monty, so what if those names blended together? That was it. The name would be “Clermont.”


Two tan transferors on a barge, Jim and Charles, transferred “Clermont” all the way from Pennsylvania to the Hudson elegantly like a feather scraping the top of the water. My goal was to chug “Clermont” all the way from the Hudson to Albany, New York. It was going to take approximately thirty hours. By the time I reached the Hudson, my feet climbed onto the wooden boards of the “Clermont.” Nervously, my sweaty hands grabbed the wheel of the boat.


The “Clermont” pushed off of the dock. The paddle of the bolt jolted forward as the “Clermont” came to life in only a quick moment of time. The engine roared as the steam whistled. Proud as a peacock, my head stuck out of the window to take in the crisp, New York air and the smell of steam and oil from the “Clermont.” The crowd was encouraging me to go on right before the steamboat left the colossal river of New York.


No longer in the Hudson, “Clermont” chugged its way towards Albany. The steamboat finally reached its destination. The crowd roared with excitement, and history knew that every bit of this moment would be savored into educational textbooks for the rest of time.

Visiting Author: Day 1

Link to our visiting author's website.
http://www.ediehemingway.com/

Feel free to copy paste your drafts for comment.

Remember: You must bring BOTH a hard copy and a digital copy (on USB key or google docs) to work on tomorrow.

Homework Week 5

Click on the above link to see your H/W for the week after Thanksgiving.

Remember -

• Come with an idea for your personal narrative
• Be thinking about a world event that you would like to research e.g. The buidling of the Hoover Dam (you may ask your parents for advice on an appropriate world event)

Congratulations to Showing not Telling Champions 2010
Eliza and Mary Selwyn
Gracie and Mary Elliot

Congratulations to Breck for your excellent speech to the whole school today!

Congratulations to Have Lunch with an author winners:
Monday

India Persson; Eliza Cotchett
Savannah Kasay; Austin Fitzgerald
Thomas Aucamp; Mimi Ughetta
Ansley Blom; Bekah Summa

Tuesday
Rich Pope; Thomas Layton
Ashely Foley; Cady Hammer
Livy Smith; Breck Stenson
Julia Tayloe Gracie Matthews

Congratulations to the rest of your for your wonderful historical narratives.

Have a truly relaxing and enjoyable Thanksgiving. Rest, relax, and have plenty of fun. Don't forget your little 'Thanksgiving' toast at the dinner table. This would truly put a smile on your family members' faces. Take care!

Showing not Telling - Day 5

GENEROSITY

By Austin F. and Will H.

Slowly walking past Charlotte Latin School, CLS, I see big bins spilling over with cans. Wit ha concrete bed, trees standing like soldiers on command, and a vast blue sky, I (wish) I had a house on this street. A thought ran through my head, "how could they have collected so much, and where was it going?" Suddenly, a truck pulls up to pick up the canned goods. "No you can't take them away; I'm starving and need some food." To look at a kid in tattered, beaten clothes probably startled the dirvers, but they gestured me to come over and handed me over a can of Dole golden pineapples.  The can was like a precious diamond from the earth. "Thank you, sirs."I exclaimed.  They just turned around and with an ear to ear smile, headed back to the Loaves and Fishes truck. Seeing the sign on the truck, I hesitated. I ran toward them and gave  back the can of pineapples.  (Last line added for dramatic effect)

By Mary Elliot and Gracie

The smell of yeast and cinnamon wafted through the bakery's open red door. Every now and again, some lucky person  would stride out of the bakery carrying a diligently wrapped package. Everytime someone came out, I always wished I ws the one carrying the package. Day after day, month  after month, I sat right on the sidewalk next to the bakery.  One  sunny afternoon, a young woman stepped out of the bakery carrying her package. The lady promptly handed me the package.  Confused, I got up and began to take it to her car, but she stopped me, " you have it child. You need this cinnamon bun more than I do.


Only H/W tonight is to finish your narratives for tomorrow.

I am expecting GREAT narratives from all of you tomorrow. Make them the best piece of writing you have ever done... please!

WILF

• Showing not Telling Language
• Some precise facts about your person
• Sentence Fluency
• Some figurative and sensory language
• Variety of sentence openings.

Showing Not Telling - Day 4

By Sophie H and Colin

As the bug parks next ot my lake, my best friend and I hop in to the icy water. When we come up, my friend's hair shnes like gold in the evening light. With laughter pouring out of our smiling faces, we splash each other with water. Frantically, we stumble to the house. A few hours later with droopy eyes we can tell that, " we were gonna be friends"

By Thomas and Martha Wright (15/20)

Butterflies fill my stomach as I step outside the Audi Q7.  The cool breeze blowing in my face makes goose pimples crawl up my back.  I walk up the hard wooden steps and enter through the squeaky door and enter through the old rusted cabin.  Ten year old girls sawrmed the cabin like ants atacking a cricket.  One small girl was siting in a corner.  I slowed walked over to her and diligently asked her what her name was.  Her quiet response was, " Sarah."  I asked her if she wanted to got to the lake.  She quicklyresponde, "sure."  As we jumped into the icy cold water I soon realized that we were going to  be friends.

• Day 4 Results- to come. Buxton class did not finish Day 4 yet.
• Only H/W for next week will be narrative final draft on Tuesday. We will continue working on these narratives Monday. Feel free to upload your narratives ove the w/end for comment if you would like to. THERE IS NO H/W sheet.
• Results of Author's Luncheon Comptetion will be given Monday.  Thank you to all those who entered.
• My class -Remember spelling test will be Monday.
• After Thanksgiving, you will have a two day workshop with a professional author. Over these two days, you will write a personal narrative related  to your own life. Be thinking of the topic you want to write about. It can be anything at all from your life. The event must be true. You must have a clear topic for the Monday after Thanksgiving.

Enjoy the weekened.

Southeast region Narratives - Feedback

Producing writing of a high quality almost NEVER happens the first time. I know for some of you, our mini conferences today were frustrating. The thought of starting over or rethinking a piece that you have already spent so much time on takes courage, a sense of determination, and a desire to strive for excellence. Quoting a phrase of the week, "two people look through the same bars, one sees mud, the other sees stars." Try to see the need to start over as a positive not a chore. We still have three days to work on this piece. I am confident you will all rise to this challenge!

Feel free to post portions of your narrative for peer review and comment.

Showing Not Telling - Day 3

Graham class did an excellent job today.

By Wyatt and Quin  (9)
The audience gradually silenced after a crazy applause that sounded like thunder. Good, thought William. If they liked the introduction, then the rhythm they were about to hear would ring in their ears forever.  Breathing in deeply, he began the symphony. The violins started with bows on strings which shocked the crowd with its beauty. The pianist, Sonja, was William's wife, so she brought more awe with her nimble fingers striking keys as swiftly as butterflies. Every living thing shook to the beat even the flies and mouses outside. The melody stunned even William who loved this creation of his own and the rhythm that brought him fame. It would pump in his blood forever.


By Mary Elliot and Gracie (9 1/2) - The perspective in this one is SUPERB!
The tips of Elizabeth's smooth fingers pressed down gently on my ivory white and ebony black keys. Elizabeth's soft touch made a beautiful ringing sound that seemed to come out of my soul.  The ringing felt like I was the only insrument in the orchestra. Earlier that Sunday morning, Elizabeth had polished me to perfection.  As we finished Beethoven's fifth symphony,  the volume rose in a cresendo. Suddenly, the audience made my heart soar as they gave me a standing ovation.


Don't forget:

• Last day for your author lunch competition entries is Friday.
• Make sure you have tackled the predicate and subject exercises on the blog for practice for Friday's test.

Showing not Telling - Day 2

                                                     By Guaruv and Kenndy (8 1/2)
Whirling winds outside the open window came and ribbed their skin like sandpaper. The florescent moon shimmered and reflected on the buildings class windows and below. On top of the hill, Jack and Jane gazed down at the town that seemed to have neen torn to shreds. The happiness that had once gazed over their faces had disappeared like a lion devouring its meal. In the course of two seconds, their mother had fallen and rolled down into the dark deceiving pond at the clang of midnight. Like angels in the sky, the stars glowed as Jack and jane were greeted with another gale of wind.

By Eliza and Mary Selwyn (8)

As I glance out of the window. the moon's gleem caught my eye. The pine tree's scent lingered in the air from the mountian around the moon. Standing out from all the other buildings was the church's mosaic window glowing from the light of the stars.  My window swayed back and forth from the wind of the night.  The old oak tree in the front of my window was almost gone from the various years it has lived.  My happiness shined out like the stars as a smile spread across my face. Contented, I closed my window and headed back into my dreams. (For dramatic effect and to close the story where it began - I added the last sentence)

Look at this video again to recap our lesson today on Sensory language. Will you be able to use sensory language in your narrative?

Showing Not Telling Competition - comments welcomed

By Bennett and Sophie Smith


The pioneers, Scott and Janis, stand as still as obedient soldiers. The skinny old man has as many wrinkles as an old oak tree. Janie’s blond hair shimmers in the graceful sunlight. Her dotted dress matches the beautiful curtains in their three story house. Beads of sweat trickled down Scott’s face after he had filled barrels with hay from the barn. Janie’s eye’s were as blue as the cloudless sky. Their solemn faces and dragging feet showed their unhappiness. A fragrant smell of burning wax filled the air.


By Lilly and Adit


The farmers, Robert and Beth, were staring diligently at their detached farm. With their hands shaking and their knees stuttering, the farmers tried to fight back their tears. The warm misty air was trying to recover from the devastating act that had just happened in the fields. The blazing hot fire had covered all one hundred acres of the land that they owned.

Figurative Language

Homework Change

1) Watch these videos to recap what we studied today and learn more about figurative language.

2)Write the little paragraph about your sport using at least two examples of the four types of figurative language we studied today. Due: Tue(The timeshift worksheet will be given for H/W tomorrow)

Important: There is a typo on the H/W sheet. There is no vocabulary test Friday. Friday's test is the plural nouns spelling unit.





Author Comptetition: Due: Fri

This Week - Narrative Week

I have added a number of useful posts on the blog today to help you with work for next week. You will need to scroll down this first page to find the following information:

• Homework Sheet (click on link toward bottom of the page)
• Links for Southeast region region (use for note-taking on your famous person)
• Videos on Famous person (Use to gain an insight into settings/time period)
• Subjects and Predicates test Practice (Use to begin reviewing for Friday's test)

Remember: Lunch with an author competition - Due Date: Fri 19th (or before)

Subjects and Predicates - Test Review (Test is on Friday )

Use these resources to practice for the test on Friday.  Spend between 5-10mins reviewing each link over the next 5 days. Make notes of any questions you don't understand or ones you can't get correct.

Videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjc9PXJKEck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qKjKC5RFhg&feature=related

Games
http://fen.com/studentactivities/SinkOrSwim/SinkorSwim.html
Use arrow keys and space bar to catch fish

Subjects+Predicates
http://www.eduplace.com/cgi-bin/hme-quiz-start.cgi?Grade=5&Unit=1-2&Topic=Cumulative+Review%3A+The+Sentence%2C+Nouns&x=19&y=10

Subjects and Predicates Online questions and games
http://www.towson.edu/ows/exercisesubjpred2.htm
http://www.quia.com/rr/36765.html
http://www.quia.com/rr/36764.html
http://www.quia.com/quiz/673842.html?AP_rand=1501518670


http://www.myschoolhouse.com/courses/O/1/55.asp
http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/braingames/iknowthat/TagAWord/TagAWord.cfm?Topic=SubjectsPredicates

http://teachers.sduhsd.k12.ca.us/cshope/Grammar%20lessons/subject%20predicate%20quiz.htm
Print out this test and complete it

Southeast Region Narratives

Watch the videos below to get more information on your southeast region person for your narrative:

Wright Brothers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3beVhDiyio
Eli Whitney
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C_3RYmKggw&feature=related
Robert Fulton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGFi-vbOyuo&feature=related
(not a long video, but at least a little extra info)
George Washington Carver
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKSE1_ujTs8

Decide fromn  whose point of view you will be writing your narrative
e.g.  a slave in the field, an observer of the flight,  a passanger on the steamboat etc.

Homework Week 3 Tri 2

Click the title above to see your H/W for next week.

Feel free to work ahead if you would like.
I had added an exercise on 'time shift sentences for further practice

http://odl.vwv.at/english/odlres/res8/Grammar/grammar_exercises/tenses/past_perfect/pastperf3.htm
http://www.learnenglish.de/Games/Tenses/PastPerfectTest.htm

Watch this video on time shift, past perfect, sentences!


VISITING AUTHOR COMPETITION DEADLINE:  8 Days

Subjects and Predicates - RECAP

Watch these videos to review today's lesson on Subjects and Predicates



This video is  an IMPORTANT simple recap on compound subjects and predicates



Try these online exercises for further practice.
http://harcourtschool.com/activity/predicate_coaster2/index.html
http://www.kwiznet.com/p/takeQuiz.php?ChapterID=2294&CurriculumID=16
Subjects and Predicates Test will be  Fri. Nov 19th

Southeast Region Links

Use these links below for your research on your southeast region person. This will be next week's H/W. Feel free to continue taking notes on your famous person if you would like to do so.

Daniel Boone Photo Tour: http://www.danielboonetrail.com/

Famous People from the Southeast

For any
1. Encyclopedia Britannica: http://school.eb.com/elementary  username: Latinhawks, password: cls
2. Enchanted Learning: http://members.EnchantedLearning.com/Home.html  username: charlottelatin61542, password: cider54

The Wright Brothers
1. http://inventors.about.com/od/wstartinventors/a/TheWrightBrother.htm
2. http://www.wright-house.com/wright-brothers/Wrights.html
3. http://gardenofpraise.com/ibdwrigh.htm
4. http://www.hfmgv.org/exhibits/wright/
5. Timeline: http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=wright+Brothers&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#q=wright+Brothers&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=ivb&tbs=tl:1&tbo=u&ei=rpHFTPvsOo-q8AbsoMTXBg&sa=X&oi=timeline_result&ct=title&resnum=16&ved=0CF0Q5wIwDw&fp=973e9f93f0f871cc

Eli Whitney
1. http://inventors.about.com/od/cstartinventions/a/cotton_gin.htm
2. http://www.invent.org/hall_of_fame/152.html
3. http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/whitney.html
4. http://www.ctheritage.org/encyclopedia/ct1763_1818/whitney.htm
5. http://www.cottontimes.co.uk/whitneyo.htm


Jimmy Carter
1. http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/jimmycarter
2. http://www.cartercenter.org/news/experts/jimmy_carter.html
3. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/carter/sfeature/index.html

Robert Fulton
1. http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/DETOC/transport/fulton.html
2. http://www.robertfulton.org/
3. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/theymadeamerica/whomade/fulton_hi.html
4. http://www.kidsnewsroom.org/elmer/infoCentral/frameset/inventors/fulton/index.html

George Washington Carver
1. http://inventors.about.com/od/cstartinventors/a/GWC.htm
2. http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventors/carver.htm
3. http://www.biography.com/articles/George-Washington-Carver-9240299
4. http://www.lib.iastate.edu/spcl/gwc/bio.html

Visiting Author Competition

Click the link below to see/download the questions you need to answer to enter our 'Visit

ing Author' Comptetition. Will you be the one chosen to have a special lunch with Mrs. Edie Hemingway, award winning author? Make sure you use your writing techniques when crafting the answers to the question.

http://www.box.net/shared/kz8povc38g

closing Date for answes: Friday Nov. 19th

This is new software that I trying to integrate into the blog. Press your mouse on the screen to enlarge the text! I think we can all see the potential here.

Nouns - Prezi

This is a new presentation style called prezi - you can learn how to make them at prezi.com - what do you think of mine on nouns?

You may need to keep clicking on the mouse/video to advance through the presentation. There are a few errors in it, but I'm learning!

Noun Test Review 2010 on Prezi

nouns Southeast Assignment

Just to reiterate:

WILF for your Tale on the Southeast

Noun Story

• Your noun story (narrative) should use facts about the southeast from your video notes
• You must have at least one example of  each type of Noun  (C-PAC)
• You must have one singular possessive noun sentence and one plural possessive noun sentence
• You must have at least one example of each of the seven rules for making nouns plural
• It is recommended that you type this up and stick it onto your paper
• A small collage of pictures about the southeast will form the border for your writing

Highlight or label the different examples of the nouns you integrate into your work.

Noun Song

• You may imitate the style and format of  the 'My favorite things' song in your noun booklet or you may create your own tune/style.
• Your song will be at least  12 lines long in TOTAL (two stanzas x4 lines per stanza and the 4 short lines that end the song)
• You must have at least one example of each plural noun rule in your song. e.g.  from the businesses

This work in due in tomorrow (Thur) - Mrs. Graham's class can have an extra 30mins tomorrow morning as their lessons were cut short today.

Change to H/W sheet

Collect between 6-10 small pictures about the southeast region from the interent instead of

the southeast region activity on the H/W sheet. These pictures will be used to do a short piece of  writing  about the southeast or song about the region. The pictures donot necessary have to all be exactly of the southeast, but they could represent  facts that you have read about in your booklet. e.g. the oil refineries image on the right. Do not forget the pictures! (Due: Wed)

My class only. Spelling worksheets due in tomorrow! We will play spelling races in class so be ready!

Homework Week 1 Trimester 2

Click the link above to get the H/W sheet for this week

Welcome to the start of a new trimester. Everybody starts with a clean slate. You will be expected to continue to apply your reading,  writing, and grammar skills from the first trimester into your work in addition to the new skills we will learn this trimester. This means my expectations increase a little! Who's ready for the new challenge?

We hit the ground running with a short review of:

• Types of nouns
• Rules for making nouns plural
• Difference between singular and possessive nouns

These will be tested on Monday 8th November. Watch out for Noun practice on the blog early next week.

We will also begin our tour of the different regions of the U.S. beginning with the Southeast.

Don't forget that you descriptive piece is due Tuesday.

Mentor Text - U.S. Tourist attractions

For Tuesday. Make sure you bring as many notes on CONSERVATION  as you can find for Tuesday's in class writing test. You will be able to use your notes  to help you with this writing. YOU DO NOT NEED A SOCIAL STUDIES TEXTBOOK. No other Humanities H/W tonight.

Look below to see a further example of an effective advanced parargraph. /will yours read like this tomorrow?

Tourist Attractions Across America

As Robert ventures down into the Grand Canyon, he begins to picture all of the other beautiful destinations in the USA. The variety of tourist attractions across the US can appeal to residents an visitors alike. The United States contains a multitude of tourists’ favorite national parks. From a plethora of Geysers, to boiling hot springs, and boiling mud pots, Yellowstone National Park is a wonderful place to visit. To travel to the Grand Canyon, one of the seven wonders of the world, is a spectacle visitors will never forget. In addition, Big Bend is yet another national park that lies on the border of Mexico, and it attracts thousands of tourists every day. A vast amount of mountain ranges spread throughout the US. The Appalachian Mountains, one of the most famous mountain ranges, runs through the Southeast and the Northeast Regions. On the other hand, The Rocky Mountains, or the Rockies are located in the west. The Cascades, another breathtaking mountain range, runs straight through California making it tangible to tourists that this is the perfect destination. The pacific States, a minute region in the west, has an assortment of tourist attractions. Containing some of the country’s tallest mountains, the Pacific States are lined vertically on the west coast. Hollywood is a city where most of America’s movies are shot, and it is also a popular tourist destination. Spanning across the golden gate, the opening of the San Fransisco into the pacific ocean, the golden gate bridge attracts visitors from all around the world. The United States contains thousands of tourist attractions, such as Yellowstone or the Cascades, and they can appeal to everyone. As Robert ascends back up to the top of the canyon, he decides that there are thousands of wonderful destinations to see in the US. His only question is, “Which one will I visit next?”

Next Week - Descriptive Writing

There is no H/W sheet to download since we have just two days next week.

Monday Night's H/W -
DESCRIPTIVE WRITING DUE DATE POSTPONED UNTIL TUESDAY  NOVEMBER 2nd

• Make sure you use the proof reading guide (given in class Monday) to improve your sentence construction. Have you truly 'painted a picture' with the words you chose?
• Do your best to integrate ideas/words from the 'word bank' booklet.
• Class Halloween party is Tuesday afternoon 2:20pm (both classes)

Mentor Text - Descriptive Writing

Home

The wind whistled in my ear as an angry chill crawled up my spine. Rain and sleet blocked my way. Each nervous step forward brought me closer to my destination. I could almost taste my fear. Our old, oak tree guarded the concrete path obediently. Its twisted branches and wet drooping leaves seemed to create a welcoming archway. A lone branch stroked my cheek as I darted underneath; reassurance perhaps? I pondered. Suddenly, even more familiar sights, comforting sounds, and calming smells bombarded my senses. I had made it. Just a few more precious steps I calculated. With two impressive strides and an enthusiastic leap I found some cover from the tormenting downpour. A long, green drape was pulled to one side, and two, tiny, warm smiles beckoned me forward. My heart pounded with joy. They were home, and they were safe.





Tuesday's Class - In Class Essay Writing

You will be required to write an in class essay on the topic 'conservation'. You will be able to use any notes we covered in class on the three Rs related to Recycle City. In addition, you will be able to ue any other notes/power plans you create.(e.g. Remember the H/Wnotes you took on how organizations can better conseve their resources?) The in class writing question will be very specific. It is VITAL that you adapt any information/notes you bring in and relate them specifically to the question you are given on Tuesday. i.e. You cannot just write down everything you know about conservation; instead, you have to make the question given is being answered.

No H/W Tuesday night

Enjoy your break and be safe when trick or treating next weekend

Feel free to add an comments about how you feel about this 1st trimester that ended Friday.  (+1 for thoughtful contributions)

Change to H/W Sheet

Due: Friday:

• Bring in a photograph  of a special 'moment in time' from your past. Try to select one that is an important point  in your life. You will be writing descriptively using this photograph, so make it as interesting as possible.
• If you have a problem getting an actual photograph, think of a creative way to achieve this same objective.
• Subjects booklet pages 4,5,6
• (If you didn't get chance to finish your descriptive writing card, don't worry. We will finish it in class or during morning work)

Reminders:

• Studying USAGE of the vocabulary words is the best way to prepare for the test tomorrow.
• Last day of Book Fair is Friday. Please remember any donations of slightly used boks for the 'Giving Tree'.
• Remember: Soar Day Friday
• Friday Night Football Game. As 5th graders, you are all role models for the younger students. Your behavior will be exemplary!

Change to H/W sheet

Instead of the exercise on 'Subjects' - Tackle this question. (Due: Thur)

List EIGHT additional ways (different from what we studied in class) that organizations and businesses could reduce their carbon footprint. Bullet points are fine. (Wink Wink ... these will be very useful facts for next Tuesday's test.)

These are some ideas...but you should try and find some unique ones yourself.
http://ecopreneurist.com/2008/04/11/10-business-practices-that-reduce-your-footprint/

Enjoy these videos on carbon footprint

Mentor Text - U.S. Terrain

Enjoy reading the paper written by Thomas on U.S. terrain. Why did I choose to put this paper on  the blog? comments encouraged

As the Smith family piles into their car, they head out to embark on an exciting adventure to national parks, mountain ranges, and coastlines all across the U.S. To begin with, the impressive terrain across the U.S. is both vast and varied. A multitude of tourists’ favorite national parks are right here in the U.S. From Big Bend to Yellow Stone and Glacier national park, these are some of the largest outdoor attractions in the U.S. Furthermore, Yellowstone national park, located in Colorado, is filled with bubbling hot springs and spitting geysers. Big Bend is located in the Southwest, yet it is on the boarder of Mexico and the U.S. A vast amount of  picturesque mountain ranges are spread across the United States. Stretching across the Southeast region is the Appalachian Mountains. The Rocky Mountains, located in the Southwest and West, crosses two regions. In these two mountain ranges is where outdoor adventurers might find the best skiing in the nation. The U.S. is outlined with a numerous amount of coastlines. Beaches of Los Angeles and Florida are some of the most popular destinations in the U.S. The latter was recently affected by an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The oil spill kept an extremely large amount of people from coming to the coastlines that were affected, but now that the spill is clogged, so people are starting to swarm in again. From national parks to coastlines and mountain ranges these fantastic features make the U.S. a popular destination. After a long day of breathtaking sightseeing, the Smith family parks their car and they stagger into the hotel to take a break and sleep for the night.  

• Words in black are ones I added to avoid word repetition
• Tomorrow, we will work on effective restate sentences

Next Tuesday, you will write an essay in class under exam conditions as part of your Lesson 3-5 Test.

Prepositional Phrases- Test Practice

Use these links to practice for Wednesday's test on clauses, prepositions, and prepositional phrases.

Infinitves - explanations
http://www2.puc.edu/Faculty/Rosemary_Dibben/Grammar/infinitives.shtml
new link on preps. (added Monday night)
http://www.eduplace.com/cgi-bin/hme-quiz-start.cgi?Grade=6&Unit=7&Topic=Prepositional+Phrases&x=25&y=9
http://depts.dyc.edu/learningcenter/owl/exercises/prepositions_ex1.htm
http://depts.dyc.edu/learningcenter/owl/exercises/prepositions_ex2.htm
http://www.quia.com/quiz/298373.html?AP_rand=219568485

http://www.towson.edu/ows/ESLexercisePrep2.htm
http://www.english-in-chester.co.uk/stayintouch/prepositional-phrases-english-language-practice_32.html
(drag and drop answers for speed)

http://aliscot.com/bigdog/prep_exercise.htm

http://www.quia.com/cc/73781.html
Make sure you watched last week's videos on prepositional phrases.

Enjoy these zany videos on Prepositions







You will not be able to answer all the quesations on this page as we have not studied gerunds yet. However, this is a VERY useful exercise to try (wink wink!)
http://www.grammaruntied.com/phrases/phrasequiz1/Iquizphrase.html

Mentor Text - Essay Writing

Read this sample essay paragraph that earned an A+  on the last writing assignment by Bennett. You will be writing another one of these tomorrow. See if you can see why Bennett earned the highest grade. Comments welcome.


Oceans
by Bennett Smith

On a beautiful summer day John Drinkwater, a scuba diving specialist, prepares to explore the awesome oceans. A number of major oceans cover about 70% of our Earth’s surface. The largest ocean is the Pacific Ocean. Surprisingly, The Pacific Ocean is 69,000,000 square miles wide. While oceans themselves cover 70% of the Earth’s surface, the Pacific covers 30%. The deepest point, The Mariana Trench, can fit 28.7232 Empire State Buildings inside it. The Atlantic Ocean has various amounts of geological features. For instance, the Mid Atlantic Ridge runs right through the Atlantic Ocean. Another feature is the mysterious Bermuda Triangle that is located on the Atlantic. Additionally, there are lots of hydrothermal vents that squirt out waters form 500 – 780 degrees Fahrenheit. The Arctic Ocean is known for its cold waters. Astonishingly, in the winter the Arctic Ocean is mostly sea ice, but sometimes it forms glaciers. The salinity level increases in the Arctic because the water freezes and leaves the salt behind. Not only has global warming affected the water temperature, but also it affects animals’ habitat. From the ring of fire of the Pacific, to the Mid Atlantic Ridge of the Atlantic, and the bone chilling waters of the Arctic, oceans are one of the most interesting and fun topics people can learn about. John Drinkwater is all prepared, and he is finally ready to explore the amazing underwater world of his ocean.

Homework Sheet Week 9+10

Click above to get next week's homework sheet. The next two weeks close this first trimester. Can you belive one third of fifth grade is almost already over.  Be VERY organized with your studies next week as many grades are being taken for your Report Cards. Finish the trimester STRONG!

Word of the Week
Precocious

Phrase of the Week
You'll always know when you are on the right  road; it's uphill.

Note: Buxton class Teddy Bear skit is Monday, Graham class Tuesday.

Prepositional Package H/W

Remember:

• Pages 7-8-9 from your prepostional package for H/W.
• Graham class ONLY - Write three P2s for the topic sentence on the back of the power plan. Next, write three P3 for just one of the P2s.
• work on your prepositional phrase skit. By the end of tomorrow's session, your group should be able to run through  your play from start ot finish. Remember the WILF
• Daily Editing Books due tomorrow. This is an easy A+. You just need to hand it in completed on time.

Don't worry about finishing Hatchet. We'll tackle that tomorrow.

Prepositional Phrase Practice -Videos

A reply from Mr. Warton

To Mr. Buxton's Students,



It was exhilarating to talk with you about the challenges of living in a diverse, global world. You really are the leaders that our city, state, and nation is waiting for to grow up and solve many of the problems we adults can't figure out. Thank you for your thoughtful and smart comments. Always think critically, listen intently, and speak and write with clarity and passion.


Mr. Wharton



Watch these videos to recap what we learned about prepositional phrases today

Will your prepositional phrase song be full of prepositional phrases like this one?



Use this link to practice for next week's Prpositional Phrase Test

"Wink Wink Nudge Nudge  Bob's your Uncle"- This exercise could be VERY useful next week! (click on -pop quiz)
http://eslus.com/LESSONS/GRAMMAR/POS/pos7.htm#Pop Quiz 1

Homework Week 8

Click above link for this week's homework'

Phrase of the Week
You can't applaud with one hand

Word  of the week
naive

Sentence Fluency Test Practice 2

Add your questions/comments/study examples to the blog.

Plus points for quality questions or answers that you can provide to other people's questions.

Mr. Warton's talk...

What messages did you take away from Mr. Warton's talk today?

Any other comments regarding the topics discussed?

Win + points for thoughful responses

Setnence Fluency Test Practice

Next Fridaty's test is OPEN BOOK and OPEN NOTES. You may bring ANYTHING you create into the test room with you. The trick is studying 'smart' and looking for the red flags that give you the clues to the answer
e.g. what words do you need to be highlighting if you are trying to decide whether something is compound or complex?
e.g. what's the difference between a semi colon and a comma?
e.g what are the four charateristics of both compound and complex sentences?
e.g. how can you learn from the mistakes you made in your worksheets?
 You are expected to spend about 10 mins every night next week practicing these exercises and playing these games below.

http://www.csus.edu/owl/index/sent/clause_quiz.htm
compound and complex sentences

http://highered.mheducation.com/sites/0073123587/student_view0/chapter6/complex_sentences_exercise.html 

http://www.softschools.com/quizzes/language_arts/sentence_types/quiz1848.html  

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quiz2/quizzes-to-fix/sentence_types_quiz.html

https://www.classzone.com/books/lnetwork_gr07/page_build.cfm?id=quiz&ch=8 

http://highered.mheducation.com/sites/0073511994/student_view0/brush_up/part_i-grammar2/grammar_exercise_04.html 

http://a4esl.org/q/h/9901/cw-senttype.html

Fused and Comma Splice

http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/runons_quiz.htm 

https://depts.dyc.edu/learningcenter/owl/exercises/run-ons_ex1.htm 

http://wps.prenhall.com/chet_smith_english_10/108/27805/7118326.cw/content/index.html 

http://www.quia.com/quiz/299540.html (ignore question 13 and 16)

http://www.quia.com/rr/126726.html
http://www.quia.com/quiz/815621.html?AP_rand=60951870

Week 7 Homework

click above link to see you H/W for next week

Change to Thursday H/W

Spend tonight working on some aspect of your script if you can.   Scripts are not due until next Tuesday. You will have another hour in class to work on these Fri and Mon, so don't panic!

For tomorrow, read this article below on phrases and clauses. This will help you prepare for the lesson. Then try the exercise

http://www.english-the-easy-way.com/Punctuation_English/Clause_or_Phrase.htm 

http://www.csus.edu/owl/index/sent/clause_quiz.htm  

Start to tackle some of the online sentence fluency exercises for practice for next Thursday's test.  This is not compulsory, but you should try all these exercises before next Friday's  Sentence Fluency Test

http://eslbee.com/cgi-bin/quiztest.cgi?helenkeller   compound/complex practice

http://itech.pjc.edu/writinglab/senpat.htm  compound/complex  practice

http://www.learnamericanenglishonline.com/Orange%20Level/Orange_Level_Quiz_4_Clauses_&_Phrases.html  phrases and clauses

This video gives details on clauses - phrases are just without the subject or verb or both

Change to Wednesday's H.W.

Review the SSS technqiue sentences we studied today. Win bonus plus points for any SSS technique sentences your write on the blog.

Do something toward your  freeenterprise script tonight.
e.g.  examples might be:

• write some of your own part
• choose some of your daybook vocabulary and try to put it into some sentences that you can use in your script.
• create some compound/complex sentences that you can use in your script.
• make a list of ideas of events that will happend in your script