October 31st, 2009
Yesterday was Nevada Day which gave our school a welcome vacation day. This week was the end of the first quarter of school. Report cards will be handed out later this month. Students are finishing the novel groups they have been meeting with by writing responses and recording literary elements. Each student has selected a book to read and complete a prediction book report.
Our writing lessons are focused on personal narratives. Students have created their own blogs to be used as writing portfolios. Our school has provided a server for blogging. If you would like to read the student work, check out Mrs. Trabert’s World. Right now I have limited comments to people who have an account with us because we still are working out some bugs. Leave me a comment on this site if you have something to say.
Have a safe Halloween.
October 7th, 2009
Students are continuing to use the elements of literature to aid their comprehension. Each student presented an element’s definition and an example from a story to the class. Tomorrow students are answering literary element questions about a short story.
In writing, students are learning to write a narrative patterned after the picture book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. They wrote a draft about Ted’s Bad Day. Today they learned four ways to improve a beginning of the story. Tomorrow they are elaborating using BS (builders and stretchers). On Friday, everyone will be posting on his or her own blogs.
September 30th, 2009
Use these flashcards to help you remember the elements of literature and what they mean.
September 21st, 2009
Write a description in the comment of the picture.
September 21st, 2009
Type a description in the comment.
September 18th, 2009
I saw this idea on writingfix.com last night so I thought I’d try it on my blog.
http://writingfix.com
Write a description of this picture in the comments.
September 16th, 2009
Today my reading classes took a computerized reading placement test to get an idea of approximate reading levels. Our investigation into “Why Read?” finished with the creation of comic strips to explain reasons for reading. The next unit of study is “What makes me who I am?” Students are learning about the concept of conformity. The reading skills associated with the unit are elements of literature.
The writing classes have finished the overview of the writing process and the 6 traits of effective writing. Today they are prewriting a descriptive paragraph about an animal.
August 30th, 2009
School has started and we have just finished the first week. My classes are off to a good start. Everyone seems to be prepared and ready to work hard to learn.
July 13th, 2009
Our school is out for summer break. I started the break with a class “Teaching with the Brain in Mind.” I learned lots of valuable teaching strategies to implement in my classes next year. I have been reading Laura Robb’s books about teaching reading. She is great! I am looking forward to differentiating instruction. The rest of the time I have been lazily laying in the pool and watching old movies. Very relaxing! I probably won’t have any more updates until later in August when school resumes.
