| Tuesday, June 05, 2007 |
| Show and tell |
I know school is over, but I brought in this REALLY cool show-and-tell, and I wanted you guys to be able to see it. Ok, so actually it just fell through the ceiling...
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posted by Ryan @ 1:23 PM  |
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| Thursday, May 31, 2007 |
| Free time at end of year |
Seems K. Berridge had too much time on her hands after losing a game of Monopoly this week...
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| posted by Ryan @ 2:24 PM |
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| Journal Entry--May 31 |
| Well, we're down to our last two days of the year. Where did the time go? Since tomorrow we'll be busy cleaning up, packing up, and throwing up (our hands in excitement, that is), today will be our final journal posting of the year. So today, I'd like you to sum up the year. First in one word. Then in one sentence. Finally, in one paragraph. Make sure to skip a line between each of these. |
| posted by Ryan @ 8:02 AM |
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| Thursday, May 24, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--May 25 |
| Sorry about yesterday folks--I forgot! But you can catch up today by doing some extra free journaling... :) |
| posted by Ryan @ 11:03 PM |
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| Wednesday, May 23, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--May 23 |
| So, tell us all about how field day went. |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:55 AM |
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| Tuesday, May 22, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--May 22 |
| Today is field day, and we're headed to Charlotte! Write a short story about something going wrong today (and then we'll hope it doesn't happen)... |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:53 AM |
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| Friday, May 18, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--May 21 |
| Imagine you are standing in the middle of the classroom, facing the door. In a clockwise (toward your right) direction, turn around and look at the entire room. Describe the room using only shapes (square, cylinder, etc) and colors (red, yellow, black, white, etc). Don't name anything--just describe it! |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:53 AM |
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| Journal Entry--May 18 |
| 4students x Friday = free journaling |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:51 AM |
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| Thursday, May 17, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--May 17 |
| Select a book from a random shelf in our library. Copy down the last sentence, and use this line to begin a (very) short story. |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:51 AM |
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| Tuesday, May 15, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--May 16 |
Last week we started a new reading book, Island of the Blue Delphins, by Scott O'Dell. Today's journal assignment is related to that. Here you go!
You are stranded alone on an island that is surrounded by salt water. There are animals on the island, but you have no weapons to hunt them or tools to fish. You have only the clothes on your back. What will you do for food, shelter, fresh water? Be specific. |
| posted by Ryan @ 9:05 AM |
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| Journal Entry--May 15 |
| Explain how to do something that may be very simple to you, but that you don't think anyone else in the class would know how to do. |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:54 AM |
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| Monday, May 14, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--May 14 |
| Describe what heaven is to you. |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:53 AM |
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| Tuesday, May 08, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--May 8 |
| So...what was geocaching REALLY like? Did you have fun? Would you do it again? |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:50 AM |
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| Monday, May 07, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--May 7 |
| Today we're going treasure hunting. Geocaching, to be specific. What do you think we'll find? Where will it be hidden? |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:53 AM |
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| Friday, May 04, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--May 4 |
| We've not been journaling here for the past few days because students are working hard to finish a very neat art project. Today, however, we're taking a break for some free journaling. |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:50 AM |
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| Monday, April 30, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--April 30 |
Write a response to the following picture. What do you think it is? Where did it come from? What is it used for? When was it made?
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| posted by Ryan @ 7:53 AM |
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| Friday, April 27, 2007 |
| Poetry Reading |
April is National Poetry month, and students have been busy reading poems. Here, they have recorded a reading of their favorite poems, along with the reasons they like the poems so much. Click on each student's name to listen.
Katie
Kody
Kylie
Jordan
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| posted by Ryan @ 12:36 PM |
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| Journal Entry--April 27 |
| Friday, of course, is free journaling. One thing I'd like to know though: today on the radio I heard an interview with a lady in Africa who didn't know how old she was. How important is it to you that you know how old you are? Why? |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:58 AM |
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| Thursday, April 26, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--April 26 |
Today, some wacky definitions. Do your best to figure out what these words mean (the real meanings will be posted later) or just make up a funny definition that might be right:
1. escarole--a type of lettuce
2. gaggle--a group of geese
3. bovine--having to do with cows
4. perfunctory--thoughtless or uninterested
5. remunerate--to pay someone
6. absconded--to leave quickly and secretly and hide oneself
7. cacophony--a meaningless mixture of sounds |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:49 AM |
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| Wednesday, April 25, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--April 25 |
| Today, we're going to pay homage to the weather by writing a poem about rain. As always, poems don't have to rhyme--but wouldn't it be more fun if your's did? |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:52 AM |
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| Journal Entry--April 24 |
And now, for something completely different...
I want you to open up Windows Paint (that's Start > All Programs > Accessories > Paint), and use it to draw a picture somehow showing what you see when you look outside (but without actually turning around and looking!).
Save it on the Media drive, in the "blog pictures" directory, as a file called Myfirstname (whatever your first name is), and the file type should be a JPEG file. We'll post the picture on our blog today instead of comments. Enjoy! |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:49 AM |
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| Monday, April 23, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--April 23 |
| After returning from school, you walk into your house and notice an item that wasn't there when you left in the morning. What room were you in, what was the item and how did it get there? |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:44 AM |
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| Friday, April 20, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--April 20 |
| It's Friday...it's free journaling...get to it! |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:54 AM |
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| Thursday, April 19, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--April 19 |
| Alright, fill me in on what happened yesterday. How'd the day go? What did you do? Anything different than usual? |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:48 AM |
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| Tuesday, April 17, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--April 18 |
| Today is your birthday, and everybody in your family has forgotten about it. How do you feel? How can you hint to them that this is your important day without coming right out and telling them? |
| posted by Ryan @ 5:13 PM |
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| Just a friendly reminder... |
| Please make sure you are being kind and nice in your journal blogging. I've had to delete yesterday's posting because there were some negative comments. Let's keep it positive! |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:53 AM |
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| Journal Entry--April 17 |
| For most of the country, today is that dreaded day that comes around once each year--TAX DAY. Do you pay taxes? What for? What do our taxes do? If you aren't sure, just take your best guess. |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:50 AM |
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| Friday, April 13, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--April 13 |
| Fridays are for free journaling... |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:58 AM |
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| Thursday, April 12, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--April 12 |
| Now that the weather looks like it might start becoming more spring-like, students will no doubt start asking to have classes outdoors. Come up with one or two things for each class we have every day that could be done outside. |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:37 AM |
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| Wednesday, April 11, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--April 11 |
| You have been kidnapped and are being held in a small room. Describe how you get out using any of the following items found in the room: a black plastic comb, a stone, a rusty nail or a pop bottle cap. |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:58 AM |
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| Tuesday, April 10, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--April 10 |
| "April showers bring May flowers" is a fairly common saying. Of course, in our case that means snow showers... but anyway. What are some other common sayings you've heard? List as many as you can think of, and if you run out, just make some up of your own! |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:59 AM |
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| Monday, April 09, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--April 9 |
| So... yesterday was Easter, and no doubt the Easter Bunny was VERY busy, but what does the silly rabbit do for the rest of the year? |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:44 AM |
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| Tuesday, April 03, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--April 5 |
| If I had to be either blind or deaf, I would choose _______, and here's why: |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:53 AM |
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| Journal Entry--April 4 |
| It's 3 a.m. and your nightly slumber was interrupted by a screeching sound. The noise is coming from your closet. What can it be? Scared as you are, you still decide to take a peek. Describe what you find. |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:51 AM |
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| Journal Entry--April 3 |
| Thanks so much for your comments about snakes yesterday. So today, let's talk about YOUR greatest fear! What scares you the most? Tell us all about it. I promise not to put it in your chair... |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:50 AM |
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| Sunday, April 01, 2007 |
| Journal Prompt--April 2 |
| I know, I know... I'm bummed that April Fool's day wasn't on a school day this year, too. But maybe we can make up for it with today's journal. What is the best joke you know? (Just make sure it doesn't put anyone down) |
| posted by Ryan @ 11:42 PM |
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| Wednesday, March 28, 2007 |
| Journal Prompt--March 30 |
Mr. Hill needs help coming up with a name for his new baby. Give at least 5 suggestions, and include the following information:
First Name
Last Name
Why he should choose this combination
Where (country) the names come from
What the names mean
Any other important information about the names
Thanks for the help! |
| posted by Ryan @ 10:27 PM |
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| Journal Prompt--March 29 |
| Imagine you had a substitute teacher today... but something went terribly wrong! What happened? What would you tell Mr. Hill when he gets back? Be creative! |
| posted by Ryan @ 10:26 PM |
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| Tuesday, March 27, 2007 |
| Journal Entry--March 27 |
| Today there's only a few of us at school--the rest are up at Camp Au Sable at Outdoor Ed. So what exactly do we think they're doing up there, anyway? |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:53 AM |
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| Thursday, March 15, 2007 |
| Journal Prompt--March 15 |
| Leapin' Leprechauns!!! It'd St. Paddy's Day. But what about a NEW saint? Make up a new saint yourself--tell us their name, where they lived (and when), what they did to become a saint, and a few other interesting things about your saint. |
| posted by Ryan @ 8:12 AM |
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| Wednesday, March 14, 2007 |
| Journal Prompt--March 14 |
| Since today is National Pi day (that's not usually the kind you eat), tell us about your favorite thing to eat. Use as many sensory details as possible (remember--you've got at least 5 senses). |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:50 AM |
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| Tuesday, March 13, 2007 |
| Journal Prompt--March 13 |
| My favorite thing about spring is... |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:55 AM |
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| Monday, March 12, 2007 |
| Journal Prompt--March 12 |
| You're traveling in a rental car when you hear the thumping of a flat tire. You pull over and discover the thumping is not coming from a flat, after all, but from the trunk. What—or who—is making the noise? |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:58 AM |
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| Friday, March 09, 2007 |
| Journal Prompt--March 9 |
| What is the most important thing you've ever lost? What is the thing you've lost that you miss the most? Are they the same thing or different? How did you lose them? What made them so important to you? |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:44 AM |
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| Thursday, March 08, 2007 |
| Journal Prompt--March 7 |
| The temperature outside is finally above freezing and winter's snow is beginning to melt, revealing a season's worth of lost things. Suppose you're taking a walk through the park. What do you see revealed beneath the melting snow? How did it get there? |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:58 AM |
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| Tuesday, March 06, 2007 |
| Journal Prompt--March 6 |
| So I woke up this morning, wiped the goo from my eyes, sat up in my bed, and the first thing I saw was... |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:57 AM |
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| Monday, March 05, 2007 |
| Journal Prompt--March 5 |
| The country is in dire need of another holiday that everyone can celebrate, and the government has given you the task of picking it. What event will you add to the holiday calendar and why? |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:52 AM |
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| Wednesday, February 28, 2007 |
| Journal Prompt--March 2 |
| As usual, it's Friday so we're doing free journaling. Get to it! |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:58 AM |
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| Journal Prompt--March 1 |
Here's your journal prompt for today:
Your good friends at Merriam-Webster called and you've been asked to create five new words to be included in next year's dictionary. What are your five words? (Don't forget to include each word's definition.) |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:57 AM |
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| Journal Prompt--February 28 |
Here you go!
You’re at your favorite store buying a birthday present for a friend. As the cashier gives you change, you notice a message with specific instructions scribbled on one of the bills. What did the instructions say? Did you carry them out and, if so, how? |
| posted by Ryan @ 7:54 AM |
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| Tuesday, February 27, 2007 |
| Journal Prompt--February 27 |
Today, please finish the following sentence:
"So, the strangest thing happened to me on the way home yesterday..." |
| posted by Ryan @ 8:01 AM |
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| Monday, February 26, 2007 |
| Journal Prompt--February 26 |
| This morning, please make up a game that involves a rubber ball, running, and throwing. It MUST be a game you've never heard of or played before. Good luck! |
| posted by Ryan @ 8:01 AM |
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| Thursday, February 22, 2007 |
| Journal Prompt--February 23 |
| Today we're going to try free journaling online--just write about whatever. We'll see how this goes... |
| posted by Ryan @ 8:17 AM |
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| Wednesday, February 21, 2007 |
| Journal Prompt--February 22 |
Here's your journal prompt for Thursday, February 22:
You’ve been stranded on an island with only three things: a bowling trophy, a vacuum cleaner and a mystery item (which you must reveal). How did you get on the island, and why do you have these particular items? |
| posted by Ryan @ 8:59 AM |
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| Friday, February 16, 2007 |
| Journal Prompt--February 21 |
Students--good job on your last e-journal entries. Here's today's journal prompt:
Three weeks ago, while folding laundry, you noticed a sock was missing. Last week, another sock disappeared. Where are they going? You’ve hidden a tiny video camera inside a sock to find out. Describe what is happening to your socks. |
| posted by Ryan @ 8:08 AM |
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| Thursday, February 15, 2007 |
| Something new--online daily journals |
We're going to give this a try & see how it works. Instead of having my students journal on prompts in their notebooks, I'm going to post the writing prompts HERE and have them leave their thoughts as responses. Here's the prompt for FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16:
If you could invite any three people to dinner (dead or alive, famous, fictional, etc.), who would they be, why and what would the topic of conversation be?
Alright kids, get to work! |
| posted by Ryan @ 8:09 AM |
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| Wednesday, November 15, 2006 |
| Poems |
We're focusing on poems this month in writer's workshop. Here are a few selections from our acrostic poems:
Kody Adams—
Sunlight warms our bodies
Under the sky we seek shade.
Never wanting night to come.
Little children playing in the warm sun.
In our gardens the plants grow strong
God gives warmth to all his creatures.
Have you ever seen such a glorious day?
Little by little the sun is setting.
The night is here, tomorrow is waiting.
Katie Berridge—
C is for cocoa, it comes from a tree
H is for heavenly, it’s made just for me!
O is for only: I can have more
C is for covering bright red cherries, galore!
O is for outstanding in taste
L is for loveable, it gets all over my face
A is for ate it all, sorry—NOT!
T is for taste’s very good it will not rot.
E is for even I can’t share it!
Kylie Burke—
D is for duck
U is for universe
C is for caring
K is for kind
L is for lovable
I is for inside
N is for nice |
| posted by Ryan @ 2:27 PM |
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| Friday, November 03, 2006 |
| Newsletters |
Hello all.
We've just finished our October newsletter (yes, a few days late). Below is also a link to our first newsletter (September) in case you missed it.
Recess Press #2 (October)
Recess Press #1 (September)
Enjoy! |
| posted by Ryan @ 2:53 PM |
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| Wednesday, September 27, 2006 |
| Our other blog |
I just realized that in my welcome message below, I said I'd post a link here to our other blog--the one we're doing in conjunction with the Charlotte school. So, here it is:
write-think-respond.blogspot.com |
| posted by Ryan @ 9:32 AM |
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| Monday, September 25, 2006 |
| African geography |
After watching a video today on African geography, I queried my students:
"Class," I asked, "what are one of the three kinds of savannah's found in Africa?"
Three hands fly up.
"Yes?" I ask one of the eager students.
"Tropicana," came the reply.
I laughed. |
| posted by Ryan @ 3:50 PM |
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| Thursday, September 21, 2006 |
| Ideas |
We were talking about ideas for the title of our student newsletter today. After about 20 minutes of no student suggestions, I ask them again if they have any ideas. One of them responded:
"I know I have ideas, but they’re stuck in traffic all the way over in Ann Arbor." |
| posted by Ryan @ 12:16 PM |
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| Tuesday, September 19, 2006 |
| Welcome! |
Greetings friends, parents, and others!
Welcome to our writing workshop page. You'll find several things on this page throughout the year. First, you'll find links to our main writer's workshop blog (the one we're working on in conjunction with our friends in Charlotte). You'll also find some more informal postings of various student writing, comments, and other such interesting things. We hope you enjoy reading what our students have worked hard (or sometimes hardly worked!) to write.
-- Mr. Hill |
| posted by Ryan @ 10:57 AM |
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| About Me |
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Name: Ryan
Home: Wilmington, Delaware, United States
About Me:
See my complete profile
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