2010

HAPPY HOLIDAYS 5TH GRADERS!
Enjoy your break!

The End of 2009

It's almost 2010- and we are half way done with 5th grade.  We can't wait for the holidays and for a new year to begin!  Here are our New Years Resolutions for 2010:

1) To be nice to others as often as we can

2) To make new friends

3) To work hard in school and get good grades

4) To have better manners - say please, thank you, holding doors for others

5) To be respectful to everyone- adults, other kids, and family members

In the spirit of the holidays, our class has made a promise.  Our promise is to not bully others and trust our neighbors.  This is very important to us because we know how it feels to be bullied and we don't ever want anyone else to feel that way.  We are going to show all of the visitors that come in for our celebration tomorrow that we are a respectful, wonderful class.  We are champions in our elementary school.  Thank you for viewing our blog this year- See you in 2010.

Animoto.com

Holiday Spirit

No matter what religion you believe in, each has important dates (holidays) that are important.  Usually during the holidays, you will see people being extra kind to one another by doing them favors, getting them gifts, or just simply helping them out if they need it.  Share two examples that you have seen of "holiday spirit."  If you can't think of any examples, share how you could contribute with your own "holiday spirit."  Also in class, we discussed how people can "pay it forward."  This means- when someone does something nice for you, you go on and do something nice for someone else.  We talked about how great that is- if you have any examples of paying it forward, share them here!  Write at least 5 sentences. 

Trust and Honesty

Yesterday, we had a trust circle during class.  You were then asked to write a reflection on that trust circle.  Discuss it here- please don't use names or personal issues, but tell about how the trust circle worked, what you thought of it, and any suggestions you have for next time.  Write at least 5 sentences.

Star Letter- Ben

 Today, we wrote *star letters* to our classmate, Ben.  We think Ben is a good friend, and very funny.  He smiles a lot, and is very smart.  We all think he is such a nice guy!  He is very confident and good at making decisions.  He is also a very hard worker.  We enjoy having him as part of our class this year!

Persuasion

Yesterday, you noticed that sometimes while persuading someone, you can also mislead them.  This happens most often in commercials.  We learned that there are "make-up artists" for fast-food commercials, and that sometimes products don't work correctly.  How did it make you feel to learn those things?  Why is it important for us to learn the persuasive techniques How can they help you avoid these situations? Write at least 7 sentences.

Bandwagon

Bandwagon is a persuasive technique that makes the viewer believe that he/she should do something because everyone else is doing it.  This has been done with many good things, such as donating to specific charities, or helping out different causes, but has also been done in the past with smoking, or other things that are harmful to the body.  Think about a time where someone or something (an adult, a commercial, a salesman) has almost or actually convinced you or a family member to do something using the bandwagon idea.  Write at least 6 sentences about this time.

Rocket Word Tag

Try this! This game asks players to identify nouns and verbs.  See how well you can do!  The easiest ways to remember what nouns and verbs are is to think of this:

Noun: Person, Place, Thing (chair, school, mother, father)

Verb: Action word (run, swim, played, sank)

Rocket Word Tag

Try Xtranormal

Xtranormal is an animation site where you can make your own movies.  It is challenging, but very fun!  Try using the site, and making a video, and saving it.  It must be appropriate for school and include dialogue (speaking).  Practice using the site so we can make videos later in the month to present to the class.  

Instructions:

1) Go to the Xtranormal Website 

2) In the top corner of the site, there is a Sign In button.  Please press it to sign in with this:

Username: MsManonisClass

Password: Cartmell09
3) Choose a ShowPak for your movie- this is basically just a background

4) From here, explore the different options.  You can do 1-2 actors, and do all different types of speech, camera angles, movements, emotions, etc. SAVE YOUR VIDEO WITH YOUR FIRST NAME!

Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is our last literary device to learn about.  Foreshadowing is to provide clues for the reader to be able to predict what might occur later in the story.  Foreshadowing is usually most obvious in movies.  Write about a movie that gives obvious foreshadowing.  An example of this would be the music in the movie Jaws right before the shark attack.  Write about how the foreshadowing changes the story.  Write at least 6 sentences.

Thanksgiving

Thursday is Thanksgiving.  In at least 7 sentences, please write what you are thankful for this year.

Congratulations!

Congratulations on getting more than 2,000 views on our blog! You are doing a great job!

Imagery and your opinion

Imagery is often used in books to help readers become attached to or "hooked in" to the book.  It helps you create a picture in your mind of the events happening in the story.  Which of the 5 senses makes the biggest different for you when reading a book?  

Hint: 

Do you feel sick in Harry Potter when grass flavored (or worse!) jelly beans are eaten?

Do you get a mental picture of the main character?  Harry Potter being a young, dark haired boy with round glasses and a lightning shaped scar?  

Write at least 7 sentences about what senses "hook you in" the most!

Similes and Metaphors

Try this! Here is an on metaphors.  Practice creating a few on the website, and then thinking of your own examples.  Post at least 2 examples here.  Be sure that you have also posted your simile example on Wall Wisher!



Metaphor Creator 


Hint: Here are a few examples of metaphors to help you (DO NOT COPY THESE!)

The field is a rainbow of colors.
The leaves are a blanket covering the ground.

Hyperbole

A hyperbole is an extreme exaggeration- see the examples to the left.  Give 2 examples of hyperbole that are appropriate for school and not already shown.  Next, tell how an author might use a hyperbole to set a mood, or show a writing style.  Write at least 4 sentences for this section.  Hint: Hyperbole is usually used to show humor. 

Free Write!

Happy Friday!  Today, you can write about whatever you want (appropriate for school, of course)! Please be sure you write at least 7 sentences.

Figurative Language

Give 2 examples of stories or movies in which you have seen personification and tell how it was used.  Remember, personification is giving human qualities to something that is not human.  Then, describe with at least 4 sentences how personification can help an author make a story more engaging and interesting.

Veterans Day

Today is Veterans Day! Thinking about what it means to dedicate your life to our country, write a 7 sentence reflection.  Tell why Veterans are important to our country's history, and why they are important to you.  Remember, using correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling is absolutely necessary!

Similes

See if you can figure out these similes! 

Simile Matching

Then, Go to Wall Wisher and share an example of a simile that no one else has written already.  Remember: A SIMILE MUST USE THE WORDS "LIKE" or "AS"

Wall Wisher - Similes

Literary Devices

Today, we took our pre-assessment on literary devices.  Practice reading about similes and metaphors on this website.  Follow these directions:

 Literary Devices ThinkQuest 

1. Click on the Simile section

2. Read through the poems

3. At the bottom, select "Are you ready to practice what you have learned?" and complete the activity

REPEAT THIS for the metaphor section.

Responsibility

This month, our character trait to focus on is RESPONSIBILITY.  Each of us is responsible for different things in all different parts of our lives.  Please write a sequence of events for one of your responsibilities.  It must include at least 4 steps that are written in complete sentences.  Make sure you use strong transitions.  Here is an example (please be original- do not copy the example!):

One of my responsibilities at home is to wash the dishes.  Here is how I complete my task:

First, I throw out any leftover food on the dishes.

Then, I  rinse the dishes off with warm water.

Next, I scrub the dishes with soap and a sponge.

After scrubbing, I rinse the dishes off again.

Finally, I dry the dishes and put them away.

This lets us see all of the different things we are responsible for, AND helps us realize how important using the correct sequence of events can be. 

Punctuation Paintball!

Please play the game at the site below. Choose a level that is understandable, but challenging for you. Once you have chosen the level, please watch the INTRO, and then begin the game. If you find that the level you chose is too easy or too hard, please go back and choose a different level.

Punctuation Paintball!

Reading Comprehension

Go to the website below and complete two activities of your choice.

Reading Comprehension

Kentucky Geography Integration

This week, we have been learning about the 6 Kentucky regions- Bluegrass, Eastern Mountains and Coalfields, Western Coalfields, Knobs, Pennyroyal, and Jackson Purchase. Practice your persuasive skills, and try to "sell" one of the regions. Make someone want to visit the region, and tell them SPECIFIC things about the region that might attract their attention. Pay attention to your audience! Write at least 6 sentences.

Book Response

Currently, you are reading a DEAR book, and also a literature circle book. Choose one of these, and write a review of it. Your review should include the following:

• What is something you like about the book? What is something you do not like?
• Would you recommend this book to others? Why?
  
• Who would be most interested in this book?
• What would you change about the book if you could? (Don't say nothing!)

Please write at least 7 sentences (they should be strong and correct).

Review Literary Elements

Take the quiz below. Post a comment with your score when you are done.

Review Quiz

Also, go to this website and practice the exercises.

Practice the elements

Grammar Practice

Today, please visit the site below and complete the activities. Press "Next" when you are ready to move to the next activity.

Prefix/Suffix Practice

Reading Comprehension Practice

Read these two stories and answer the questions about them.

Facts about Elephants

Facts about Dolphins

POST A COMMENT TO TELL MS. M YOUR SCORES!

Literary Elements

Today, practice your literary elements on at this site.

Literary Elements Practice

Directions: Please make sure you choose the following on the settings:

1 player
difficulty level 1
course 4
all units

Today's Assembly

Describe the assembly we had this morning. Tell details and use strong words. You will be graded on your grammar and punctuation on this blog entry :o)

Fall Break

Last week, we had the whole week off of school for Fall Break. Tell about what you did over Fall Break in at least 6 sentences.

U.S. Regions

Our projects turned out great! Wow!

Ms. M's U.S. Region Projects

Wall Wisher

This week, we used Wall Wisher to help us reflect on our thoughts for the day. We are going to work on adding pictures next time!

FREE WRITE!

Today, you can write about whatever you want (appropriate for school, of course)! Please be sure you write at least 7 sentences. Use the link below for ideas if you need them.

Growing Up

Everyone always asks people similar questions throughout life. The first one is usually this: What do you want to be when you grow up? Instead of telling what you want to be, since it may or may not change, please write about a few (2-3) of the jobs you might be interested in. What excites or interests you about these jobs? Please write at least 7 sentences. Your comment may be posted around the classroom!

Plot

Within the plot, or main events of a story, there is a climax. The climax is the most exciting part of the story, usually when the problem of the story is solved. Think of a book you have read recently. Write the title, the author, and the climax. Be careful not to spoil the story for our readers, though! Write at least 5 sentences.

Fall

Today is the first day of Fall! The season brings many pretty colors and mild weather, but it also means the cold is coming soon! Create your own setting to a story that involves the Fall season. Remember, settings include when and where your story takes place. Please do not write the actual story, but instead, just the setting. Write at least 5 sentences. Use strong words!

September 11, 2001

Recently, Americans remembered a day only 8 years ago where a group of people tried to harm the people of our country. Thousands of people died in this tragic event. What are your thoughts about this day? What do you think is the best way to remember the people that were lost? Share your opinions with at least 6 sentences please.

Today's Assembly

Today, we saw an assembly about respect. Tell about the assembly you saw, what the message from it was, and why it is important. Please write at least 7 sentences. Remember, sentences have correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Happy Friday!

Teachers

You have many teachers that work very hard to help you each day. Take a moment to thank one or more of them that you have had throughout your schooling. Please write at least 6 sentences.

Free Write!

Today, you can write about whatever you want (appropriate for school, of course)! Please be sure you write at least 7 sentences. Use the link below for ideas if you need them.

Writing Prompts

Literary Elements

We are about to start learning literary elements. One of the most important "hooks" while reading is the setting of a story. The setting is when and where the story takes place. Please write 5 sentences describing a setting that you make up. Remember, you must tell when AND where the story is taking place.

Presidential Speech

A few days ago, President Barack Obama gave a speech on how important it is to try your hardest to get a good education. Why do you think that staying in school, and trying your best are important things to do? How can school help you later in life? What do you want to learn in school? Write at least 6 sentences.

Good writers

We have been discussing On Demand writing in class. One important idea we have talked about is needing to hook our readers in when we write. Pretend you are trying to sell someone a vacation, and show how you would hook that person in and really get them interested. Make sure you think about your audience. Write at least 5 sentences.

Integrating Subjects

Discuss how learning geography can help you in all areas of your life. Write at least 3 sentences. Discuss how social studies and language arts can fit together. Write at least 3 sentences.

Book Summary

Write a 5 sentence summary of the book you are reading during D.E.A.R. time. Summaries usually include a general storyline and introduce the main characters. Specific details are usually left out of a short summary.

Positive!

Think about people you know or have met. Choose ONE person who has made a big difference in your life. Write about that person AND describe his or her positive effect on your life. Please write at least 8 sentences.

"SELL OR BASH" your book! Write 5 sentences trying to get people to buy or not buy your book. Include your name, title, and author of your book please!

Picture Day

Today was picture day! It has been a confusing day. We were nervous we were not going to look our best because we had P.E. outside before our pictures were taken. In math today, we learned about divisibility, which is pretty cool. In Social Studies, we learned a little bit about the importance of the bald eagle in America, and other interesting symbols. In our classroom, we are sad that one of our geckos is sick. We hope he feels better soon! We are looking forward to having people in other countries read our blog, like Ms. Ashley's class in Germany.

Come back soon!

Ms. M.'s Class

"Among the Hidden" - Post 1

Are you enjoying the book "Among the Hidden" by Margaret Peterson Haddix? Why or why not? Write 5 sentences.

What do you predict will happen by the end of this book? Write at least 5 sentences.

An Exciting Second Day

It is fun going to school! Today, we presented our "Me Bags" to the rest of the class. Inside them, we had items that represent us in our own way. Outside at recess, we learned that the fort is being torn down because it is unstable and dangerous. We got our class jobs today, some of us enjoyed it. We are learning to try different jobs, and sometimes have to do jobs we don't like. At the beginning of school, we did a D.O.L. to work on grammar and punctuation of paragraphs. Today, we switched classes and got to meet our math teacher, Mrs. Taylor, and tried a mad minute in her class. Some of us passed! We had to do hard work in P.E. today- lots of push ups and sit ups. Also, we made All About Me posters with pictures that we are going to hang in class. We also came up with lists of things we can and can't do. Today was an exciting day for us. We can't wait to enjoy our weekend off. Come see us Monday when we have new things to talk about that you will enjoy!

First Day of School

So far, today has not been a bad day. We got to meet the class hedgehogs named Mea and Sonic. They are pointy. They are easily scared, and nocturnal. We also learned about the geckos, one might be sick. We learned about Noodles, the class hamster. In gym class we ran a mile, it was hard work and tiring. We've used the Turning Point clickers to get to know each other. Tonight we have to create "Me Bags" so the class can get to know us. We got to meet Ms. Manoni too! We learned all of the important procedures for our school. We get to start Social Studies Monday! At recess, we were not allowed on the fort, which was hard to do, and talked to our friends from last year. Some of us have cousins in other classes. In a few hours we have an assembly with the whole 5th grade. You should mind your teacher!

5th grade is so fun! Come back and see the rest of our posts throughout the year!

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