Spring Has Sprung!

Well, we have been off for a few days now already. I am already thinking about when we get back next Monday and all the work that we must complete before the year is up. It seems like only yesterday you came to school as little fourth graders. Now you are almost fifth graders! How fast the time goes by! When we get back to school there are only ten weeks left! It is really important that you are reading every day towards the 25 book campain! This is important for you to finish in order to be promoted to 5th grade. The more you read, the more you will build your comprehension, vocabulary, fluency and even your writing! It all is tied together!

As we are enjoying these days off, I am sure that there is also a lot of reading going on! I am reading your picture book drafts and excited about you all becoming little authors yourselves!

Here is the question for the week.... In preparing to write our own picture books, we did a lot of work on character development, creating an interest for the audience, and using powerful words as an author. In all of the books you have been reading this year, tell me which author (and the name of the book) you think was your favorite this year! Tell me about why you liked this author.

Here is my favorite author... (Well, one out of many that I love!)

One of my favorite authors ever is Laura Ingalls Wilder. I have talked about her books in class. She wrote the Little House on the Prairie series which was long after turned into a television series when I was a child. I have read these books over and over again. When I was younger, I wanted to be Laura in the stories. Ms. Wilder used powerful and vivid language in her books that as I read, I felt like I was really there, experiencing all the things that Laura experienced. I could feel the wind blowing as I walked to school with my lunch pail, I could feel the sadness of when there was tragedy. This author made you feel like you are part of the book. They were so good I couldn't put them down. I still think the books are way better than the show was. Remember boys and girls, the movies you see are based on the books being written first, not the books written after the movies! The books are always better. I always read the book before I go see the movie. Trust me, the book is always better!!!!!!!! Now, tell me about your favorite!

It's All About Character!

We have been reading books in class for our new writing program, Writing Fundamentals. Some of the books we have read are The Old Woman Who Named Things, Shrek!, "Let's Get a Pup!" Said Kate, and Charlie Anderson. We have been discussing how it is important that the author creates characters that keep the audience interested in reading the book. I would love to hear which one of these books were your favorite AND which character interested you the most in the book. Tell me what made that character so interesting to you. What or who do you think inspired the author to create that character? I will share my opinions at the end of this week! : )

Snow Day! Snow Day!

Hello boys and girls! Well, can you believe it? We got a snow day today! I hope that you are making use of this extra day off! Be sure to do some reading and practice your math. I just heard on the news that the NYS Math test will now be Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. So we will still have tomorrow to practice and prepare! Be sure to drill your multiplication facts. If you can, maybe try to get some Acuity Math assignments done too! I am going to update the class website with the same information then it is off to try and shovel my house our of the 12 inches of snow!!!!!

I will see you all tomorrow! Please be careful getting to school tomorrow!

Vacation Reading

Well, boys and girls, it is now Thursday! I can't believe how fast this vacation is going! Unfortunately, I have had a bad case of the flu so I apologize for not updating your posts sooner. I would love to hear about what you are reading over the break. Tell me the title, author and characters you are reading about! I will be checking reading logs when we get back so make sure you are up to date on all your responses!!! Work towards the 25 book campaign!!!!

Also, don't forget the NYS Math test is coming!!!!! Be sure to be working on your math facts! Put those study sheets to work!

Enjoy the rest of the vacation! See you on Monday!

So, now what.....

Now that we finished the book, analyzed the characters, and discussed the different points of view, let's ponder another idea. What do you think will happen next in the story. I would like you to think about writing your own continuation to the story. What do they do? Does anything change? Where would you like to see Jacob, Sarah, Anna and Caleb go? Think about it and comment some of your ideas for how you think the story would continue if you were the author. Try and remember to think outside the box!!!!!! Enjoy your weekend!

Point of View

Today we discussed the point of view the book was written in. We know that the story is being told by Anna. Something to think about... How do you think the story would be different if the story was told from Caleb's point of view? I would like to you write how you think the story might be told differently if Caleb was telling it. Share your thoughts with everyone by clicking on the comment link below this post. I can't wait to read your comments!

What If?....

Don't forget your creative writing homework tonight! You were given three different situations where you were asked "What if...." Think outside the box for your responses. Try to imagine you are either Anna, Caleb or Sarah. What would you think or feel if the situations were different? I am looking forward to you sharing out your writing!