Angel's Voicethread

http://voicethread.com/share/1503736/

Women's Suffrage

Hello Readers,

Please look at this website http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/suffrage/ and spend a good amount of time reading and doing the activities.  The reading and activities correlate with the book we are reading, Bread and Roses on the topic of women's suffrage.  When you're finished, write a summary about what you learned. 

Thanks,
Mrs. Springston

Summary

Hello Readers,


I would like you to read one of the stories from this website: http://www.rif.org/kids/readingplanet/bookzone.htm.  I hope you will find one that is enjoyable for you! Please write a summary of the story when you are finished reading it. Make sure to include all of the important parts of the story, write it in time order, and use transitions.

Thanks,
Mrs. S

Making Generalizations

Hello Readers,


In shared reading, we've been working on making generalizations. Generalizations are made about a group of people or things and are generally true most of the time (but not all the time). What generalizations have you been able to make by reading the biography of Albert Einstein?
Thanks,
Mrs. S

Evaluate

Dear Literature Circle A,

Recently we worked on the evaluating strategy during shared reading.  Please evaluate the biography on Albert Einstein that we are reading.  Evaluate it for the following:

Is the text useful in any way?
Is the text entertaining?
Does the text provide information?

Remember to SUPPORT your answers.

Thanks,
Mrs. Springston

Character Traits

Hello Group A,


We have been reading a biography about Albert Einstein as a child. How would you describe him as a person to someone who knew nothing about him? Describe his character traits and then use examples from the book to support your opinion.

Push your thinking!!!

Thanks,
Mrs. Springston

Biographies

Hello Lit. Circle A,


We just learned about biographies and are about to read one about Martin Luther King, Jr. Remember that a biography is a true story about someone's life written by someone else.

Please read a one biography from this website: http://www.biography.com/bio4kids/bio4kids-meet.jsp . When you have read about that person, please write a summary of that person's life.  Begin with a topic sentence and be sure to include the most important things in their life.  It should be AT LEAST 5 sentences.

Thanks,
Mrs. S

If Immigration Never Happened

Hi Students,


What do you think America would be like if Ellis Island never opened and all of those immigrants weren't accepted into the country in 1903 and thereafter? How would it be different today? Would it be better in any way? Would it would be worse in any way? I am looking for a 4 effort on your response and can't wait to hear what you think!

Thanks,
Mrs. S

What would it take...

Dear Students,

While thinking about your answer to today's blog post, consider the reasons some of the immigrants we read about packed up and moved to another country forever.  Here is your question: 

What would it take for you to pack up just a few of your most cherished possessions and move permanently to another country?  In other words, is there anything that could happen that could make you move with your family to another country forever?  If yes, what might make you move?  And if no, why would you never leave?

I am very much looking forward to your responses - they should be interesting to read!

Thanks,
Mrs. S

Ellis Island

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/index.htm

Hello Students,

Please use the link above to learn about Ellis Island.  Then write a paragraph telling me what you learned.  It should be at least 4 sentences with a topic sentence.

Thanks,
Mrs. Springston

Your IR book

Hello Readers,


Today I would like you to tell me a little bit about the book you're reading during your IR time. The focus will be on story structure. Please copy this chart and type in your answers for your comment.

Title of Book:
Main Characters:
Setting (the time and place):
Main Events (please type in the main events that have happened in your book so far):


1)
2)
3)

I am curious to know what you have been reading, so thank you for sharing!

Your teacher,
Mrs. Springston

Immigration

Hello Literature Circle A:


Today we will practice responding on the blog so that you can do it independently in the future. Here is your practice question:

We are about to read a book in Guided Reading about immigration. What do you already know about immigration? Here is what a proper respnse would look like:

Dear Mrs. Springston,


I know that immigration is ________________________________________________. I have also learned that ______________________________________________________________________.


Your student,
Annie

GWS Chap. 10 and 11

Dear Readers,

Here are a couple questions for you to respond to after reading chapters 10 and 11.

1.) Matt meets Israel Gates in chapter 10 and a lot goes on between them. Describe some of those events.

2.) Put yourself in Matt’s place. What is he seeing, experiencing and feeling? How is he holding up in this situation?

Remember to push yourself to write two great responses!

Thanks,
Mrs. Springston

GWS Comprehension Questions

Hello Readers,

1.)  Who helped Katie and how?

2.)  What was the significance of Corporal Hibbs?

3.)  Why did Matt leave the group after General Washington had requested Corporal Hibbs take them to a safe place?

Please remember to work the question words back into your answer.

Also, for 4.) Please tell how and if you are enjoying the book so far.

Thanks,
Mrs. Springston

Beginning of George Washington's Socks

Hello Readers,


Today we began reading a book called George Washingston's Socks.

Write 2 questions that you had while reading the first part of this book. Then, write 2 things (predictions) that you think might happen in the rest of the book. We will discuss these when we meet tomorrow.

Questions
1.)
2.)

Predictions
1.)
2.)

Thanks,
Mrs. Springston

Summarizing a Life

Hello Readers,

We have been creating a fact outline for a few weeks now while we've been reading about Shirley Chisholm.  Please use your most important facts to write a summary about Shirley Chisholm's life.  Be sure to write it in order, and keep the focus on the major things she accomplished in her life.  I will give you a starter sheet so you know how to begin your topic sentence for your summary.

Do your best work!

Thanks,
Mrs. Springston

When you have extra time...

Hi Readers,
This is a post for you to work on when you finish your assignment and have extra time. As you know, we have been studying the genre of biography and working on the summarizing strategy. Please choose 1 person to read about on Bios4kids.com and write a summary about your person. Remember to write it in order, and include the most important aspects of the person's life.
I can' wait to learn more about the people you read about!
Thanks,
Mrs. Springston

The genre of biography

Hello Readers,

Today we will start reading a biography.  Tell me everything you know about the biography genre.  Such as, is it fiction or non-fiction, what are they about, how are they written, etc.  This will give me some insight into what you already know about biographies.

Then, if you have time afterward, visit the Bios 4 Kids link I added to our blog.

Thanks,
Mrs. Springston

Prediction

Hello Readers,

On page 161 the author writes:

"Mrs. May's eyes flicked away.  "No, they never actually caught them, but" - she hesitated - "as far as my poor brother was concerned, what they did do seemed even worse."

What do you think "they" did to the Clock family?  And, who do you think "they" is?

I am excited to hear your predictions before we read today!

Thanks,
Mrs. Springston

Compare and Contrast

Hi Readers,

Today I would like you to compare and contrast Homily's reactions to the boy.  What was Homily's reaction to the boy when he first takes off the roof and why?  What was her reaction to him after he left and why?  How were these reactions similar or how did they change?

Thanks,
Mrs. Springston

Chapter 14: The Borrowers

Hello Readers,

We just finished reading Chapter 14 of The Borrowers.  Here is what I would like you to respond to today:

Why do Homily and Pod think there family is in grave danger (please explain and there is more that one reason)?  Also, what might be some options for the family in order for them to get themselves out of "grave danger"?  Do you think the Clocks are in danger, why or why not?

Thanks,
Mrs. Springston

Human Beans

Hello Readers,

What does Arrietty think the purpose is of human "beans"?  Meaning, why are they on earth?  Also, Arrietty truly believes that her family is not stealing.  What is her argument?  Would you say it is a strong or weak argument?

Can't wait to see your responses!

Thanks,
Mrs. Springston

Borrowers Reaction

Hi Readers,

Write a reaction to The Borrowers.  What do you think of it so far and why?  Should this be a book I use with guided reading groups in the future?  Why or why not?

Thanks,
Mrs. Springston

The Borrowers: Questioning

Hello Literature Circle A Members,

During shared reading we have been learning how to question.  Yesterday when we went over the ITT tests, you saw that some questions about the text you read are better than others.  As we move into Chapter 8, what are 3-4 DEEP questions that you have that we could discuss as a group?  Use these starters to help you form your questions:

Why...
How come...
I wonder...
Where...
Will...
Who...
What...

Please work hard today to try to get these posted so that we can discuss tomorrow.

Thanks,
Mrs. Springston

Chapter 5: The Borrowers

Hello Readers,

At one time the Borrowers lived all over the house. Some seemed wealthier than

others. Why do you think this is? Why aren’t these families here anymore?

I'm looking for a full response with great thinking.

Thanks,
Mrs. Springston

Chapter 3: The Borrowers

Hello Literature Circle A,

We just finished reading chapter 3 of The Borrowers.  On page 25 Homily tells her daughter, Arrietty, "You don't know-and thank goodness will never know what it's like upstairs..."

Based on this portion of the text please respond to the following in a paragraph:  Why do you think Arrietty has never been upstairs?  Why do you think Homily doesn't want her daughter to ever go upstairs?  Lastly, please predict if you think that it is true that Arrietty will never go upstairs and why you think that.

Please push your thinking to answer this question fully.  I can't wait to read your responses.

Thanks,
Mrs. Springston

The Borrowers: Chapter 1

Please answer the comprehension questions from chapter 1 of The Borrowers.  Remember to answer with a complete sentence working the question back into your answer.


1.Who is Mrs.May,and where does she live?


2.Why does Kate think there might be other people in the house?


3.What kind of home do the Borrowers like?


Thanks,
Mrs. Springston