Writing Personal Narratives

September 21, 2009

                 The children have been busy at work writing personal narratives. They are looking at their lives, searching for small moments that have meaning to them, and then turning them into stories. The focus of this first unit of study is to convince children that they have moments in their lives that are worth writing about, to give them the tools and strategies to craft concise, detailed stories, and to create a toolbox of strategies for generating personal narrative topics. The students in Room 11 have so much to tell about their lives, very few have had a difficult time coming up with small moments that inspire them to write.

                 I have read stories about watching a sunset atop a ferris wheel in London, getting knocked down by a wave and swallowing sea water, flying through the air on a Wave, the moments before going down a large drop of a rollercoaster, getting soaked by a super soaker, body surfing, and getting across a river without a bridge. I am asking children to live like writers, and be on the lookout for story ideas and notice them in their hiding places.

Tags: writer's workshop

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Reader's Notebooks

September 11, 2009

This year students will be writing about reading in their Reader's Notebooks. For their first entry, they reflected on what they know to be true about reading. Here are some of their responses:

 

• Books can take you out of this world.
• Some books can solve your problems.
• I like to read to other people.
• Reading is like sports for your eyes.
• Sometimes I  don't feel like reading.
• Sometimes I relate to the characters.
• Books are better than t.v.
• Books give you more information than movies.
• When I get really into a book I feel like I am the character.
• I like to read different books in my room.
• I know I have to get a book I enjoy to read.

This is just snapshot of the children's ideas, but a window into the rich reading lives of the students in Room 11!

 

 

Tags: 3rd grade , 4th grade reader's workshop , reader's notebooks

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Revised Wish List/Classroom Needs

September 08, 2009

First, I want to say THANK YOU to all the parents who helped get the classroom ready (patching, painting, cleaning, etc.) prior to school starting. It really looks great and I could not have done it without your help! I also want to say thank you for all the classroom materials that have been donated so far!! 

Warmly,

Jessica

Below is a revised wish list:

• 15 red two pocket folders
• 15 light blue two pocket folders
• 15 green two pocket folders
• Sturdy electric pencil sharpener
• Low odor dry erase markers
• Garden hose
• Pencils
• Sponges (preferably with a scrubby side)

Opportunities to Volunteer:

If you are interested in any of the following, please contact me via email (jessicay@oscmail.org) or in person.

• help preppring materials (cutting, laminating, sorting; can be taken home)
• dusting off the tops of the hanging lights
• Finish painting (inside of cabinet doors)
• Reinstalling cabinet handles
• have a special skill or interest to bring into the classroom (perhaps collaborating with me for a particular subject or unit).
• reading with children
• ?????

Thanks Again,

 

Jessica

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A Great First Day!

September 08, 2009

Hello Room 11 Families,

          Room 11 had a splendid first day. It was nice to meet or reconnect with so many of you this morning. The highlight for me was the "hot lava" game. Imagine a group of four students attempting to get across the half basketball court (a pool of molten lava) using only three file folders. They actually only had half of each file folder. Putting their heads together, they had to come up with and execute a plan to get all four people across, while only being allowed to step on the folders. All six groups made it across!! A couple of groups had to scrap their first strategy and start over, but they persevered. Some things I observed students doing: agreeing on a plan before acting, modifying plans along the way, encouraging each other, trying again, having fun, and working together. It was a beautiful sight! I wish I had had my camera with me.

Please stay tuned for more snippets from Room 11.

:)

Ms. Jessica

 

 

Tags: 3rd grade , 4th grade , team building

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What I did last summer…

September 01, 2009

My summer was pretty much all about my daughter, Edie, and the garden. She was home most days with me and we spent time gardening, going to various places for children, music “class,” and just hanging out. I discovered that you can start gardening with children at a very young age. Edie loves, and is very adept at, planting seeds. We have been enjoying tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, beets, basil, a few green beans, and a teeny tiny amount of zucchini from the backyard.

I also did more reading than I have done in a couple of years. I read some great children’s literature, did some professional reading, and, yes, even read adult fiction for pleasure. Odyssey does a great job of nurturing young readers and I felt my own reading life needed an infusion. So aside from tending to house projects and spending time with Edie, I carved out plenty of time to put my feet up and delve into a good book.

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Welcome Back!

September 01, 2009

Dear Families and Students,

Welcome to the 2009 - 2010 school year! My name is Jessica. This year will be my fifth year teaching at Odyssey and I am so excited to be teaching one of the new 3rd/4th grade classrooms. I look forward to seeing all the returning families to OCS as well as meeting all the new families.

As we begin our school year we work on establishing routines and friendships and building classroom community. As a community of learners we share our supplies. Odyssey furnishes us with the tools that every child will need to learn, but if you would like to donate materials to the classroom, please see the attached list.
 

At Odyssey we welcome parent participation and I welcome you into the classroom. Please let me know if you are interested in volunteering. As we establish our routines and culture, I do request that you give us a few weeks to settle in before parents begin to volunteer in the classroom.
 

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me on the first day of school or leave me a message at the school. Beginning the first day of school, you can also reach me by email (jessicay@ocsmail.org).

Sincerely,

Jessica

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