Whenever we begin writing focused descriptive segments, my students become so frustrated that the masterpiece they think they have created needs to be molded, revisited, transformed, and changed.  I love this time.  I don't want them to feel frustrated, of course, but writing is frustrating.  The part I love about this time is overcoming these frustrations!  Once the students realize that all of the books on our classroom library shelves have been revised numerous times before they were published, they soon understand they are like real writers.  They are real writers.  They are writers, and part of the writing process is to change, tweak, and improve.  Daily we learn new strategies to make our writing better, we review strategies that we have learned previously, then we practice, we share, we discuss what was great, and ways a piece of writing could be improved.  Oftentimes we refer to improvements based on previous lessons.  Sometimes an opportunity presents itself to learn something new, and the kids soak it up like sponges.  Students welcome new strategies and are eager to make their writing better, but we all must start somewhere! 

We have been reading Shades of Gray while studying the Civil War and Reconstruction.  This book has given us some insight as to how people felt during Reconstruction.  Will, the orphaned Confederate boy, goes to live with his mom's sister and her family who did not participate in the war.  Although he is not happy to be living with pacifists, he learns that they paid a hefty price for their beliefs and comes to respect them.

Don't forget that Civil War Scrapbooks are due October 1st!

For the Heroes: A Pep Talk From Kid President

It's Friday....

and it's a long weekend with beautiful weather in store!  Who could ask for anything more?

What's coming up next week?

We are finishing up the causes of the Civil War and heading into the some of the major events.

     SS5H1 The student will explain the causes, major events, and                   consequences of the Civil War.

       a.Identify Uncle Tom’s Cabin and John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry,

and explain how each of these events was related to the Civil War.

b. Discuss how the issues of states’ rights and slavery increased tensions between the North and South.
c.Identify major battles and campaigns: Fort Sumter

 

Reader's Theater in Social Studies 

Constructed Responses will be expected on ALL tests.  

R-Restate the question
A-Answer the question simply
C-Cite evidence and Examples to support your answer
E-Explain how the evidence supports your answer