Slice of Life Story Challenge February 28, 2011

Tomorrow I am introducing the slice of life story challenge. I made a sheet on what, why, and how solsc works. I even made a power point presentation with several of my examples on it. My hope is that my students will enjoy solsc as much as me. I am going to have them glue their sheet into their writer’s notebooks so that they have it to refer back to. I think I am going to have a pizza party for all of those students who write 31 entries to celebrate their slices. I did this in 2008 and it was a hit. I may even have a writing reward too.I can’t wait!

 

Chuck E Cheese’s February 27, 2011

Tonight my family and I went to Chuck E Cheese’s to get out of the rain and have some fun. It wasn’t like when I was a kid, but my daughter had just as much fun. It took me back to the days when I loved to play ski ball. I spent most of my time playing ski ball and earning tickets. Deep inside I felt like a kid again. I also enjoyed watching my daughter play on the rides. I loved seeing her face light up with joy when she was on the rides. The best part of the night was that as a family we enjoyed each other.

Digital Storytelling February 26, 2011

Today I taught a young writer’s clubhouse, which is where writing project teachers teach a writing workshop based on a theme. The theme today was digital storytelling. I taught the students how to make a picture book type story using power point and this cool website called Little Bird Tales. This site allows the author to either draw or upload photos to their stories. Authors also have the option of having a private or public story and the opportunity to share it by emailing their contacts.

We started the day by analyzing picture books. We looked at the layouts, characters, pictures, and wording. We also discussed the audience and why we really need to think about our audience when creating a digital story. Since most of the students didn’t know what digital storytelling was, I had them peruse through examples on-line using Reading at pppst.  The students then brainstormed a list of topics that they could do a story on. Several students changed their topics many times. I loved seeing their processing. After the students decided on a topic, I had them storyboard their story so that they had a plan.

The students were eager to start their stories digitally, but I had to convince them that it was best to plan their story first. Once they planned their story, I taught them how to use insert sound, clip art, and how to move their pictures. Then they were off! They didn’t want to stop when it was time to wrap up.

There is so much that your students can do with digital storytelling. Their stories can be as simple or high tech as they want them to be.

 

Big Bunko!

Every month I have the opportunity to socialize with my teacher friends. This event is sacred. I can always tell when I am in need of a bunko fix. My mind and soul twitches with the urge to be with people – to get away from the hustle and bustle of school and family life. Tonight I got my bunko fix. I laughed so hard my side hurt. If felt good to smile and not worry about anything. The crazy thing is that this is the first time we have played since probably last September. Lately we’ve just gotten together, which is even better than playing. Tonight was a rare occasion. All eight players rolled a big bunko tonight. A big bunko is when a player rolls three sixes at one time. Never in the history of my bunko playing have I had this happen. It felt exhilarating to scream “BIG BUNKO!” at the top of my lungs like I accomplished something so hard to comprehend yet so easy to do. The other crazy thing that happened tonight was that another player and I had simultaneous big bunkos. Crazy! I can’t wait until our next social gathering.

As the Sirens Blare February 24, 2011

As the sirens blare I drive down the bypass wondering if Kroger will be open. I decide that I will attempt to purchase the one ingredient needed for our dinner recipe. I pull into a parking spot and notice people entering the rather large building. Their faces didn’t sense urgency to get home. They seem to be going their merry ways. I enter Kroger and notice that I could not hear the sirens. I begin to wonder if the employees and customers know we are in a tornado warning. Beep, beep, beep is all I hear as I select the Parmesan cheese from the shelf. I too didn’t sense the urgency of the sirens. Is it because I am immune to them or is it because I really wasn’t worried?

To My Loving Husband February 14, 2011

To My Loving Husband

Words cannot express
The love I have for you
I must confess
That I don’t always appreciate all you do
I’m very fortunate to have a husband like you
My thank you is so much past due
I couldn’t ask for a better father
To EmmaBeth our daughter
You support me all the way
Even when I give you dismay
We have a wonderful connection
That doesn’t need perfection
My days are sunny
When I have you, my bunny

Happy Valentine’s Day
2011
Love, Andi

Today You Turn Two February 8, 2011

This poem is dedicated to my daughter, EB. She was born February 8, 2009.

by Andi N.

 

Today you turn two

Good for you

Sad for me

Oh, how I love you EB

Time ticks away

I wish you could stay

This way

Giggles and smiles

Frustrations and trials

The adventure starts

Where we both do our parts

Of living, loving, and learning

Today you turn two

Good For you

Sad for me

Oh, how I love you EB

 

 

 

Pre-reading Activity ~ Carrie’s War February 1, 2011

My student teacher has begun preparing for her unit of study. She decided to teach the novel Carrie’s War by Nina Bawden. To get the students ready for the novel, she had them do a little research about World War II, Wales, Bombings in England, and Coal Towns. Before they researched, she had them create a KWL chart. The students filled out what they knew about WWII in the K column. They discussed what they knew as a class. Students were then grouped and they decided what topic they wanted to research. As a group they were to come up with 5 questions to research in their W column. The students were then given time to research their answers and fill in the L column.

The next day the students used the knowledge from their KWL chart to create a collage of their topic. I have 2 classes of reading, so the students had to build onto one another’s collages. They worked on the collages for about 2 class periods. On the last day the groups presented their topic collages to the class. Below is the final product:

I did this same activity with the novel Lily’s Crossing. I like it because it gives the students ownership of their learning.

A Kid Again

During Catholic Schools Week, our school has a special day just for students. Yesterday was Student Appreciation Day. The day began with the Math-a-thon for Saint Jude. Each lower grade is paired with an upper grade. My sixth graders were paired with second graders. This way the 6th graders could help the 2nd graders with their math problems. At each half hour a bonus question was asked and the kids had to try to work out the problem for a prize. It was fun seeing the students work together! After the math-a-thon, we went back to regular schedule. In English class we played part of speech bingo. I had books for prizes, which the kids loved!

At the end of the day I got to be a kid again. We have an annual 8th grade against the teachers volleyball game. The whole school comes to cheer everyone on! I played on the teachers’ team. It felt good to play again. It brought me back to when I was in junior high. My PE teacher taught us volleyball and I loved it. I even think I was pretty good at it. The 8th graders said that I was good at volleyball. That made me feel good. I only wish I could play all of the time. I may not be as good as I was when I was 13, but I still enjoyed myself.