We have had a week full of reading, writing, thinking, deciding, subtracting, tree identification and mapping.  We are working on mapping the trees beside the playground and gathering clues and evidence from the trees themselves so we are able to identify them without their leaves.  We are looking at bark, twigs with next year’s buds and any remaining evidence of seeds, stems and partial leaves in order to discover what trees surround our playground.  It is an interesting challenge.

We have discovered all maps have six things: titles, keys, symbols, labels, scales and a compass rose.  We are learning about bird’s eye views and the need for “keeping it real” when reading a map.  We’ve been looking at different kinds of maps: maps of places like the world, our country, our state and the mountains, maps of stories that outline story elements, and maps for writing like Lynn Plourde’s 3P map.

Time with an Author

Here are the things the children said about their day with Lynn Plourde:

Hajna said, “Lynn Plourde is funny and nice.  She’s a great author who makes up funny words in her books.  In the books with Mrs. Shepard’s class they are all finished in one day and there is always something that repeats.”

Lily said, “She write good children’s books.  Her stories are three piece and they rhyme.  She makes her books a big laugh.”

Juliana said, “She is a good author.  We heard about her books.  Pajama Day is my favorite.”

Arjay said, ” She writes funny books that rhyme.  She comes up with weird names like Juan Dore-Nomad who always gets lost.”

Jake said, “One of her books is Pigs in the Mud in the Middle of the Rud.  She likes animals.  They are in almost all of her books.  She writes books with missing things and problems that repeat over and over until they are solved.”

Liam said, “She writes funny books.  She plans and brainstorms.”

Jordan said, “She is a funny author with good expression.  She used and arrow to show the action of the story should go up and not go down.  Exciting ideas go near the end.”

Kaylee said, “You’re Wearing That to School is a funny book that kids in our class really like.  You should be who you are.”

Parker said, “She is a really funny author.  Her books are all funny.”

Cameron said, “Everyone likes her books.  My favorite is Pajama Day.”

Gabby said, “She’s a good author.  I like her books.  I hope you do too.  My favorite is probably School Picture Day.”

Katie said, “Lynn Plourde is a great author.  Her books inspire me.”

Lynn (she asked us to call her that) certainly did inspire the children.  She taught them how to create “take away” stories and helped them plan by following the three P’s – begin the story by defining a PROBLEM, go to the end of the story to PROMISE to solve the problem finally create a PATTERN for the middle leading to the solution.  She encouraged us to brainstorm ideas for the pattern so that we could use our very best ideas – not just the first ones we could come up with.  Many of the children came back from the assembly fired up with new ideas about writing and feeling empowered to create.  Her website is full of information about her books.  There are recordings of many of her stories for the children can listen to.  She has a blog section where she works to Make Writing Visible.  She told us that so much of writing is invisible because it happens in your head.  She has created some short video clips to help student writers think more powerfully about writing.  They are fun and helpful.

On top of all that, it was really exciting to share our readers’ theater version of School Picture Day.  It was amazing to have the author as our audience for our next to last rehearsal.  Lynn complimented the acting and the children’s effort.  She said the best part was how happy the class looked as they performed together.  At the end she autographed each of their scripts so that when the performances are all over, everyone in our class will have a special memento of the day author, Lynn Plourde came to school.

Blog Posts

 Up to know the children have been learning to post with one-on-one help.  This week after brainstorming possibilities, the children each chose something they would like to post on their personal blogs.  They worked independently to decide, compose and share.  Some of them posted their GarageBand compositions created in technology class.  Some of them wrote book reviews.  Some of them wrote autobiographical posts sharing special interests and favorite things.  Still others shared writing and art.

Each week the children will have time to post on their blogs.  With practice, the steps for posting will come more easily and I imagine the posts will become a little more descriptive and informative.  The children are excited about the work and the possibilities of making connections beyond the classroom.  This form of writing requires a different type of attention to an outside audience.  They are aware that the writing needs to be specific and clear.  They are learning to take another’s point of view to explain things to readers who may know very little about their topic.   While they know about posting with an audience in mind, right now it is a challenging demand to meet.  Currently their main focus is learning all the in’s and out’s of posting, adding media and reviewing comments.  It will come with practice.  I am looking forward to seeing how the blogs create a record of how they grow and learn.  If you have time to check out their work, please let them know by leaving a comment.

Bits and Pieces –

• December 10 -Our School Picture Day performance is at Barnes and Noble in Newington at 5:30.  Please try to be there 10 or 15 minutes earlier so the performance begins on time.  Thanks.
• December 12 – A challenge with Mr. Caron – we should be prepared to be outside
• Remember that Secret Friend Projects should be brought to school between Monday, December 16 and Wednesday, December 18.
• Secret Friend Celebration and Pizza Party is on Thursday, December 19.