New Year / 2012

Welcome Back! The New Year brought energy and excitement. Room 102 buzzed as students shared favorite gifts or favorite moments from winter break.

In computer lab we brainstormed vocabulary words associated with New Year and the year 2012.  Students gathered up all these terms to create a Wordle. So, you’re wondering what on earth “wordle” means, right? Wordle is fun word art you create. 

Wordle has lots of uses. Students can create poetry, practice new vocabulary words or spelling lists, create a visual of key points in a novel, and even make a one-of-a-kind poster for projects.

Students can create with Wordle at home by clicking the button.

Caution:   Wordle is extremely habit-forming! Your student might just be caught Wordling the night away…

Said is Dead

Monday, October 31, Room 102 mourned the loss of the word "said" plus several of his buddies.

The Burial

The Graveyard Cake

Tombstone Brownies

After the burial, students began to study revision- the third stage in the writing process. They are replacing vague, lifeless words with words that are clear and specific. Students are learning to use words that draw a picture in the reader's mind.

Fall Poetry

Can you feel the autumn wind stirring?

Students are experimenting with fall poetry. They are writing diamante poems  - a diamante poem takes the shape of a diamond. Each line uses specific types of words, like nouns, adjectives, and –ing words. It does not have to rhyme.

Students have discovered the thesaurus is a friend!  If you are a writer, this wonderous book should be a quick reach. Thesaurus.com  makes it even easier with online access. Microsoft Word's synonyms are easily accessed by simply right clicking the word in question. Students have added two great resources to their writer's toolbox.

It's a great time of the year to snuggle in and read. As the weather turns cooler, I'm enjoying homemade pumpkin spice lattes and the poets in Room 102.