October 26-30 Assignments

Word Choice. We are continuing to work on our very important "Word Choice". Some students have been very quick to point out, that this part of the six traits is very similar to "Voice". Yes! ~nods head and smiles~

Now, this week and next I would like you to look up idioms. For example: "A picture is worth a thousand words". This idiom in the literal meaning might look like the picture I chose above. However, idioms are the "secret ingredient" to making the blue ribbon winning essay.

Remember, voice adds the spices, and YOU the author make it the winning essay. It will be your assignment to look up a few that you like, and use them in your writing posts.

You need to write 2 posts from the following prompts:

1. People get along better when they follow rules and laws. Imagine a place without rules or laws. What could go wrong in such a place? (Use 5 spelling words).

2. Finish this story: "How terrifying!" Said the kangaroo, as he or she pushed the red button. (Use 5 Spelling Words)

3. Write a tongue-twister Poem) about a Greek God/Goddess that should express excitement. (Use 5 Spelling words)

4. Imagine that our school could have a pet. What pet would you choose? Why? Who would be responsible to care for it? (feed, keep it clean, pick up after it, walk it so forth.)**(Use 5 Spelling Words)

If you can not find any idioms to use, you may see me for a list of some of my favorites. Each post needs to have at least ONE idiom in it!

Happy Blogging

Ms. Lines

Assignment October 18-23

Welcome back students from our fall break! We are so blessed to live in such a wonderfully warm part of the United States. This week we have a choice of four prompts. It is your job to pick your favorite two and write about them. They are as follows:

1. Were you ever asked to keep a secret you DIDN'T want to keep? How did it make you feel? Did you tell someone? Try to use five (5) vocab words.
2. Do you think that states should have the death penalty? Why or why not? Would you consider that a form of murder? Why or why not? (5 vocab words)
3. "Oh no." said the clown as he or she saw the plane fly into a barn. Remember those five (5) vocab words.
4. Imagine you created a recipe to save the world. Write out what ingredients you need and the directions to make it. (Use 5 vocab words)

I am grading you on your lead, type of conclusion, transition words, spelling(USE the SPELLCHECKER!!), and this weeks focus WORD CHOICE. I will be passing out reminder handouts about "Word Choice". Read your post out loud to a friend or have them read it to you. I often find my "oopses" that way.

When you complete your assignment leave me a message so I know you are ready to have me grade your work. Happy blogging!
~waves hands~
Ms. Lines

October 5-9 Assignment

Yeah! We made it nine weeks and here we are at our very first Quarter together. *sigh* OK, so this week, it is your job to get caught up on getting your blog complete. You can write about anything you want. You get to pick your own prompt. You may see me for idea's. You may choose not to post anything. Keep in mind that, if you are missing any work...I am offering some "make-up" work here!



Now, I will share with you one of the prompts that I asked you to write about: A time when I was really sad.



Title: Two Hours and twenty minuets.



The flight was two hours and twenty minuets. TWO hours and TWENTY minuets. *sigh* It might as well have been two days, as far as my sister and I were concerned. Didn't they know? Why couldn't this plane travel faster? Hurry, I pressed in my mind. Hurry! i squeezed my sisters hand, as the plane began its ascent into the sky.


I kept trying to tell myself that, this was the time that we all had been preparing for. I couldn't cry anymore. I had to be strong. The tears continued to pour out of my eyes, like a water fountain. There is no magic wand in this fairy-tail. I had to prepare for the worst. Sadly, I don't think any amount of preparation is ever enough. Death knows no boundary.


Two hours and twenty minuets. The*tick*tick*tick* sound echoed in my mind. I looked at my watch again.

The seconds were ticking away, like a stop watch at a track meet. * tick* *tick* tick*

Finally, as if we were transported by a time traveler, we sat, one on each side of her. It was so surreal. My sister held her hand on one side. I held the other. I could only, look on, as if it was some made for TV moment. I really just wanted to run away, cry, leave this space, with all these people gathered around her. How could I be so selfish.
*gasps*
*gasps*
*gasps*
Is this her last breath?
How will I know?
Why is THIS her time?
My heart felt as if it would explode.
My breathing matched my sobbing. OH god, this is really it.
*gasps*
*gasps*
*gasps*
I can't ever get that image out of my mind. Death wasn't a thief in the night. The grim reaper just stepped right up and took her. "HOW RUDE", I thought. Death has no right. Why this young and wonderful Mother and Grandmother? Why am I being so selfish? Maybe Death will bargain? Maybe I could offer Death something else instead, perhaps my soul?

*Gasps*

With that last gasp, her soul was free and her weak, frail body finally stopped fighting. Death, was the only victor today. Death, you cruel and horrible thing. I am left to grieve. I am left to mourn the loss of my dear Mother, so young. I am left sad, because I will have had two hours and twenty minuets less.