Assignments for September 14-18

Thank you to all the students that have completed all their assignments. I have been asking you to complete the writing prompts in any format you chose. This week I want us to focus on the Organization portion of our pieces. You need to have a solid lead and a strong conclusion. Examples of the types of leads are
1. Dialogue or a Question.
2. Voice or Anecdote
3. Tension or powerful statement.
4. Description or sound

Examples of types of endings or conclusions are:
1. The circular conclusion (typically echoes the lead)
2. Summary/Reflection
3. The emotional conclusion
4. Unfinished business.

OK, now let's try this out on our prompts, remember that you need to complete TWO of the four prompts listed below. All work is due by Friday and should be ready for me to grade.

1. "I must be dreaming", said the teacher, as he or she stepped onto the stage. (use a lead other than the dialogue provided.)

2. (This a narrative) Write about a time when you were really sad.

3. You and your friends have decided to start a band. The only instruments you have are items found in your home. Describe what you would use as instruments. How might they sound? What type of music might you play?

4. If a sunny, spring day was like someone you know, who would it be and why?

Your story will be graded heavily on the organization. If the lead is weak, if you do not have an ending...points will be taken off. You all have done great so far, let's keep it up and as a reminder "YOU MUST USE AT LEAST FIVE (5) spelling words from this weeks unit in your piece.

Happy Blogging everyone!
Ms. Lines

September 7-11 Assignments

Welcome back from the long weekend. I sure hope that everyone feels rested and ready to work! This week we have 4 writing prompts to choose from:

1. Write a "roses are Red" poem about a cowboy. The emotion your poem should express is regret. Use 5 spelling words from unit 3.

2. "This is just awful" said the inventor as he or she tumbled over the waterfall. Remember to use 5 spelling words in your story.

3. Write your favorite recipe. Make sure you include the directions to mix the ingredients together. Use 5 spelling words as you describe the even you would prepare our recipe for.

4. Write a persuasive essay: Topic: Recycling. Do you think that we should recycle? If so why? If not, Why? Convince me either way as to the importance of this topic. Use 5 spelling words.

I am very proud of those of you who are getting all your work done. Remember that you should use the spell checker to make sure that your work is correct. I will be getting to all of your pages to see the work you have done. If you have not published any work, I will not be able to leave you a message.

Happy blogging this week!

Ms Lines

Homework August 31-Sept 4

Welcome to blogging! I am so excited about our live journal and looking forward to reading your inspired posts. Remember writing is a process and it may take a couple of times to write your entry.





This weeks blog assignment is to Write about Two of the following choices:


1. Finish the story starter: "How long have I been asleep?" said the pilot, as the storm moved closer.... Use at least 5 spelling words.



2. Write a shape poem (*A shape poem is written in the shape of the object it describes.) The object you will write about is: A balloon, and the emotion your poem should express is patience.



3. Write about a vacation that you went on, was it your favorite? Was it a disaster? Be sure to tell the whole story about what made it so memorable. Use at least five (5) Spelling words.



4. Make a "Top Ten" list of your favorite foods. Try to show pictures and describe why it is your favorite. Remember to use at least 5 spelling words.

On Friday after our field trip we will need to document on our blog and post a picture about a plant, animal or physical feature indigenous to AZ. We will have plenty of time to up load and get our nature journal's started.

~claps hands together~ I am so excited to read your posts. **Remember that all posts should be gramatically correct and PLEASE use the spell checker.***
Happy Blogging,
Ms. Lines

Back to school!

Hey there everyone! Welcome to the 2009-2010 School Year!!!

~waves hand~

It's back to school time! I am so pleased to welcome my new classes and school to the world of blogging!

I am so excited to introduce the new students to an online journal and writing prompts! (If you are a previous student feel free to join us! Remember you can never have too many references!

Lets start this weeks assignment with the following:

1. Create your blog.

2. Leave me a comment with your first name only, so I can learn your handle.

3. Post an entry about your experience in creating your "space". What challenges did you have? What new things did you learn. Give me details! Would you recommend to a friend to do something like this?

4. Click on the "follow" button, so that I can see anytime you update a post.

Remeber that this is part of your grade, a school project and needs to follow the school rules for appropriate materials.

I am so excited to get to know you and see your creative spark!

~waves hand~

I'm off to work!

Ms. Lines

My 10 things...

10. I can sleep through alarms, loud music, earthquakes and random noises, but, turn on a light and *snaps fingers* ~I'm WIDE awake!

9. I play several musical instruments. The piano, clarinet, flute, drums, xylophone, chimes, cymbals, and guitar.

8. I hate canned vegetables, but will eat almost any raw ones. ~sticks out tongue~ EXCEPT BEETS! I HATE those.

7. I graduated from college, only three months after I turned 21.

6. I am a sympathy puker...if I even SMELL a hint of it...I am yakking too!

5. I have only owned five cars in my life. That is including my current car.

4. I have survived an airplane "crash" *ahem* I mean incident.

3, I like to have fresh plants and flowers, but I don't like to water plants all the time.

2. I have to save money on things I buy, or I will go somewhere else...

And.....my number one thing you may have not known about me....


1. I have had 9 career jobs and teaching is by far my favorite one. Thanks to you all, for the best year!!!!

Have a great summer and keep blogging!
~Waves and blows kisses~

May 11-15 Assignments

Sadly this will be our last week blogging! *sigh* The school year is drawing to a close, and I am pensive about all you have learned in History, Language art, Science and Math. I think back to the beginning of the school year and chuckle.

This week your assignments are as follow:
1. Create a top ten list of things about yourself that we don't know about you. Try to use 5-10 spelling words you have learned all year!

2. Finish the story: "Oh no! I fogot my key", said the teacher as he or she stopped suddenly...Try to use 5-10 spelling words you have learned all year!

3. Re-write one of your favorite posts or pick a prompt that you did not post, but like better than this weeks choices. Try to use 5-10 spelling words you have learned all year!

4. Write about what you want to do with your summer break. Try to use 5-10 spelling words you have learned all year!

5. Write a letter to yourself. Imagine that you can travel in time, going back to the beginning of this year. What would you tell yourself? Do you think it would change the outcome? If so how? If not, describe what "could" have happened. Try to use 5-10 spelling words you have learned all year!

You will pick TWO of the prompts and write about them. Use your time wisely, as we have limited time in the computer lab!
7 more days MAKE THEM THE BEST!!!
~snaps fingers~

May 4-8 Writing assignments

Hey guys! ~waves~ I am really sad after reviewing your spelling tests! This week is a review and plan on seeing many of the words that you missed this last week!

This weeks assignments need to have at least 10 words in them! I know this is a challenge, but I am confident that you can do it. Use your spelling dictionaries and look back at your previous units!

You must pick two of the following five choices:

1. Last week we went to the Science Center on a field trip. Write about what you saw and did. What was your favorite part? What would you tell the kids that go next year to make sure and look for? Are there any exhibits that you would like to see replaced with something new? Did you visit the "extreme weather" exhibit? Lot's of vocabulary words there!!!

2. If you could perform a miracle, What miracle would you like to perform? Why did you pick that one? How would it help others?

3. Finish the story: "This is just awful", Said the Doctor as He or she took a deep breath.

4. Write a free verse about: A crackling fire. Your poem should express LOVE. *Free verse has no pattern or rhyme scheme, but expresses the poet's thoughts and feelings on the subject.*

5. Create a top 10 list of your favorite animals. Write about why they are your top ten favorites. You may include pictures, but remember that I am grading you on your written words.


I can't wait to hear some of your creations! If I haven't left you a message from last week just leave me a new comment, reminding me.
Let's make our last two weeks the best!
~waves~