Mrs. Trefz's 5th Grade Blog

Adv. or Prep?

2011-10-10T08:26:00.000-07:00

In the following lesson, the students are practicing using the same words as different parts of speech. One sentence will contain a word functioning as a preposition and in the other sentence, the same word will be used as an adverb.

Choose five words from the list below. Write two sentences for each word. In one sentence use the word as an adverb. In another similar sentence, use the word as a preposition. After writing the sentences, choose your best example and add to wall wisher for further analysis. Go to Wallwisher.com and create an account using your current user name and password. After you have finished, click on this link to add your example sentences: Adv or Prep?

Prepositions of Choice
above	under	down
around	on	before
along	in	across

Example for using the word off.
Tom pulled his boots off. (off has no object and therefore is functioning as an adverb.)
Tom picked up his boots off the floor. (off has the word floor as its object and therefore is functioning as a preposition.)

1. Adverb
1. Preposition
2. Adverb
2. Preposition
3. Adverb
3. Preposition
4. Adverb
4. Preposition
5. Adverb
5. Preposition

Wall Wisher

2011-10-10T08:01:00.000-07:00

I got this from Tom Barrett's website about the many different ways in which you can use Wall Wisher. We are now participating in Global Virtual Classroom (GVC) where we will be working with others around the world and it has some great ideas for collaboration.

19 Interesting Ways to Use Wall Wisher

6th Grade English Exam Review

2011-05-09T12:48:00.000-07:00

Part 2 Grammar/Mechanics:

I. Punctuation (commas) ; semi colons; quotations marks
II. Dependent Clauses: adjective or adverb clause?
III. Prepositional Phrases
IV. Verbal Phrases
gerund or participal?
V. Kinds of Sentence Structure
Sentence Structure:Simple, compound, complex
dependent vs. independent clauses

Part 3 Parts of Speech:

Parts of Speech
Parts of speech

Part 4 Grammar/Mechanics:

I & II. The Sentence: fragment, simple/complete subject, simple/complete predicate, compound subject and verb

III. Verbs:

Action,helping, and linking verbs; complements

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IV. Verb Complements

Direct & indirect objects

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pred nom & pred adj

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Action vs. Linking Verbs

Transitive vs. Intransitive

Subject Complements

Complement Test

V. Verbals:

VI. Quizlet: Word Roots

VII. English Exam VA Words
Password is required: Vocabulary

MLA Citation Maker

2011-05-09T06:59:00.001-07:00

MLA Citation Maker

Writing a Thesis for a Research Paper

2011-05-05T12:18:00.000-07:00

Use Study Stack for Learning Vocabulary

2011-04-27T08:58:00.000-07:00

VA Lesson 1: Words About Vocabulary

More educational activitites at StudyStack.com

Timeline of Research Paper

2011-04-18T11:28:00.000-07:00

5th Grade Research Paper on Dipity.

Creating an Outline

2011-04-18T09:06:00.000-07:00

Inspiration helps to organize ideas using a cluster diagram which is great for the visual learner who can use shapes and colors to arrange and categorize information. The students have used the cluster diagram for organizing their thoughts for their research paper. They began by using the center circle for their thesis and from there, they linked it to their three supporting details. With each support, any specific examples were linked accordingly. Each section of the cluster contained only words and phrases (not complete thoughts) since they would eventually convert it to outline form. Once they arranged all of their ideas, the simple click of a button turned their graphic organizer into an outline with Roman Numerals, letters, and numbers.

Once the outline was checked for needed revisions and edits, it was then transfered to a word document with another simple click of a button. The ideas from the outline were then used to compose sentences for their research paper.

Reliable Source?

2011-04-18T09:04:00.000-07:00

Click here for full screen version

After reading the following information about how to search for reliable internet sources, use this cool technology tool to help you analyze just how reliable your source is.

The Internet is a great resource for research, but you have to remember that it is a public place where anyone can post information. When you want to find a trustworthy source, you need to first take the time to make sure it is reliable. The following are the steps to take to make sure that you have a valid site:

1. Always check to make sure that the source has an author. You can check the author's background to help validate the information.

2. Check the sites URL (http://...) If the site ends in .edu, it is probably an educational site, and you should still be aware of personal opinions. If the site ends in .gov it is probably a reliable government website. You will most likely find factual information here. Sites that end in .org are usually non-profit organization sites and can be reliable and unreliable, so make sure that you are careful not to take someone's opinion as the truth. You can find information on this site that will give you facts, but you may also run across political opinions that might slant one way or the other.

3. You can also follow research suggestions from http://www.virtualsalt.com which suggests that the CARS (credibility, accuracy, reasonableness, and support) method is great for evaluating sources.

Link

Parenthetical Citations

2011-04-18T08:55:00.000-07:00

As you research and find information to support your thesis, you will need to give credit to that source within the context of your paper. This can be done with parenthetical citations which is an alternative to using footnotes. Throughout your writing, you will need to reference someone else's ideas to support your own and you will accomplish this through paraphrasing or quotations; you will need to provide the author’s name and the page number of the work in the text of your paper. The following are examples of parenthetical citations found from Mr. McLaughlin's Classes:

Even today, many children are born outside the safety of hospitals (Kasserman 182).

This indicates that you are using information found in a book by somebody named Kasserman (last name) and it was found on page 182.

You may also give the same information in another way, if you want to name the author in your sentence. You might want to do this to add variety to your paper:

According to Laura Kasserman, “many children today do not benefit from the sanitary conditions which are available in modern facilities” (182). Many children are born outside the safety of hospitals.

Be sure to use quotation marks when quoting someone directly.

Paraphrasing

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Plagiarism

2011-04-18T08:44:00.000-07:00

The following information came from *plagiarism.org

Many people think of plagiarism as copying another's work, or borrowing someone else's original ideas. But terms like "copying" and "borrowing" can disguise the seriousness of the offense:
According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, to "plagiarize" means

1. to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own
2. to use (another's production) without crediting the source
3. to commit literary theft
4. to present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source.

In other words, plagiarism is an act of fraud. It involves both stealing someone else's work and lying about it afterward.
But can words and ideas really be stolen?

According to U.S. law, the answer is yes. The expression of original ideas is considered intellectual property, and is protected by copyright laws, just like original inventions. Almost all forms of expression fall under copyright protection as long as they are recorded in some way (such as a book or a computer file).
All of the following are considered plagiarism:

* turning in someone else's work as your own
* copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit
* failing to put a quotation in quotation marks
* giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation
* changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit
* copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up the majority of your work, whether you give credit or not (see our section on "fair use" rules)

Most cases of plagiarism can be avoided, however, by citing sources. Simply acknowledging that certain material has been borrowed, and providing your audience with the information necessary to find that source, is usually enough to prevent plagiarism. See our section on citation for more information on how to cite sources properly.

Example for using quotations

Example for using paraphrasing

*What is Plagiarism? (n.d.) Retrieved May 4th, 2009
http://www.plagiarism.org/learning_center/what_is_plagiarism.html

Using KWL for Brainstorming & Inquiry

2011-04-18T08:35:00.001-07:00

Thesis

Complete the provided word document titled Thesis and KWL. Make sure you place it in the research paper folder on your desktop. At the top of your word document, write your thesis that will serve as the focus of your paper. The following is an example of a topic: "Why FedEx is the top Shipping company in the world" The following is the topic that has been changed to thesis form: Though there are many fantastic shipping companies in the world, Frederick W. Smith’s FedEx company tops all.

KWL
Your prior knowledge needs to be recorded so that you can distinguish between what information belongs to you and the new information that you will gather through your research. Using a KWL thinking routine, record everything that you can recall about your thesis. Allow that thesis to be the focus of your research.

K= "What I already know about my topic." You should already know something about your topic to form an opinion about it. Make sure that you are very detailed and thorough in providing this information.

W="What I want to Learn about my topic." This will help guide your research if they are thoughtful, meaningful questions. Use the following questions from the inquiry process below (yellow) to help you brainstorm ideas. There are no right or wrong answers, so answer the questions accordingly. You might have several responses to the first question of, "What do I want to learn about this topic." You will write it in question form; for example, if you wanted to learn about FedEx's logistics that make the company so successful, you could ask, "How many airports, planes, etc. does FedEx have globally?"

L= "What I have learned." This part of the KWL thinking routine will not be completed until after you have finished researching and organizing your thoughts in your research paper which is not due until the middle of May.

I found the following from www.youthlearn.org that will help you with inquiry.

Title Page

2011-04-18T07:29:00.000-07:00

Brainstorming Research Topics

2011-04-08T07:45:00.000-07:00

On Friday, April 15th, you should turn in the following:

1. A page of notes that shows you have brainstormed as you have answered the questions below.

2. Three possible topics in order of preference.

Brainstorm topic ideas. If you have trouble thinking up creative topics to write about, here are some questions you might ask yourself:

* What am I interested in?
* What do I like to do for fun that might translate into an interesting paper topic?
* What do I feel strongly about?
* What do I know a lot about?
* What would I like to know more about?

* What are some issues or topics that are in the news right now that I find interesting and important?
* What are some issues or topics at my school that I find interesting and important?
* Can my friends or family members offer me suggestions for topics that I find interesting and important?

Evaluate each appropriate topic for ease and quality.
How difficult will this topic be to research and write about?
Is the topic too broad?
Is the topic too narrow?
Remember to get help from the teacher to find out if your topic is manageable. You also might need to do some library and computer research to find out how much information is available about your considered topic.

Pick the topic on your list that you find most interesting and important. Remember, it's much easier to write a paper that you find interesting than one you do not, so take the time to pick out a topic you truly care about. The topic can NOT be something that you already know a great deal about. It defeats the purpose of needing to research to learn more about it.

Get permission from the teacher to make sure that your topic is appropriate and not controversial. Then, let the fun begin as the research process unfolds during English class! Follow my blog posts as I take you through the steps of researching and writing a paper on your approved topic.

The following topics are from the past years that you can get ideas from as well:

Why Lacrosse is a challenging sport
Why the Vietnam War was One of the Worst of All Time
How Nuclear Missiles Cause Devastation
Why Steve Nash is the Best NBA Player
How Pirates have evolved Over Time
How Aircraft Carriers Can Improve
Autistic Savants: Drawbacks and Advantages
Why Jamar Chaney is the Best Rookie Linebacker in the NFL
The Challenges of Conquering Mt. Everest
Why Gil Stovall is One of the Best Swimmers in America
The Reasons for Butterfly Migration
Why High Fructose Corn Syrup is Unhealthy
UFO's: Myth or Reality
Why Golf is One of the Most Challenging Sports
Why the Octopus is One of the Most Exotic Animals Ever

The Causes and Effects of Sun Exposure
Why Mt. Everest is the Hardest Mountain to Climb
The Causes and Effects of Arthritis
The Cruelty of Using Animals for Entertainment in the Circus
Why Black Hawk Down Went so Bad
Why Beagles are Unique Dogs
The Importance of Recycling
What Makes America's Armed Forces the Most Advanced in the World
Why the Swine Flu is such a Perilous Disease
Why the University of Alabama is the Best College
The Negative Effects of Cigarettes
Why Alcatraz is World Famous
The Reasons Why Pet Snakes Should be Prohibited

The Devastating Effects of World War II
Why the Red Birds is the Best AAA Baseball Team
How the Zulu Tribe of Africa lives a Unique Life
The Effects of Steroids
How Shoes Affect Your Running Form
The Yeti: Myth or Reality
The Causes and Effects of Tornadoes in Tornado Alley
Why Al Capone is the Most Notorious Gangster of all time
Why 9/11 was the Most Tragic Attack on America
How the Traditions of the Masters Were Created
The Causes and Effects of Snake Venom
Why Hurricanes are the Most Devastating Natural Disasters
The Causes and Effects of Dreams
UFO's: Myth or Reality

The Benefits of Boy Scouts
Why Lance Armstrong is the Best Role Model
Why Exotic Cars are the Fastest Cars Ever Made
The Likes and Differences of Native American and American Lacrosse
Lochness Monster: Myth or Reality
Why It's Essential for Kids to Play Sports
How the Mayans Created Amazing Architecture
Why the Beatles Are the Best Rock Group of all Time
The Benefits of Modern Day Warfare

King Louis 16th and the Fall of the French Monarchy
Why Hershey is such a Great Company
Why Pixar is the Best Animation Studio
Why Being on Ski Patrol is so Challenging
Why Yellowstone National Park is World Famous
Why Modern Day Zoos Are Better Than Zoos of the Past
Why the Masters is One of the Best Tournaments in Professional Golf
The Effects of Autism
The Importance of Going Green With Solar Energy
How the Dust Bowl was Caused by the Average Farmer and Not by the Forces of Nature
Hurricanes: Causes and Effects

Why Performance Enhancing Drugs Should Not Be Allowed
How Antartica is Being Affected By Global Warming
Why Street Racing is an Intense Pass Time
The Causes and Effects of Global Warming
How Pancreatic Cancer Affects Lives
Why the Credit Crash Affects America
How Brain Tumors Affect People
How Space Travel Has Improved Over the Years
How Going Green Can Affect the U.S.
How F-16's and A-300's are Alike and Different
Obesity: An American Epidemic
How Navy Seals are Trained for Sea Hijacking
How the Stock Market Affects the United States

How Smoking Can Affect the Lives of Ordinary People
How the Technology of World War II Affected Its Outcome
Why the Velociraptor is the Deadliest Animal of All Living Creatures
The Affects of Smallpox: Then and Now
How the Armenian Genocide Was the Worst of ALL Time
Why the Deep Sea is Rarely Explored by Humans
Why Mount Everest is the Hardest Feat for Climbers to Conquer
What Happened for the Fight for Fallujah to Unfold
Why O.C.D. is Very Challenging
Why Slam ball is the Next Up and Coming Sport
How Smoking is Ruining American Lives
How the Beatles are the Best Rock-N-Roll Band of All Time
How Lives are Affected by Dwarfism
The Causes and Effects of Diabetes
Leo Frank Murder Case: Innocent or Guilty?

The Curse of the Great Bambino
Bigfoot: Legend or Reality
How the X-43 is the Fastest Jet on Earth
How Knowing God Improves One's Quality of Life
Why the Cuttlefish is the Most Amazing Animal Known
How Aspirin is Beneficial
Why the Traditions of the Masters Make it the Best Tournament of All Time
Why the Who was one of the Greatest Rock Bands of all Time
How Modern Day Pirates are an Immense Threat to Every Docking Point in Samalia
UFOs: Fact or Fiction

Predicate Nominatives & Predicate Adjectives

2011-04-05T06:01:00.000-07:00

pred nom & pred adj

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Direct and Indirect Objects

2011-04-05T05:53:00.001-07:00

Direct & indirect objects

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Action, Linking, and Helping Verbs; Complements

2011-04-04T13:59:00.000-07:00

Action,helping, and linking verbs; complements

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Exchange Club Essay Contest Winners!!

2011-03-07T11:43:00.000-08:00

The 5th grade recently participated in the Exchange Club’s Crime Prevention Essay Contest, and five boys were selected as a finalist. Trace D, Will H, Rucker W, Jackson M, and Bradley K proceeded to the next phase of the contest as the Law Enforcement Officials and the Exchange Club members interviewed them on Thursday, March 3rd. The two PDS winners of the essay contest, Bradley and Rucker, have been selected among participants from Memphis City, Shelby County and other private schools in the area as Jr. Police Director and Jr. Deputy Director. It is an honor to have such a large number of boys to represent PDS as the finalists in the contest!

2011-02-23T11:40:00.000-08:00

We have been discussing mindset in the classroom throughout the year, and I found a great critical thinking activity to put the students' mindset to the test.

Questionaut

This problem solving game has no directions, and the students have to use cause and effect to get through each world and move on to the next.

Samorost

This is a similar game to Questionaut where there are no directions for problem-solving. The objective is to get the character, Samorost, to explore the spaceship that is flying toward his planet.

I wanted to share the comments and I am going to categorize them according to mindsets, fixed and growth:

Fixed Mindset Comments:
What's the point?
I don't get this.
This is too hard
It's impossible
Oh my gosh! What do you do?
This doesn't make sense
I could beat this if I wanted to
Fixed Mindset Actions:
A boy threw his hands up.
There was huffing and puffing.
Pouting took place.
Deep sighs were heard.
Heavy typing was heard as if a forceful stroke on the keyboard would solve the problem.
Hitting the desk out of frustration was seen.

Growth Mindset Comments:
Yes! I did it!
You just gotta think and you can do it.
It makes me feel good when I finally do something.
yea! I accomplished it, I so accomplished it.
That level 3 was really hard but I got through it.
This takes a lot of patience.
Sweet!
This is awesome!

These comments reflected the features of the boys' thinking which are not giving up, asking a lot questions, generating multiple ideas and explanations, being a critical thinker, and not stopping or giving up too soon. In the book The Thinking Classroom it states, "Good thinking is a mind-set, a collection of attitudes and inclinations with which one approaches thinking." It goes on to point out that "students have misconceptions about good thinkers, often equating good thinking with 'being smart.'" They need to realize that in order to be a good thinker, they have to learn that it is a matter of a disposition and not intellect alone.

Pronouns in Context: Nightmare Vacation!

2011-02-15T06:38:00.000-08:00

The students have just finished studying personal, possessive, reflexive, interrogative, demonstrative, and indefinite pronouns. They wrote about a nightmare vacation as they applied their knowledge of pronouns in context. Below are some samples from each class:

I was on mountain top peering down at the hopeless town. I had a lone dog of mine sitting beside me. My small heart was thumping as I was trying to think of an idea. The town boiled with excitement as Christmas was coming and their song started to drive me out of control. I suddenly came up with a hunch to end my thoughts, “I’ll steal all of their stuff and ruin Christmas.” We started to build our sleigh to rocket down the mountain of snow. My dog’s ears flopped and his legs shivered in the milky flakes. Through the houses we went stuffing toys, candy, stockings, and even cats up the chimney. All of the treasures were ours. Up to the steepest of the mountain we went, when guilt shocked me in the heart. “What will the enthusiastic kids do?" I thought. I turned the sleigh around and there we went down the snowy hill throwing presents and blaring a horn in praise. Christmas was here and everyone enjoyed it.
Wyatt

On my family vacation we encountered some boiling events. Our family went to our lake house in Arkansas, but unfortunately I forgot sunscreen. So I was now a baked potato. I asked my parents, “May I borrow some of your sunscreen,” but the best they had was 1 spf. Then, suddenly my brother told me that his hat flew off in the cool summer breeze, so I had to let him borrow mine! If you think your family vacation was sweltering, than look at ours.
Hastings

My nightmare vacation was when I went to the amusement park, Six Flags. First, our flight got canceled that I had to wake up at 4 p.m. for, so we drove.....As result of eating chili at Burger King, my sister Phoebe threw up on her own leg and started crying. Both my brothers and my iPhone ran out of battery, which was our only source of entertainment, and my dad was really mad at us for no apparent reason. Then his car got a flat tire, which delayed our trip a couple of hours because the next gateway was 45 minutes away. When I got to Six Flags, it was snowing its brains out. Also we found a pleasant surprise that our luggage was gone. That was my nightmare vacation.
Baugh

My last family vacation to Destin was a complete nightmare. First, in my dad’s Lexus, my little brother, Timmy, decided to get sick on my back. His face was green, mine was, too, and my shirt . . . well, its color is still green. Next we checked into our Marriot hotel, but we had the same luggage as another guest. This led to a complete disaster because he took ours, we took his, and the whole ordeal was terrible. None of his clothes fit any of us! Lastly, on our boat trip, someone claimed our trip as their family’s, and we were accused and kicked out for trying to steal a reservation! We were framed for attempted robbery when we were the victims themselves. In other words, last family vacation was a horrible experience, and I hope it will never happen again.

Bradley

Sentence Starters

2011-02-02T08:21:00.000-08:00

I have been following a fabulous blog edte.ch and Tom Barrett had these wonderful sentence starters posted for engaging students in creative writing. These were compiled by over 100 educators on Twitter who contributed these using hashtags where "each tag is specific to a topic or theme that gives other teachers a little bit of a focus for their contributions." What a great way to effectively collaborate using Twitter! I would like for my English students to practice using some of these sentence starters as they creatively write in the writing section of their journals.

Pronouns

2011-01-23T11:17:00.001-08:00

Pronouns

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Common or Proper?

2011-01-18T11:02:00.000-08:00

A writer is a more effective communicator when Using specificity in writing because it gives a reader so much more information. Using proper vs. common nouns adds detail to a piece of writing where the reader can envision the message you are trying to convey or a picture you are trying to paint.

Activate your memory and brainstorm a list of common and proper nouns that would represent each of the following topics. Later, we will refer to our list when using specific nouns in the context of writing.

list 3 common nouns for the following:

Example: kitchen-plates, blender, microwave
mall
fruit
castle
school
parade
countries
church
toys
games
backyard

List 3 proper nouns for each of the following:

Example: Movies- Coca-cola, Malco Theater, The Chronicles of Narnia
heroes
magazines
animal pet names
artists
authors
books
countries
presidents
national landmarks
Bible characters
newspapers
fictional characters
famous battles
planets
months
holidays

2011-01-06T09:09:00.000-08:00

An ancient Chinese Proverb best sums it up by stating, “Tell me and I forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I understand."

Project Based Learning Glogster Presentation

2011-01-04T13:05:00.000-08:00

Project Based Learning Technology Presentations

2011-01-03T20:36:00.000-08:00

Equal Rights for Equal Genders

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Disability rights

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Native American Struggles (NAS)

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Ending Child Labor

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Child labor

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The Fairness Project

2010-10-28T09:01:00.000-07:00

We have begun our fairness project on civil rights with the focus of answering the guiding question, "What can I learn from the past civil rights struggles to help resolve current issues that still exist today?" Each group has been arranged according to the topic of interest: race, gender, disability, and age. Our class wiki includes the details of our journey.

The sentence

2010-10-19T19:19:00.000-07:00

The sentence

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Wall Wisher: Preposition or Adverb?

2010-10-01T05:33:00.000-07:00

Prepositional Phrase Poetry

2010-09-29T17:18:00.000-07:00

5 a prep phrase poetry

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5B prep phrase poetry

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5C prep phrase poetry

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5D prep phrase poems

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What Is A Preposition?

2010-09-20T19:03:00.001-07:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

What Is A Preposition?

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English Class 2010-2011

2010-09-02T12:09:00.000-07:00

Specific Criteria for the Research Paper

2010-05-05T08:44:00.000-07:00

The following are the requirements for your research paper:

*Font size 16

*Font style must be something traditional such as Times New Roman, Geneva, Ariel, Helvetica, etc.

*The First page is the title page that should have your approved topic centered in the middle of the page. Double space and center your first and last name. Double space again and center the due date May 17, 2010;

*The outline should be single spaced with your last name and the number 2 in the upper right hand corner.

*The body of the paper should be double spaced

*A minimum of 3 sources should be used

*A minimum of 2 paraphrases and 2 quotes should be used correctly in context.

*The bibliography page should have a heading and should be capitalized; the sources should be alphabetized according to the beginning word whether it is the author, editor, or title.

Using Inspiration for Organizing an Outline

2010-05-05T08:43:00.000-07:00

Avoiding Plagiarism

2010-05-05T08:38:00.000-07:00

Many people think of plagiarism as copying another's work, or borrowing someone else's original ideas. But terms like "copying" and "borrowing" can disguise the seriousness of the offense:

According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, to "plagiarize" means

1. to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own
2. to use (another's production) without crediting the source
3. to commit literary theft
4. to present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing
source.

In other words, plagiarism is an act of fraud. It involves both stealing someone else's work and lying about it afterward.
But can words and ideas really be stolen?

According to U।S. law, the answer is yes. The expression of original ideas is considered intellectual property, and is protected by copyright laws, just like original inventions. Almost all forms of expression fall under copyright protection as long as they are recorded in some way (such as a book or a computer file).

All of the following are considered plagiarism:

* turning in someone else's work as your own
* copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit
* failing to put a quotation in quotation marks
* giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation
* changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit
* copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up the majority of your work, whether you give credit or not (see our section on "fair use" rules)

Most cases of plagiarism can be avoided, however, by citing sources. Simply acknowledging that certain material has been borrowed, and providing your audience with the information necessary to find that source, is usually enough to prevent plagiarism. See our section on citation for more information on how to cite sources properly.

Example for using quotations

Example for using paraphrasing

*What is Plagiarism? (n.d.) Retrieved May 4th, 2009
http://www.plagiarism.org/learning_center/what_is_plagiarism.html

sweetSearch Student Search Engine

2010-04-28T10:54:00.000-07:00

Click here for a direct link to the sweetSearch site where you can explore your chosen topic. You can also use the sweetSearch Widget that has been added to the sidebar of our blog! Happy researching!

Writing a Thesis and Using KWL for Brainstorming & Inquiry

2010-04-28T10:48:00.000-07:00

You have now had your conference regarding a topic for research and have received approval. It is time to turn your topic into a thesis statement which will serve as your claim for your evaluative research paper. Your thesis needs to be one sentence and you need to use the main words of your title that you wrote. Try removing the How or Why of your title, but remember that you aren't limited to the words that remain. You can add phrases or clauses for more detail and complexity.

Your prior knowledge needs to be recorded so that you can distinguish between what information belongs to you and the new information that you will gather through your research. Using a KWL chart, record everything that you can recall about your thesis. Allow that thesis to be the focus of your research. Then, jot down questions that you want to learn about your topic. This will help guide your research if they are thoughtful, meaningful questions.

I found the following from www.youthlearn.org that will help you with inquiry.

Fifth Grade Topics for Research

2010-04-28T10:42:00.000-07:00

5A Research Topics:
Why Lacrosse is a challenging sport
Why the Vietnam War was One of the Worst of All Time
How Nuclear Missiles Cause Devastation
Why Steve Nash is the Best NBA Player
How Pirates have evolved Over Time
How Aircraft Carriers Can Improve
Autistic Savants: Drawbacks and Advantages
Why Jamar Chaney is the Best Rookie Linebacker in the NFL
The Challenges of Conquering Mt. Everest
Why Gil Stovall is One of the Best Swimmers in America
The Reasons for Butterfly Migration
Why High Fructose Corn Syrup is Unhealthy
UFO's: Myth or Reality
Why Golf is One of the Most Challenging Sports
Why the Octopus is One of the Most Exotic Animals Ever
Why Football is the Best Sport to Play

5B Research Topics:
The Causes and Effects of Sun Exposure
Why Mt. Everest is the Hardest Mountain to Climb
The Causes and Effects of Arthritis
The Cruelty of Using Animals for Entertainment in the Circus
Why Black Hawk Down Went so Bad
Why Beagles are Unique Dogs
The Importance of Recycling
What Makes America's Armed Forces the Most Advanced in the World
Why Golf is the Best Sport Ever
Why the Swine Flu is such a Perilous Disease
Why the University of Alabama is the Best College
The Negative Effects of Cigarettes
Why Alcatraz is World Famous
The Reasons Why Pet Snakes Should be Prohibited

5C Research Topics:
The Devastating Effects of World War II
Why the Red Birds is the Best AAA Baseball Team
How the Zulu Tribe of Africa lives a Unique Life
The Effects of Steroids
How Shoes Affect Your Running Form
The Yeti: Myth or Reality
Why Nike is the Best Brand in the World
The Causes and Effects of Tornadoes in Tornado Alley
Why Al Capone is the Most Notorious Gangster of all time
Why Ole Miss is the Best College
Why 9/11 was the Most Tragic Attack on America
How the Traditions of the Masters Were Created
The Causes and Effects of Snake Venom
Why Hurricanes are the Most Devastating Natural Disasters
The Causes and Effects of Dreams
UFO's: Myth or Reality

5D Research Topics:
Why Football is the Best Sport of all Time
The Benefits of Boy Scouts
Why Lance Armstrong is the Best Role Model
Why Exotic Cars are the Fastest Cars Ever Made
Why Nike is the Best Merchandising Brand
Why German Shephards ard the Best Breed of Dog
Why Football is the Best Sport
The Likes and Differences of Native American and American Lacrosse
Lochness Monster: Myth or Reality
Why It's Essential for Kids to Play Sports
How the Mayans Created Amazing Architecture
Why the Beatles Are the Best Rock Group of all Time
The Benefits of Modern Day Warfare
Why Basketball is the Best Sport of all Time
How Lacrosse is the Most Strategic Game Invented

Explore Your Interests for a Research Topic

2010-04-28T05:35:00.000-07:00

* What am I interested in?
* What do I like to do for fun that might translate into an interesting paper topic?
* What do I feel strongly about?
* What do I know a lot about?
* What would I like to know more about?

* What are some issues or topics that are in the news right now that I find interesting and important?
* What are some issues or topics at my school that I find interesting and important?
* Can my friends or family members offer me suggestions for topics that I find interesting and important?

Evaluate each appropriate topic for ease and quality.
How difficult will this topic be to research and write about?
Is the topic too broad?
Is the topic too narrow?
Remember to get help from the teacher to find out if your topic is manageable. You also might need to do some library and computer research to find out how much information is available about your considered topic.

Pick the topic on your list that you find most interesting and important. Remember, it's much easier to write a paper that you find interesting than one you do not, so take the time to pick out a topic you truly care about.

Get permission from the teacher to make sure that your topic is appropriate and not controversial। Then, let the fun begin as the research process unfolds during English class! Follow my blog posts as I take you through the steps of researching and writing a paper on your approved topic.

These Boots......

2010-04-20T12:26:00.000-07:00

5A Task 1
5A Task 1
5A Task 2
5A Task 3
5A Task 4
5A Task 5

5B Task 1
5B Task 1
5B Task 2
5B Task 3
5B Task 4
5B Task 5

5C Task 1
5C Task 2
5C Task 3
5C Task 4
5C Task 5

5D Task 1
5D Task 2
5D Task 3
5D Task 4
5D Task 5

Planning Ahead: a Fifth-Grader's Perspective

2010-03-31T06:58:00.000-07:00

All my life, I have strived to put myself in the best position that I could be in. I have an older brother who is about to go to the University of Illinois to play football. He had many offers from different colleges like Ole Miss, Memphis, and many others. Throughout this whole recruiting process, I’ve had many learning experiences as well. But there’s one thing that I’ve held on to, and that’s the grades that I have to have to succeed. While watching my brother do his school work, and play football, I wondered how I’ll be when I go to high school. Will I be a football star, and make excellent grades, and as a result get a lot of offers? Or will I be a football star and make poor grades, therefore get little offers? In life, most people don’t realize that our time is short. We are only on the earth for a little amount of time, then we're gone. The question God has for us is how will we spend our amount of time while we are here? Will we spend it out on the streets selling drugs and acting like fools? Or will we spend it making good decisions? All of it is up to us. I went on one Official Visit with my brother at the University of Memphis. It was a life time experience that I will never forget. Hopefully it will not be my last one. While I was touring the campus, I felt a little older. The classrooms where amazing, and I was really impressed with the school. The coaches were really nice, and treated us well by by feeding us gigantic steaks and baby-back ribs. They took us to the Grizzlies’ game, where we watched them play the Hornets. The life time experience was amazing. While going through this whole process I’ve realized that it’s up to me to be the best I want to be. And that I’ll have to work for it.

Listen Up!

2010-03-30T13:51:00.000-07:00

Listen Up! on Prezi

Project-Based Learning Presentations

2010-03-25T07:06:00.000-07:00

5B PBL Final Product from Dawn Trefz on Vimeo.

How can NASA fortify current rockets to extend space travel? on Prezi

5A PBL Final Product: Da Pod Presentation from kim trefz on Vimeo.

Space Research Presentation

View more presentations from ktrefz.

PBL Final Product from Dawn Trefz on Vimeo.

Problem/Project-Based Learning

2010-03-24T09:44:00.000-07:00

Create a free photo slideshow

The boys have worked hard to complete the newly designed models of space shuttles, rockets, space suits, and space missions as they were problem-solvers and decision-makers throughout the whole process.

Watch the boys in action as they brainstorm their topic, find problems, hypothesize, research, find possible solutions and weigh the pros and cons of their decisions. They are truly amazing!! REFLECTION BLOG

Project-Based Learning

2010-01-25T11:45:00.000-08:00

We are finally done with our brainstorming for project/problem-based learning on space missions and flights. The students have worked to create guiding questions that will be chosen for investigation based on their personal interests. We are currently studying nouns, pronouns, and adjectives that will be incorporated within the project to provide a more meaningful and purposeful approach and to show how they function in context to enhance written and verbal communication skills. Check out our wiki site where we have documented all of the wonderful brainstorming the students have done so far.

Vocabulary for Achievement Lesson 15

2010-01-06T09:20:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Vocabulary for Achievement Lesson 15

What's Your Perspective?

2009-11-30T18:42:00.000-08:00

When writing your 2-3 sentence reflection as you answer the question beneath the photo, construct sentences in one of the following ways:

combine sentences with a comma and a coordinating conjunction making a compound sentence. Remember you can use and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet

combine sentences by making one a dependent clause using a subordinating conjunction and the other an independent clause making the sentence complex.

combine sentences using a semicolon.

2009-2010 Reflection Journal Entries

2009-11-02T07:57:00.000-08:00

It is very important to step back and reflect on what is going on around you. Taking notice of your habits of the mind is the first step to becoming a better problem solver, critical thinker, and communicator. The following are the journal entries that have been assigned in class so far. We will continue to add to the list of entries as we address essential questions pertaining to the grammar and writing skills we are developing in class.

1. 8/20 What kind of communicator are you?

2. 8/25 Compare and Contrast an electronic dictionary vs. a book dictionary. Which one do you prefer?

3. 9/8 Using Lesson 3 of Vocabulary For Achievement, use 3 words in context as you creatively write about an imaginary character.

4, 9/15 After analyzing your writing, share what you have noticed to be your writing habits. Include strengths and weaknesses.

5. 9/16 Check out our class blog and share your thoughts about one particular blog post that you find interesting. Explain why you chose the one that you did.

6. 9/21 How can you grow as a writer? What are some ways that you can improve your written expression?

7. 9/25 Provide an in-depth explanation of how to find a subject in an inverted sentence. What else do you know about simple/complete subjects and verbs?

Let's Learn Those Prepositions!!

2009-10-16T10:34:00.000-07:00

Why are prepositional phrases important for our written and oral communication?
How can varied sentence structure make my writing more effective?

For the past week, we have been studying prepositions and have closely analyzed sentences to learn how they add detail to describe something or to give the location of something. It is not often that I ask the students to do memorization work, but we will be applying a lot of new skills that will require them to have extensive knowledge about prepositional phrases. That means that they will need to recall all of their prepositions from the list below. They have learned that a subject and verb cannot be found in a prepositional phrase. Sometimes a prepositional phrase is wedged between a subject and a verb, and they are learning to look for this when making sure to have correct subject/verb agreement; they know not to make the mistake of having the verb agree with the object of the preposition. The students are also learning about varying the beginnings of their sentences. When prepositional phrases are moved to the front of a sentence, it adds variety to writing.

Did you know that when you take away a preposition's object that the preposition then becomes an adverb? If you identify a word in a sentence as a preposition, it must always have an object that is a noun or a pronoun. Just locate the preposition and ask the question, "Who or what?" and the answer will the the preposition's object. All of the modifiers in between the preposition and its object are part of the prepositional phrase. If there isn't a "who or what" that follows, then the word that you identified as a preposition is functioning as an adverb.

The following are the most commonly used prepositions that should be memorized. We will continue to reference prepositions as we learn new skills throughout the year.

aboard
about
above
across
after
against
along
among
around
at
before
behind
below
beneath
beside
between
beyond
by
down
during
except
for
from
in
inside
into
near
of
off
on
onto
out
outside
over
past
since
through
to
toward
under
until
up
upon
with
within
without

What Does Good Writing Look Like?

2009-09-04T12:05:00.000-07:00

(click on the picture for a larger view)

Writing is a process, and this year we will practice writing in stages to ensure that excellent habits are being learned.

Brainstorming on any given topic is the way to begin writing as you jot down relevant words or phrases that come to mind on any given topic. Does it mean that you have to use all of your ideas when you begin drafting? Absolutely not! You only choose the best ideas that will support your topic and arrange them in an organized way by using a graphic organizer; this is part of planning what you want to say. Does it mean that you can't add new ideas that might come to mind at a later stage? Of course not! You can always add new information, but try to stay focused and limit yourself to completing one stage of the writing process at a time. As you allow your ideas to steadily flow, try to keep from revising and editing sentences at this point; you will have the chance to do that at later stages of the writing process. Think about this: If you are distracted by sentence structure, missing commas, spelling, etc while you are trying to formulate your ideas, great ideas might get lost and forgotten. Remember to take it one step at a time.

Once your ideas have been written in a rough draft, it is time to take a look at the organization of your thoughts. Are your ideas logically sequenced? Do you need to add or take out parts? What about finishing any incomplete sentences? If you have short, choppy sentences, you might want to consider combining them by using a clause or conjunction. After you analyze your written work, reread it again. It is okay for writing to be messy when you are using carets to insert words/phrases, underlining portions of sentences by using arrows to relocate them, etc. It is okay to mark up your paper!

After revising, it is time to reread AGAIN for spelling, capitalization, and punctuation errors. Take it one sentence at a time, and read it aloud so that you can hear errors that you might otherwise overlook. Finally, it is time to reread your written work again, and then rewrite it for the final time. Sometimes it takes several times of rewriting something before it is ready to be published, and if you really stick to writing in stages and following the correct process, you will develop excellent writing habits.

The question asked in class was,"What does good writing look like?" The boys worked together to come up with characteristics of good writing that they plan to incorporate throughout the year.

Why Do We Write?

2009-09-01T10:36:00.000-07:00

In class, we have discussed the importance of communication. Our conversation involved writing with a purpose, and the boys brainstormed some ideas and shared what they believed to be the main reasons for why people write. Afterwards, they compared their ideas to the 4 main purposes for writing: to inform, to create/express, to persuade, and to entertain.

This year, the focus will be on expository writing where the boys will write 5 paragraph essays, newspaper articles, and a research paper. They will also write reflections, personal letters, poetry, and will have many opportunities to give written feedback on others' work. The boys are looking forward to not only collaborating with their classmates but with their peers from around the world.

English Curriculum 2009-2010 School Year

2009-08-16T16:32:00.000-07:00

Click here to see a larger version.

"Playing for Change: Peace Through Music"

2009-07-17T18:37:00.000-07:00

Click here to watch the video

I am following blogs of some very talented educators, and I saw this video posted on a colleague's website. As I was viewing it, it really touched me to see musicians from all over the world come together as one in their efforts to bring "change through music." I shared conversation with the person who posted this inspirational video, and I thought that it would be perfect to begin the year learning about our 5th grade theme, perspective: one's attitude toward something or in regards to something; a point of view. We will cover this throughout the year as we address how one's perspective might change through experiences.

Watch the video, listen to the lyrics of the song "Stand by Me," and reflect on the apparent diversity of the musicians, but also look deeper to gain insight on the importance of global unification: even though we are different in many ways, there are many commonalities that bring us together. I love how this video uses the common language of music to promote change in the stereotypes, prejudices, and oppression that not only plague the people of our very own city of Memphis, but also the people of the world.

What would the world be like if there wasn't diversity?

Why is it important to demonstrate the need to be accepting of others' differences?

How can you make a difference? In what ways can you positively influence others at school or in your community?

Make a connection to the video and relate it to something that you have experienced in your life.

Animoto

2009-05-22T09:08:00.001-07:00

Have a wonderful summer!! I miss you already:)

Research Topics

2009-05-11T07:26:00.000-07:00

The 5th grade boys have been researching a topic of their choice.

5A Boys:
King Louis 16th and the Fall of the French Monarchy
Why Hershey is such a Great Company
Why Pixar is the Best Animation Studio
The History of Native American Lacrosse
The History of the Yo-yo
Why Being on Ski Patrol is so Challenging
Why the Yo-Yo is the Best Toy Ever Invented
Why Yellowstone National Park is World Famous
Why Modern Day Zoos Are Better Than Zoos of the Past
Why the Masters is One of the Best Tournaments in Professional Golf
Why Duke University Has the Best Basketball Program in the Nation
The Effects of Autism
Why Lacrosse is the Best Sport Ever
The Importance of Going Green With Solar Energy
How the Dust Bowl was Caused by the Average Farmer and Not by the Forces of Nature
Hurricanes: Causes and Effects
How Computers are Beneficial Today

5B Boys:
Why Performance Enhancing Drugs Should Not Be Allowed
How Antartica is Being Affected By Global Warming
Why Street Racing is an Intense Pass Time
How the Death of a Loved One Can Affect You
The Causes and Effects of Global Warming
How Pancreatic Cancer Affects Lives
The History of Basketball
Why the Credit Crash Affects America
How Brain Tumors Affect People
How Space Travel Has Improved Over the Years
How Going Green Can Affect the U.S.
How F-16's and A-300's are Alike and Different
Obesity: An American Epidemic
The History of ALS
How Navy Seals are Trained for Sea Hijacking
How the Stock Market Affects the United States

5C Boys:
How Smoking Can Affect the Lives of Ordinary People
How the Technology of World War II Affected Its Outcome
Why the Velociraptor is the Deadliest Animal of All Living Creatures
The Affects of Smallpox: Then and Now
How the Armenian Genocide Was the Worst of ALL Time
Why the Deep Sea is Rarely Explored by Humans
Why Mount Everest is the Hardest Feat for Climbers to Conquer
What Happened for the Fight for Fallujah to Unfold
Why O.C.D. is Very Challenging
Why Slamball is the Next Up and Coming Sport
How Cigarettes are Associated to Lung Cancer
How Smoking is Ruining American Lives
How the Beatles are the Best Rock-N-Roll Band of All Time
How Lives are Affected by Dwarfism
The Importance of Creating Better Photos
The Causes and Effects of Diabetes
Leo Frank Murder Case: Innocent or Guilty?

5D Boys:
Why a Dog is a Man's Best Friend
The Curse of the Great Bambino
Bigfoot: Legend or Reality
Why the History of Comics is the Best
How the X-43 is the Fastest Jet on Earth
How Knowing God Improves One's Quality of Life
Why the Cuttlefish is the Most Amazing Animal Known
How Aspirin is Beneficial
Why the Traditions of the Masters Make it the Best Tournament of All Time
Why Computers are Becoming an Essential Part of Life
Why the Yankees is the Best Baseball Team in Major League History
Why the Who was one of the Greatest Rock Bands of all Time
How Modern Day Pirates are an Immense Threat to Every Docking Point in Samalia
UFOs: Fact or Fiction
Big Bang Theory: Myth or Reality
Why Dogs are the Best Animals/Pets Ever

PDS Field Day 2009

2009-05-07T14:13:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox photobook

Plagiarism

2009-05-03T17:04:00.000-07:00

Research Paper Timeline

2009-04-26T11:30:00.000-07:00

kim t. on Dipity.

Quintura Search Cloud

2009-04-14T09:46:00.000-07:00

This site was sent to us by Mrs. Edwards from Nespelem School to help you find informaton on the topic that you have chosen to research! When viewing the Quintura Cloud, you can visually navigate through to find the information that is relevant to what you are researching. Click the words in the cloud to discover popular search topics or surf the web. Refine, save, and share your cloud!

Huntsville Space Center

2009-04-14T09:35:00.000-07:00

The boys have been working on the laws of motion and applying it to everyday life. During a recent field trip to Huntsville Space Center, they got to look at the history of NASA and apply Newton's Laws to the G Force and Space Shot rides. In this VoiceThread, the boys are providing information from their experiences as they recall the events of the NASA Space Center that are captured in these pictures.

We are currently working on getting their voices added to the photos seen here.

Let the Research Begin....

2009-04-10T16:50:00.000-07:00

On Your Mark, Get Set,......

Topics for Research?

2009-04-10T14:53:00.000-07:00

Brainstorm topic ideas. If you have trouble thinking up creative topics to write about, here are some questions you might ask yourself:

* What am I interested in?
* What do I like to do for fun that might translate into an interesting paper topic?
* What do I feel strongly about?
* What do I know a lot about?
* What would I like to know more about?

* What are some issues or topics that are in the news right now that I find interesting and important?
* What are some issues or topics at my school that I find interesting and important?
* Can my friends or family members offer me suggestions for topics that I find interesting and important?

Evaluate each appropriate topic for ease and quality.
How difficult will this topic be to research and write about?
Is the topic too broad?
Is the topic too narrow?
Remember to get help from the teacher to find out if your topic is manageable. You also might need to do some library and computer research to find out how much information is available about your considered topic.

Pick the topic on your list that you find most interesting and important. Remember, it's much easier to write a paper that you find interesting than one you do not, so take the time to pick out a topic you truly care about.

Get permission from the teacher to make sure that your topic is appropriate and not controversial. Then, let the fun begin as the research process unfolds during English class! Follow my blog posts as I take you through the steps of researching and writing a paper on your approved topic.

On Monday, April 20th, you should turn in the following:

1. A page of notes that shows you have brainstormed as you have answered the questions above.

2. Three possible topics in order of preference.

Vocabulary for Achievement

2009-04-08T09:32:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

The boys got to use their creative side to illustrate their vocabulary. They were instructed to take a VA word and use its letters to demonstrate the meaning of it. They were also to find a synonym and antonym of the word in addition to the derivatives. Each derivative had to include the part of speech since that changes when suffixes are added to the ending of the word.

Reliable Source or Not?

2009-04-07T17:29:00.001-07:00

Click here for full screen version

Adverbs

2009-04-04T17:07:00.000-07:00

Adverbs and Movies

View more presentations from wjhmedia.

Collaborative Wiki: Sharing Perspectives

2009-03-31T07:18:00.000-07:00

What a great opportunity the PDS boys have as they team up with their Nespelem friends to improve on their writing skills! The focus of their writing collaboration will be how to write with a purpose and audience in mind and how all writers express themselves using a unique voice and style. They will also see the importance of writing in organized ways as they strive for the great development of their ideas. The best part of all is that they will learn in an authentic way that is most meaningful. We look forward to reflecting, providing positive feedback, and learning more about our writing partners who are over 2,ooo miles away!

Self-awareness:
We are thinking critically when we

* weigh the influences of motives and bias, and
* recognize our own assumptions, prejudices, biases, or point of view

I was:
Reviewing the past thoughts: Our actions reflect what we know and believe at the time; reflect on your past ideas, thoughts, feelings, beliefs before your interaction with other ethnic groups and cultures.

What did you know, think, and feel before you began learning about other ethnic groups?

I am:
Understanding the present change: After an experience, reflect on how the experience affects (changes, revises, renews, validates) your own ideas and values.

How have your ideas, knowledge, and feelings changed after working with and learning from another ethnic group?

I will:
Making the future happen: decide to act in ways that demonstrate the values you believe in. To change your future and that of others, make a conscious effort towards sharing and being what has been learned.

How will you set examples and influence others in positive ways based on your current ideas, knowledge and feelings?

How do these ideas, knowledge, and feelings help you make decisions about the the acceptance of other cultures and ethnicities in the future?

Perspectives: I Was, I Am, I Will

Click on our collaborative wiki site that we are now sharing with Nespelem School!

Canvasing Writing Ideas

2009-02-28T15:57:00.000-08:00

This is a larger view of the picture needed to complete one of the lino writing activities.

Click on the canvas and begin your assignment for improving on writing attention getters, using vivid verbs and specific nouns, and writing with syntactic variety.

Here are the results to some great collaborative writing! Lino Activity

Walkin' in Memphis with MapSkip

2009-02-23T18:31:00.000-08:00

Our latest writing assignment was to write a five paragraph essay about helping our friends from Nespelem School learn a little bit about our life in Memphis, TN. We wanted to show them around town by identifying and writing about the city's hot spots.

The writing process was used to help turn a few ideas into a well developed ESSAY. Some of the great attention getters that were used to hook the reader are as follows:

What city has the best barbecue, is home to the king of rock-and-roll, and is always hopping?
The sweet sound of Memphis blues fills the streets of Memphis.
"Yes!" I exclaim, with a rib in my hand, while the Memphis Tigers' point guard, Tyreke Evans, makes a three pointer against Tennessee. Oh, how I adore the Memphis Tigers and ribs.
This city is like a playground for hyper children, but even more entergetic. This awing urban area is known as the soul of the Mid-south.
Exhilarated, enthusiastic, and fully prepared, the sightseers are eager to arrive.
"Walkin' in Memphis" is a song of the great City of Blues.
Get ready to “put on your blue suede shoes” and head to the “land of the Delta Blues!"
Dismissing the powder-like snow from my mind I thought about Bar-B-Q, basketball, and blues. As I took off on a plane from Denver I wondered what it would be like to show an out of town person the sights of my hometown, Memphis.
The birth place of the blues, the new city sensation, and the loving generations make up the great city of Memphis!
Sights, sounds, and great food are all a part of one of the greatest cities in the United States.
Rendezvous, Graceland, and Beale Street are Memphis at its finest, but the Tigers, Grizzlies, and all the Rock n' Roll are, too.
Flashy lights and beautiful music bring the town of Memphis to life everyday. When Memphis comes to life you have no chance of stopping it.
The sky revealed its blanket of blue over Memphis, the city of history. Over time, many things have changed in our aged city, but some have not moved on.

After putting the finishing touches on the essays, it was time to take our visitors to these locations on the map. Each student located a favorite Memphis site and added a descriptive paragraph of support from the essay. Before long, stories were present all over the city and pictures were uploaded to provide a great visual.

To complete our unfinished project, we will be adding our voices which is another great feature of MapSkip. We hope our friends from Nespelem School will enjoy learning about Memphis history and its many wonderful sites. Before long, they will have the option of listening to them as well. Click on the picture for a short cut to MapSkip.

Here is a direct link to St. Jude in Memphis, TN where a student added his voice. Click here!

We have received a wonderful message from the co-founder of MapSkip where he comments on the fabulous work that the PDS boys have done! Check it out by clicking on the links below:

First Message
Second Message
Third message
Fourth Message

Prezi Presentation Using Linking Verbs

2009-02-14T18:22:00.000-08:00

We have been practicing using linking verbs, distinguishing between linking and action verbs, and justifying why one is better to use to enhance writing than the other one is.

Prezi.com is a nonlinear presentation that allows so many options that a PowerPoint can't. It is a great way to display information, and at the same time, provide visual representations by uploading pictures, drawing arrows or lines, highlighting, etc. It is a great way for a visual learner to analyze a sentence for parts of speech. The frames on Prezi can help to organize and keep ideas separate, and a path can be created for the order in which the information can be presented.

I am looking forward to an opportunity for the students to be able to have their own account because it will benefit all of the different learning styles.

PDS Meets Nespelem School

2009-02-09T12:58:00.000-08:00

Google Map of Grand Coulee Dam, WA and Memphis, TN

Out of the several listed "hot spots" of Memphis, which three would you recommend to Nespelem school? Give specific reasons to support your location of choice that is flagged on Google Map.

Connecting Perspectives

2009-02-09T09:09:00.000-08:00

Connecting Perspectives: Honor the Past to Plan the Future

Nespelem School

Living History | Linking Friends | Honoring Pasts | Valuing Visions

A WebQuest for 5th Grade Language Arts and Humanities

Presbyterian Day School

Mind Mapping With Linking Verbs

2009-01-30T18:46:00.000-08:00

Click on the following linking verbs to see examples used in a mind map. For the visual affects, you can zoom in and out to determine the size of the map. You can also collapse or expand the nodes that show the parts of speech of the words that are being linked.

Forms of "Be" verbs:

is
am
were
was
are

Other linking verbs:

seemed
tasted
appeared
became
grew

"Linking" to Blooms Taxonomy

2009-01-25T18:32:00.001-08:00

Blooms Taxonomy

Knowledge: Can you recall a list of linking verbs?
Comprehension: How would you compare a linking verb to an action verb?
Application: How would you show your understanding of a linking verb?
Analysis: What is the relationship between the two words that the linking verb connects?
Synthesis: How can you test whether or not a verb is linking or action?
Evaluation: Justify which verb, action or linking, enhances writing.

Inaugural Words: 1789 to Present

2009-01-20T10:53:00.000-08:00

Choose one president from the past on the presidential time line and click to analyze his words used during his inaugural speech. Then click on Barack Obama to compare. How is their language alike? different? Give reasons for the likenesses and differences that you list.

Inaugural Time Line: 1789-Present

Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

2009-01-18T15:15:00.000-08:00

I found this Glogster created by Brenda Dyck that is great support for our study of the Civil War. Make sure to click on the links where you can find more information on President Lincoln.

Class Wiki Page http://pdsenglish5.pbwiki.com

2009-01-11T16:03:00.000-08:00

We are currently in the process of naming our class wiki page. Student recommendations have been posted, and now it is time to vote! It is going to be hard to choose because of all the creativity and thoughtfulness that went into coming up with a catchy title.

Using our wiki page for collaboration on given assignments has not only sparked more interest among the students, but it has given a greater purpose for learning grammar and becoming better writers. Now that our work is available for the world to see, revising and editing has become A LOT more meaningful. Class Wiki

If The Walls Could Talk....

2008-12-30T20:32:00.000-08:00

See the full PicLit at PicLits.com

Use the thinking routine "See, Think, Wonder" as you analyze this photo.

What do you see? Make sure that you are only using factual information as you use adjectives to describe the scene. Write 2-3 sentences in your reflection journal.

What do you think? Based on what you see in the photo, what do you think about it? Write 2-3 sentences in your reflection journal.

What do you wonder? After thinking about the photo, what questions are you left with? Write 2-3 sentences in your reflection journal.

Write one word that would describe the feeling that you have after analyzing this photo. Don't use the words sad or angry.

If you could give this picture a title, what would it be?

If the walls could talk, what would they say? Write in first person point of view.

"Pictures Are Worth a Thousand Words"

2008-12-29T20:37:00.001-08:00

Making Global Connections Through VoiceThread

2008-12-29T20:32:00.001-08:00

VoiceThread is a great tool for connecting to people from all over the world by taking part in discussion on a particular piece of work or on a chosen topic. Using an unknown picture to descriptively respond to allows a writer to reveal a creative side, for not everyone has the same interpretation.

First, study the picture. What do you see, think, and wonder? Imagine yourself in the picture. How does it make you feel? What mood does it create?

Make some connection to what you see. Use figurative language to help you express your ideas.

Listen closely as students respond in different ways to the displayed snap shot, and compare it to how you interpreted this piece of work.

If you could give this picture a title, what would it be?

Linking Verbs: Can Pies Smell?

2008-12-29T18:32:00.000-08:00



It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between action 
and linking verbs within sentences.  Since some verbs can 
function as both, there is a test to help make the 
distinction. Replace the verb with is or are, and if the 
sentence makes sense, the verb is linking.

The pie smells sweet.
He smells the pie.

In both sentences, replace the verb smells with the
linking verb is. Only the first example makes sense,
therefore, it contains the linking verb.

Besides, can pies really smell something?

No, but this one can!

Reflection Journals

2008-12-27T16:39:00.000-08:00

We have been writing in reflection journals since the beginning of the year, and it is a great way to practice transferring thoughts to paper. Often the writing prompts elicit responses to essential questions that express a deeper understanding of grammar's importance for communicating effectively.

The first assignment of this year-long project involved modeling various ways for thoroughly reflecting and responding with a beginning, middle, and end to any given topic. Continuous practice applying learned writing techniques will not only help break poor writing habits, but will create a more developed writer for expressing ideas. Putting it all in writing allows more thinking time, an opportunity to search for a deeper understanding, and to make changes for improvements.

The following are the topics that have been reflected upon so far:

What are some ways to begin your reflections so that you have strong topic sentences?

How can good study habits help the outcome of your vocabulary tests?

Make a decision about your work; come up with your own topic sentence.

How are prepositional phrases important for written and oral communication?

What are my writing habits for sentence structure? What is necessary for writing complete thoughts?

Write a brief description of the tutorial that you completed on WPPonline.com for improving on a deficient writing skill and explain what you learned from it.

Analyze the picture on the class blog under the heading "If the Walls Could Talk."
Answer the questions for the thinking routine, See Think Wonder.

The following link provides writing prompts that promotes creativity. We will be choosing some of them to reflect on as well. Writing Prompts

Vivid Verbs

2008-12-21T08:18:00.000-08:00

What action verbs come to mind when you think of Christmas or New Year's Eve? The use of specific, vivid verbs can help your writing come alive. I have listed vivid verbs in my Wordle that come to mind when I think of Christmas. Now it is your turn to list at least 10 vivid verbs that you could use in your writing about New Year's Eve.

Blazing A Path....

In your writing, always look for opportunities to replace weak verbs with strong, vivid action verbs. In this paragraph, replace the bold words with livelier action verbs.

On your in-line skates at top speed, you go down a hill. The wind is against your cheek. Yours skates almost put you into orbit. Suddenly, a cyclist moves into your path out of nowhere. You say, “Watch out!” but she doesn’t hear you.
You’re afraid you may run into that oncoming bike. If you move, you’ll push that jogger into the bushes. You decide you’d better get onto the grass, and you hope you won’t hit a tree while you’re going at this speed. Now you’re in midair, and the landscape moves by. Finally, as you get up out of the ditch, you say to yourself, “I’d better learn how to use those brakes.”

Some possible vivid verb choices for "Blazing A Path" that are not in any particular order:
smack yell scream exclaim crawl rushes swerves zoom sprint blazes slam collide burns emerges crash shove launch jump blows fly rushes plead scurry

Post a comment of an example of a vivid verb you could use in the place of a weaker one in the above paragraph. Make sure it is one that is not already listed above.

5th Grade PDS Newsletters: Using Specific Nouns, Pronouns, and Awesome Adjectives In Context

2008-12-20T19:08:00.000-08:00

What a phenomenal job you did on your newsletters! I am very proud of how you used the writing process to help you compose your articles on current events at PDS. You applied your knowledge of using specific nouns, pronoun/antecedent agreement, and strong adjectives for communicating effectively. Using Photo Booth was an excellent way for you to be photographers and get snap shots to support your writing, and Comic Life was a great tool for creating a template for your articles and pictures. I am proud of the great journalists you have proven to be. Your great work is now published and proudly displayed in the hallway for others to see how creative you are!

2008-12-19T18:18:00.001-08:00

2008-12-19T17:50:00.000-08:00

The boys enjoyed each other's company at their class Christmas party. Check out a neat video created by Animoto.com!