Blog Write

Kudos to You All!

I was so impressed with your metaphors!  Your unique way of explaining the 6 Traits of Writing by comparing them to something of interest to you really helps us better understand how to use the traits in our writing.  At first I thought the assignment may be too hard, but then I thought about how smart all of you are and realized that you could handle it.  Boy, did you all rise to the occasion!  I know your stories that you post today will blow me away as well!

Your story will be the last assignment on the 6 Traits of Writing.  Then we will have all the pieces for our End of the Year Project. 

Kudos to you all for a job well done!

A Bloggers Best Friend!

Zachary called the Six Traits of Writing a webloggers best friend!  I couldn't agree more.  Using the Six Traits of Writing to compose your posts has resulted in outstanding writing peices.  As the school year comes to an end, I couldn't be more proud of you Web Writers!

I loved reading your posts as you explained the Six Traits thoroughly. Graciela points out that,

Every body can write in their own way, everybody’s writing can be interesting no matter what their topic is about.

You all took the topic and made it your own.  You all have a different way of viewing things which makes your writing unique.  The examples came from your own personal experiences and your advice to your readers was perfect.  Remember Jason's tip on organization because we don't want our posts to look like a pig pen!

Derrick was very kind as he pointed out strengths in all of your writing.  Be sure to comment to Derrick and thank him for his encouraging words. 

Testing is Over, Blogging is Back!

Congratulations on completing your CRCT test!  I know it is huge relief for it to be over, and I know you all did GREAT!  Now that the big test is behind us, we can start back concentrating on blogging.

I enjoyed reading your interviews.  I hope you have told the person whom you interviewed to check out your blog and leave a comment.  If not, try to do tell her/him this week.

Today, we will review the Six Traits of Writing and start working on our final project.  May will fly by, so we have to get our thinking caps on and work hard!

Post, Post, Post!

I hope you all enjoyed your Spring Break!  Are you rested up for the big test next week?  We have time to get one more post in before the test; lets make it a good one!

Today you will post your interviews that you have been working on for the past few weeks.  I can't wait to read them!

Also, Ms. Neville's students have replied to your podcasts on their weblog.  What a smart group of second graders! 

And lastly, let's impress Mrs. Davis with our "altruistic" answers on A School of Voices! 

Rising to the Occassion!

Wow!  I was so impressed when I listened to your podcasts.  You all really bumped it up and rose to the occasion.  I wish I could see the second graders' faces as they hear you giving them such great words of wisdom.  Way to go!

Today we are going to post our podcasts, so our readers can hear the awesome advice as well.  We will also continue to work on posting our interviews. 

But first, I have to share this podcast with you! A group of fifth graders put together an excellent skit on the six traits of writing.

Happy blogging everyone!

Podcasting Take 2

Good morning boys and girls!

Today we have the pleasure of working with Mrs. Davis from Georgia State University again!  Mrs. Davis is a true blogging queen who can teach us all lots about writing and making our posts even better. 

Do you remember commenting to Ms. Neville's second graders on their new blog?  Mrs. Davis has been working with Ms. Neville and her students for a few months now, and they are really catching on to blogging.  I bet the second graders would really love some useful advice from some older, more experienced bloggers like you all as they continue to explore the ins and outs of blogging. 

Mrs. Davis had a great idea of doing a podcast with you all giving some words of advice for the second graders who are new to blogging.  I think that is a great idea!  Refer back to the T.A.G. Blogging Machine to help jumpstart your engines.  I know you will be able to come up with some helpful tips for these emerging bloggers.

I want to hear YOU!

When you compose your post today, concentrate on your voice!  I want to hear your VOICE as I read it.  Your voice makes your writing unique:

Your voice is what gives your writing personality, flavor and style.

Before we get started, let's try this activity to help us start thinking about voice!

Ask yourself the following questions as you proofread your post:

1. Can you tell I am enthusiastic about my topic?
2. Does this writing sound like me?
3. How do I want my readers to feel?
4. Will my story hold readers' attention? Will they want to hear more?

Read Schuyler's post on Croc-wrestling granny wins award.  Can you hear his voice?  Schuyler did a great job giving an overview of the article and then giving his opinion.   Try using a similar method as you write about your current event article!

More About Comments

Last week we began focusing on our comments a little more, by using the comment starters from Mrs. Davis.  I was thrilled reading some of your comments as you began to really think about what you read and make connections.  Gracelia really "gets it" as she comments to Rocio:

Rocio, I think I know exactly how you feel because sometimes I feel like that with my sister. I never feel like that at school because everybody respects me as a good friend. And if you get like that just ignore the people that are bothering you.Because if they know you are mad they will keep on bothering you.
And you also cant IGNORE people that are TRYING to talk to you. On the BUS, in school and at home or any where else. I know this friend that I try to talk to her but she is always with her friend and totally ignores me. So you should not worry about people talking about you. Your real friends are the people that are always by your side and don't ignore you.

Graciela gave Rocio excellent advice on friendship.  She also made a connection with Rocio as she talked about her friendships and experiences.  Good job Graciela!  I know you brightened Rocio's day with that excellent comment!

I noticed Mr. Brune is working with his students on their comments too.  They are using the same comment starters from Mrs. Davis to bump up their commenting.  In addition, Mr. Brune gives his students some important tips of his own when it comes to commenting:

Start with the PRAISE (What do you like?) QUESTIONS (What questions do you have?) and POLISH (What would make the writing even better?) we use when we revise writing in the classroom.

Then think about CONNECTIONS you think of. (Like when you do when you read.)

Many of you say over and over again that receiving comments is one of your favorite parts of blogging.  Don't you think that you will probably receive better comments if you start sending better comments?  Let's give it a try! 

Improving our Comments

We have lots and lots to do today so let's get busy blogging! 

First things first -- check your comments.  As you finish checking your comments, start composing your new and improved post on your introduction.  Remember, you are recreating your original post using all the things you have learned so far with the six traits of writing - Ideas and Content & Word Choice.  You should add lots more details to your post.  Do not use overused words!

After you finish with your post, I want you take a few minutes to read and comment to your favorite blogs.  Many of you express how much you love receiving comments on your weblog - especially from Brownwyn!  I agree that the comments we receive on our blogs is one of the most exciting parts of blogging.  You did a great job on your podcast with Mrs. Davis as you expressed your comments about comments.  Today, I want you to focus on the comments you leave to other blogs.  Mrs. Davis came up with a great list of comment starters for us to try out:

This made me think about.......

I wonder why.......

Your writing made me form an opinion about.......

This post is relevant because.......

Your writing made me think that we should.......

I wish I understood why.......

This is important because.......

Another thing to consider is.......

I can relate to this.......

This makes me think of.......

I discovered.......

I don't understand.......

I was reminded that.......

I found myself wondering.......

Try starting off your comments with these phrases.  Think about the post you read and make connections.  Remember, commenting and connections is what blogging is all about! 

 

Wacky Writing

Welcome Back!  I hope you had a great winter break (despite the dreary weather) and are ready to get back to blogging.

Today, we are going to start off having fun creating Wacky Web Tales.  Everyone will pick a different topic.  Then use creative adjectives, names of your friends, interesting nouns, and relate it to blogging if you can.  We will have so much fun reading these wacky tales when you create them.  Copy and paste it into your blog so your readers can join in on the fun too.

Now that you are all warmed up and ready to go, we are going to continue working on the traits of writing.  What do you remember about ideas and content?   What do you remember about word choice? 

Today you will work with partners and use rubrics to improve the ideas and contents and word choice in a previous post. 

Let's get to work!