Now that we’ve finished reading the book, it’s time to reflect and connect.
In a comment, please write about:
Would you want to live in Chewandswallow? Why? What would be good or bad about living there? Please give at least three reasons why you feel the way you do.
As we start this new year, you probably have questions or concerns. Maybe you’ve heard rumors about me as a teacher, or about some of the projects we do in here. This is your chance to get your thoughts out in the open.
I’ll start…
This is my 10th year as a teacher, and I’m worried that I’m not keeping up with what interests students. I’m worried that I won’t be able to reach all of my students and help them do their personal best. I’ve heard that some of the kids in this class are great learners, some are great leaders, some are great athletes, and some haven’t figured out their greatness yet. I hope I can help everyone learn something new about themselves this year. Finally, I am SUPER excited about using blogs in class this year!
Now it’s your turn. In a comment, write about questions you may have about the year, what worried or scares you about being in 5th grade, what you’ve heard about me as a teacher, what you’re looking forward to, or anything else about the year ahead of us.
The United States of America was named after Amerigo Vespucci. Some believe this is the right thing to do. Others believe Christopher Columbus had a bigger role in the settling on the new continent.
In a post, explain:
What do you think? Was it right to name the USA after Amerigo Vespucci, or should the country be named for Columbus? Why?
If the following letters are repeated indefinitely, what would be the 999th letter in the pattern?
FINDTHENEXTLETTERFINDTHENEXTLETTER…
(Courtesy of http://www.colstate.edu/mathcontest/problem.php?CategoryID=4&LinkID=Current)
In a comment, explain HOW you solved the problem, then provide your answer.
We’ve been learning about the different biomes all over the world. Now it’s time to take a stand. In which biome would you want to live? Why? Why do you prefer that biome over the others?
In a comment, write 1) about the biome in which you want to live; 2) why you prefer that biome, including what about the weather, physical geography, and living things in that biome are appealing; and 3) why you DO NOT like another biome, including what about the other biomes makes you not want to live there.
If you have websites that support your position, link to them.
Cities all around the Bay Area are implementing restrictions on the use of plastic bags. Those in favor of the bans on plastic bags say that plastic bags are bad for the environment. Those opposed to the ban on plastic bags have several arguments about why plastic bags shouldn’t be recycled, and paper bags aren’t any better.
Check out the websites below to learn about the different arguments for and against plastic and paper bags. Decide what you feel is the best solution to the problem. In a comment, write about what you think should be done about bags, and WHY you think that. What evidence do you have to support your position?
Reusable Bags Site- but consider the bias from the source
http://www.reusablebags.com/news.php
Californians Against Waste
http://www.cawrecycles.org/issues/plastic_campaign/plastic_bags
http://www.cawrecycles.org/living_green/shopping_list/bags/bag_facts
CNN Article
http://money.cnn.com/2007/03/14/magazines/fortune/pluggedin_gunther_plastic.fortune/index.htm
Envirosax- consider potential bias
http://www.envirosax.com/plastic_bag_facts/
Delicious Living Article
http://deliciouslivingmag.com/mag/dl_article_222/
Paper Bag Facts
http://earth911.com/paper/brown-paper-bags/facts-about-brown-paper-bags/
Paper or Plastic Article
http://ezinearticles.com/?Plastic-Bag-vs-Paper-Bag-Facts—What-is-Best?&id=1582836
Recycling Infection
http://www.gasdetection.com/news2/health_news_digest211.html
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Environment/2009/05/20/9512676-cp.html
Click on this link to see an example of a teacher using a blog as a way to have students discuss something from the news.
http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blog_id=623608&mode=comment&blogger_id=101541
Part of getting students to engage with a story is to get them questioning. Use a blog as a place for students to pose questions as they read, and elicit responses from classmates, or rotate who will be responsible for the question of the day. Over time, students should see the difference between thin questions, like “How did Matt end up in Maine?” and thick questions, such as “Why was Matt so surprised when Attean got upset at the idea of anyone being ‘Master?’”‘
Blogs can be a great way to get ALL students to respond to a book, and to be able to easily evaluate and react. Post a question about what you’re reading, and students respond. They can address the responses of other students when they leave their comments. It can foster an interesting class discussion.
Sign of the Beaver Example:
Attean has just asked Matt to join him and his tribe, to be his brother. Do you think Matt should stay and wait for his family, or go with Attean and the tribe? Why?
Have students write a summary of a chapter, or a reaction to an event, from the point of view of one of the characters in a book.
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe Example:
You are now Edmund, Peter, or Susan. Lucy has come back from hiding in the closet and is talking about the new world she discovered. Blog your thoughts about what is happening.
