Week of 12/13-12/17

YOU CANNOT RESPOND UNTIL WED AFTER CLASS!!!

1/ 2 Only:

From our Matrix of Thinkers Press Confernece, who is one historical thinker you think greatly influenced our United States government as it is today? Explain your answer in at least two complete sentences.

BLOG BY FRIDAY AM!

Week of 12/13-12/17

YOU CANNOT RESPOND UNTIL WED AFTER CLASS!!!

3/ 4 Only:

From our Matrix of Thinkers Press Confernece, who is one historical thinker you think greatly influenced our United States government as it is today? Explain your answer in at least two complete sentences.

BLOG BY FRIDAY AM!

Blog #2 12/6-12/10

Block 1/2  Only:

This week we will embark upon news article-writing. You will get the opportunity to publish a news article about a famous event during the AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 

For this blog post, answer the following:

1. Do you watch the news? Listen to it? Read it? How do you find out what is going on in the world?
2. Our Constitution, in the Bill of Rights, gives the press Freedom to write what they please- why is this an important right?


Please write enough to adaquetly cover the questions, and feel free to return to comment on other students.  As always, BLOG BY FRIDAY MORNING!

Blog #2 12/6-12/10

BLOCK 3/4 ONLY:

This week we will embark upon news article-writing. You will get the opportunity to publish a news article about a famous event during the AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 

For this blog post, answer the following:

1. Do you watch the news? Listen to it? Read it? How do you find out what is going on in the world?
2. Our Constitution, in the Bill of Rights, gives the press Freedom to write what they please- why is this an important right?


Please write enough to adaquetly cover the questions, and feel free to return to comment on other students.  As always, BLOG BY FRIDAY MORNING!

Tri 2: Post #1 Week of 11/28-12/3

BLOCK 1 /2 Only!

Imagine if you lived during the American Revolution. You may be a Patriot soldier, a British RedCoat, a wife of a soldier or a son. You may be pro-war or against it. No matter who you are the war affects you. 

For our next writing assignment you will put yourself in the shoes of a person who may have lived through the American REvolution.  This letter will be historical fiction.  You will write a letter home. Your letter may be to a spouse or a parent. It could also be to a friend.

Before you write this letter you need to think about the art of letter writing.  In this blog post, tell me and your peers why letter writing was so crucial and why it was often so emotional. Aim for 3-4 sentences in length.

As always, happy blogging and make sure you blog before school begins Friday morning.

Tri 2: Post #1 Week of 11/28-12/3

BLOCK 3/4 Only!

Imagine if you lived during the American Revolution. You may be a Patriot soldier, a British RedCoat, a wife of a soldier or a son. You may be pro-war or against it. No matter who you are the war affects you. 

For our next writing assignment you will put yourself in the shoes of a person who may have lived through the American REvolution.  This letter will be historical fiction.  You will write a letter home. Your letter may be to a spouse or a parent. It could also be to a friend.

Before you write this letter you need to think about the art of letter writing.  In this blog post, tell me and your peers why letter writing was so crucial and why it was often so emotional. Aim for 3-4 sentences in length.

As always, happy blogging and make sure you blog before school begins Friday morning.

Just-For-Fun-Blog-Post

This post is for BOTH 1/2 and 3/4..... Feel Free to post for fun, but this week's post will NOT BE GRADED!

What are you doing for Thanksgiving Break? Do you have fun plans? What is your favorite part of the  meal?

I, Mrs. Nadell, will be spending the holiday with family- my parents, sister, grandparents and some friends too!  We are going to see the play Ash is in, taking family photos and playing games of course. I love the meal, in fact I am always sad that it only happens once a year- ODDLy enough I think the Cranberry Sauce is my favorite part! Though I like most all of it!!!!!  Have a great break everyone and thanks again for all the kind birthday wishes and gifts!!!!  I will NEVER need a NERDSROPE AGAIN!!!!

Blog #12 11/15-11/19

Block 1/2 only!

Final BLOG POST OF TRI 1:

As you know, your favorite teacher's birthday is coming up on NOVEMBER 20th!  If time was of no object and everything was free....... what thoughtful, possibly homemade gift would you get her?  Describe it and why you think she would love it!!!!!

Blog #12 11/15-11/19

Block 3/4 only!

Final BLOG POST OF TRI 1:

As you know, your favorite teacher's birthday is coming up on NOVEMBER 20th!  If time was of no object and everything was free....... what thoughtful, possibly homemade gift would you get her?  Describe it and why you think she would love it!!!!!

BLOG #11 11/8-11/12

BLOCK 1/2 Only

Veteran's Day is Thursday.  I want you to think about what it means to be a Vet and what it means to celebrate this holiday- by using the questions below to start a discussion.  Answer as many of the questions as you can OR respond to someone else's blog post from this week instead.

• Why do some choose a career in the military?
• Why is it important to recognize their service?
• Compare and Contrast what it would be like to be a soldier today vs one in the American Revolution or even the Civil War

Happy Blogging and as always post by Friday Morning

BLOG #11 11/8-11/12

BLOCK 3/4 Only

Veteran's Day is Thursday.  I want you to think about what it means to be a Vet and what it means to celebrate this holiday- by using the questions below to start a discussion.  Answer as many of the questions as you can OR respond to someone else's blog post from this week instead.

• Why do some choose a career in the military?
• Why is it important to recognize their service?
• Compare and Contrast what it would be like to be a soldier today vs one in the American Revolution or even the Civil War

Happy Blogging and as always post by Friday Morning

Week of 11/1-11/5

BLOCK 1/2 only....BLOG #10

Hello and happy Monday bloggers. Hope this weekend was great and filled with yummy treats a few old-fashioned tricks.  I will give you a choice for this week. You may answer one or both if you like

A.  How was your Halloween weekend? What did you do? Describe some memorable moments.  I took my two little ones to a Halloween party at the Bouncy Place and then trick-or-treated. Riley was Buzz Lightyear and Owen was a giraffe :)  Your turn....

B. What scares you? What are you truly afraid of?  For me, I am deathly afraid of rats and of driving off of a bridge into the water (Yes, I know my fears are far-fetched and maybe ridiculous, but they are still my fears..so that makes them valid.) Your turn...


As always, blog by Friday morning... Happy Blogging!

Week of 11/1-11/5

Block 3/4 only     BLOG #10

Hello and happy Monday bloggers. Hope this weekend was great and filled with yummy treats a few old-fashioned tricks.  I will give you a choice for this week. You may answer one or both if you like

A.  How was your Halloween weekend? What did you do? Describe some memorable moments.  I took my two little ones to a Halloween party at the Bouncy Place and then trick-or-treated. Riley was Buzz Lightyear and Owen was a giraffe :)  Your turn....

B. What scares you? What are you truly afraid of?  For me, I am deathly afraid of rats and of driving off of a bridge into the water (Yes, I know my fears are far-fetched and maybe ridiculous, but they are still my fears..so that makes them valid.) Your turn...


As always, blog by Friday morning... Happy Blogging!

Week of 10/25-10/29 Blog #9

Block 1/2 Only:

In A Light in the Forest, Half-Arrow brings True Son presents to remind him of his Indian Home. He brings him corn so that he is well-fed; mocassins to be well-clothed; and his bearskin rug to remind him of his father and to be warm at night. 

If you were sent from your home and could bring three items to remind you of where you came from- what would they be. Make sure to give your reason for each!

Happy blogging- as always, blog by Friday morning!!!

Week of 10/25-10/29 #9

Block 3/4 Only:

In A Light in the Forest, Half-Arrow brings True Son presents to remind him of his Indian Home. He brings him corn so that he is well-fed; mocassins to be well-clothed; and his bearskin rug to remind him of his father and to be warm at night. 

If you were sent from your home and could bring three items to remind you of where you came from- what would they be. Make sure to give your reason for each!

Happy blogging- as always, blog by Friday morning!!!

Week of 10/18-10/22 BLOG #8

Block 1/2  Only!!!

Now that we have started our Colonial Short Story- what are you writing about?  In detail explain your idea and ask fellow students for any help or ideas! This is a good forum to get feedback and to see if others think your idea is writeable or not.

Students- this week I would like you to post about your story idea as well as offer feedback to others.  Please think about returning to the blog several times this week to comment!!!

As always post by Friday morning!

Week of 10/18-10/22 BLOG #8

Block 3/4 Only!!!

Now that we have started our Colonial Short Story- what are you writing about?  In detail explain your idea and ask fellow students for any help or ideas! This is a good forum to get feedback and to see if others think your idea is writeable or not.

Students- this week I would like you to post about your story idea as well as offer feedback to others.  Please think about returning to the blog several times this week to comment!!!

As always post by Friday morning!

Week of 10/11-10/15 BLOG #7

Block 1/2 ONLY!

You must respond to this blog post AFTER completing the SALEM WITCH TRIALS homework assignment!

Write a 1-paragraph synopsis of your fate after you went through the trial yourself.  Did you plead guilty or not guilty? What was your sentence? How did this experience make you feel? What did you learn that you didn't know before?

Your response should be in a well-written paragraph.  Happy Blogging, and as always make sure you blog by Friday Morning!

Week of 10/11-10/15 BLOG #7

Block 3/4 ONLY!

You must respond to this blog post AFTER completing the SALEM WITCH TRIALS homework assignment!

Write a 1-paragraph synopsis of your fate after you went through the trial yourself.  Did you plead guilty or not guilty? What was your sentence? How did this experience make you feel? What did you learn that you didn't know before?

Your response should be in a well-written paragraph.  Happy Blogging, and as always make sure you blog by Friday Morning!

Week of 10/4-10/8

BLOCK 1/2 ONLY
Greetings! This week I want you to be thinking about effort.  I am going to keep the topic broad so that you can write about this topic in any manner you see fit.  When do you give ALL your effort to something? When do you not? Are there times when it is okay to not give 100% effort? Are there times when you wish you had given your all? 

Use your post as a reflection on the topic, but please check your work before you submit it- everyone can see what you write, so you want it to reflect your best EFFORT!

Try for a few sentence minimum folks and as always post by Friday morning.  Happy Blogging.

Week of 10/4-10/8

BLOCK 3/4 ONLY
Greetings! This week I want you to be thinking about effort.  I am going to keep the topic broad so that you can write about this topic in any manner you see fit.  When do you give ALL your effort to something? When do you not? Are there times when it is okay to not give 100% effort? Are there times when you wish you had given your all? 

Use your post as a reflection on the topic, but please check your work before you submit it- everyone can see what you write, so you want it to reflect your best EFFORT!

Try for a few sentence minimum folks and as always post by Friday morning.  Happy Blogging.

Week of 9/27-10/1

Block 1 /2 Only

This week we will begin our writing portfolios. These are folders in which you will keep your writing assignments. You will reflect on each assignment and conference with me about your work in the hopes that you improve as a writer this school year.  I will be using the SIX TRAITS of writing to grade you. You should be very familiar with these traits:  Ideas/Content, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, and Conventions. 

For this blog post please explain in detail which of these traits is your strength and why. Then describe which of these traits you would most like to improve over the school year.

Example Response:

As a writer I am strongest in voice. I believe my voice comes across in a unique way in my writing. However, the area I am weakest in is Organization. When I am not careful, my ideas seem scattered and not well- put together so this is the area I will focus on improving this year.

Week of 9/27-10/1

Block 3/4 Only

This week we will begin our writing portfolios. These are folders in which you will keep your writing assignments. You will reflect on each assignment and conference with me about your work in the hopes that you improve as a writer this school year.  I will be using the SIX TRAITS of writing to grade you. You should be very familiar with these traits:  Ideas/Content, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, and Conventions. 

For this blog post please explain in detail which of these traits is your strength and why. Then describe which of these traits you would most like to improve over the school year.

Example Response:

As a writer I am strongest in voice. I believe my voice comes across in a unique way in my writing. However, the area I am weakest in is Organization. When I am not careful, my ideas seem scattered and not well- put together so this is the area I will focus on improving this year.

Week of 9/20-9/24

Block 1/2 ONLY!

As you know by now, there were many native peoples here before Columbus. Explain in a well-written few sentences how Columbus changed their lives. Make sure you use one solid fact in your response. The catch is folks, YOU MUST contribute a NEW idea to this blog, you may not simply repeat what a classmate said. So be unique and creative and think for yourself. Happy Blogging and as always post before school FRIDAY!

Week of 9/20-9/24

Block 3/4 ONLY!

As you know by now, there were many native peoples here before Columbus. Explain in a well-written few sentences how Columbus changed their lives. Make sure you use one solid fact in your response. The catch is folks, YOU MUST contribute a NEW idea to this blog, you may not simply repeat what a classmate said. So be unique and creative and think for yourself. Happy Blogging and as always post before school FRIDAY!

Week of 9/13-9/17

Block1/2 ONLY:


After we spent some time in class discussing September 11, 2001 and its effects, did you spend any time this past weekend thinking or talking about it? Use this post as a chance to share your thoughts about the actual event or post questions you may have about it.




While I am looking for quality over quantity, I would appreciate a minimum of a FEW well-written sentences.


As always, return to comment on your classmates' posts and make sure you post by Friday morning! Happy Blogging.

Week of 9/13-9/17

Block 3/4 ONLY:

After we spent some time in class discussing September 11, 2001 and its effects, did you spend any time this past weekend thinking or talking about it?  Use this post as a chance to share your thoughts about the actual event or post questions you may have about it. 

While I am looking for quality over quantity, I would appreciate a minimum of a FEW well-written sentences.

As always, return to comment on your classmates' posts and make sure you post by Friday morning! Happy Blogging.

Week of 9/6-9/10

Block 1-2 Only!!!!



Now that you are "Knee-deep" in documenting your life for our Life GRAPH PROJECT, think about your 15 event and BRIEFLY summarize which event will get the highest ranking on your graph. Please explain in plenty of detail what the event was, when it happened, and why it deserves the highest ranking.




My example:
Of all the events in my life up to this point, having my two sons Riley and Owen both get the highest rank. Riley was born in 2006 and Owen in 2009 and since these two fireballs have entered our lives nothing has been the same, or calm for that matter. They keep us busy and laughing- which in my opinion is the most important thing.




Keep in mind that once you post, I have to approve it so it will not show up automatically! Also feel free to return and comment on other student's posts- there is nothing better than having someone respond to your personal thoughts!

As always, blog at least ONE TIME BY fRIDAY AM!!!!! HAPPY BLOGGING.

Week of 9/6-9/10

Block 3-4 Only!!!!


Now that you are "Knee-deep" in documenting your life for our Life GRAPH PROJECT, think about your 15 event and BRIEFLY summarize which event will get the highest ranking on your graph. Please explain in plenty of detail what the event was, when it happened, and why it deserves the highest ranking.

My example:

Of all the events in my life up to this point, having my two sons Riley and Owen both get the highest rank. Riley was born in 2006 and Owen in 2009 and since these two fireballs have entered our lives nothing has  been the same, or calm for that matter. They keep us busy and laughing- which in my opinion is the most important thing.

Keep in mind that once you post, I have to approve it so it will not show up automatically! Also feel free to return and comment on other student's posts- there is nothing better than having someone respond to your personal thoughts!

As always, blog at least ONE TIME BY fRIDAY AM!!!!! HAPPY BLOGGING.

Week of 8/31-9/3

BLOCK 3-4 ONLY:




Hello Newbies.

The beginning of a school year is always a mix of sadness and excitement for even me, a teacher. I like having the chance to start fresh and try out new projects/ideas but I always am reminded of the students I already miss from previous years which makes it a bit emotional. What is it you like about the start of a school year? What is it that leaves you a bit nervous, sad, or upset? Explain this to myself and your fellow classmates and remember you can always return and see what others say. Feel free to comment as much and as often as you would like!



And as always, please publish your post by Friday before school.

Week of 8/31-9/3

BLOCK 1-2 ONLY:
Hello Newbies.

The beginning of a school year is always a mix of sadness and excitement for even me, a teacher. I like having the chance to start fresh and try out new projects/ideas but I always am reminded of the students I already miss from previous years which makes it a bit emotional.  What is it you like about the start of a school year? What is it that leaves you a bit nervous, sad, or upset? Explain this to myself and your fellow classmates and remember you can always return and see what others say. Feel free to comment as much and as often as you would like!
And as always, please publish your post by Friday before school.