I have been TOLD in no uncertain terms by Maddie that I MUST update my blog as she is tired of reading the same old thing… So, as I am a good student and always do what I am told, here I am!

I was so sick sick sick last week, it is just great to be alive! Thanks for all your well wishes students; I am so proud of you for behaving well for Mr. B, it made is easier for me to rest and recover.

Here are some goals for us to work towards:

*Getting our photo story of our second personal narrative on our blogs by November 30th so we can celebrate with a publishing party

*Completing our Cultural Studies Project, also to be launched to the world by November 30th

*Bringing in at least one full bag of second hand clothing and or blankets/toys for the Used Clothing Drive. We will leave the clothes outside the library doors and they will magically be whisked away by the wonderful Mrs. Toa.

*Remember if you would like to buy any Margriet Ruurs books please send the money in with your child and I will make sure he/she gets them. Paperback books are 70 RMB and hardcover books are 115 RMB.

*If you would like to take home a baby hamster, ask your parents if you may be allowed to have a small pet… Ash and Shadow are now grand-parents to 5 new fresh and furry babies! Remember, you will have this pet for the Winter Break… who will look after it if you are not there?

Here are the notes from today’s Writer’s Workshop Lesson

CHECKLIST FOR SECOND PERSONAL NARRATIVE

*CAN YOU IDENTIFY ONE CLEAR SMALL SEED MOMENT THAT IS THE MAIN FOCUS OF THE STORY?

*DOES THE START OF THE NARRATIVE CAPTURE YOUR INTEREST?

*DOES THE PIECE FINISH IN A WAY THAT MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE READ A REAL SHORT STORY; IT HAS AN ACTUAL ENDING?

*IS THERE SENTENCE FLUENCY? ARE SENTENCES DIFFERENT LENGTHS AND DO THEY START WITH DIFFERENT WORDS?

*IS THERE A CLEAR STORY MOUNTAIN THAT BUILDS TO A CLIMAX/PEAK?

NOW…
1. Go to your blog.
2. Copy and paste your narrative into a word document and put it in your s drive, title it second personal narrative.
3. Start making changes on your own narrative based on the checklist.
4. When you have made as many changes as you can, go back to your blog and see if your partner has given you any changes to make.
5. MAKE THOSE CHANGES
6. Start thinking about where you would add a photo/transition/dialogue slide/ to your photo story and put that information into your word doc (perhaps in another color or font)
7. Try and find 5-10 photos that you have OF THE ACTUAL EXPERIENCE, if not, find photos of the people or places involved in the experience, do your very best to find AUTHENTIC photos, they will really enhance the quality of your photo story.
8. Think about what music you think would best fit the images you are using and the story you are telling, remember, MUSIC TRUMPS VISUAL so make sure your music will fit the theme of your story, eg, happy, sad, exciting, mysterious. Don’t just choose music because you like the singer or it is your favorite song right now.
9. Decide on the music and transfer it to a USB or know where it is online so you can locate it easily at school.
10. Now you are ready to start putting it all together.

Homework tonight is to go to another student’s blog in your class (I told you who this afternoon) and do the same task as above for them, providing constructive feedback on the 5 points we discussed to improve on the quality of their narrative.

Also Get your math test corrections done and test signed to return tomorrow please

Also Return signed consent forms for the consent community outreach dental and eye programs

Also Wednesday Readers are due