Compare/Contrast

For this blog post, I would like you to think about 2 things you are familiar with, and know many details about. You are going to compare (how are they alike), and contrast (how are they different) these two things.

You may choose songs, books, animals, places, sports, games, or anything else you can write clearly about.

You will need to include at least 3 ways they are similar, and 3 ways they are different. Try to be specific and give enough detail to support your answer.

Be sure to include your initials or first name in your reply.

Simile vs. Metaphor

We have been talking about using similes and metaphors to describe people and things in a different way. For this blog post, I would like you to choose something to describe, and then use both similes and a metaphors to describe it. You may discover that one is easier than the other.

Here's an example to get you started...

Simile
The toddler was like an octopus, pullng things off every shelf.

Metaphor
The toddler was a three-ring circus, going in every direction at once.

Remember to include your first name or initals when you post your comment.

Persuade Me

For this blog post, I would like you to write a persuasive paragraph trying to persuade me to agree with you.

You can choose from these topics, or come up with one of your own:

• "Fun Friday" - try to convince me that this Friday should be a "fun" day


• "Cooking activity" - try to convince me that we should do a cooking activity in class


• "Silly Hats" - try to convince me that everyone should get to wear a silly hat in class

Make sure you include reasons and details to support your reasons to make your paragraph more convincing. Who knows, if your paragraph is persuasive enough, you might convince me to agree with you.

Comments are due Friday, and please remember to include your initials or your first name.

Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall?

We are fortunate in Georgia to have such pleasant seasons and moderate weather.

Some people prefer the colder winter months, and like to participate in winter-related activities (sledding, ice skating, skiing, and playing in the snow).

Other people prefer the warmer summer months, and would rather spend time outside in the sun (playing sports, going to the beach, swimming, and going on picnics).

For this post, I wou ld like you to write a persuasive paragraph telling me about your favorite season (choose Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall) and giving reasons why that season is your favorite. Try to be convincing in your post by using specific details to support your reasons.

Please remember to include your initials or first name to receive credit.

Replies must be written in complete sentences, with correct grammar (spelling, punctuation, capitalization, etc...), and conventions (subject-verb agreement, correct forms for singular/plural nouns, appropriate pronouns).

Aesop's Fables

This week, we are reading a story about fables and proverbs. Fables have been used for many generations to teach important lessons. One of the most famous creators of fables, is a man named Aesop, who was a slave in Ancient Greece.

For this blog post, I would like you to use this link to access an online collection of his fables. Read a few, and then choose one you would like to respond to, or want to share with the class.

Include a brief summary of the fable, and the lesson that was taught. Also, if you have heard a similar story, or someone has tried to teach you the same lesson, you might want to tell about that as well.

Be sure to include your initials in your reply.

Paul Revere - An American Hero

We have spent several days reading about and discussing Paul Revere. We have also discussed character traits that many of our "heroes" share in common (diligence, courage, leadership, respect for authority, patriotism, willingness to speak out, etc...)

For this blog post, I would like you to choose 3 of Paul Revere's character traits and give an example of how he used each trait to help him succeed or to help others. Include specific details in your response, and please remember to include your first name or initials.

Responses are due by Friday, Dec. 16

Your post will be evaluated on the following:
1. Complete, well-written sentences
2. Appropriate examples to support your ideas
3. Answering the question
4. Conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization)

Celebrations

Think about different events, holidays, and occasions that you celebrate with your family. For this blog post, I would like you to write about a special celebration you share with your family.

Please describe what you do, where you go, what you eat, and anything else you'd like us to know. You might want to tell us about any special tradition, or how your family started a new tradition. I encourage you to talk to your parents or grandparents about the celebration to see how your family has kept the traditions.

To help you get started, think about birthdays, holidays, important events, or other times you have celebrated with your family. Choose one and brainstorm details that tell about the celebration.

Write your post as an informational paragraph, including a main idea, supporting details, and a strong conclusion. Be sure to include your first name or initials.

Please post your reply by Friday, Dec. 9

Thankful

For this blog post, I would like for you to really think about what you are truly thankful for and appreciate. We often take things for granted and don't think about how fortunate we are. Even though we may not have everything we want, we do have things that we need and that really matter.

For your reply, I would like for you to share some things you have in your life that you appreciate. Please include reasons why you are grateful for this person or thing, and why it is special to you.

Please remember to include your initials or first name in your reply.

Field Trip to Tellus Museum

Use the link to open the website for the Tellus Museum.

For this blog post, I would like for you to share 3-5 things your saw, learned, heard, or experienced on the field trip. Be sure to use descriptive language to describe/explain your experience.

Your reply must be written in complete sentences, and be sure to include your initals or first name.

Replies are due Friday, November 18

Fall Picture

As I was hiking through the woods, I was kept company by the sounds of the leaves crunching under my boots. The cool mountain air wrapped around me, making me glad I'd remembered to wear a sweater. Brightly colored leaves danced in the sunlight as the breeze moved through the branches of the trees. My mind was filled with the sounds, smells, and textures of nature. It was a beautiful fall day, and I was glad to be outside where I could enjoy it.

Now it is your turn to write a descriptive paragraph about the picture. Your paragraph can be imaginative and written as a story, or informational. Whichever genre you choose, make sure you check for complete sentences, correct capitalization, punctuation, spelling, subject-verb agreement, and dscriptive language.

Remember to include your initials or first name. Your reply is due Friday, November 11.

Heroes

What is a hero? Our next SEM unit will celebrate heroes and the contributions these individuals made to our country and the world.

For this blog post, I would like you to think about someone you consider to be a hero. In your reply, please share the characteristics, actions, or attitude of this person and explain why you think this person is a hero.

To get you started, I'll share my hero with you as an example:

One of the bravest people I've heard about is Captain Sully. You may have heard or read about him, or even seen him on television. He is a pilot who safely landed his plane on the Hudson River in New York when his plane unexpectedly had engine problems. He was able to land his plane and evacuate all of the passengers and crew. He had to stay calm during the crisis. Even though he had been trained on emergency landings, it was still difficult and terrifying. He may not have woken up that morning thinking he would be a hero later that day, but I think everyone on the plane thinks of him as a hero.

Please remember to include your first name or initials in your reply. Replies are due Friday, November 4.

My Favorite Thing About Fall

While raking leaves this weekend, I began to wonder what your favorite thing was about fall.

Fall has always been an enjoyable time of year to me. I remember when I was your age how much fun my brother and I had raking the leaves in the backyard, and then taking turns running and jumping into the pile. I also remember the smell of the leaves, and all of the beautiful and dazzling colors as the sunlight came through the branches. Every fall, our mother made us put away our summer clothes, and get out our fall sweaters and jackets, checking to make sure we could still wear them. We would drive up to North Georgia to the Apple Barn to pick out our favorite apples to bring back home, stopping to take pictures of the trees on the way home. While we were in the mountains, we would take a hike on a trail. I remember the sound of the leaves crunching under my shoes as we looked for the prettiest leaves to bring home and press in a book. I have many memories of spending time with my family during fall, which may be why it is one of my favorite times of the year.


Now I would like to you to share some of your favorite things to do during fall. Try to include a variety of adjectives to describe, and include sensory details (what you saw, heard, felt, tasted, or smelled).

Please be sure to check your spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar. Please remember to include your initials or first name so I can post your reply.

Reply is due by Friday, October 28

Singular and Plural Nouns

Try your hand at using these singular and plural nouns to create sentences.
Your sentences need to have at least 8 words in them (use adjectives, similes, or action verbs to make them interesting).

Here is an example for you:
Eight angry bumblebees were buzzing around the enormous beehive.

child children
kitten kittens
mouse mice
wolf wolves
bumblebee bumblebees
sweater sweaters

Be sure to check for spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. You must include your initials to have your comment published.

Your comment is due this Friday, October 21

Wild Shots

Use your research skills to learn about a wild animal. Click on Destiny (from the MPE website) and use the Encyclopedia to research an animal you want to study.

For your reply, use word to write your informational paragraph (remember to check your spelling, punctuation, and capitalization). After you have written your paragraph, revise and edit, and then copy and paste it into the blog comment. Remember to chose "Anonymous" when you reply.

Remember your initials or first name so you'll receive credit.

Your reply will be evaluated on the following:
1. Complete and correct sentences
2. Correct capitalization
3. Correct punctuation
4. Topic sentence at the beginning
5. At least 3 details (facts) about your animal
6. Use of descriptive language to tell more about your animal

Your comment reply is due Friday, October 14

Working Dogs

Working dogs have jobs to help people. Some of these jobs are difficult or dangerous, others are fun and enjoyable. For this post, please use your draft to write about a type of job dogs may have that help people.

Be sure to include your first name at the end of your reply.

You will be evaluated on the following:

1. Punctuation


2. Capitalization


3. Complete sentences


4. Organization


5. Paragraph format

Welcome to Third Grade!

I hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable summer. I'd like to invite you to share your summer with the rest of us. Follow the steps below to post to this blog:

1. Click on "Comments". You should see a new screen with a text box.


2. Click in the Text box and you can start typing (or you can type in a word document and copy/paste it into the text box.


3. Read what you wrote, and check for correct spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.


4. Remember to put your initials or first name only - do not put your first and last name.


5. Choose "Anonymous" below the text box.


6. Copy the verification code.


7. Choose "publish post" - our blog is set up so that I have to approve comments before they are visible, so don't panic if you don't see your comment right away.

Thank you and I am looking forward to reading about everyone's summer.

The Best Spring Break EVER!!!

Tell us about your fabulous spring break! Use as many appropriate adjectives and adverbs as you can in your descriptive personal narrative. Please include either your initials or first name so we can reply back to you. Thanks!

Tim's Adventure of Fun

Once upon a time, I was sitting on a cloud. Then I was bored so I jumped down and landed in the Atlantic Ocean. Then I evaporated up to the big clouds, and I saw a lot of people. Then I landed in the Atlantic Ocean again for two years and saw a tuna, a shark, a tiger shark, a jellyfish, and like 500 sea turtles.

Then I evaporated up to the clouds for a year and saw a big building then swoosh I fell out of the sky like a hawk and landed on a big turtle and saw a bunch of spotted raccoons. Then I landed in the big blue Atlantic Ocean. I saw like 100,000 jellyfish. Then I saw a shark hit me and I flew like a eagle and landed on soil. After I went up to the clouds and never came back down!!!

Happy Adventures

By: Tim

Drop

First I was in a camel, then I immediately evaporated.The cloud moved all the way to Antartica which was a long far away drive, I met another droplet (droppy) but he got dropped off at a garden. I was so sad, soon I dropped in glacier but just then I got evaporated, before I knew where I was, I was in groundwater coming up to soil then another cloud! About 3 minutes later I was in an ocean, the Atlantic Ocean. Ahhhhhh! Oops back in a cloud again.



By Jessi

The Journey

I started in Lake Lanier, then I was blown to the Mississippi River. After that I evaporated into a big, fat, puffy cloud. Next I was blown back to Lake Lanier, where I saw my parents and said hi to them. After that I was washed up to land, and I was pushed into the soil. Last I flew into a cloud like a bird.

By: Drew