Talking Turkey on Twitter

Thinking 140 characters to be an easy entry point for a writing lesson before a holiday, I tasked the students to create a Thanksgiving tweet. The catch?  They were tweeting as a turkey!

In our Writing Workshop, we've discussed R.A.F.T.s as things that should be considered helpful when writing.  These are Role (Who/what am I?), Audience (Who am I writing to?), Format (What style/form), Topic (What am I writing about?) and the inclusion of a strong word.

For this #turkeytweet, I gave the students a twitter template (Format--thanks Jim Covais at Covais Tech) and told them to tweet as a turkey (Role) at Thanksgiving (topic).

Neriah's tweet

It is evident that creativity abounded in this lesson with choices in usernames, header images and profile pictures!  Despite Twitter being for the 13+ crowd, these students clearly had some experience with the inner workings of social media with their inclusion of emojis and hashtags!

@IAMAHUMAN took a political stance but fooled no one!

Jace's tweet

...while @TurkeyLover432  had other suggestions for Thanksgiving dinner...

Reese's Tweet

@Turkey4real ignored the 140 character limit as Twitter is currently testing doubling the limit to 280!

Jazmyn's tweet

It's especially rewarding when these child writers make the effort to include many features of the text we are practicing.  Many of their efforts came off as polished and authentic tweets from a turkey.

Caleb's tweet

Maybe we should #eatmorepumpkin this Thanksgiving instead of turkey?  Afterall, #turkeylivesmatter.

If you're on Twitter, look for and like the tweets included in this blog and others.  

Happy Thanksgiving, eh!

~MissBrooks

The 4th Day Before Christmas

Today, in an effort not to be outdone by yesterday, was "snow" full of activity that maybe a nap is in order for tomorrow!

After a game of "Tree Movers" in gym, we headed back to the classroom to see Madame Coolen, decked in her finest apron and wielding wooden spoons and measuring cups.  The grade sixes were going to be making short bread cookie dough this morning as part of their French lesson!

Listening to instructions for making candy cane short bread cookies

This leant itself well to the problem for Math.  It was a baking question that the students were told to VISUALIZE, VERBALIZE and VERIFY.  The visualization really helps in understanding the problem...

Each batch of 48 cookies that Jolly McJingles makes takes 20 minutes in the oven. If the oven is on for 3 hours and 55 minutes (15 minutes for preheating), how many cookies did Jolly McJingles make?

I love how you can use different
strategies/thinking
to get to the answer!

The entire school is doing an open response for the poem "Snowman".  So, that was the text we read aloud today since it fit with our plans for later in the afternoon (and a sample was due to the bosses tomorrow).

SNOWMAN

Author Unknown

My little snowman has a mouth,

So he is always smiling south.

My little snowman has a nose;

I couldn't seem to give him toes,

I couldn't seem to make his ears.

He shed a lot of frozen tears

Before I gave him any eyes---

But they are big ones for his size.

This lead to a discussion about line 2's "smiling south" and punctuation's importance when reading poetry.  Do you interpret the meaning differently depending on how the poem is read?  The kids noticed that there was no punctuation after "tears" in line 6 so, if it was read along with line 7 it meant something different to some of them.  The question they were asked to respond to was "Why do you think the snowman is built the way that you are visualizing?"

We decided poetry is a little like Math because there is no right answer or way to go about it as long as you give REASONS for your THINKING!

Some responses included:

They put a smile, nose but he doesn't have toes or ears so he is feeling pretty sad cause he doesn't have those body parts but there was one last thing: his eyes. So he was waiting for his eyes to be put on and as soon as the person put on the eyes he stopped because it said that  “He shed a lot of frozen tears Before I gave him any eyes---” That means the wet tears turned into frozen tears because he was no longer sad.--Christian

I think he was sad but he became happy because it says “He shed a lot of frozen tears Before I gave him any eyes--But they are big ones for his size.” And that means that he was sad before he could see the world that it good and full of joy and not badness.--Grace

Maybe the person found too big of rocks (eyes) so they looked odd on him.The frozen tears could be that the snowman is melting and water was dripping from his face.Also his mouth he could have made the snowman facing south (direction).That is why I see him that way.--Xavier

The disastrous craft table

We spent the last period of the afternoon with a glue gun and an explosion of craft items so the students could make Christmas tree ornaments.  These turned out pretty cute and definitely show the maker's personality.  Tomorrow we will wrap them (if giving them away) and send them home.

Come back to read how the cookies turned out and what the third day before Christmas gift is going to be!

~MissBrooks

Each​ ​batch​ ​of​ ​48​ ​cookies​ ​that​ ​Jolly​ ​McJingle​ ​makes​ ​takes​ ​20​ ​minute

5 Days Before Christmas

When your French teacher comes up with an idea to have the class figure out their "elf names", you embrace the fun and go with it!  

So, 5 days before Christmas (break), our class had "Elf Day".  I delivered hats to each of the students with an ulterior motive in mind!  If the kids put their name on their hat, I would not fail to remember their elf names! 

Madame passing out the clips for the Name Game

The trick of Madame's game is to only call each other by our elf names.  If we get caught using real names, we give up a clothespin.  Elvis PicklePants is currently sharing the collecting lead with Gabriella ... OOPS!  I meant Merry SugarSocks.

Names are determined from the first letter of your
first name and your birth month

Carrying the elf theme into some curriculum, I read aloud the story "How Santa Got His Job" by Stephen Krensky.  We talked about what qualities Santa possessed that made him suited to his job as deliverer of presents on Christmas Eve.  I then challenged the students to apply the RAFT strategy to their writing.

R - Role -  An elf applying to work for Santa

A - Audience - Santa

F - Format - Persuasive letter

T - Topic - Elf for hire

Students worked on the brainstorm portion and some even began rough drafts.  Tomorrow, we will co-create success criteria, consider the rubric, complete the rough drafts and ask a friend to help us peer edit.

We ended the day, like all elves, in a rush to meet a deadline!  This was a day that the 6B classroom was transformed into Santa's "wrap shack" as the students hustled to pack bags for St Bernard's "Operation Christmas Backpack".

Each classroom was responsible for bringing in a part of the contents which ranged from toiletries to socks, gloves and toques to some snacks.  These will be loaded in my sleigh (Jeep) and dropped off at Street Help.

Until tomorrow,

~Jolly McJingles 

(aka MissBrooks)

The Best Christmas Literacy Ever (Part 1)

This year, with a full three weeks (plus 2 days) of December before Christmas Break, how to deliver some literacy curriculum in a festive way is extended until the 23rd!  

I dug out an old favourite, Barbara Robinson's "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" to share with this year's class.  The novel introduced the Herdmans and their introduction to the Christmas story in seven chapters (80 pages).

This is the cover of the novels we have

Since I have a class set of novels, I read aloud a chapter each day while the kids follow along or simply listen.

Chapter 1:  Robinson's descriptive language allows for the reader to easily visualize her scenes and characters.  Although there are pencil illustrations scattered throughout the book, I challenged the students at the end of this chapter to sketch the Herdman's pet cat based on what was read.
  

From the above student sketches, courtesy of Dylan and Marie Claire, you may notice that the cat is missing an eye, has a broken tail and one leg that is shorter than the other three.  It also was responsible for the destruction of a classroom aquarium of goldfish.  As Marie Claire notes, the Herdmans DO have a Beware of Cat sign hanging on their property.

Later, I had the students answer a seemingly simple question:  What do you think of the Herdmans?  Many students mentioned how terrible they were, supporting their opinion with proof from the text (they smoke cigars, bribe and blackmail the kids in their classes, steal, burned down a tool shed, swear).  I was not expecting the response I got from Jesse:

"I think that no one gave them a chance to make a good impression.  I would hang out with them because they seem lonely and might need someone to cheer them up.  When they do those bad things I guess it would make them happy.  I think they are amazing, good kids.  Maybe they are only bad because they want someone to hang out with."

Warms your heart, doesn't it?

Chapter 2-4:  The reader is introduced to the Christmas pageant preparation at the local church,  We hear Luke's Gospel of the birth of Jesus and learn of the Herdman kids' reaction to Jesus being born in a stable since the "hotel" was full.  They perceive the Wise Men as horrible gift givers and Herod's "dirty little spies" and Gladys, the youngest Herdman, views the angel of the Lord like a comic book character who shouts "Shazam!" to get the attention of the shepherds.

Taking my cue from their reaction, I suggested to the students that the Herdmans would have been appalled by Joseph's lack of planning for a return to Bethlehem for the census with his very pregnant wife, Mary.

Students were then tasked to form a travel company (alone or in partners) and create a brochure that included flight information (why travel on a donkey when you can ride first class?), an attraction, a restaurant and a pre-booked hotel.  We agreed it is much easier to be prepared in the age of technology and with some help from Tripadvisor, Trivago and Red Tag sites!

The brochure created by Gloria and Gabriella

This coming week, we finish the novel. Stay tuned for part 2!

~MissBrooks

 

Turkey Tweets

We enjoyed some Thanksgiving fun in Writer's Workshop last week.  After discussing some of the features of Twitter, students were challenged to take on the role of a turkey and write a tweet.

Features of Twitter:

• profile picture
• #hastags
• 140 character maximum
• catchy @name

Using a Google Slides  template (thanks Jim Covais at Covais Tech), the kids set to work, creatively constructing attractive Twitter pages. Below are some favourites from the class...

Even changed the #hashtag colour!  @Butterball?  Good one!

Look at the fall background and use of an innocent turkey profile pic!

Influenced by the shenanigans of the USA presidential race?

And finally, I hope you enjoy the puns in this tweet and how this Gr 6 student was able to make connections from the news.  

Yes...that is the flag of TURKEY!

I was thankful that many students embraced the challenge.  As a reader, I gobbled up the humour.  This is the stuff that makes teaching a treat.

~MissBrooks

ROCKin' a New Year

Temperatures reaching 104 F (with humidex) can only mean that school's out for summer! we're back to school.  Thank goodness (and by that, I mean past PAC groups) for A/C this week!

BUY THIS BOOK!
Seriously...you and your classes will treasure the message and artistry.

Isn't this cover a beauty?  Fish swim in a SCHOOL.  Kids go to SCHOOL.  September is back to SCHOOL.  PUHLEEZE!  Choosing Linda Kranz's "Only One You" is a no brainer, people!

This is a story that celebrates the uniqueness of everyone and encourages the reader to take time for ourselves, our families and others, to make a difference, and to embrace your YOU-niqueness.  Such an inspirational message.  

You can visit Linda Kranz's website for more information and
ideas on how schools have embraced this book.

I read the book aloud on Tuesday (the first day of school).  My kiddies are sixth graders but I asked them to come to the carpet to better hear and view the story.  I read.  We talked about some of the messages.  And that was that.  Or so they thought!

On Friday, I explained that we would make time for visual arts and that on this day, we would be painting rocks in the style of Linda Kranz's fish from "Only One You".   Material Managers from each table retrieved a paper towel, mini paint brush and side of white acrylic paint for their tablemates.  Each child then chose a rock* they wished to paint.  

*These are beach stones that are part of my backyard landscaping.  Think it will be noticeable if 30+ are missing?

WARNING:  It looks like ranch dressing....it is NOT!

Now, we SHOULD have washed them first, which means we didn't!  Did I mention that we have had more rain in the last 20 days than all summer?  I declared they would be clean (in my own mind). 

Anyway, on to applying a white base.  We did this before lunch so that, despite the humidity, we hoped they would dry.

We tossed the paint cups and brushes into the trash.  I realize this is NOT eco-friendly, nor is it pocketbook friendly but sometimes, for the sake of my sanity and because of the dollar store, I do what I have to do.

After lunch, we studied the cover of the book and the kiddies noted:

1. All fish were different (brilliant!)
2. Almost all had a heart-shaped mouth (except one was smiling)
3. Not all had a fin
4. The fish's face was approximately 1/3 of the rock and only included an eye and mouth
5. Lines and colours of all varieties were used

These observations became the lesson's expectations.

Using a piece of paper and pencil, students sketched their fish but I think you could forego this step.  When they were satisfied, they used Sharpies and other permanent markers to design their fish.  

BEFORE

Jesse's AFTER is the one with the teal face

The end results were as unique as the artists!  These have been placed on our prayer table and only need to be varnished (clear nail polish?) before the kiddies will bring them home.

How did your new school year begin?

~MissBrooks