Monday, December 30, 2013

Creativity 3.0

I've been thinking a great deal about creativity. How do you inspire creativity? How do you find it yourself? How do you teach in creative ways, allowing others to stumble upon their own creative venues. For years I've lacked hands on creativity. I went from writing a book, yet unpublished, to then throwing myself back into the daily teaching grind and all that it encompasses. Creative teaching takes time. It consumes my thoughts. My creative teaching process never shuts down. All of my energies go to creating content, anticipating behaviors, managing behaviors, creating content that will reap the most success for the majority of my students. Oh, how it would all work better if they were all on board and knew the cost of their actions today. They will never have this intense structured reading and writing instruction again. High school, their next hurdle, will not provide them with this small group, catered instruction. They will not be able to ebb and flow getting this level of intense instruction designed just for them to improve their reading, and writing skills. They will not get another teacher who scans the news, finding the best and most relevant articles with topics that literate young people should know about, creating reading and writing activities for them to bust out of their reading and writing challenges. Some students don't regard this instruction as special and important. Perhaps years down the road they will find and discover what they once had and didn't embrace.

Can I make every student happy and creative in this learning environment we call school? No, and I am aware that the best that I can offer them is opportunity. I can offer them opportunity to improve, develop, learn, create, and embrace knowledge. I can offer them opportunity to use these 21st century tools of ipads, apps, smartboards, digital learning Haiku-LMS. I can offer them creative outlets and some choice in learning. I can offer them a path that they don't presently have in other parts of their daily educational experience. Of course I am trying to engage them, because only engaged and ready learners will be available to learn. Test scores are like shadows that they don't even realize are following them. Any school in the future will be looking closely at these new test scores. They will be scheduled into their high school classes, levels, by these test scores. They will have opportunities come and go based on these test scores, in this new era of testing. Unfortunately, there is little that I can do about that big picture of test, test, test. 

However, I bring to them my desire to help them learn. I create and use all my digital resources to make that happen. I teach then using digital images, videos, examples of writing, and engaging topics. I use art whenever I can to connect their learning. Creativity is never found in a closed box or a closed classroom. Creativity is unique to each of us. That two day activity of creating a visual image and key words connected to their novels produced the most dynamic and creative images. I love that they hung them all around my room and they stand there today, duct taped onto my walls for me to see everyday. 

Creativity, 3.0, that is my desire. Connecting learning, to creativity and engagement. Learning is not static. Learning should ebb and flow. It moves and it's quite alive. Learning is awesome and watching it happen is a grand gift that I get to see and feel everyday. 



              





















                                                                   
                                           

Sunday, October 20, 2013

The New School Year is in Full Out Swing...and We Are Swinging!





Every school year is unique. Every class period has it's own unique beat, rhythm and energy.  I love the energy of each class period. Finding the rhythm and interests of each group is like a treasure hunt for me. I give my students a Welcome Survey and ask them to fill it out. It gives me insight into who they are. I can learn so much from this survey. Here is the survey link: Welcome Student Survey

We began the year with an exploration of a textbook. We discussed text  features and how they differed from novels. Both were on the table, and we discussed the differences and similarities. I also discussed the challenges of the textbook and any informational text or article. They are designed to offer a great deal of information is a small amount of space. They are 'dense' with information making textbook reading and informational reading somewhat harder at  times. Students compared both the novels and the texts. Then I released them and they began their Textbook Scavenger Hunt.Students worked in teams to scavenge for the text details and components. This hunt would  teach them actively and engage them, as well as build their collaboration and technology skills. It was a fun activity, but did take longer than I had planned. It was time well spent as the post test, proved they understood their social studies textbook better than prior to the activity.

Students have chosen their novels and are working  in  their reading groups. They have ownership in their novels because they all had a hand in choosing it.As a result, students have much more of a "buy in" and high levels of engagement to read, discuss literary concepts of character, setting, themes, conflicts, and resolutions. Additionally, I connect the mini lessons of literary devices: Alliteration, Metaphor, Simile.....to their novels and students add their noted examples of these literary devices right in the pages of their novels on the ipads. Connecting these literary concepts that can be seen as quite abstract and difficult to recall. By connecting the concepts initially to images I take when out and about and walking my dog, and using it in my  mini lesson instruction, students connect at a higher level.Then, I have them write a metaphor or simile or the like, in their novels relating to: characters, setting, plot, etc. This transfers the abstract into concrete for them as they take the ownership of the concept through their own application of it! I know the spelling isn't perfect but I am focused on the application of the concept!
 Here is a visual image of the concept mini lesson in my Haiku opener each  day. Images are from my walk-concepts are connected to my images...


Students have also been responding to  prompts I post on a Google + page which I  have secured and locked  down for safety.  They find their novel's front cover image and the prompt, then they post their response. Knowing that their audience will be their peers, they can choose to share or not, however having an authentic audience ups the challenge and importance a bit. The prompt is at the top and the students post under the image of  their novel. They use their initials only to identify their posting.




Each new day brings new opportunities  for me to structure and devise lessons that engage these incredible learners.They don't even know how incredible they are. I am hoping my class helps them find their academic voice and academic power. It's always nice to come back to my room and the lingering student who I  was  trying to rush out, left behind a very important message for me. Unsolicited, and so very  powerful....these  are the moments that will warm any teacher's heart!






Friday, August 23, 2013

Summer 2013-It WAS All About Me!

Altered Art Book-Connecting To Text

Altered Art Sign-Inspirational
Every Morning-5 days a week this was where I was-7:15 AM

Berries picked

Wild Blackberries
Daily Dog  Walking



Reclaimed co-op signs painted altered art classroom signs


My summer was great! Instead of spending time working on college classes all summer, even though I completed one more graduate class, it was completed by the middle of  July leaving me lots of time to really enjoy my summer. Notice my pictures above.These are hints to the things I spent my time doing.

First  and foremost, I swam. I decided to swim 5 days a week every week all summer. I swam laps in the pool alternating between swimming the breast stroke and swimming with a lap board-doing intervals. Eventually, I built up to swimming with more intensity. I am very proud of  how I stuck to it. It wasn't always  easy. In fact, in the beginning it was downright painful and difficult. There were parts of me who wanted  to give up and go back to bed. Those parts fought me, put doubts in my heart and soul and even tried to undermine my efforts. Sometimes we can be our own worst enemies.However, I can say I was successful in beating back those parts of me that were hoping I'd fail. I didn't fail. I didn't stop. I didn't give in. There are lessons found in these experiences. It's all about keeping  your eye on the prize. The prize for me was to feel healthier, more energetic, and alive. I reached those rewards. On my last official day of swimming, the other regulars bid me a fond farewell and applauded me for my transformation they witnessed.

Berry picking taught me so much. You might wonder, "what the  heck can you learn  from berry picking"? There is a great deal to learn from life all around us all the time if we are just wise enough to notice. This time I was. I noticed some wild berries growing over my fence. They came spewing over my fence from the woods, wild blackberries. There they were just there one day.  I began picking them and we ate them. Picking those berries became part of our healthy routine. Daily, I'd go to my wild berries flowing over the fence and began to pick them. Now, if you know anything about blackberries, their branches are loaded with stickers. Some stickers are small but many are huge and unforgiving. As you move to grab onto one berry or another the branches with those darned stickers almost reach out, grab onto you and stick you. Lesson, the things you want, you desire most won't come easily most of the time. Oh there are times I reached for many  berries and got them without a hitch. However, many other times, the ones slightly off behind some leaves as I reached for them, I paid the price with a stab, a hold, or a scratch as I pulled away. It was a lesson that taught me that sometimes there are prices to be paid, dues to pay, even  when you think you are getting something for free. And those berries over the fence, there for the picking only I couldn't reach them.They were right there if I could only just.....but alas they were too far away. Lesson-sometimes what seems right in front of you, cannot be reached no matter how hard you try. 
Next, I noticed  the same blackberry bushes along the roadside where I walked Hopey everyday.  How is  it I never noticed them before? I began to pick some berries on every walk, adding to our berry gathering. Some of  those berries were easily accessible and some like at my house were teasing  me, but maintained their distance up on a hill. The berries were the tasty treasures of our summer forays. 

Finally, my local co-op grocery store was giving away small co-op signs they didn't need anymore. I decided to grab them, not knowing what I'd do with them. One day, I decided to create some altered art signs for my classroom. I painted,glued, and drew with the intention of hanging them around my classroom. They are not great works of art. Some may think they are less than masterly created. I agree with that. I am not a great artist. I haven't created art since I was 13 years old, and was told I was not a good artist. Reclaiming and rediscovering art now in my 50s is a fun and enjoyable activity. Lessons-all that is tossed away is not garbage. What others say and feel about you need not define you. You will be evolving throughout your life and that means you can do anything you want. Don't be afraid to try some new and some old things-you might be surprised to find joy in what was left behind....

Friday, June 7, 2013

My Book-The Beginning The Middle and The End

In my book, A Three Dog Life, Abigail and Richard suffer a catastrophe. Their ordinary lives are soon changed forever. In one minute, Richard becomes a new man who will never ever recover. A simple task of walking the dog, turns into a life change for Richard and Abigail. What once was, could never be again. Their lives forever changed.

As Abigail tries to forge a new life, she soon realizes that her life with Richard, as she once knew it, would no longer be. She goes through many changes. First, she connects back with friends who she hadn't seen much of before Richard's tragedy. Second, she buys a cottage in the country. She adds another dog to her family and then one more dog. Finally, she finds a comfortable pace of life, moving between Richard's home in a rehab center and her home in the country.


After Abigail moves from the city to her country home full time, she finds a peace she never knew before. Once again connecting with her dogs, her country home, and Richard when he visits the cottage, she finds a new rhythm of life. Acceptance of this new life, begins the process of healing for this married couple. Once the ebb and flow of their lives change, surrounded by the greenery of country living, the dogs, and Richard's weekly visits, they are once again whole, but in a new way.

A Three Dog Life taught me that life's episodes of change are always present, but that doesn't mean you can't survive them.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Freestyle Blogger Post


Here is another Zentangle I created. I love making these Zentangles. They are a great way to destress and enjoy doing one small thing at a time. The Zentangle saying is, "Anything is possible one stroke at a time." I believe that. Sometimes in life we think of all the things we have to do. It's easy to become overwhelmed. I tend to do this a great deal. Zentangle teaches me to slow down. Everything is possible when you take the time to think in the now and not of all the things in the future, most of which you won't be able to control anyway. That is why I love the art form of Zentangle.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Here is my Zentangle Mandela

Here is my Zentangle Mandela that I made last week. I didn't know how to do a mandela, so I used some youtube videos and my Zentangle books to help me decide what to include and some strategies on how to draw specific strokes.


Saturday, May 18, 2013

My Zentangles

This is my second Zentangle class creations. I placed my Zentangle creations in my potted lettuce plants!

Monday, May 6, 2013

The Point of View of My Novel-A Three Dog Life






The point of view of my novel, A Three Dog Life is, first person. I identified it as first person point of view because the narrator of the novel uses the word "I" and is speaking directly to the readers. The narrator's point of view and speaker is Abigail.This point of view allows me to view the entire story through Abigail's eyes. 

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Point of View in my book-A Three Dog Life-With Evidence





In my book, A Three Dog Life, the point of view is first person. Abigail tells us the story of Richard and Abigail's life. When Abigail tells us about what Richard is like after the accident,she takes us into his hospital room. It is a few weeks after the accident. Abigail visits Richard in his hospital room and they are each just sitting there. Richard is a very different man now that he has a Traumatic Brain Injury,TBI.


                  Yesterday in his hospital room my husband asks urgently, "Will you move me twenty six thousand miles to the left?" "Yes," I said not moving from my chair. After a moment he said, "Thank you," adding in wonder, "I didn't feel a thing." "You're  welcome," I answered.


This passage from, A Three Dog Life, shows the first person point of view through the conversation Abigail and Richard had in Richard's hospital room. The words "I" , "me", and "my" are our hints that this story is told through first person point of view. Abigail speaks to us, the readers telling us about this visit.


Monday, April 22, 2013

Water Crisis -My Impressions...




What would cause Americans to realize that there is a water crisis in the world happening right now? When we go to the sink and turn on the water, there it is! We don't have to struggle to find water. We don't have to walk miles to gather and carry our water. We have water and everyone we know in the world also has access to clean water. However, it is not that way everywhere in the world.  In parts of the world, water is in short supply. Clean drinking water that is readily available is in even shorter supply. The lack of, but need for water impacts every part of the lives of people who are in developing countries. The essential need for water causes women and girls to spend long days finding, carrying and bringing back water for their villages and tribes. They don't go to school and therefore are never educated. They risk their lives in order to find and transport water. It's a fact that in some places, ninety nine percent of the deaths can be attributed to lack of access to healthy clean water. Millions of people around the world today will spend long hours searching for water that I have waiting for me at home. I will never again take my water for granted or waste it, as I now know how lucky I am to have fresh, clean, water whenever I want it at my fingertips. 

Monday, April 8, 2013

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

What is TBI-Traumatic Brain Injury?







TBI,or Traumatic Brain Injury, is a dangerous effect that can occur from a head trauma. According to the Center for Disease Control, the CDC, 1.7 million people  suffer a TBI each year and the results can be permanent disability or death. TBI can result from a fall, assault, car accident, and even  playing in a contact sport like football.When the head receives any kind of a serious hit, it can result in a TBI, Traumatic Brain Injury. This is the reason  why helmets are standard equipment for contact sports, riding a bicycle, snowboarding, skiing, and skateboarding or longboarding. A TBI can range from moderate to severe, and usually happens when someone  experiences a concussion. Protect your brain in any sport you play in and be sure to wear a helmet, too. You only get one brain and it's worth protecting!

Information sources:

http://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/

Image source:
 http://usarmy.vo.llnwd.net/e2/-images/2009/03/27/33741/size0-army.mil-33741-2009-03-31-070336.jpg

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Freestyle Narrative Post-

Remember, a narrative tells a story. Today you will create your 'freestyle post' which means you can write about any personal story you would like. Follow the guide lines, have a strong topic sentence, supporting sentences and a closing sentence. You will write a 5-7 sentence well written Narrative Post.



Monday, March 18, 2013

Literary Concepts

Literary Examples:

Alliteration: Magnificient Marvelous Melodious Monday

Metaphor: Monday is a sled dog race on sand.


Simile: (like/as)

Monday is like iced coffee without ice.


Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Expository Writing-Instructing Abigail on How To Survive What Happened





          Going through the horrific accident and the results of living with a husband who now has a traumatic brain injury will not be easy. First, Abigail you need to be sure to take care of your own needs. It's easy to get lost in Richard's issues and forget to take care of your own life. You must be sure to get help for yourself from qualified professionals. Second, you need to create a new life for yourself, apart from your life with Richard. You have done this by buying that cottage in New York State and living with your dogs. You need to do more things that make you happy and keep you healthy. Third, you need to speak to other people who have gone through this and might have advice for you. Perhaps an on going support group will help you to deal with all the unknowns that will arise as Richard's Traumatic Brain Injury continues to affect him and you. Finally, as you come to terms with your new life keep documenting what you are learning in more books. Your knowledge and advice can help others who have just been faced with this event in their lives and are overwhelmed with the realities of where they now find themselves. As you move through this new journey, with Richard and by yourself, be sure to find the positive moments you both need to survive this new life. 

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Narrative Paragraph-Richard's Posting






It happened so suddenly one minute I was walking the dog down the street and the next minute I was in a hospital and it was weeks later. They keep telling me stuff but I don't really understand things like I used to. My mind goes from understanding things one minute, to not even being able to think. When I see someone, whom I think I know, I get pictures in my mind, but not their names. What has happened to me? What has happened to my life. Snippets of time revolve in my brain. I am confused. I stare at things for long periods of time, and I don't even know why. I have no understanding of this new world where I find myself. I cannot leave this place because I cannot leave myself. I am trapped in this confusing, disoriented space where I now live and find myself. There is a door, perhaps it is a way out. My narrative doesn't even begin to explain how awful this space is where I am in New York one minute, and then with the woman who they call my wife and her dogs in a cottage the next minute. Nothing makes any sense and this maze continues to continue with dead ends at every corner. 


Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Character in A Three Dog Life









In my novel, A Three Dog Life, the most outstanding character is Abigail. Abigail shows who her character is through her strength, tenacity, courage, love, pain, fear, and adjustment to her new life with Richard. Abigail's character is going through many changes as she tries to adapt to the conflicts presented to her. She finally understands that her marriage is in a new place. She moves from the city to New York State and purchases a cottage. She adds more dogs to her life as she  understands her life and Richard's life through the eyes of her  dogs. Dogs live in the moment. Dogs don't despair. Dogs adapt and revel in the joy of  just  being. These  are the character lessons Abigail learns that  help her cope with a husband who also lives minute to minute, and seems to be content in any space he finds himself. Abigail's development of character shows us how we are far more capable of  change than we might ever believe and this memoir stands as a  testament of  that!

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Theme of A Three Dog Life


     The theme in my novel, A Three Dog Life, focuses on survival. The survival theme is spread throughout the novel. First, Abigail and Richard each try to survive the accident. The ways they do this individually speaks to how the theme of survival shows itself. Richard survives by spending time in the hospital trying to heal, but he will never be who he once was. Abigail tries to survive by readjusting to who her husband used to be, and who he is today. She also has to survive the death of a marriage, that can no longer be. As I continue to follow this novel, survival continues to show itself over and over and demonstrates how we each have to find our own ways to survive when life hands us a new menu.

Monday, February 18, 2013

VACATION!!!!! What are you doing on your vacation?

I am working on my college course and there is so much to do this  week! I am also providing a warm, safe and happy space for our visiting dog,  Chavvie.  This is the first time he's staying without his friend and beagle Sky, who passed a few weeks ago.  It's nice for Hopey  and for Chavo, also.





Thursday, February 7, 2013

What is the Plot of A Three Dog Life?





In my novel, A Three Dog Life, the book begins with the plot events that surround the accident and the consequences of that accident.Abigail, Richard's wife, tells us a little about her new life with Richard, a life so drastically different from before. As the plot unfolds we begin with Abigail telling us about how she spends her days now; her days that focus on hospital visits to Richard. The story then revisits the night of the accident, and all that went along with the plot events of the accident and the immediate consequences of that accident. A phone call comes from the doorman of Abigail's New York apartment building telling her that her dog is in the elevator. Confusion moves through Abigail as she asks Pedro where her husband was. Moments later Pedro appears with her dog and tells her that her husband was hit by a car. The plot events spiral now as Abigail rushes around in her bathrobe to find shoes, to get dressed, and to make sense of what she had just been told. The plot events continue to unfold throughout this novel as we learn about Richard's 'recovery' that really isn't a recovery at all. How can you call where Richard is now, recovered? That is the new normal where Abigail finds herself and that is the unfolding of the plot as I turn each page....

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Testing, Testing, Testing....

You are so lucky to have been born during this time when schools have tools like computers and ipads. You get to use technology all the time. In my day, we got to type in typing class on an electric typewriter during typing class. That is the reason why my touch on the computer still remains to this day, loud and strong. When you learn on an electric typewriter, you have a strong touch on the keyboard because of the force you needed to use to push down on the typewriter keys.



You are also the recipient of living in a time when testing, testing, testing...is part of your school life. Testing has become the part of your norm in school like it never was when I was in school. We didn't have all of these tests, but that is not to say we weren't tested, because we were. Testing just wasn't as frequent as it is today. 

So, before you complain about all the negatives in testing, look at what it was like when I was in high school. No, I am not in this picture, but I could be because this was one of my realities, the dreaded typing class. My mother forced me to take this class, not knowing how computers would fill our future and how important it would be for me to have keyboarding skills. I fought her on this issue, but am so very glad today that this was one battle she won and I lost. I don't know where I'd be had I not developed my keyboarding skills from that class so many years ago!

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Two Hour Delay....





Two hour delays are awesome for me because of my drive. I imagine they are also awesome for you. What will you do with your two hours? Will  you go back to bed or stay in bed? Will you play a video game World War.....whatever. Will you connect with friends on Facebook or text, text, text? Perhaps you will eat a different kind of  breakfast because you have more time. Maybe you will do one thing differently in your day because you've been given those two extra hours to do whatever you want to do with them.. What a gift you got today! Two hour delay might be my three favorite words today!

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Breezy HIll on Sunday Morning....

This is my view today...cold...on Breezy Hill, but that is what winter in Vermont is all about!

My Metaphor:

Breezy Hill is an  iced oasis in the middle of a world full of confusions, complications, expectations, political discord, and an economic trillion dollar debt clock.....

My Alliteration:

Balsam Barky Breezy Hill holds heaven high on top.

My Fact/Opinion:

Fact: My home is 1007 feet above sea level.
Opinion: I love where I live on Breezy Hill

Conflict In A Three Dog Life-Richard's Conflict



      The internal conflict in my novel, A Three Dog Life, shows up as all of the internal changes Richard experienced from the external conflict of a horrible accident. Richard's life changed in an instant. His brain forever changed by that one moment in time; the car, the rainy night, the leash breaking, and the dog darting across a busy New York City street. Richard's instinctive reaction to run after the dog; a dog he never wanted; his wife's dog, results in his own slow demise. He was hit by a car, and suffered Traumatic Brain Injury, also known as TBI. Richard changed from a wonderful middle aged man who loved the simplicity of life, to a man who didn't seem to be able to hold onto a single thought. The external conflict of the leash breaking and Richard's dash for his wife's dog, caused him to be hit by the car. Richard's internal conflict; his brain's bizarre connections, would remain his internal conflict as Abigail struggles with her own internal and external conflicts. What do you do when life hands you a plate on which your life is not what you ordered? This is the struggle and the basis of this memoir, A Three Dog Life. 

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Who is the Antagonist?



         In my novel, A Three Dog Life, the antagonist is the accident Richard experiences and the brain damage that he suffers. Once hit by the car on the busy New York City Street,  Richard survives the trauma of the accident but will never again be the same man. As his stay in the hospital comes to an end, Abigail is told about Richard's diagnosis and realizes that he can not come home to live. Instead, he is transported to a  rehabilitation facility. Richard's rehab does help him regain some of his motor movements, however the brain injury leaves him confused and disjointed. Abigail's  struggle is to come to terms with the reality that their life together as husband and wife is forever changed. The antagonist plays a cruel joke on this couple as Richard appears to be fine, however his confusion, anger, depression, fear, and anxiety will forever define and  determine his future. That single leash snapping in half, can be seen as the hand of the antagonist,playing out  Richard and Abigail's destiny.  




Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Who is the Protagonist?????

In the novel, A Three Dog Life, the protagonist is Abagail. The focus of the story, the plot events and the drama that happens surrounds her. She is Richard's wife, and the key character in this "memoir" genre, telling a true story of  a life dramatically and tragically forever changed after one rainy night. Abagail, shows strength and weaknesses throughout this novel as her life unfolds around her. Richard will never be the same and their life together is gone in one New York minute.


Sunday, January 6, 2013

Amazing story of children, an animal shelter, philanthropy and cats


Here is a great feel good story about a young boy,  his  allowance, an animal shelter, some cats, and how all were connected by a  willingness to help, donations, and blogs.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/05/evan-10-year-old-philadel_n_2411806.html?utm_hp_ref=good-news

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Very Funny Audio Version of Run Hopey Run....

I downloaded this free app-and  took that awesome video that most of  you know as Run Hopey Run, and set it to music....and here it...is....

Run Hopey Run...


Run Hopey Run-The Original Youtube sensation video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RaFUOpjTzI&sns=em

Here is a Tagxedo I created using the word I posted on my blog-237 LMS. This was so easy to do and a really neat alternative way to show your words and your blog ideas. Today, you will go to www.tagxedo.com and create your own word Tagxedo  for your blog.You will save the image and post it in your blog -using the blog title:  Words From My Blog- posting.

http://www.tagxedo.com/artful/607e38cf63f341b3

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Setting -Blog Post For Your Novel

In this "setting-blog post for your novel" post you will identify and describe one setting from your novel. You will write 5-7 sentences identifying the setting and how that setting impacted on the character, the events in the story, or the conflict/resolution that might have occurred.

My example post for "A Three Dog Life"-My sample novel that I will use as my example model:

In my novel, A Three Dog Life, the setting and the eventual events changed the lives of the characters. When Richard went out to take his wife's beagle for a walk one rainy night, no one knew that his life would cease to exist as he once lived it. The setting, a busy New York City street with lots of traffic and the event of a leash breaking, would forever change both Richard and Abigail's life when Richard would be hit by a car leaving him with a broken brain and changing who he once was, his life, and even his marriage. The busy New York City Street was the 'place' setting and the 'night' was the time period setting. 



Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Most of You Have Your Blogs Up and Running!

 It was so neat for me to see how many of you embraced creating your blog. Many of you personalized it in some spectacular ways! The greatest thing for me was to learn things about you that I hadn't previously known before! I learned about some sports you do and sports you watch. This of  course includes the  teams you follow. I learned some favorite colors you have and your dog and cat's breeds and names. I learned about some of the many things you love to do in your spare time-Karate, Motorcycle riding, Skateboarding, hanging with family members, hunting, snowmobiling....and even more!

This blog will be a great addition to our class. Please feel free to post  pictures and even video if you like as long  as it's  appropriate. I will assign specific things to do but you can always add anything you like as long as it is school appropriate,please! Great job to  the ones who have already completed setting up their blog and creating their first post. To the students who are about to begin their blog, feel free to post pictures of  you on the field, or your  pets or your family. A blog can be a compilation of writing, images, and video!

You will receive specific assignments to complete which will be connections to the novel you are reading, literary concepts like writing metaphors, similes, cause/effect...etc....You will connect to a character in your novel. You will take a stand on an important issue in the news. There are so many things that we will be doing with your new blog!

Below is a picture of my Faithycat. She loves to wake me up all night long by walking  laps around the bed.