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AFFIRMATION
Article posted October 21, 2005 at 12:51 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 1985
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Earlier this week, students who had written book reports received their graded copies. Many of them gasped aloud as they viewed their errors in writing and read the comments that I had included to help them become better writers. Then they set about the arduous task of correcting their errors. They took the challenge to heart and were asking wonderful questions. Many of them not only corrected punctuation and spelling errors, but they also rewrote sentences and even paragraphs. During this process of revision and editing, what impressed me was the depth of their questions. Many of them truly wanted to know why a comma should go in a certain spot--or why it shouldn't, why a sentence was marked as a fragment, or why a pronoun didn't agree with its antecedent or a subject with its verb. I left school that day knowing why I take the time to rake over students' writing pointing out their mistakes and errors. Wise men say we learn from our mistakes, and I saw students learning that day. I saw students taking the time to improve a piece of writing, and I knew, even if they didn't, that they were learning, truly learning.
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Article posted October 21, 2005 at 12:51 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 1985
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Extra Credit (for homework category)
Article posted September 22, 2005 at 12:19 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 261
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Task
Your task is to compare the play, "And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank" and information that you find on the net.
Process
Look at one, several, or all of the websites given below. Think about how they add to your knowledge and understanding of the Holocaust.On your blog site, write an article in which you talk about the play we saw on October 5 and what you found in the websites that added to your knowledge or understanding.
Resources (Click to visit.)
Holocaust History Project
Remember
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Evaluation
Your blog will be evaluated on 2 things: your comments about the play and your comments gathered from the websites above. When you write, use correct GUM (grammar, usage, mechanics) and standard English. (Avoid slang and short cuts you use in writing notes or instant-messaging your friends.) Remember this is a forum for students to improve their writing skills--not to reinforce negatives habits. This assignment will be added to your homework grades for this nine weeks as an extra credit grade.
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Article posted September 22, 2005 at 12:19 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 261
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SuperBloggers
Article posted September 21, 2005 at 02:49 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 283
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Several students have really accepted the challenge of blogging. They are doing an outstanding job of posting and then editing their blogs. Check out the blogs of Melinda G. and Jordan H. to see how two Lafayette Park students put their writing skills to use. Way to go, girls!
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Article posted September 21, 2005 at 02:49 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 283
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Blog, Baby, Blog!
Article posted September 16, 2005 at 11:58 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 271
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As you can see by the long list at the left, many students are into the blogosphere. It's been interesting and exciting to watch them beam with pride as they report to me that they "wrote another blog last night." They are eager for me to read and approve it so can be posted on their blog page.
Right now, students have 3 topics that I want them to write about, and then they have their choice of three free topics. It's refreshing to read their blogs about their families and especially about their faith. Numerous students are enjoying this avenue that allows them to share how important God and their religion are to them.
As time goes on, I hope to see more students jump on board and show the world just what wonderful students we have at Lafayette Park.
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Article posted September 16, 2005 at 11:58 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 271
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Pet Peeves
Article posted August 30, 2005 at 02:56 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 261
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All teachers have pet peeves, and I know that I am no different. Here are a few of the things that really get to me.
- Students asking a question and then not listening to the answer.
- Students forgetting things that they routinely need everyday in class.
- Students telling their parents they did not have homework and then coming to class empty handed.
- Students blaming everyone else for their own irresponsibility.
On the other hand, there are many things that make my heart sing.
- Students who talk to me about the books they are reading.
- Students who help others--simply because it is the right thing to do.
- Students who keep in touch long after they have left 8th grade.
- Students who enjoy learning and being challenged.
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Article posted August 30, 2005 at 02:56 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 261
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We ARE on the Way!
Article posted August 26, 2005 at 04:14 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 103
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Well, it was quite a day to say the least. Some students were able to log into their blogs with no problems. Some finally got in after much typing and retyping. Others never did get on. Many did not follow directions and sent me numerous incomplete blogs. This only added to the confusion! I published several blogs, so at least LPMS has a few bloggers up and running. I hope it gets easier as time goes by.
PS I will not use this color font again. I think it is too hard to read.
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Article posted August 26, 2005 at 04:14 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 103
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The Adventure Begins
Article posted August 24, 2005 at 12:44 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 128
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I am hoping that today I will be able to get my students on line and blogging. This is such an enormous undertaking. Just typing in all of the names and assigning passwords was time consuming. I sincerely hope that this proves to be worth the time and effort that go into it.
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Article posted August 24, 2005 at 12:44 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 128
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Empty Classroom
Article posted August 12, 2005 at 03:39 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 120
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This is a view of the classroom that students don't often see. The floors are clean and scuff-free, the walls are void of posters and bulletin boards, the chairs and desks are in disarray. Give me a few days and I'll have it looking more inviting and educational. Give me a few months, and I'll really have it looking lived in.
(Have you noticed that I've learned a few tricks to enhance the appearance of my blog?)
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Article posted August 12, 2005 at 03:39 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 120
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Rewards
Article posted August 10, 2005 at 12:59 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 117
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I spend a great deal of time in my yard planting and maintaining flowers in an attempt to attract hummingbirds. These tiny little creatures first began visiting my yard four years ago, and now they are a regular, if not seasonal, visitor. They enjoy flitting from one honeysuckle flower to another, and they seem to love the trumpet vine. These are flowers that I planted especially with the hummers in mind, but I also see them on the butterfly bush, the petunias, and the cleomes. If there is nectar, they will find it--just as they found the feeder I have hanging outside the window by my computer. The pictures below were taken while I was preparing papers for school and was interrupted by this delightful little jewel. (As I sit here now writing this, guess who just showed up?)
 
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Article posted August 10, 2005 at 12:59 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 117
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Namesake
Article posted August 8, 2005 at 03:19 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 104
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The whimsical frog shown below was a surprise gift from my husband. I named him Walter because he reminds me of the actor Walter Mathau. His expression is priceless, and he makes me smile every time I look at him.
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Article posted August 8, 2005 at 03:19 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 104
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My Classes & Students
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