Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Fall Story Assignment

The Goose Who Tried to Keep Summer
There was once an old Wild Goose who had led the flock of other wild geese every fall for years and years on their way south. He had a thick coat of white feathers, he wore orange-colored boots, and his bill was like a gold trumpet when he opened it to call,

Honk, honk, honk!

That was the signal for the others to rise from the meadows and the marshes. He flew at their head, and the rest followed, one line on one side and one line on the other. He thought himself most important.
Over the woods and the fields and the waters, every one looked for the old Wild Goose in the fall.

Honk, honk, honk!

That was the Wild Goose telling them that it was time to get ready for the winter in the woods, and in the fields, and over the waters. He knew they waited for him, so he had grown to feel very proud of himself. He lived in a marsh that was sheltered on both sides by trees and was comfortable, even if there was a frost now and then. A robin had once stayed in those trees all winter and he sang proudly about it.

"Why do I trouble to go south?" the old Wild Goose thought to himself. "The weather here will not grow cold if I stay. Honk, honk; I shall not trouble myself to migrate this fall and then we shall see what will happen! Very likely I shall keep the summer!"

No one knew what the Goose had decided, and they listened for him.

The dandelion looked up from her home in the field and bobbed her little head as she waited to hear the call of the Wild Goose. Every fall she had sent a flock of winged seeds flying along with him as far as they could go. Then they would drop in other fields and begin making more dandelions for next year. She knew she must not wait too long. She listened, but she did not hear his honk, honk, honk!

Puff, whirr; off she sent her tiny winged seed without the call of the old Wild Goose.

The farmer buttoned his coat tightly and looked up among the gray clouds to see the Goose. Every fall he listened to hear the call of the Wild Goose as he gathered his harvest. He knew, though, that he must not wait too long. He took his grain to the mill and filled his barn with red apples, and orange pumpkins, and yellow corn. He made warmer beds for the cows and horses, and cut logs to burn in his fireplace. He was soon ready for winter without the help of the old Wild Goose.

The brook called and called for the Goose. Every fall she waited for him to fly over and then she built her winter roof, for she knew then that no other wild bird would need to drink from her waters. She must not wait long, though. There were her fish, and the water spider, and the beaver to shelter all winter. So the brook forgot, at last, about the old Wild Goose and built a smooth ice roof to keep her children warm until spring.

Honk, honk, cried all the other wild geese. "It is time to migrate! Come with us!"

Honk, honk, honk, cried the old Wild Goose, from the sheltered marsh where he did not know what was going on. "I am not flying south this year. I am staying north to keep the summer."

Honk, honk, "What a terrible time it will be!" cried all the other geese. They talked among themselves, saying that no good could come of turning the seasons about, and of how he would probably be eaten in the end. Then they selected a wise young goose who had been end man the year before, and they made him their leader. His boots were quite as orange and his bill as golden as those of the old Goose, and he could honk very well indeed. They went south with the new leader.

Soon Winter came. He wore a crown of snowflakes. His cloak was embroidered with frost, and he carried a huge icicle as his sceptre. Every one was ready for him. The dandelion bowed her bare head as Winter passed. The barn doors were closed, and the cattle stood, safe and warm, in their stalls.

But the Wild Goose felt Winter coming. An icy wind blew through his feathers. His throat was so stiff with cold that he could not blow his trumpet. His orange boots froze stiff as the marsh turned to ice.
"It must be the winter coming in spite of me," he thought to himself. "It seems that I have not kept him away after all. I shall die, for he will freeze me. What shall I do?"

Then a sunbeam, that was still strong enough to help a little, heard the faint cries of the old Wild Goose and was sorry for him. She melted the ice so that the Goose could pull out his feet, first one, and then the other. She stood for a moment in Winter's path as the Goose rose and stretched his stiff wings, and then started south.

The chilly air was like a blast on his head. He was obliged to fly slowly, but he managed to call as he went,

"Honk, honk, Here I am. I fly to tell you that Winter is coming."

He looked down at the woods, and the fields, and the waters. How strange! They had known it. They had not waited for the call of the old Wild Goose.


One of my most favorite seasons is Autumn with the leaves turning colors, falling to the ground, and the rustling sounds they make as you walk through them.  Fall is just as much a re-birth and changing of the seasons as we prepare for winter.  In my yard I am blessed to have many trees and I can't wait for them to show there colors in the fall but also can not wait to see the buds and birth coming into spring.  I also love taking drives and capturing pictures of what I see and I noticed along the way.  Its a part of fall that I enjoy the most and hope that someday you will get the chance to experience it for yourself. 
There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in its sky, which through the summer is not heard or seen, as if it could not be, as if it had not been!  ~Percy Bysshe Shelley

Thursday, October 6, 2011

History of Halloωℯℯɳ

In class we discussed the origin of halloween and what some people do to celebrate it.  There are many definitions from a celebration of summer's end to the more scarey topics of ghost, ghouls and goblins.
We had a word hunt for things to fill in blanks for our language part.  Words that rhymed and clues for others. 

Our Star Soapy will be decorating the bulletin board with her creative flair.  And the next Star, Ashland, and will hold reign thru the weekend.  She will be decorating our board next week.

Your first assignments were due, as well as, notifying me of your blog address where your journaling will take place.  Please make sure all that work is turned in by Friday.  As always any questions please contact me.

Monday, October 3, 2011

~ Welcome All Stars ~

Welcome to our "New All Stars" and welcome back to my returning Stars !!  I'm looking forward to meeting new faces and seeing my regulars from last term.  I hope to bring you a variety of subjects and materials and make this a good experience for you.  So come in, take a seat and be prepared to have some fun.  I'm happy to have you all here !!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Favorite Poem by Peacey

Title : HUG O' WAR
Written by Shel Silverstein

I will not play at tug o' war.
I'd rather play at hug o' war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs,
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Our Final Week

Sad but its true we are in our final week of classes this term.  All work should be handed out for your report cards and last but not least your PROJECT BOARDS are due this week.  Each student will present them before the class and then pass them off to me. 

Remember this is your own style and creativity and in no way should you be worried about the ones you've seen.  Each of you are individual and no two boards are alike.  Any questions please ask and I will help as much as I can.

Favorite Poem by Viviana

"Oh, the Places You'll Go!" by Dr. Seuss

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.

You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go.

You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.

Wherever you fly, you'll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

I'm sorry to say so
But, sadly it's true
That bang-ups and hang-ups
Can happen to you.
     
On and on you will hike, And I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems whatever they are.

You'll get mixed up of course, as you already know.
You'll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go.

So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
And remember that Life's a great balancing act.

Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.

Will you succeed?
Yes you will indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

Favorite Poem by Sakura

MOTHER TO SON

Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor --
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now --
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Our Field Trip ... The Big Illusion

On Friday, September 16th a group of us from class went on our field trip.  I can say I laughed and laughed as we each tried our hand at completing tasks to reach the next level.  Even though we had mishaps along the way, and some that got lost or dunked in the water over and over (raises my hand - me!)  we all had fun.

Here's one picture I managed to steal ... I mean borrow (hehe)

Assignments .... Week 3

I will try to post others poems along the way to give you each time in the spotlight.  I enjoyed reading them all.  My favorite poem is by Robert Louis Stevenson and its called "My Shadow" a bit long to post here so if you'd like to read it just look it up on line and read what I know by heart.

I love sharing stories and poems and all sorts of things with each of you and also hearing about what makes you YOU !!  So don't be shy or bashful if you want to share something then please do so.

Favorite Poem by Kaity

Title: The dark times in life
Author:  M.S.Lowndes

Life can take a turn
You never thought it would
Suddenly so much can change
With so little that's understood.

You ask so many questions
It seems without reply
Your heart is pained with so much doubt
And unanswered questions 'why'

It's almost like we walk through life
Just feeling our way around
We can't see the road ahead
Nor our feet on the ground

Darkness is all about us
We struggle to see the light
Just a glimmer now and then
But then fades out of sight

We cry out to God again
To show us where to go
He says 'Just take another step
To where peace freely flows'

And as we keep on taking steps
Guided by the Lord
We find in time, we walk into
The joy we knew before

It's in those times of darkness
When we feel we've lost all hope
God can do a work in us
That brings a deeper growth

So when we face the dark times
We should come before the Lord
For good will come if we believe
And hope shall be restored.

Favorite Poem by Jennah

Title: A Child's Whisper
Author: Sue Ellen Chandler

A child's love is like a whisper, given in little ways we do not hear
but if you listen closely, it will be very clear.
They often do not say it loud, but in how they come to you...
Daddy will you play with me? Mommy, tie my shoe?
The many ways they tell you changes as they grow

Dad I made the team today!
Mom I've got to go!

Pop I need some money. You see there is this girl at school...
Mama I met a boy today and wow he is so cool!
Dad I've got something to tell you... I think she is the one.
Mom, He asked me to marry him. Would you love him as your son?

Dad I've got some news for you... It's gonna be a boy!
Mom I'm kind of scared of this, yet I'm filled with joy!

A child's love is like a whisper, given in little ways we do not hear
but if you listen closely, it will be very clear.
They often do not say it loud, but in how they come to you...

Grandpa will you play with me?
Grandma tie my shoe...

It is never ending, a blessing from above
Listen to the whisper of a child's love.

Assignments .... Week 2

During this week I read the class a story about "Buttercups, Lovely Day!"  and then asked the class to write the highlights of what they remembered.  Here are a few lines from their work:



✩ I remembur tha mos about buddercup play in tha field and eatin tha grass, which she puke up and eat agin. Then i 'membur wen buddercup had a skunk around her but i think she farted insted and ms Skylar says is not cus tha skunk were movin' but i says is still gas! sometime big gas make yer tummy grumbly to! Then i remembur buddercup goin into tha barn to go nini wit tha othur cows to on tha farm!

✩ The cow started off eatting grass on the farm then He saw a skunk under him. once all the  other cows went inside he did too.

The lag was killing us but we managed to get thru the story all the time I was laughing about how some were fixed on poor Miss Buttercup passing gas then that skunk !!

Assignments .... Week I

I've been busy grading and calculating scores for your report cards and along the way I've come upon some very cute and worthy items to share with you all (the names have been left off to protect the innocent)

✩ Woot! Wednesday wen i go to scool, i will bring a flower to play wit at recess cus im justa kid, and then i will go to eat my lunch wit musterd so i can get outta class befor crismas!

✩ When we party we like to shout woot and we would be justa bunch of wild kids who met at school and every wednesday we eat some spaghetti bolognese with mustard during the recess and right after we run outta the class to the school yard so i can pick up a flower and put it into my best friend's hair cause soon it will be christmas and then there won't be any more flowers outside.

✩ woot, in justa minit i getta gota recess with my Wednesday class at school an im gunna pick that mustard colored flower outta tha ground for mommy an give it to her for christmas.

Alot of creativity in these using all 10 spelling words !!

Thank You !!

Thank you to everyone who posted such nice remarks on my first term of teaching.  Just as you I'm always learning what I can do to make it fun and exciting for you.  I've taken all your comments and improved my lessons for next term and hopes that I will see some of the same faces again.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

OSE Back to School Survey

Here's the link for the survey that all students should participate in

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDkzMDV2NEYyb3V1Wmh3dTVmUGtGRFE6MQ

First Week of School

We've made it this far even without voice on our first day.  Let me recap some important things we went over in class on Wednesday and Friday.

* Each Friday (10) spelling words will be handed out, maybe even a bonus challenge.  Take each word and use it correctly in a sentence.  Be careful you've spelled everything correctly and any necessary punctuation is used.  They are due on the following Wednesday class for credit.

* Class Project - I handed out a project board in class and can send another in group notices.  Its a board about you.  Either the state you live in - in real life, or here in Second Life.  Something that when I look at it I'd say, "yes, thats a board about (Miss Skylar)"  your design, and please have fun with it.  Its due the last week of class and yes, you'll be presenting them in front of the class.

* Field Trip - we'll be taking a fun adventure out in Second Life during our third week and I hope your all ready for an adventure that you'll be surprised about. 

* Show & Tell will be this Friday so bring something fun and interesting to share with us all.

* I need a picture of you for my board and I'll appoint a new STAR of the week this week. 

* Turn in a notecard with parent information and something you'd like to see happen in class and I'll pick a few and we'll enjoy them in class this month.
 

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