Thinking & Writing Wrinkles

A little help from our friends!

We're in the lab now and everyone is blogging away!  I didn't get a chance to write on this weblog last week as our server was down.  Weblog nightmare!  Even if I couldn't blog, I was thinking about all of you!

Today everyone brought their second drafts of the stories about what you are passionate about - much better. Everyone is busy typing.

Next, you will spend time commenting on each other's weblogs.  Remember to bump those comments up!  No more, just simply, that's good writing, that's great, etc. Now I know, you love to hear that! You can still complement.  Of course, you can, but do it on something in the story. Do it in a way that lets your friends know they are improving.  Make it more specific on what exactly could be better. What a help that will be to your friends. Remember, that's what it's all about - a little help from our friends.

You were really warming up to our discussion about our special project.  Great job- our room was just buzzing with lively discussion.  Then we zoomed down to the lab to become busy bees writing our hearts out!

My Class Reflections

Super job today, all you busy mouse potatoes! :-) I even posted about you on my weblog to share with other education bloggers!  I know they will be impressed!  You had good observations and thoughts during our group discussion today. I am proud of all of you!

Your homework is to write about something that you are passionate about. Really bump up that writing! Remember all we discussed about this in class.  Make someone form pictures in their head or really realy understand how you feel about your topic and why and how you developed this passion. Of course, go through all the blogging steps for good writing that we have previously discussed. No small task, I know, but you always accept the challenge!

Excellent comments from Jennifer and Emily on Yoceline's idiom story on our idiom weblog! I got a kick out of Jerry's comments on Emily's idiom story.  There was another good comment there but no name to complement.  Remember to fill in that part and use only your first name.

Of course time ran out before we could do some serious editing on our own sites and some humerous, interesting, reflective, thoughtful comments on each other's sites.  There's always more to look forward to each week!

The weather continues to be marvelous.  Be sure to find time to enjoy being outside!  Who knows - you just may spot something else to be passionate about!! 

A few of my favorite quotes about writing......

Writing is nothing more than a guided dream.
Jorge Luis Borges

Writing is like baseball or piano playing. You have to practice if you want to be successful.
Betsy Byars

For the writer, there is nothing quite like having someone say that he or she understands, that you have reached them and affected them with what you have written.
Virginia Hamilton

The wastebasket is a writer's best friend.
Isaac Bashevis Singer

It is wise to write on many subjects, to try many topics so that you might find the right and inspiring one.
Henry David Thoreau

Mouse Potatoes

Well, after missing last Thursday's session due to our "one and only" snow day, it was sure good to see you yesterday!

First, I have to say that I saw a lot of improvement in your second drafts for your idiom stories.  Why Jennifer even decided to start over and I was impressed with her new story.  She also brought in a wonderful book entitled "There's a Frog in my Throat!" It was written by Loreen Leedy & Pat Street. It's a collection of 440 of our favorite animal sayings in English.  It includes similes, metaphors, idioms, and proverbs.  This appears to be a book published by Scholastic that is only available  for distribution through the school market so I rushed down to the book fair to purchase a copy. We are certainly going to have fun with this book!  The illustrations are marvelous!  OK, here goes......

I want you all to look like the cat that swallowed the canary. (after each blog posting)

You all will become mouse potatoes!  (as you continue to write on your blogs)

The Wrinkles group arrives bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for each session. (you are always ready to get to work on your blogs)

We don't have the herd instinct, but we are birds of a feather that flock together.  (we don't follow the crowd, but we are similar people who stick together, especially in the desire to be better writers!)

Oh yes, we are always having fun with our wonderful language!!  I am happy as a lark because I get to work with all of you!

I thought we had an excellent discussion about what Mr. Richardson's students had posted on their weblogs. We talked about each one and the ideas and understandings you shared helped us all think harder.  I know my homework assignment is tough but you are up to the task!  You always are!  Write a paper that summarizes and extends our class conversation.  Come up with some new thoughts and explain what you learned.  We will go from there next week.

I think most of you were able to post your second drafts so as a group we will comment on that next week.

We missed Luz and Derrick- sorry you were sick.  Get lots of rest and get well!  We wern't a complete group! See you next time!

Have a super weekend - the weather couldn't be better so get outside and enjoy the day!