Thoughts From Our Island - 6th Grade Writing Meets the World

Genres; how they connect with reading and writing

StaceySchuh — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:02:17 -0400

Hi all,

I am at MSU this week and we are having a great discussion on genre and what constitutes as genre. So what do you think? Are things like Facebook, our blog, and text messaging a type of genre? Why or why not? Does a genre only have to be a written work? Can it be more?

Take It or Leave It

StaceySchuh — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:00:25 -0400

Take It or Leave It
Colton W

July 21, 2009

Have you ever had one of those days where it seemed like every teacher hated you? Well, today was one of those days. I couldn’t wait to get home where there were people who loved me. Although when I get home there won’t be time for those people because I have a date with a 2000 word essay about why Wisconsin is famous for dairy products.
BRRRINNNGGG! The sweet sound of the dismissal bell. I was almost to the end of a very long day. I just had to live through the bus ride home. I was walking up the steps on the bus when a bee flew in front of my face. I jumped back out of fear and surprise. “Smack!” I missed the steps and landed flat on my back in the parking lot. Pain rippled up my spine and to make it worse every one saw it and was laughing at me. Somebody from the back of the bus shouted out “Smooth move”. It made her laugh, the girl with the brown hair and blue eyes that make you nervous every time you are around her. I had been trying to impress her all year long. All of that hard work taken away when she saw me fall.
I jumped up quickly and laughed like it was no big deal, but I felt my face getting red and I started to get choked up. I quickly scurried to the nearest seat where I could hide by the window.
Luckily, no one bothered me the whole bus ride. I was walking towards the front of the bus, staring at the ground, when I saw a flash of green from the corner of my eye. I took a step back and bent down to take a closer look. My eyes widened and my heart skipped a beat. Finally something good happened today.
“One hundred dollars!” I thought to myself. “ I could sure use this.” My conscience was having a war with itself inside my head. “Should I keep it and put it towards the phooze ball table, that I’m only a hundred dollars away from or give it back to the that mocked me?
The decision was made. Even though it would make me happy at the moment, I would feel terrible later on. I grabbed the bill and took it up to the bus driver.
“Wow”, thanks kid, I’ll make sure you get rewarded for this”, said the bus-driver.
As I stepped off the bus, the clouds parted and warm sunlight washed over me. A great feeling of happiness conquered all the anger and sadness inside me, and I knew that this wasn’t such a bad day after all. I had made the right choice.

Twilight Essay Contest

StaceySchuh — Sat, 4 Jul 2009 17:16:40 -0400

Check out this opportunity to win $500.00 and write about your favorite book.

http://www.brianleaf.com/index.php/Latest-News.html

Sliding Rocks of Death Valley

StaceySchuh — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:48:23 -0400

Alright so I was reading about these huge rocks (some 700 lbs) in Death Valley that would move on their own. No one has seen them move but they somehow migrate from one spot to the other. Your mission is to try and figure out why. Start by thinking up some of your own theories, then move on to doing some research. Please list your ideas here first then look up the answers. Below I have included an exert from an article that may explain more. Good Luck!!

"One of the strangest occurrences that Dr. Bob has ever come across is the mysterious sliding boulders of Death Valley National Park, California. There are trails showing that boulders up to 705 pounds (320 kg) have moved large distances over flat terrain. No one has actually seen these boulders move.

James McLurkin- MIT Robots

StaceySchuh — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:28:05 -0400

Hi all!

I don't know if you remember talking about this gentleman in class, but I found this video interesting. Go to the link below to learn more about his life.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3204/03.html

If you could design a robot what would it be capable of doing?

"She always loved yellow"...

StaceySchuh — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:09:24 -0400

Hi all!

I hope all of you are having a fabulous summer. I am actually ready to head back to school and start the new year. I was thinking about what we could do for the blog and decided that maybe some of you might want to do some summer writing. Here is a picture prompt to get you started. Lets see if you can get really creative. Also invite your friends to add their own writing. Have fun!!!

Haiku

sarah — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:25:11 -0500

Movement, gasping air

All around, everywhere

Have to move, chase it!

Sonoluminescence

StaceySchuh — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 07:49:33 -0500

Do some research and see if you can solve the mystery of Sonoluminescence!!!

Look under forum (left) then click on science journals.

Haiku

cc1 — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:25:10 -0500

Lemon, raspberry, mint

Ha! Mine's cherry and sweeter

Mine's, by far the best

The Blossoming Cherry Tree...

sam — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:24:37 -0500

What a juicy, sweet treat

A fresh scent of lustrous red fruit

all that's left is stickyness...