Writer’s Workshop

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Ode to Brussels Sprouts (to make the kids laugh)

As we worked on writer’s purpose and descriptive language in writer’s workshop, we wrote playful poems the other day. One of the funniest things to third and fourth graders is “love”. No mushy stuff allowed.  Absolutely no mush. We just completed Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White in our read aloud time, and Louis the Swan’s over-the-top love for Serena cracks up the kids every time.  One ongoing class joke this year has been Cheesy Boy’s great love for mac ‘n cheese, which he includes in nearly everything he writes.  So we put our humor into action by writing odes to unexpected items such as mac ‘n cheese, dirty sneakers, an old basketball, or our masks.  Stay tuned to read these soon on the students’ blogs.  They are hilarious.

So this vacation our family decided to splurge on Thai food, and we included stir-fried Brussels sprouts with our order.  I couldn’t resist posting my “Ode to Brussels Sprouts” from our workshop, which earned loud, horrified protests from the students.  I’m sure our neighbor, Mrs. Peets, wondered what I was doing to torture them.  This is what . . . .

I spied you one summer day,

So tall and stately in my garden,

With all your mini cabbages

Lined up like a gorgeous green gown on your stem.

And my heart thumped.

Oh, Brussels sprouts, my petite darlings!

You make me drool with joy!

Your tiny leaves!

Your crunchy tenderness!

Grilled or sauteed with bacon,

Your deliciousness knows no end.

Even when I shred you on my salad,

Each bite explodes with mighty flavor.

I miss you when you’re gone,

And long to see you once again,

To feast upon your savory delight, your emerald roundness.

My adorable little Brussels Sprouts,

I’m glad you’re all mine!

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NaNoWriMo

Have you heard the news?  This class of amazingly motivated writers has joined NaNoWriMo!

What is NaNoWriMo?  National Novel Writing Month  “happens every November! It’s a fun, seat-of-your-pants writing event where the challenge is to draft an entire novel in just 30 days. For one month, you get to lock away your inner editor, let your imagination take over, and just create!”

Indeed, creativity is swirling wildly through the air as dragons, best friends, strange creatures, robots, space aliens, horses, little brothers, unexpected surprises, worldwide travels, and much more are the topics of many writing discussions.  Plot!  Dialogue!  Sentence variety!  Character development!

Join in the fun.  Ask our bloggers about their novels, volunteer to be a NaNoWriMo typist for these young authors who are not yet keyboardists, or maybe even try NaNoWriMo yourself!  Unleash the writer within!

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How to Make S’mores

Here is a sample of one of the student’s how-to projects to enjoy.  Check out the others on the individual blogs as they appear.

 

When you begin to make s’mores, you need to gather the ingredients.  There are three ingredients that you will need in order to make a s’more.  You will need chocolate, graham crackers, and a marshmallow.

First, you break a graham cracker in two pieces.  Then you will put some chocolate on the graham cracker.  Next, you will place a marshmallow on top of the chocolate.  Lastly, you will put the graham cracker, chocolate, and the marshmallow on a napkin.  Then you will place the ingredients in the microwave for fifteen seconds.  When it is done, place the other half of the graham cracker on top of the marshmallow.  Eat the s’more!

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Coming Soon to Your Favorite Student’s Blog–“How-To” Writing

Our room has been full of clear and orderly instructions this week as each student presents a “how-to” project sharing something he or she knows how to do. We have learned how to make a s’more, how to feed a hamster, how to decorate a cupcake, how to make a flower key chain, and so much more! Here’s a sneak preview of the projects that will be featured on the student blogs.