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You may be wondering what is happening in the Twiga Quad this week! This term at Elementary the Roots and Shoots Club have been planning an environmental 'living teepee' project. This week their hard work paid off with the teepee being erected in the Twiga Quad near the staff room and Grade 3 classes. The next step is to finish threading the string and to plant some climbing plants, such as beans or passion fruit around the base of the teepee. They will grow up the wooden poles and string to create living walls and will hopefully be an outdoor space where students can chat or read. Thanks to Mr Jacob and his gardening team for their help! Roots and Shoots Elementary Club A message from Miss Julie:
Just a reminder that Sports Day will take place this Friday, we will meet on the new CC with a briefing at 7:20, please be prompt. Our day will finish my 11:30 at the very latest- there will be lot's of fun games to lead, as all teachers will be expected to either lead a game or assist in a game. This is an InterHouse event and all students need to have the following for the day: 1) Swim suit, goggles(optional), swim cap(optional) or long hair tied back, towel and everything in a bag 2) Inter-House t-shirt on, shorts, athletic shoes. No sandals or crocs should be worn 3) Water bottle and hat Don't forget to invite your parents along.
After our Grade 4 assembly, you would have thought it would be time to relax and celebrate what was a terrific presentation. However, we still had plenty to do. As soon as we got back to class it was time to grab a computer, open up your google drives and find your stories. Your Grade 6 buddies had already been shared in on your stories so they were ready and waiting with their comments and suggestions. Here is the initial email I sent to the Grade 6 students: Dear Grade 6 Students, Thank you so much for agreeing to help the Grade 4 students in my class to revise and edit their stories. They have been asked to use a book they have really enjoyed reading, then write either an extra chapter, or an alternative ending. They have been working really hard on their stories and are almost at the publishing stage. However, before they get there, they would really benefit from some last minute advice and that’s where you come in. You have each been given a Grade 4 buddy. Your buddy will be sharing their story with you this week (by Wednesday). Your job is to read through the story and then offer suggestions as to how it might be improved. You will do this on Friday when you will be hooking up with your story writing buddy to discuss their story. You might do this via google hangouts, or simply by commenting on their google doc. I would like you to critique their stories in as much detail as possible to help them produce the best possible work. This link will take you to our class blog. It will show you some of the things we have been working on:
I’ve also asked my students to try and make sure every sentence makes sense and that the plot flows so that they keep the reader actively engaged. This is quite a lot to ask of my students but they’ve done a pretty good job so far. Your task is to help them turn good stories into great stories. Try to make your feedback as detailed as possible. You might use phrases like: “I really like this paragraph but could you describe ….. In more depth?” “Could you use a more powerful adjective here?” “Maybe you could Ba-Da-Bing this sentence.” “How did X feel when this happened?” “Could you show how X was feeling rather than telling us?” Thanks again for your help. We’re really looking forward to hanging out with you guys on Friday. And here is the check list Miss Krista has asked her students to complete for each of you: A WINNING SHORT STORY
So how did it go: "She added a lot of comments. My first paragraph used to be half of what it is now." "He gave me 2 or 3 bits of advice." "I think it was really helpful." "My buddy told me basic stuff but when I asked she went into more depth." "She was really helpful. She gave me hard things to think about. She really challenged me. My first 2 paragraphs have lots of depth but the ones need more." "He gave some advice and told me specific place where I needed to add more detail." "He made what was good, great." "She really helped out with the title and capital letters." So now we have some work to do. We need to make our final revisions and edits so that our stories are as finished as can be. Then we can begin publishing using ibook. I can't wait to see the finished product.
Do you remember the debate we held at the end of our last unit, where we looked at the benefits and disadvantages of a variety of energy sources?
Well check out this article. It looks like Portugal are leading the way when it comes to using renewable energy. What do you think? Mr Chris came in today to show you an early preview of the documentary you worked on during our "Children's Rights" unit. It was great to see you on screen and to recap on all of the work you did.
1. Story - Some of you still need to type up your second draft. If this is the case please take your book home to complete this.
2. Assembly - You are all responsible for arranging costumes and props. You will all need to make sure you have rehearsed your scripts as you won't have them on the day of the performance. The last thing to do is to remind your parents that the assembly will be on FRIDAY 20th MAY. |
AuthorWe are Grade 4IM @ istafrica.com. Check out our blog to see what we are working on this year. Archives
May 2016
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