Monday 9-26

Today in writing workshop we talked about finding the meaning in our story.  Last Thursday, most of us picked a story and wrote a flash draft using everything we could think about good writing, but getting it out fast. Today, we looked at that same story and tried to find the meaning in that story. That means why are your writing this story? What is the heart of it or what you want your reader to get from it?

Ms. Lamb's story is about getting a riding lesson on her cousin's pony, but it's really about her relationship with her cousin who was sometimes mean and sometimes nice.

This is a tricky concept for kids, so we may do it again tomorrow. Kids are also thinking working on the computers is helping them and Ms. Lamb is having second thoughts about that. If kids can come with an honest second draft tomorrow (at least 150 words) she may be convinced, but if not, we will all go back to writing by hand for workshop until we get to publishing.

Tonight's homework:

LA: Complete you re-draft. Consider this

Thinking Up a Whole New Way to Tell a Story

• Tell the story differently to bring out a different important meaning or message.
• Start the story earlier or later.
• Tell the story out of order.
• Include - emphasize - the part played by different people.

Read for 15 minutes or more

Math: Page 14

Social studies: Optional - if you feel your redraft is complete, you may work on your continent project.