FLASHBACK to flashback...

High five Friday 5th graders!

      Today is Friday, March 18, 2011.  I hope this blog post is a flashback to yesterday which gives you information to better understand today.  A flashback interrupts the chronological order of a story.  It provides background information that helps the reader understand the current situation.  The interruption in the story shows something that happened before that time. 

      A character in the present may think back to a time in the past.  A character may have a dream or relate a past event to another character.  Once again, the information provided in the flashback can help to explain actions or events in the present.  I found an example for you...  Enjoy!!




Yours truly,
C
P.S. I hope you remember this example of flashback along with some of the quotes I have placed here. 
LOTR Two Towers: The beginning starts with a FLASHBACK!!  Check it out!!

The PLOT thickens... Again?

Top O' the Mornin' to ya!

      Today is St. Patty's Day.  Thursday, March 17, 2011.  Although most stories happen in chronological order, there are exceptions.  Writers often use a device called a flashback.  When you look at a PLOT LINE or a STORY MOUNTAIN you can sometimes see how it's organized in chronological time.   But sometimes, the author will use an incident that happened years before to give their reader additional background information.  The reader can then use the flashback to understand the plot/story better.  I know it's not much to go on, but do your best to find them in your stories.  Have fun thinking and reading.

Sincerely,
C
P.S. Happy St. Patty's day to ya!!
http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/culture/stpatricksday/

http://www.schooltube.com/video/0c660714765796a91412/Darby-OGill

The PLOT thickens...

Hey 5th graders,

     Today is Tuesday, March 15, 2011.  PLOT is what happens in a story.  Most plots move in chronological order which can also be called linear.  That means it goes from point A to point B: beginning to ending.  BEFORE you read it helps to think about the parts of a plot.  When you know these parts, you know how the story works.

      Whether you realize it or not, you are probably pretty familiar with the structure of a story.  Normally, a PLOT has 5 parts:
1.  Exposition
2.  Rising Action
3.  Climax
4.  Falling Action
5.  Resolution
Below, you will see a graphic organizer that may help you remember the parts of a PLOT.



This plot diagra, is also called a "story mountain".



Here are the 5 parts of  a plot.







Put them together  to help you remember. 



To wrap up our reading today, THINK BACK on what you have read and try to identify what part of the plot you may be in the middle of.  If you have finished a book, THINK BACK and share a part of the plot.  Have fun thinking!

Sincerely,

C

P.S.

Getting things done is not always what is most important. There is value in allowing others to learn, even if the task is not accomplished as quickly, efficiently or effectively." - R.D. Clyde

Take your time. Do your best and forget the rest.

This is my Nana...

"Death is just another path. One that we all must take." -JRR Tolkien

Hey guys,

      The quote I used as the title for this post can be found in my all time favorite piece of 20th century literature.  Today I am not with you because I am mourning the loss of my Nana (Grandma).  She passed away last Thursday at 3:30 in the afternoon.  But enough about all that, let's get down to brass tax.

      I have a few notes for each rotation:

Rotation 1 Group 3...  The Alex Rider group should have Bjorn back in the ranks today.  So that means you boys need to start cracking on your Beyond the Book project  The Lost Hero group should also continue to work on your Beyond the Book project as well.  Please have a date to present decided for my next meeting with you.  The Dear Dumb Diary girls have decided to disband so please select another text or read your own self-slected text during independent reading today.  All other groups must finish their completion calendars and use the time in class to continue to read their book club books. 

Rotation 2 Group 2...  Nolan, Bryce W., and Eddie, you three should be deciding what kind of a Beyond the Book project you would like to do.  The rest of the groups please finish your completion calendars and use the rest of the time in class to continue to read your book club books. 

Rotation 3 Group 1...  NARNIA you all must be on task today.  If my memory serves me correctly we finished chapter 3 last week and we are now on chapter 4.  Get as far as you can in this chapter and don't forget to fill out your response sheets AS YOU READ.  (Stop, Think, and React to the text)  If you finish the chapter you may read more.  Fudge, Inkheart, and Fablehaven please help each other to finish our completion calendars.  Use the rest of the time in class to read your book club books. 

And now my young learners, I leave you with these photos of our totally gnarly field trip last week.  I had a blast with all of you.  Have fun reading and thinking with your guest teacher.

Yours Truly,

C

P.S.

Getting things done is not always what is most important. There is value in allowing others to learn, even if the task is not accomplished as quickly, efficiently or effectively." - R.D. Clyde

Take your time. Do your best and forget the rest.

I love how stoic these people were. 



Tecumseh, a great Native American leader.  THERE IS AN ENTIRE BRAINPOP ON THIS DUDE! 

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/famoushistoricalfigures/tecumseh/



My group if they existed during the cretaceous period.  Wicked!!



This photo brings back embarrassing memories of when I was 5.