Is it better to give or receive?

With the holiday season here many people will be giving and receiving gifts from family and friends. As we begin to think about what it means to give and receive gifts, write an opinion essay to explain your thoughts on whether giving or receiving is better.

What are you thankful for?

We have been working hard the past weeks on writing personal essays. These essays allow us to share our opinion while also providing some reasons and examples to support our claim. As we get close to Thanksgiving, why not use our writing skills to share about the things in our lives that we are thankful for.

There are a couple of guidelines:
1. Please write in the same format as you have been writing your personal essays.
2. Please select at least three things you are thankful for that are NOT material things (examples: video games, shoes, toys, iPads, or anything else you can buy.)
3. Write your response in Google Drive first and then post it here!

We look forward to hearing what you are thankful for! Happy Thanksgiving!

Colorado Geography

The past weeks we have been working with maps and globes to help understand the geography of earth and our state. When you think about the geography of Colorado, what types of features come to mind. Colorado is known for its mountains but there are many other physical features that make the state unique. Please use your knowledge of Colorado's geography and places you have visited and write a short review about why people should come to Colorado. You can watch the video below to help you with some possible attractions! You can also click the link to look at the Colorado Vacation Guide!

Colorado Vacation Guide

You might start your post by writing: Colorado is a wonderful place to visit because...

Please use proper punctuation, capitalization and spelling. Write your post in Google Docs first and then paste it into the blog.

Should Beluga whales be put into aquariums?

With so many Earth Day articles about preserving the Earth, we came across the Debate article from Time For Kids about whether or not the Atlanta Aquarium should be allowed to purchase fourteen Beluga whales. Some folks say that whales should be kept in their natural environment because they have the space to roam freely. Other people believe that part of preserving a species is to educate people about them. Beluga whales live in the the cold water biomes found in the Artic Ocean. Alaska is the only U.S. state that has Beluga whales as part of its habitat. What do you think?

Do you think Beluga whales should be purchased for aquariums? Why or Why Not?

Use at least three supporting reasons to support your thinking. Check your capitalization and spelling as well.

BYOT Guidelines

 

As the year has progressed, I have noticed that many of you have brought your Kindles, Nooks, tablets, iPod Touches and many other personal devices to school. We have talked as a class about the responsibility that comes with being a digital citizen. We have also talked about the negative aspects of bringing a device to school, such as theft and damage to the device. Yet, you have not heard me (Mr. Watanabe) discourage or tell anyone to leave the devices at home. The reason why I have not discourage these devices is because they are an avenue to help you learn.

We have been using netbooks for much of our reading, writing, math, and science activities. The devices such as the Kindle Fire allow for you access the same websites and log-in to Khan Academy accounts and Google Drive. So, in the mind of the teacher, as long as you are continuing to learn with the resources that we have provided, then you can use whichever device you choose.

How can BYOT work for us?
Students who want to Bring Your Own Technology, (BYOT) can do so with some guidelines and structure.

The first guideline is that Mr. Watanabe has to approve the device you are bringing. This is because some devices do not have the same capabilities as the netbooks that are provided for every student. If your device does not support the website or application needed for the assignment, you will need to switch to a netbook to complete the assignment.

The second guideline is that the student is responsible for the care and condition of the device. Mr. Watanabe does allow for students to securely store devices along with the netbooks in a secured cart or teacher's desk. However, your device is ultimately your's and you are responsible for anything that happens to it.

The third guideline is that at any time if you are using your device for unintended or inappropriate purposes, such as non-educational games or video, your device will be confiscated and given to a parent.

This is quite amazing that you are willing to bring your own devices to school and understand that these devices can be a vital part of your learning. Remember that your first job in school is to learn and grow, please allow your devices to be a tool to help you with this job, not a distraction.

Is it time for a change?

We read about the possibility of the U.S. government taking the penny out of circulation. From our reading we learned that for every penny that is made by the U.S. Mint the cost is 2 cents. Take a few moments and share your opinion about whether the penny should be taken out of circulation. Be sure the include several reasons to support your opinion.

Should Kids Play Contact Sports?

Sports are a huge part of kids lives today in America. Many of you play multiple sports and often spend more time practicing for your sport than doing homework. In the recent article in Time For Kids, we read both sides of a debate over whether kids under 14 should play contact sports. We are also learning about how to share opinions in writing.

Take some time to think about the question: Should kids under 14 play contact sports?

You will then write a short explanation of your opinion, using at least three reasons to support your opinion. Please be sure use strong word choice, punctuation and capitalization. Also, be sure to revise and edit your writing prior to posting.

Other Links to Articles:
Kids Health on Concussions

What five things are you thankful for?

With the holiday of Thanksgiving about a week away. Take some time to reflect on the things in your life that in which you are thankful. Use the organizer to help you shape your thoughts. Please write your response in the form of a short essay rather than a list. Once you have written a strong piece with proper punctuation and capitalization, submit it for Mr. Watanabe's approval. Happy Thanksgiving!

Do Kids Need Their Own Cell Phones?

After reading the Time For Kids article on the Cell Phone debate and watching this video from ABC news. Do you think that kids in elementary school should have cell phones?

Longer School Days?

In the recent Time For Kids article, we read a feature article about how many cities around the United States have extended the school day. It brings up an interesting question: Do you think it is a good idea to make school days longer? Why or Why not?

Should Schools Teach Cursive?

Today we read an article in Time For Kids that brought up an interesting question. Should schools teach cursive?

After reading the article and hearing both sides of the debate, come up with your own opinion about this question. Write a short paragraph explaining your opinion. Please use complete sentences with proper punctuation and capitalization.

Remembering 9/11

Today is the eleventh anniversary of the 9/11 attack on America. It was a day that has changed American's lives forever and will continue to stir up emotions for those who lived through it. Today, we watched a video similar to the one posted here about the rebuilding of Ground Zero. None of you were alive eleven years ago on the day of the attack but you are reminded every year of the tragedy by your parents, teachers, TV, and many more avenues. While you were watching the film today about the rebuilding of Ground Zero, think about these questions and answer them with a well formulated response. Remember to use proper punctuation and capitalization.


Questions to think about:
1. What is the importance of rebuilding on the site where the towers fell?
2. Which piece of the Memorial would you most like to see? (Memorial  Waterfalls, Museum or Tower) Why?

Welcome Back to School

Welcome back students! This year we will be using this blog to share our thoughts and opinions about many different topics. We first must learn how to post to the blog in a respectful manner. Please take a few minutes to think about your summer. Then, answer the question: If you could do anything while on summer vacation, what would you do? Please include what you would do, how you would do it and why. Be sure you let Mr. Watanabe check your post before you submit.

Red Bull Stratos

Recently our class was given an incredible opportunity to meet and talk to Dr. Jonathan Clark. He is the medical director of the Red Bull Stratos project. Dr. Clark is a distinguished expert in the field of space medicine. He is a professor at the Baylor College of Medicine and served as the flight surgeon for the space shuttle missions. As a class, we explored the Red Bull Stratos website in an attempt to understand how humans and space interact. As you listened to Dr. Clark and explored the Red Bull Stratos site, what questions do you have for the team?

Post your questions in the comments stream. You may want to include who you would like to answer your question.

Here is an example:
"My question is for Felix: Are you scared to jump from 120,000 ft.?"

We will submit your questions to the Red Bull Stratos team and get some of our questions answered!

Thanks to Natasha for mentioning our class on the Red Bull Stratos Blog! CLICK HERE to see her post!

WHAT IS RED BULL STRATOS?

What if Martin Luther King Jr. were never born?

We have watched several videos and read about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. over the past few days. He is an American hero who overcame countless injustices. He used non-violent protests to spread the message of equality for all people regardless of race. On Monday, we will be honoring his legacy with a national holiday.

Think about the impact of Dr. King and write a short paragraph answering the question:

What if Martin Luther King Jr. were never born?

Ideas: You might want to include how he has affected your life and the life of all Americans.
You might also include ideas about how the world would be different without him.

Who are you thankful for?

Next week you will be off of school for Thanksgiving. As we think about all the loving friends and family in our lives, think about someone you are thankful for. Maybe it is your mom or dad, maybe a good friend, maybe a teacher or coach, maybe a sister or brother...

Please select one person. Once you have narrowed it down, use the questions below to write a paragraph about who you are thankful for...

1. Who are you thankful for this year?
2. Why are you thankful for this person? What has this person done to help or support you?
3. What can you do to show this person that you are thankful for them?

Do boys and girls learn better together or apart?

Think about going to school and walking into a class with only boys (or only girls). A recent article in Time For Kids debated the idea of having all girls or all boys classes.

Read this article: http://www.timeforkids.com/news/debate/16621

Form an opinion about this topic and respond to the question:

Would you like to go to a school with only boys and girls? Why or Why Not?

Please write using complete sentences, with correct punctuation.

Should Kids Use Social-Networking Sites?

In this week's Time For Kids appeared an opinion article that asked the question: Should Kids use Social-Networking Sites?

While many of these sties have rules about the age for its users, not all of these sites enforce these rules. Kids of all ages are using these sites to connect with friends and get information. Some say that people use social networking sites to write hurtful things, others say these sites are a great way to communicate with friends. What do you think?

Please share your opinion about social networking sites and kids?
1. Should kids use sites like Twitter and Facebook? Why or Why not?

Use examples support your opinion.

Would You Go to a Cyber-School?

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

In our Time For Kids article this week, we read about students across the nation and world that attend school online in cyber-schools. The article talked about the pros and cons of going to school online. Watch the video above and think about what you read then respond the following questions:

1. Would you go to a Cyber-School? Why or Why Not?
2. Do you think Cyber-Schools are the schools of the future? Why?

Please write in complete sentences that display proper punctuation and capitalization.

What Makes a Good Friend?

School is now in session. It's time to see friends and get to know your new teacher. As we begin our year, think about your friends. Friends play an important role in your life at school. They can make your time at school enjoyable and fun. They can also cause you to have your feelings hurt. Take a few moments to answer these two questions and discuss your thoughts on friends.

1. What makes a good friend?
2. Why are friends important to you?

The responses need to be written in complete sentences with correct punctuation and capitalization.