MrGoerend.com

Author Laurie Halse Anderson discusses her writing process

2010-11-21T18:26:00.001-08:00

How to Leave Quality Comments

2010-10-18T18:21:00.000-07:00

Quality Commenting

Read up and give it a shot!

Clean Copies of Memoirs on Monday

2010-10-15T13:16:00.000-07:00

Make sure you have clean copies of your memoirs ready to revise on Monday.

Side note: Does anyone know what type of figurative language I used in the title of this post?

Clean Copies of Memoirs on Monday

Memoir Reflections

2010-10-15T08:27:00.001-07:00

How does J.K. Rowling plan out her stories?

2010-10-13T18:45:00.000-07:00

Check out how J.K. Rowling plans out her stories.

I could use this if I ever get back to writing my book...

[link]

Please take this short survey

2010-10-12T18:28:00.000-07:00

Click here for the survey.

Scavenger Hunt items

2010-10-06T07:11:00.000-07:00

We have a lot of items to go on the scavenger hunt. Check it out. [link]

Phase two of blogging

2010-09-19T18:36:00.000-07:00

Young Writers,

In the first 5 days since you were given your blogs, you have amassed 50% of the number of posts by students last year! That is amazing. As we discussed in class on Thursday (Mrs. Quam's classes) and Friday (my classes), quantity is not the only goal when using blogging as a writing tool. Since we decided to turn on the approval process for posts, the quality has skyrocketed and the quantity has dipped. This is just fine. We want you to continue writing, and also to continue choosing the right tool for the job.

To recap:

As Ralph Fletcher says, "Writers react. And writers need a place to record those reactions. That's what a writer's notebook is for."
As Mr. Goerend says, "Writers edit, revise, discuss, and revise again. And writers need a place to publish that revised material. That's what blogs can be used for."

So keep writing. Keep collecting those notes in your writer's notebooks. Keep revising, editing, discussing, re-revising, re-editing, and publishing!

Mr. G

If you would like to discuss this post, you can find it at Kidblog.

Seeing you all so excited made my day

2010-09-14T17:17:00.000-07:00

Students,

Today you got your blogs. There was a buzz in the computer lab while you were figuring out how to access them. You worked on titling your posts to pull people in. You wrote posts that told us how excited you are to have your own blogs. I hope this first post on your blogs is one you look back on later in the year to see how much you’ve grown.

Some of you received error messages. Some of your computers were slow to connect. Error messages and slow connections are a fact of life on the Internet. As a group, I want us to work to be patient when faced with these challenges. We need to show perseverance.

I’m proud of how you wrote in quality paragraphs. That is a skill we will continue working on. We write in quality paragraphs to give people enough information to be able to connect to our writing. We also want to be detailed enough in our writing so people can picture what we are describing. Quality paragraphs are a foundation of good writing.

We will continue to work on leaving quality comments. We want to encourage each other with our comments. We want to leave constructive feedback so we can learn. We also want to share the connections we make with each other to build community. Giving and receiving quality feedback is an important part of the writing process.

The excitement you showed today while posting on your blogs is one of the reasons I am proud to be your teacher. Continue to be excited about writing and using digital technology to become better writers. Be sure to fill your writer’s notebook with ideas for stories and poems and essays to publish.

Keep up your enthusiasm!

Mr. G

If you would like to discuss this post, you can find it at Kidblog.

Interest Inventory and Differentiation Survey

2010-08-22T12:18:00.000-07:00

Click here to take the Reading and Writing Interest Inventory

Click here to take the Differentiation Survey

Tutorial: Check out a book from our classroom library

2010-08-21T12:49:00.000-07:00

One Kneeboard or Two Skis

2010-06-02T14:40:00.000-07:00

Imagine yourself on a bright, scorching summer day. The boat pulls you up and your off! You decide your done after a while of pure fun and let go of the rope. Swimming back to the boat, climbing up the ladder at the back of the boat, then grabbing a towel. You hands are all blistered and hurt from the rope but you know it was worth it.

Kneeboarding and Skiing are very similar. First they both are done on the water and behind a boat. And when your up you can fall and get stuck under either the kneeboard or the ski(s). You can also use the same rope for both sports.

When you're skiing you need to push yourself up. When the boat starts you push on your feet and stand up straight. You can also ski with two skis together,(A long rectangular shaped thing that connects your skis so they stay together and not go different directions) two skis seprate, or slalom skiing. (only 1 ski) When you fall you can also hit your head on one of the skis and get a bump or worse....STITCHES!

Kneeboarding is alsoa GREAT sport to do. When you're kneeboarding you start by laying on the board witht the rope in both of your hands. Then when the boat picks up speed you slide your knees up onto the board. Then you hlod onto the rope with one hand and get the knee strap over your knees. When you fall off the kneeboard you can just tip right over. You can get hurt a lot easier on a kneeboard in my opinion. You also can only kneeboard with 1 kneeboard, you can't slalom like skiing.

I hope someday you will go try skiing, kneeboarding, or both. I can gurantee you that you will enjoy it. I know I do!

Christmas Vs The fourth of July (newly revised)

2010-05-25T09:01:00.000-07:00

"Hello and welcome to the calendar.I'm your announcer Month of the year. We are gathered here today to witness an epic battle between two holidays. Now that I've introduced myself lets introduce our fighters.

In the left corner with a total of Thirty days, give it up for The fourth of July!!! In the right corner with a total of Thirty days, lets hear it for Christmas!!! Now lets get ready for the holidays."

"All right July I'm gonna knock you out cold", boasted Christmas.

"How do you plan on doing that?" Snarled July.

"Well I'm gonna put you to sleep with my Christmas carols!" Said Christmas

"July is on his back from that powerful shot." Said the announcer."But wait he is getting back up!"

"All right Christmas you are a formidable opponent, but I'm gonna knock you out with my stunning fireworks."

"Christmas is on his back"." Ding ,Ding"" Christmas was saved by the bell. We'll wait while they get some pep talk from their coaches.

"Christmas what are you doing out there? You can beat this guy no problem."Said Christmases coaches

"July get out there and show the world why you deserve the title of ultimate holiday!"
"Fighters return to the center of the calendar" said the announcer.

"Fight" screamed the ref.
"All right July now I am gonna knock your days off". said Christmas

" What makes you say that?." said July.

"Well first I am gonna knock your block off with my jolly spirit."
" Oh man July took a hit" said the announcer.
"Now it's my turn, I'm gonna beat your weeks out with my special parade punch!"
" Ouch, Christmas is gonna feel that one in the morning!" Yelled the announcer.
That was the final round folks lets see who the judges said won. I don't believe this its a tie!"Screamed the announcer.

Epilogue

Christmas and July became good friends. They both still fight in the UHC. Also this fight was sponsored by holiday inn.

Soccer or Baseball?

2010-05-21T11:37:00.000-07:00

Imagine if you are running down a field with a ball between your feet or imagine yourself running around bases and scoring the winning run. Here are some differences and similarities.

Some differences are in soccer you use your feet and in baseball you use your hands. To move the ball around in soccer you kick it and in baseball you throw it. In baseball you have to score in a net and in baseball you run around the bases to get a run.

Some similarities are....In each sport you have a goal and that's to win the game! In each sport you need points in order to win. The last important thing is you get to play the sport.

I hope i've giving you enough information to decide which sport you might want to play my favorite is soccer. MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION!

White Doves

2010-05-21T10:56:00.000-07:00

When love is in the air
I feel like life is
fair

The hate is gone
and it's very fond

When I look into his
eyes and he looks into mine.

And the wind is blowing
and love is flowing

and when I say I like you
he says it too.

I feel lust in his eyes
and mine too.

When white doves go flying
I know by then

That I have found

The perfect boy.

The Boy with a Toy

2010-05-21T09:13:00.000-07:00

There once was a boy
Who had a toy.
The toy was a sub
That went in the tub.

Then one day it started to float
Because it was actually a boat.

The boy
Then didn't like the toy.
Then later that day it went in the trash
Then got smashed.

Now the toy is no more.

Noah S.

Sample post with break

2010-05-21T09:12:00.000-07:00

Sample introduction

The rest of my story.

ALEX

2010-05-21T09:11:00.000-07:00

Awesome
Lazy
Easy
X-ray (BEFORE)

Poof

2010-05-21T09:09:00.000-07:00

Poof it is gone
Forever.
Like a feather in the wind.
Never to be seen again.

Noah S.

Nick Hope Rules

2010-05-21T09:07:00.000-07:00

Nick
Incredible
Cool
Kick (soccer)

Happy
Outstanding
People person
Easy

Race car fast
Unbelievable
Lucky
Evil
Soccer

The show

2010-05-21T09:02:00.000-07:00

Entering the ring
Feeling the rush of the crowd
Paris getting fleet
Looking up at the jump
Faster and faster
And....Up
In the air
Feel the wind hit my face
BOOM!!!
The ground shivers
Then the landing
Lagging down
The crowd cheers
Gate unlocks
Paris and I walk out
Family says
"Great ride."
-Malorie H

What is soccer?

2010-05-21T09:01:00.000-07:00

It was May 9th,2010, Mother's Day. My spring soccer season was starting, I have been playing soccer since I was around 8 and it has been an amazing ride. I was ready, today I would fight for my mom on the field!

We were spending the weekend at my grandma and my grandpa's house in Dubuque. My grandma was making us a big breakfast with pancakes dripping in syrup next to the mushy scrabbled eggs in her aunts old china boil. She also brought out fresh fruit and toasted sausages. My grandma put a lot of time and effort into it, I know she did it for my big game. We talked about my soccer game, my grandma's old friend Pat, and to have a save ride home. Then, it was time to go, so we packed all of our bags in the trunk of our white car. We said our goodbyes with a bundle of hugs and kisses. It was 2 and a half hours to get to a town called Ballard. I remember that I was ready to fight for my mom and make her a goal.The other team was a head taller than most of us. But we weren't scared, maybe a little. The revere blew the whistle and we kicked the ball straight forward, bolting past the other team. My mom was cheering for me, she is my inspiration. She will always watch me and afterward, tell me things I did good at and need to work on. We took awhile before we got a chance to kick the ball, it was right after they made a goal we got a shot. We were all exhausted, huffing and puffing all of the time. Finally, when we had a corner kick on our goal, my friend pasted it to me and I shot like a lightning bolt. (That is what my coach said). The goal y was going to the other side of the goal and with all of my energy, I kicked the ball in the net. I did it, I won the battle!We tied that day, but my mom was shore happy though. I was satisfied.

It was around Fall when I was 8, it was going to be my first game I have ever played.I was very confused with the whole game at first, all of us were at that time. When the ref blew the whistle, we all shot for it. We were all beginners and not skilled at all. We missed at kicks and were running into people a lot. But I made the biggest mistake on field 9 that day.I remember finally got my chance at the ball, but no one was going after me. I really didn't care at all then. So I took one big step back and swung my foot at the ball and it went in. Then I thought, no hi-fives. Everyone then was staring at me. It took me about 20 seconds that I was on my side, I MADE A GOAL ON THE WRONG SIDE!! I remember feeling worthless and let down. All I wanted to do was hop in the car and drive away. Then I looked at my mom and my teammates, what they never want me on there team again or never want to talk or see me again. I managed to play the rest of the game. My old coach took me aside and told me that every thing was going to be alright, I didn't know that at the time. When I went over to my mom, she took me and held me close. I cried for awhile after that, then she said it was silly to cry over a game.

I hope that you all have learned my message. Soccer is a fabulous sport to some people and to others it is OK. Everyone has there own opinion about everything, even you.
Maddie r.

Poems From The Mind Of Molly

2010-05-21T08:56:00.000-07:00

Married to Becky

Runs everyday

Good teacher

Owner of 4 cats

Excited to learn

Reads a lot

Educational

Nice

Digital

Magnificent

Organized

Likes school

Laughs a lot

Yellow is my favorite color

Studying

Tardies

Underestimated

Detensions

Energy

Naughty sometimes

Timely

Socializing

Schedules

Classrooms

Homeroom

Organized by binders

Oppurtunities

Learning

Many friends

Independent lockers

Dean

Desire to exceed

Leaders

Educational

Students

Change classes

Homework

Oppurtunities

Organization

Learning

Brother vs Brother

2010-05-13T11:32:00.001-07:00

In this essay I will be explaining the differences and similarities of my 2 little Brothers Brock and Carson.
Brock is in 1st grade and is 7 years old. He has brown hair. He likes to play hockey and football. His favorite food is butter noodles and his hair goes down to his shoulders.
Carson is in 4th grade and is 10 years old. He has blond short hair. He likes swimming and his favorite food is little Smokies.
Some similarities are that they both play baseball. They both have green eyes. They both like to play outside, play video games, watch T.V., play computer games, and play with toys when it’s raining.
So that’s the story of my 2 little Brothers.

By, drake B

Research Presentation Project

2010-05-07T18:54:00.000-07:00

Slides:

Slide 1 is your chance to hook us into your presentation.
Slide 2 is what you already know about your topic
Slide 3 is what you want to know about your topic
Slide 4 is what you used to find out about your topic
Slide 5 is what you learned about your topic

Rubric