tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14576444881095867742011-04-21T14:04:55.820-07:00Race_around_floridahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09536769538886053296noreply@blogger.comBlogger21100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1457644488109586774.post-58709873565432276242007-09-25T07:38:00.001-07:002007-09-25T07:38:37.084-07:00Hi Kids!<br /> I just got home from training teachers who want to be better writing<br />teachers. We had so much fun! One of the neatest things we did together was to<br />take a "Skill Safari" to revise our writing. We divided the group into four<br />sections: the waterfall, the snakes, the jaguars, and the monkeys. Each group<br />had a special sound to make that went with their character. I gave each of the<br />106 teachers a special pencil and a glow stick. I put on binoculars and a<br />pith helmet. Then we turned all the lights out at once.<br /> "Ladies and gentlemen," I said. Come with me into the jungle...We can<br />hear the sound of the waterfall (sh-sh-sh-sh-sh-sh), the snakes<br />(s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s), the jaguars (yee-OW--yee--OW), and the monkeys (oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo).<br />In the jungle, we have to carry our light with us. Break your glow sticks NOW."<br /> You should have seen the eerie green glow creep over the room as 106<br />teachers broke their glow sticks at exactly the same time. You couldn't see<br />anyone's face---just the glow sticks casting their spooky green glow. We used the<br />glow sticks to light up our papers and look for----you guessed it---writing<br />skills! Yes, we looked for similes, metaphors, dialogue, hyperbole, <br />alliteration, strong verbs, sizzling vocabulary, and more. Talk about a cool <br />experience! Revising our papers was spectacular!<br /> You can do this same activity in your classroom with your teacher. While<br />you are in "the jungle," look for individual writing skills to make your<br />writing better.<br /> Have you started the Race Around Florida? Check out the photos on this<br />web page. You'll find some fascinating facts about the state of Florida!<br /><br />Your friend,<br /><br />Melissa Forney<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1457644488109586774-5870987356543227624?l=racearound.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Race_around_floridahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09536769538886053296noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1457644488109586774.post-76336366081232214042007-09-25T07:33:00.000-07:002007-09-25T07:37:57.916-07:00Hi, Kids!<br /> What a wonderful time of year. School has started, the weather isn't as<br />hot as it's been, and we're starting the Race Around Florida together. This<br />web site is for you! I'll be posting a blog for you to read. I'll share tips<br />to help you become better writers. I'll post pictures and information so you<br />can learn about our magical and spectacular state of Florida. We have a rich,<br />colorful history in this state. We have amazing animals and exotic plants.<br />Florida is an incredible place to live. You are learning to become great writers. Having the ability to write well is a life skill! Good communication skills open a lot of doors of<br />opportunity. You've got a great future ahead. As you write this week, try to imagine you are a video photographer. As you take your "video pictures," your audience will be able to see and hear everything you point your camera at. Your special video "camera" will also<br />enable them to smell and tastes things, too. That's the kind of writing that<br />drives readers wild! Use every kind of description you can think of. Chose words<br />that help readers picture just what you want to say. Be very specific. Here's<br />an example:<br /> Instead of writing, "When I stubbed my toe on the sharp rock it hurt<br />really bad."<br /> Try writing, "When I stubbed my toe on the sharp rock the pain was so<br />bad I went ballistic. I ran around in circles screaming at the top of my lungs."<br /> See how easy that is?<br /> Have a great week writing. Enjoy the clues for the Race Around Florida.<br />Have you made your paper bag suitcase yet?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1457644488109586774-7633636608123221404?l=racearound.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Race_around_floridahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09536769538886053296noreply@blogger.com6