MR. SKLAR

Today we read a story about a boy who found a place in the real world that felt special to him, then went there “in his mind” when he felt scared or worried.

Think about a special place that you can go to in your mind when you are sad, scared, upset, or worried. Where is your place? Do you have memories or feelings that are attached to it? What makes it special for you, or makes you feel better when you think about it?

Remember to develop your thoughts. Proofread for spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.

Use ISDC to help you write about the following statement:

There are great things and not-so-great things about having a break from school.

You can use the statement above as your topic sentence. Remember to develop your thoughts and proofread your writing carefully for spelling, grammar, and punctuation. You can write more than one paragraph!

If you’re stopping by the website over the December break and want to say hello, post a response!

Imagine that Peter Stuyvesant had not become the governor of the New Netherlands in 1647. How might the New Netherlands have developed differently? How might it look, sound, and feel different today?

Develop your thinking. Check your spelling and punctuation carefully. Watch out for runaway sentences. Do your best!

According to the video we watched today, Native Americans believed that nobody could own the land. It was there for everybody to share. Europeans settlers believed that people could claim, buy, and sell land.

Which cultural belief about land ownership do you prefer? Why do you feel that way?

Think carefully about what you are writing and develop your ideas. Be careful with punctuation. No runaway sentences!!

WHAT IF…Christopher Columbus had not sailed to the Americas and “discovered” the new world? How would the world be different today? Be creative and develop your ideas.
(I have a very busy day today, so I won’t be able to check and approve your responses until late this evening. Don’t worry if you don’t see any responses up there when you go to write yours.)

How would the world have to look different if people did not have knees? How would your lives be different?

Why is it important for students to read “just right” books? How will reading books on our level help us to become better readers?

Share your thoughts about today’s Stone Fox book talk. Use the following questions as a guide:

What was your favorite question and why?

Did talking about the book change your thinking at all?

Did you have (or hear) any thoughts or ideas during the discussion that were new for you?

How did having parents there make it different?

Why is it important to talk about books that we are reading?

The book ends with:

A few weeks later, one of his classmates came to school with a stalk of broccoli dangling from her neck. A perfect person might have given her a few words of helpful advice.

Not Milo. He just took a bite of his garlic-and-stinky-cheese sandwich and wiped up the mustard that dribbled down his chin. He didn’t say a word.

Why do you think Milo didn’t say anything to the girl who came in wearing the broccoli?

Remember to put thought and effort into what you are posting here. The whole world can see it!