Ms. Makki’s Classroom

 Writing Pieces Using Patterns from a Mentor Text: The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown

Animals

The most important thing about animals is that they help our world. They help our world by eating some of the insects. Some help us get meat. Some eat other animals that harm people. But the most important thing about animals is that they help our world. Y .B.

The Artist Book

The most important thing about the Artist Book is that it is about an artist. It is a good book. The artist gets money. But the most important thing about the Artist Book is that it is about an artist. L.G.

Blanket

The most important thing about a blanket is that it is warm. The blanket can sleep with you. It can be toasty, knitted, blue or red, and can be beautiful. But the most important thing about a blanket is that it is warm. Y.S.

Canada

The most important thing about Canada is the places. It is where you buy shoes, clothes, and lots of other things. It has a boat that takes you past the waterfall. But, the most important thing about Canada is the places. L. C.

Car

The most important thing about a car is you can drive with it and go to places to buy something. People can go around to find jobs, a house to live in and buy food for their family. A car has four wheels and it needs gas to go anywhere. But the most important thing about a car is you can drive with it and go to places to buy something. K.B.

Education

The most important thing about Education is that you learn more of what you know. Children go to school to get an education. Some children don’t like to learn. They need an education to have a better job. They should get an education to help themselves in their life. They have an education to help their family.  But the most important thing about Education is that you learn more of what you know. Y.B.

The most important thing about education is that with your education you can go to college. It is good, you learn with it, and without it you wouldn’t know anything. But the most important thing about education is that with your education you can go to college. K.C.

The important thing about education is you would learn more. Later on you would get a good job. An education would help you also if you are a person who paints or fixes houses. Youmay even help people. It could be your own family’s houses. It couldgive you plenty ofmoney. It could get you clothes, food, even your own house. But the most important thing about education is you would learn more. G.C.

Family

The most important thing about my family is that they love me. My family gives me everything I want. They buy me everything I want and they give me my own room so I don’t share with my sister. They buy me a lot of shoes and they buy a lot of toys. But the most important thing about my family is that they love me.  T.E.

The most important thing about my family is that they always love me and care for me. My mom always cooks for me. She is a good cook. My dad is the best because he always takes me wherever I want to go. My brothers and sisters are sometimes annoying but they always stick up for me. But the most important thing about my family is that they always love me and care for me. E.B.                          

The important thing about family is that they’re the ones who care about you. Also it was your mother who gave birth to you .Another reason is because they buy things for you. You live in your parents’ house. But the most important thing is that they’re the ones who care about you.

G. C.

The most important thing about having a family is that your family cares about you. Your family likes you for who you are. Your mom is the most important person in your family because she cooks for you. Your dad always buys you things. The best family is your family. Your family is always on your side. But the most important thing about having a family is that your family cares about you. A.G.

The most important thing about my family is that they care about me. They are a little bit messy. My family does not like being home. My sister doesn’t like to wake up for school. She likes to stay home. The little one likes to copy everybody she sees. My parents are tired and busy. But the most important thing about my family is that they care about me. L.C.

The most important thing about my family is that they are nice. My family is helpful by helping other people with things. My family does a lot of chores like cleaning the house, cleaning outside and washing the car. My family don’t like to talk a lot. They have to prepare the table so we could eat. They like to make parties. They help our family to cook. My family helps my cousins and me with our homework. They help me to clean up my room so it could be clean. If my other family made a party and they call my family that they need help, they’ll help my other family. At Christmas, my family help my other family put up the tree because the tree was heavy. But the most important thing about my family is that they are nice. R.C.

The most important thing about family members is that they can help you with a lot of stuff. They let you play outside. They could drive you to somewhere you want to go. Family members can help you on the homework. If you get a splinter, they can help you take it out. But the most important thing about family members is that they can help you with a lot of stuff. J.O.

Food

The most important thing about food is that without food you could die. You also need food so you could be healthy. You also need food so you could be strong. But the most important thing about food is that without food you could die. J.O.

Future

The most important thing about having a future is that your future can be anything. The future can have many cool things, objects, and foods. Your future is the most important thing about your life. A future is like your dreams and hopes too. The future can hold many surprises. Also the future can be happening right now. But the most important thing about having a future , is that your future can be anything. A.G.

Homework

The most important thing about homework is that homework helps us understand and makes us know more things. It helps us learn, know things better, and do the work. But the most important thing about homework is that homework helps us understand and makes us know more things. A.C.

The most important thing about my homework is that you learn a lot of things. I like to do my homework. I learn a lot of things by doing my homework. I get a lot of credit by doing my homework. My teacher is proud of me when I do my homework and my parents are also proud of me when I do my homework. But the most important thing about my homework is that you learn a lot of things. T. E.

Jobs

The most important thing about jobs is that they help a lot of families. Jobs give our parents money. Our parents get money by working hard. Jobs are hard for our parents but they still have to go so they get paid. Jobs are for grownups that are mature. If you got a job you could buy what you need. But the most important thing about jobs is that they help families. Y.B.

Lake George

The most important thing about Lake George is the games. It has lots of games like roller-coasters. Lots of food to eat there like pizza. It is a very nice pizza at Pizza Hut. There are water games. They sell shirts, toys, necklaces, balloons, and bikinis for the water. But the most important thing about Lake George is  the games. L.C.

My Life

The most important thing about my life is to care about my family. I would like to play soccer. I would go to my grandma’s house and visit her. At least that I have a house. My favorite food is chicken. But the most important thing about my life is to care about my family.

                                                 Medicine

The most important thing about medicine is that it helps you not get more sick. Some of the medicines are red, some of the medicines are liquid, some are for the flu, and some are for stomach aches. But the most important thing about medicine is that it helps you not get more sick. K.C.

Mexico

  The most important thing about Mexico is that it is hot. In Mexico there are cactus. There are houses made of wood. There are rattlesnakes. But the most important thing about Mexico is that it is hot.

My Mom

The most important thing about my mom is that she tells me what to do. My mom cleans and she is nice. My mom helps me a lot, cooks good, and always sees me at the bus. I love my mom. But the most important thing about my mom is that she tells me what to do. Y.S.

Money

The important thing about money is because without money you wouldn’t have anything. You could buy food. You would also have a house to live in; not having to live outside. You wouldn’t be able to go to school. If you don’t have money, then how are you going to go to school? But the important thing about money is because without money you wouldn’t have anything. G.C.

The Moon and the Sun

The most important thing about the moon and the sun is that we need them. The moon is to be used for the night and the sun is to be used for the day. The moon absorbs the sunlight so we can have light on Earth. The sunlight hits the Earth and warms up the Earth. We all love the moon and sun. Light comes from the moon and sun. But the most important thing about the moon and the sun is that we need them. C.M.

Passport

The most important thing about having a passport is that having a passport you can go to your country. Seeing all the things you miss, eating your favorite foods and drinks, seeing new things like people and places, getting on the airplane and sleeping when you want, also eating peanuts. But the most important thing about a passport is that having a passport you can go to your country. A.G.

Seatbelt

The most important thing about a seatbelt is that it saves you from crashes. It keeps you safe, it keeps you away from danger, it’s black, and it’s helpful. But the most important thing about a seatbelt is that it saves you from crashes. K.C.                                      

School

The most important thing about school is you get to learn stuff.  You can play with your friends when you’re done with your work. You go to a bus and the bus drops you off at school. You get to go to your classroom and see your teacher. You learn, talk, and eat food. But the most important thing about school is you get to learn stuff.    K.B

Vacation

The most important thing about vacation is that you have a lot of fun. When it’s summer I have a lot of fun and me and my family can go to Florida and when we go to Florida me and my sister can go to our best friends’ house and have a sleepover. In the morning when we get back to our house we have breakfast and our friends can come over to our house and play with us outside. But the most important thing about vacation is that you have a lot of fun.  T.E.

The Wii

The most important thing about the Wii is that it is really small. It is really difficult to play. You could see the nice graphics. It is really good for exercise. All the people like it. The games are really fun. But  the most important thing about the Wii is that it is really small. E.B.

The World

The most important thing about the world is that we need the world for one thing. Without our world we would not be existing by now. The world has planets and stars. The world needs things so we humans and animals can live. The items on Earth are to be used to help us survive. The only way we can get meat is by the animals and we have to cook the animals. The world means a lot to us. We need fur from animals so we can be warm for the winter. Humans and our family are important. But the most important thing about the world is that we need the world for one thing. C.M.                                                                                                  

 My Yo-yo

The most important thing about the yo-yo is that it goes down and up. The colors are red, yellow, and purple. I play with the yo-yo. It is shaped like a circle and has a string. The yo-yo makes a light. But the most important thing about the yo-yo is that it goes down and up. L.G.

 I truly enjoyed making this digital story. (I detected a bit of the same type of satisfaction one obtains from doing and completing a jigsaw puzzle.) This was a learning process for me. Starting my very first digital story with what felt like a general sketchy knowledge of the WMM program, it was by trial and error, a little technological frustration, equipment malfunction, a couple of frantic phone calls, some technical support and by just doing it that I was able to put pieces together and figure things out. (Making this digital story was a good reminder for me that our students need the opportunity to practice in real and meaningful ways what they are taught.)

          Of course, some areas of the WMM program are still fuzzy. For example, how do you “fix”/”freeze” audio (narration or music)? When I add or trim audio, all the other audio pieces move. Also, text overlays move when another piece is being edited. Then it becomes a long process to review and synchronize everything from the beginning again. Another question I have is whether you can change audio levels after narration or music has been already dragged into the timeline. Saving the project to discs is also an issue. Sometimes, the audio was burned but the video (pictures) did not completely. It also takes forever on some computers to save on discs.

          I believe that making digital stories are a great way to learn and practice multi-literacy especially for our students in this increasingly technological world which demands communication in new ways. “The possibilities are endless” saying directly applies to creating digital stories. Moreover, the multi-dimensional aspect lends itself to developing many skills, imagination and creativity. Best of all, it’s fun, (educational, of course.)  My sincere thanks are for everyone who contributed towards the making of this digital story.

Students’ Reflections:

February is a special month because it has Presidents’ Day. We can do whatever we want to do like watch a movie, go outside and play, watch TV but not too much, video games, go to the mall and buy things. OK, enough of Presidents’ Day. Now, let’s talk about Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is when you buy things like chocolate, a teddy bear and a card. If you give a card to a girl they scream out loud like aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa and faint.

E. B.

February is a special month because it is my sister’s birthday. It is Valentine’s Day. We have parties. It is Groundhog’s Day and lots of other holidays.

L. C.

 Dr. M. L. K.  Jr. could be a good  president. He was the  person that put black  people  and  white people  together. And  white  people have killed  him.  He  had a  dream and he  also  had  a speach.  And that’s  why white  people and  black are together.                                                                                                                                             T. E.

 Martin Luther King, Jr. won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. They gave a prize to Martin Luther King because he was a nice person to black men. MLK died because a man shot him and that man went to jail. There was a lady that went to the bus because she was so tired and a man told her to go in back of the bus and she didn’t want to go in back of the bus, then she went to jail.                              J.U. 

Dr. Martin Luther King won the Nobel Peace Prize by helping black people get through white people. He marched from Alabama all the way to Washington D.C. He also gave a speech called  (I Have a Dream).                          E.R.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a brave man because he saved all the people.  He made an important speech for people to hear. He kept us safe when there was a lot of trouble when people were fighting. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot. Y.S.

Hello, Telly Tamarin                                                                                                          December 21, 2007

Dear Pals,

      I had a lot of fun with you all. We had so many adventures. I liked all the books you read to me.

      I have to go on a long trip on a boat with my family to the other side of the world. You know that place ‘Down Under’. It’s an island and a continent. I forgot the name, but maybe you can find it on the world map.

      I will miss you all. Don’t be sad because I am leaving my very good friend, Telly Tamarin, to be your new pal. I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun with Telly too.

       Please say goodbye for me to Zac the Rat, Peg the Hen, the Tin Man, Mox the Fox, Gus the Duck and all our other vowel pals.

      I have to go. I can already hear the “bon voyage”.

                                    All the best,

                                    Whiskers

PS: Write me letters and drop them in the mail box near the pencil sharpener. I’ll write to you from Down Under.        

I Want to Write

by N. Guzman

I want to write about the distance between people

and how miles separate bodies but not hearts

I want to write about loneliness

and how the aching for those we love, and miss

slips into every day’s rhythms

I want to write about voices never to be heard again

about laughter, and tears, and memories past

I want to write about you, and me, and who we were together

the completeness we felt, and the joys and sorrows shared

I want to write about how  I will always wish I had you near

because I may always long for what I might never have again.

The world would be perfect…

If everyone thought more about the wellbeing of others than their own

If we would treat each other with KINDNESS

If people smiled more often

If everyone would show respect

If people get along with each other

If every teacher could see through the eyes of a child

When you can smile when others hurt you

If we could stop hating each other

If fun was school and school was fun for all kids

If no child ever went hungry

There was no such thing as “STRESS”!

If no one felt sad

If we all looked at the positive side of things/situations/LIFE

If every child could read and write

If I could remain 31 years old forever

If terrorism was non-existent!

If everyone could live, love, give, and learn to forgive

When my sons are all finally employed

If everyone got along

If everybody loved each other with no hate

If there were not any mean or nasty people

If we would esteem one another

If it was really “green”

If children wouldn’t get sick

If we saw the glass half-full, instead of half-empty

If we were color blind

If people could get alone

If we could eat whatever we want and not gain weight

If everyone could get along

If everyone would smile

If my lonely socks have mates

If dessert was served before dinner!

If everyone would be nicer to each other

If everyone could just laugh at themselves

If we could accept each other

If everybody listened

If we gave everyone a second chance

If we could bring dogs to school

If people were tolerant and respectful of each other’s differences

If all children could be happy and fully experience a stress free childhood and not the stresses of adulthood

If all children had a large vocabulary!

If all children were perfect little angels

If money really did grow on trees and there was no measure of wealth

If all my family lived close by

 If no one had performance anxiety

If no one made fun of my story

If all students had support/help at home

If all my K students could learn their letter sounds!

If we retire after college, travel the world, have children, then work until we die

If people would look in the inside instead of the outside

If there were more hours in a day

The world would be perfect!

Students’ Corner

How did the wolf find out that the dog’s master chains him up at night?

Where have you found food this cold winter? S.P.

When did the wolf ran away to the forest? S.P.

How does the dog find that good food?

How does the dog have food and the wolf does not have food?

How does the dog look?

                                                           Students’ Corner

Reflections:

What I think of these 2 books is that they teach us where the butterflies migrate. They teach us how the the butterflies rest. They teach us how much population there is going to Mexico. They also teach us how beautiful it is when they fly in the sky to migrate. E.M.R

I think what we just did was amazing . I never new about monarch butterflies.Especially when they travel around.In the book we just read was pretty much cool. It told us about things we didn’t know . For example i didn’t know that some butterfies had differant names .That is why i like what we just did today with Ms. Makki. I wonder if butterflies have homes and just stay in one place? Do they always travel? G. C

You may leave your comments to the book under discussion, the HVWPSI07 DVD, general questions and comments etc. here.