Writing Task March 26-27

EXPLANATION


Mother Teresa was a kind and caring nun. She started an organization in India that would take care of people who were alone and dying. The organization grew to include taking care of orphans, people with HIV/AIDS, the poor and the homeless. With her help many people were able to lead better lives. The world recognized her efforts and in 1979 Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Although she died in 1997, she is still a positive role model.

Now it’s your turn.

Write an explanation of who Gandhi or Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is. (Follow the example above.)

- Topic sentence (who you are writing about)
- Support sentences (give some details of what he did and why he is so important)
- Conclusion (draw a conclusion about the person)

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Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

We had such a great time yesterday that the Gulbenkian! The day offered a break in our normal routine and we learned a lot. I especially liked the music portion of our visit.

In keeping with the "music" theme, there is a very interesting site I'd like you to visit and play a game that matches the sounds of an orchestra with instruments. Click here to give it a try!

Word Problems

Wow! The teacher has really been working this weekend (lol).

I came across this Maths website with games and word problems that you might like to try.

This should keep you occupied!

Interactive Letter Writing

One strategy used to promote a peaceful outcome is a letter writing campaign. AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL and GREENPEACE often ask people to write letters to help solve issues.


Check out this website which offers an INTERACTIVE LETTER WRITING exercise. It's fun!

Let me know how you did ;-)

Explanation Writing

Explanation writing is used to explain how something works, to explain events and issues or to give reasons why something occurs the way it does.

STRUCTURE AND LANGUAGE FEATURES
1. General Statement
On the topic or process being explained
2. Explanation
How and Why
-Points are presented in order. Each point or statement presents reasons for how and why something works or occurs the way it does.
3. Conclusions
The writer gives the final explanation.

-Written in the present tense, e.g. are, happens
-The language is generalised, e.g. we talk about classes of things rather than individual things (mountains, etc.)
-Action verbs are used to explain the subject
-Cause and effect relationships, e.g. if - then - so - as a consequence
-Uses technical terms used in the subject
-Time relationships, e.g. first, then, following, finally
-Abstract verbs and nouns (those that cannot be seen touched or heard)

EXAMPLE: How Cats Keep Clean

When cats get dirty they get clean by licking themselves. If their head is dirty, they lick their paw and then rub their head with it. They do this after they have had something to eat. Cats are very clean animals.

Now it's your turn, give it a try!

Peace Vocabulary Online Interactive Quiz

One important aspect of becoming more "peaceful" is learning the language of peace. Click on the links below to take a small vocabulary quiz online. Good Luck!

(Hope you are having a great time Kylie!)

Peace Vocabulary 1 Online Quiz

Peace Vocabulary 2 Online Quiz

Total Lunar Eclipse

Saturday, March 3, 2007 - Total Lunar Eclipse

It was so cool - Here's what happened.

For more information please click here

Antonym - Synonym (Literacy Links)

We are constantly in the process of building vocabulary and becoming better communicators.

An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word.

A synonym is a word that has the same (or nearly the same) meaning as another word.

Try out some of these links to practice antonyms and synonyms online. (You'll have fun!)

Link 1 - antonyms
Link 2 - antonyms
Link 3 - antonyms
Link 4 - antonyms or synonyms

Nouns, Verbs, Sentence Writing

We are practicing writing complete sentences AND conducting analysis of the sentence by understanding the role that different parts of speech (nouns, verb, adverbs, conjunctions)play.

Check out this video about Mr. Morton and learn about subjects (nouns) and predicates (verbs).

Gandhi - Blessed are the Peacemakers

We shall begin our unit looking at one of the most amazing characters of the 20th century, Gandhi. This great leader not only changed the face of the world while he was alive but continues to serve as a positive influence.

For more on Gandhi visit this site and read the article.

Unit Introduction

We have started a powerful unit taking a look at conflict and peace. We'd like to share our introduction with you.

Give Peace A Chance . . .

Welcome to our new class blog which will showcase our work for our unit of inquiry on peace. Visit often and leave us a message. We love comments!