Choosy Bloggers Choose One.

Choose one.

Today, I want you to choose one of your blog posts that you believe demonstrates your very best writing. In addition, the blog post should meet all of the requirements listed below. This assessment is worth 50 points, so make sure you choose wisely. Once you’ve selected your superlative blog post, scroll down to leave me (1) your first name, (2) the title of your blog post, and (3) the URL link to the specific post (Click on the post headline and then copy and paste the updated web address from the browser).

Requirements 

1. Meets all sixth grade writing expectations (punctuation, spelling, capitalization–including comma rules).

2. Features at least three, well-written paragraphs. I’ll be looking for topic sentences and supporting details, as well as a concluding sentence.

3. Includes at least one image/video that has been properly credited (or attributed) to its creator. Uses CompFight or GettyImages (embed photos only).

4. Includes at least two tags and at least two categories. (Click on the links if you’re not sure how to do this.)

5. Includes at least one embedded link to another middle-school appropriate website or blog.

6. Ends with a question or quiz for your audience. If you’d like to embed a quiz in an existing blog post, click here for a list of 12 quiz makers.

7. Offers a creative, catchy headline that is properly capitalized; see any of mine as examples).

Click here for a copy of the grading rubric.

The GATES test you’re taking today has timed sections. If you complete a section early, you’ll first focus on finding and reviewing the blog post you’d like me to grade.

After that, here are your options:

1. Write a blog post about taking tests. Are you for or against standardized testing? Share your opinion and the reasons behind it.

2. Go on a commenting spree. This week’s Student Blogging Challenge involves visiting blogs around the globe. “I like this post because…” Click on the link above for all the juicy details.

3. Check out the poem I gave you. It’s National Poem in Your Pocket Day. Carry it with you all day. Post it on your blog (with credit to the poet) and write a short reflection. Or, write your own poem to celebrate today!

3. Read. Catch up on book club reading–or get lost between the pages of your own book!

Today is National Poem in Your Pocket Day!

 

Tomorrow is Friday…bring your beach towels for outdoor reading!

 

Rise to the Challenge with Blog Post #12!

upForTheChallenge

After today, only 18 school days remain until the buses stop running, the bells cease ringing, and the desks in Mrs. Rombach’s classroom sit empty. As exciting as that is (for you and for me), we still have some amazing work to turn out between now and June 13.

Remember, on Wednesday, our first persuasive presenters will be standing in front of the class to convince us  to think or act differently.

Concerned about the environment? You’ll hear how you can help improve it!

Sick of reheated, bland school lunches? Some of your classmates have brilliant solutions.

Want to be paid to attend school? There’s a presentation for that!

Weary of sports heroes who rely on steroids to achieve greatness? Find out why these athletes should be banned.

Also on Wednesday, you’ll take the Week 15 & 16 Vocabulary quiz. Be sure to study on Quizlet.com. Put “mrsrombachreads” into the search bar to locate my page if you haven’t signed up as part of a block.

Now for the really good stuff…this week’s blog post! We’ll start these in class, and spend a little time each day this week escorting this particular blog post through the writing process. This writing assignment is worth a whopping 70 points–you’ll want to knock it out of the ballpark!

Prewrite>Compose>Evaluate>Revise>Edit>Publish

 MAY 19:  Blog Post #12 – Write a post on one of the following topics:

King of the Netherlands
(1) What makes a great family

Earth and North America from Space - digitally restored
(2) A global problem you’re passionate about and would like to help solve

Graduated!
(3) Your future – what are your big plans (and how will you achieve them?)

London Bridge (Tower Bridge) : Reflection on the River Thames
(4) Visiting overseas – where would you go and what would you do?

Feel like being poetic this week? Any one of these prompts could be the foundation for a poem! Like the previous post, these prompts are drawn from the Student Blogging Challenge. By the way, please take time this week to visit five other students’ blogs — students from ERMS and from across the globe. I’ll be looking for comment activity!

SEVEN

Be sure to include the following SEVEN essential elements of a great post.You’ll be graded on each element…7 X 10 points/element = 70-point assessment for this post. This is a biggie!

  1. Choose a catchy title.
  2. Insert at least one visual – photo, cartoon, video, or another web tool.
  3. Write passionately about your chosen topic--ensure that your personality and voice shines through.
  4. Write at least three paragraphs (or stanzas if a poem) — with proper spacing between each. No exceptions. :)
  5. Create an original. I want to read your one-of-a-kind writing. (No cutting and pasting from other websites allowed on this post).
  6. Proofread and spellcheck — and then, do it again, just for good measure. Read your post out loud. Are words missing? Capitalization, punctuation, and spelling all matter.
  7. Include at least two links to other websites related to your topic. Did you write about visiting Australia? Why not embed a travel video or insert an Animal Planet link for kangaroos or koala bears? If you need step-by-step instructions, click here for the Edublogs tutorial on embedding video and click here to learn how to insert a link. Be sure CompFight and Google Fonts are both activated in your PlugIns.

Congratulations on completing the 2014 Sixth Grade Reading Comprehension SOL. Now, it’s back to business as usual…at least for 18 more days!

Cheers,

Mrs. Rombach

PS- It’s time to start stockpiling auction items. Please ask your wonderfully generous parents to donate anything valued $1-$5, from the Dollar Store or Five Below treasures to gift cards, candy, and summer fun toys. Thank you! 🙂 Our auction will take place during the last week of school.

 

PHOTO CREDITS:

King of the Netherlands
Creative Commons License Photo Credit: Tom Jutte via Compfight

Earth and North America from Space - digitally restored
Creative Commons License Photo Credit: Royce Bair via Compfight

Graduated!
Creative Commons License Photo Credit: Ralph Daily via Compfight

London Bridge (Tower Bridge) : Reflection on the River Thames
Creative Commons License Photo Credit: Anirudh Koul via Compfight