HEAT...Summer

How is your summer going so far?

What is something exciting you have done or seen this summer?

Did you find some good fire works to watch on the 4th of July?
"I went over to watch fireworks at Adventureland. They didn't last very long, but I had a good view of most of it."

What do you do when it is this hot outside?
"I love to have water fights, stay inside to play video games, and read books!"

Writing Topic Idea: Vacation Plans

Do you have any fun vacation plans for the summer?

What is your favorite vacation?

One of my favorite vacations was going to Washington D.C. when I was in high school. My grandmother took 3 of us grandkids because we could drive her. We drove to Kentucky first and went to the Mammoth Caves. It was a place she had gone to as a child on a family vacation so it was nice to learn some things about her childhood. From there we went to D.C. and visited lots of historical sites. I spent a very long time in the capital building and met a lot of impressive people. We stayed in a very nice hotel. We took a ride on the metro, and came home just in time for the last day of school!

Summer Writing Topic #2

What did you think of all the rain last night?
What is your favorite thing to do in the rain?
Or least favorite?

Summer Writing Topic

Well it is the first week not in school. My classroom is packed and moved! Thank you to all of you who helped me; you saved me a bunch of time. This week I'm taking it easy, trying to stay out of the heat, and working at the Library. At the end of this week I get to be in a parade in Grimes passing out book marks and pencils. They are already setting up the carnival in the park. I'm looking forward to all the live music this weekend that they will have.

What have you done so far this summer?

Writing IDEAS for summer

Writing Ideas: All you need to do is write.

• You could write on my blog and leave me notes about what you are doing this summer. (don't use your name, just initial...I'll know who you are!)


• You could write a story or two over the summer.


• Make your own book


• keep a journal of your summer activities


• find someone to send a letter or an email to.


• Practice writing down things like lists to the grocery store, your plans for the day, or a note to a parent.

Check out some writing links:
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/trophies/ideasforwriters/gr5/menu5.html
-has pictures and writing ideas
Write a List Poem
If you can write a list, you can write a poem! Help your child practice her writing while channeling her inner poet in this activity that has her composing an entire poem from a simple list.
An Adverb Acting Game
Adverbs are all around us. Here's an adverb acting game that will have your child hungrily, unceasingly, enthusiastically learning!
Play Vocabulary Bingo
It's an easy twist on the classic game and it will prepare your fifth grader for the vocabulary challenges that lie ahead!
Make a Father's Day Photo Essay for Grandpa
Help your child honor her grandpa this Father's Day by creating an original photo essay just for him.
Speak up for the Earth
On Earth Day, help your child write a poem from the Earth to its inhabitants, asking for people to live more Earth-friendly and suggesting ways to be kinder.
Write Dad a Basketball Message
Paper cards are good, but for the dad who loves sports, a message on a basketball is twice as nice! This heartfelt haiku is sure to make him crack a smile.
Practice Paint Chip Storytelling
Telling a story is like painting a picture, using words instead of paint. In this cooler-than-average writing activity, your child uses paint and words to write a story!
Play Grammar Bingo
Help your child reinforce parts of speech with Grammar Bingo! Learning the parts of speech starts young, but retaining it can be a challenge. Grammar Bingo is the perfect way to combine fun and learning!
"Bump!" A Spelling Game
Students usually study for spelling tests by looking over the words and spelling them out loud. Here's a spelling game that gets the whole family involved!
Create a Comic Strip
Communicating using the written word doesn't have to be tough! It can be as simple as telling a story, as rudimentary as writing a wish list, or as fun as composing a comic strip.