Descriptive

My descriptive writing piece will be about flowers. It will be a game matching flower parts to the correct name. The game will be played to a familiar tune the children will recognize. The words of the song will be edited to describe each flower part and its function.

It's a work in progress. I'm not sure as to how I will stage the game. I'm hoping it'll be fun and engaging for children of all ages.

Expository Writing

How To Make A Flower Press Book

Supplies needed:

• delicate flowers
• phone book
• good, quality paper (for book pages)
• scissors/glue
• tweezers
• brush
• hole punch
• ribbon/yarn

Step 1: Pick some delicate flowers and leaves(no sturdy flowers, they take longer to dry) Flowers that work well: pansies, ferns, daisies, poppies

Step 2: Press bottom of each flower and leaf inside the pages of a thick phone book. Placing flowers between flattened coffee filters help to speed up the drying process. *It takes 1-2 weeks for flowers to completely dry*

Step3: When the flowers are dry, carefully remove them form the phone book. Arrange flowers on paper. *Flowers may have to be trimmed so trim with scissors*

Step4: Remove the flowers from the paper, remember where each flower goes so it is easier to put them back later. Using the brush, brush a thin layer of glue on the paper where the flower was originally placed.

Step5: Using the tweezers, carefully place the flowers back in place. (adult assisstance may be required)Make sure all flower parts are lying flat on glue, let the glue dry completely.

Step6:Once drying is complete, use a hole punch to punch three holes along the left side of the paper. Tie a piece of ribbon or yarn to keep the paper pages together. Title the book and label each flower. You now have your very own flower press book!

Educator's View on Marijuana

In today's class we were shown a video clip on an intervierw on an educated executive woman who admitted to using marijuana on a regular basis. The magazine from which it came seemed to glamorize the issue.
As a future educator, I feel it is wrong to allow such things to be seen. Children will get the wrong impression. Many schools today express that drugs are wrong during Red Ribbon Week, however, if children come across magazines their mothers, fathers, siblings, or anyone reads and come across an article stating that marijuana should be legalized and professionals use it, many school systems and educators will be in jeopardy.
How can we as educators explain to our students that using marijuana or any drug for that matter is wrong when they read and/or see it in magazines, television, movies, and in their very own environment?
What steps can we as educators take in order to insure our students are on the right path to being drug free?

What is a Narrative?

A narrative is a type of writing that has a begging, middle, end and tells a story. Narrative stories have plots, tell about when and where it take place, and characters that have reasons for what they do in the story. A narrative story may also contain a problem that can be solved or a challenge to overcome.

An example of a narrative writing is a children's book titled: The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg.

Other examples of narrative writing are:

Poems that tell stories: The Blind Highland Boy by William Wordsworth

First person narrative novels: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Narrative story

It was a cool and breezy evening, an evening like no other when Joslyn, looking out her bedroom window and fiddling with a daisy's peddles, decided she wanted to go for a walk. Joslyn had been sick and ordered to stay indoors for two weeks and longed to be outside in the fresh autumn air. Joslyn's bedroom was adorned with a mulitplicity of beautiful and vivacious flowers she recieved from neighbors, friends, and relatives.

As Joslyn walked over to her closet for her sweater she noticed a mist in her vanity mirror; thinking nothing of it, Joslyn grabbed her sweater. While Joslyn placed the sweater over her shoulders she noticed an incandescent flash of light coming from under her bed. Apprehended by the thought of something under her bed, Joslyn hesitantly walked over, grabbed the edge of the bed ruffle and was about to lift it when her mother called her down for dinner. Startled by her mother, Joslyn gained composure by taking a deep breath of the sweet-smelling odor that filled her room.

As Joslyn sat at the dinning table with her family she thought to herself,"Instead of going outside, I'll go and investigate that rare yet mysterious light". Joslyn's mother noticed the peculiar expression on Joslyn's face and became concerned. "Joslyn are you feeling okay, do you need some medicine?" Joslyn was immediate in resonding, "No thanks mother, I'm doing well". Joslyn, not wanting her mother to suspect a thing, quickly joined the conversation over who would be clearing the dinner table and dishes.

Upon helping her dad with the dinner dishes, Joslyn placed her sweater on the hallway bench and went upstairs to her bedroom. Turning the doorknob to open her bedroom door, Joslyn noticed the doorknob was unpleasantly cold. Walking into her bedroom, Joslyn's first thought was, "Check under the bed". Joslyn paid no attention to the placement of the flowers on her vanity. The vanity was the least in Joslyn's mind. Joslyn found no trace of light under her bed and thought it was just her imagination. Once Joslyn rose to her feet, she turned to her vanity and saw the placement of the flowers.

Joslyn said aloud," I know those flowers didn't just place themselves there, someone or something had to have done it; but who?" Joslyn knew her mother and her father were downstairs and she just walked in from eating dinner. As Joslyn walked over to inspect her vanity, she again saw the luminous light. Joslyn, overcome with a cold feeling and anxiety turned and there in front of her stood an apparition of a little girl holding a daisy.

Memories: Warm

The memory I decided to write about is obtaining my AAT degree from Palo Alto College.

Having been married as a senior in high school at the age of 17 and having my daughter at the age of 18, my life was placed on hold so I could be a mommy and a wife. As the years progressed I got pregnant with my son and further my dream to continue my education was placed aside. Being a housewife and a mom was the life I wanted but I wanted to be more. As my daughter began her academic life I knew it was time to begin mine. When I finally began going to school my daughter was in first grade and my son was 3 1/2. Upon going back I felt overwhelmed since I'd been out of school for 7yrs. I recieved much encouragement from my husband and family. With all the classes I had to take I thought I was never going to see the day of my graduation. When my graduation day finally arrived my children were 10yrs. and 7yrs. As I walked across the stage I remember thinking to myself, "I did it!" Being an example to my children they see that having determination and hard work one can accomplish anything and overcome any obsticle as long as they put their mind to doing it.

Personal Writing

Dr. Harris had the class create an "All About Me" book, I had fun making this book. For today's blog I chose to use the fact that I love to dance.

The Way I Dance

Jessica Chavarria

Have you ever danced to the beat of your own drum?

I am one who dances and you'll never see me down.

I dance while waiting in lines and listening to music or my hums.

Dancing is a passion that brings me no frowns.

When I dance I don't care who sees,

the music comes from inside me.

Whether I dance slow, moderate, or fast,

dancing is something I know will last.

Dancing keeps me going when times get tough,

I dance because I never give up.

When asked, "Why do you dance?" I say,

"To dance gives me a feeling I can't explain".