Ms. L is the teacher's pet?

Hi Starfish!

As you know, we've been studying "idioms". Idioms are popular phrases that aren't meant to be taken literally. For example, if I tell 5th period they are driving me up the wall, I don't mean that they are actually in a car that's driving up the wall! I mean, of course, that their behavior is getting on my nerves and making me crazy.

Here are some funny idioms we discovered this week:
The proof is in the pudding.
Every cloud has a silver lining.
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!
Cry me a river (apparently Ms. L says this a lot)
You're treading on thin ice.
Watch you like a hawk.
Every dog has his day.
I need this like I need a hole in the head.

What idioms do you use? What about your parents or grandparents -do they use a particular idiom over and over? Did you discover any new idioms you want to use from now on? I hope this lesson won't go in one ear and out the other!!!

Ms. L

It's a mystery!

Starfish,

This week we are reading about the world's most famous detective - Sherlock Holmes! As we read "The Hound of the Baskervilles", I'm curious to know:

1. Who do you think was behind Sir Charles' death? Why?

2. Do you really think there is a hound on the moor? Why or why not?

3. Who is out to get Sir Henry?

If you're as cool a detective as Sherlock, you are bound to crack the case!

Read more Sherlock Holmes stories here and learn more about the 2009 movie here!

Elementary, my dear Starfish!

Ms. L : )

back from break

Hi Starfish,

We're back from Spring Break! We are going to start our Drama Unit. Don't worry, you won't have to save this drama for your mamas. We're going to be studying and performing plays; we'll even write some of our own!

Did you enjoy your week off from school? I did! I took advantage of the time to scan some of my old childhood pictures into my computer. They didn't have digital cameras when I was a kid (in the day of dinosaurs) so it took awhile. Here are just a few I thought you'd like to see! I was a child of the 80s...

Here's a picture of my sisters and I .... I'm the bald one!

This is me on my third birthday with my sisters. The stuffed animal I'm holding is called "Piggy" and I still have him!

I'm about five or six years old in this picture. I was dressed up for a church fashion show:

Here's me on the first day of third grade:

This is me with my sister Janine (that's right! the real Janine!) on my 14th birthday. It used to be a very popular thing to make fabric cards like this one to hang on your bedroom wall. It was the first time I ever got one and I was so excited! I still have it, but now it's in the closet.

Here I am at age seventeen with Janine and my dad. This was Janine's graduation from Army boot camp. I am so proud of her for that accomplishment!

Finally, this is my best friend, Hilary, and I when we worked together at Target. I'm nineteen in this picture. Hilary and I met in the 7th grade and have been best friends ever since! "Wumpkin" is our nickname for each other.

Well, there's your glimpse back at my life as a kid! My sisters and Hilary are some of my favorite childhood memories. Do you have a favorite memory?

I'm so glad we're back from break!

See ya in class,

Ms. L

You're a Poet and Didn't Know it!

Hi Starfish,

We are studying different types of poetry all this week. This will help us prepare for our poetry page. I'm curious...what type of poems do you like best? Can you post it in the comments?

See you in class,
Ms. L

Limerick Time!

Of all the poems we are going to study, I must say I love to read your limericks! Sometimes they are difficult to write because of the strict rhyme scheme and meter, but I think the challenge makes them even more fun to write! Here is a limerick I'll share with you:

There was once a team of small starfish,
Who wanted to grant Ms. L one wish,
They turned in all their work,
And said with a smirk,
"Now it seems 7th grade is quite finished!"

What do you think?? Can you write a limerick about 7th grade, too? Try leaving it in the comments!

See you in class,
Ms. L

We're studying poems...naturally!

Starfish,

As you know, we've been reading poems for the past few weeks. This week, we will study different types of poems (concrete, narrative, rhyming, haiku) as well as different poetic elements (hyperbole, simile, metaphor, personification). Poetry can be challenging, but definitely worth the effort!

A common image that will pop up in all our poems this week is nature. We will suffer the cold with "Sam McGee", experience "Winter" with Nikki Giovanni, find ourselves "Washed in Silver", and splash around with a "Seal". These poems were inspired by images or elements of nature.

What things in nature do you find inspiring? What scenes would make you want to write a poem? Is it the smell of fresh cut grass? The feel of ocean waves crashing against your toes? The pink sky of a spring sunset? What images in nature make you feel poetic?

See you in class!
Ms. L

Who Are You?

Starfish,

This week we are studying poetry that focuses on celebrating our unique and individual qualities. We read poems about being an individual and loving our differences. Here is a cool poem I found on the same topic. It's on a really awesome site that has many other funny poems. To check it out, just CLICK HERE!

"Unique"
ByPaul Curtis

Always remember that you're unique
Unequalled, uncommon, c’est magnifique.
One of a kind quite, special and rare
Singular, original, not one of a pair.
Special, the exceptional you embody
You're really unique, just like everybody.

I like how this poem explains the true definition of being unique and reminds us that every one of us is unique in our own way. Now I want to know...what is your unique quality? What makes you "one of a kind, quite special and rare"? Or would you rather be like Emily Dickinson's "Nobody"?

Looking forward to hearing your responses! Post them in comments and remember to leave your first name, last initial and period when doing so.

See you in class!
Ms. L

Announcing FCAT Fun Friday!!

Starfish,

Our favorite friend, THE FCAT, is right around the corner! The test is scheduled for March 10th and 11th. In order to get ready, I'm declaring every Friday from now until then as...

We'll be doing super-fun learning games called "Brain Battle", "Double Trouble", and "Category Challenge". We'll also watch a very silly (but educational!) video to bump up our test taking skills.

What ideas do you have for FCAT Fun Fridays??

See you in class,
Ms. L

Homework for Parents .. are you serious???

Hi Starfish,

Good News! It's finally time for you to give your parents some homework. On Tuesday, we will take a practice FCAT test. You will then take the booklet home and administer the test to your parent or guardian. You can even make them sit and listen to the directions like we do!

My question for the week is ... why on earth do you think I would assign this as homework to your parents? Am I mean, crazy, brilliant, or all three?? Tell me what you think!

: )
Ms. L

In The News...

Hey Starfish,

What we are doing in class this week is making the news! Check out today's (Jan. 21st) edition of the Beaches Leader for the front page picture and story.

Speaking of newsworthy, all eyes (including ours) were on Washington DC yesterday as President Obama became the 44th President of the United States (POTUS for short) and the first African American president ever! It's so cool to be watching history happen, don't you think?

We've been linking it to our study of the Civil Rights Movement to finish the non-fiction unit. I just found out yesterday that Governor Crist is sponsoring an essay contest relating very closely to what we've been talking about in class. One middle school student can win a full-paid tuition to a Florida University! Wow, what an opportunity. Details coming soon.

Last night I watched President Obama dance at the MTV Youth Inaugural Ball. He said that young people (that's you ... and me, even though I'm a old, old lady) must rise up to the challenges facing our nation. I'm curious, as young people, what do you think America needs more than anything right now? How can you help?

See you in class!
Ms. L

Mmm...Menu Project Mania is here!

Starfish,
I've discovered that it is VERY DIFFICULT to hear all your wonderful menu ideas all day long. It makes me so hungry! Should I cancel the project to save my starving stomach?? Just kidding! It's due on JANUARY 20th!

I'm not a very good cook, so when I go home to Ocala I always ask my stepmom to make her famous, savory meatloaf! She always serves it with home-made mashed potatoes, green peas, and triple chocolate cake for dessert. Delicious!

What is your favorite food? Leave a comment and use as many descriptive words as possible. Remember...comments = bonus points!

See you in class,

Ms. L

Biography Schmiography!

Starfish,

By now you should be hard at work on your Biography Comic Strip. Remember, this assignment is to prove your ability in:

1. Gathering information from a variety of sources (library books, internet, posters)
2. Organizing your information for a purpose (to tell a President's life story)
3. Interpreting information into another text (making the comic strip)

If you need help finding information online, click here. It's the official site for the White House and it has a biography on each president. Be sure to click on the "Read Full Bio" tab for the complete article. Remember, when using a search engine, don't just type in the President's name. That will bring up too much information! Be specific. Try typing "Thomas Jefferson Biography" instead.

If you need help, please be sure to ask me! Comic Strips are due on Monday!
Ms. L

The Bill of Rights, not Lefts!

Starfish,

We've been studying The Bill of Rights in class. Click HERE and you can view an original copy of the actual document signed in 1789!! Wow! Look around our classroom and see versions of The Bill of Rights in French, Spanish and German.

We've been through the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. Which of the amendments do you think is the most important? Why? Leave me a comment for some bonus points!

: ) Ms. L

Holiday Wishes

Dear Starfish,

The holiday season is here! Whether you are celebrating Hanukah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa (or even not celebrating at all, that's okay too!) the best part of any holiday is making wishes! You might wish for a gift, like an ipod or a skateboard. You might wish for someone else, for your friend to heal their broken heart or for your parents to find happiness. You might even make a wish for the world - that no child goes hungry and no one feels alone.

I am wishing for many things this holiday. I wish that all my Starfish find a great book to read over the break and come back in January ready to share new books with me! I wish for all my Starfish to remember to bring a pen or pencil every day. I wish for all my Starfish and their families to have a happy and safe holiday.

What are you wishing???


Free Glitter Graphics, Happy Holidays Glitter Graphics

Love,
Ms. L

Senator Success Academy

FMS is now offering the "Senator Success Academy". This opportunity is available to students for Grade Recovery in Math or Language Arts. It takes place M,W,F from 8-9am and Saturdays from 8-11am. I am the teacher for Language Arts on M,W,F. We will also do FCAT enhancement during this time. I encourage everyone who is eligible due to failing grades, FCAT needs, or other circumstances to take advantage of this FREE service!! Students need an application, they are available from the front office or any math and language arts teacher.

I hope to see some Starfish in the mornings!

Ms. L

Food Drive

Starfish,

Don't forget to bring in donations for the annual FMS Food Drive. The competition starts next week, Monday, Nov. 17th and goes until Friday, Nov. 21st. Please bring in donations of canned goods and non-perishable items.

Bring in at least 5 items and get a free tardy pass! Up to 3 tardy passes.

The winning team gets a sweet treat from PTSA and bragging rights. That team WILL be the Starfish!!!!!!!

Don't let me down! Let's help out those in need and show the school we are the most generous team on campus!

Ms. L

Update: We brought in over 300 cans and won the contest! Way to go, Starfish!

Does Non-Fiction = Non-Fun??

Hi Starfish!

We are starting our Non-Fiction Unit this nine weeks. Non-Fiction is anything that can be proved as TRUE or FACTUAL information. Some examples include:

• Newspapers
• Magazines
• Encyclopedias
• Some Internet Websites (be careful - not everything on the web is true!)
• Biographies
• Autobiographies
• Memoirs
• Diaries
• Personal Essays
• Documentary films
• and much, more more!!!

Are you the kind of person who likes non-fiction? Do you hate it? Do you not care one way or the other? TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT NON-FICTION BY LEAVING A COMMENT!

Click on "Comments" below, proofread your comment, and be sure to leave your name (First name and last initial) with your period (1-6). The comments get sent to my email for approval - then you can come back and see your statement. You can read what your classmates wrote, too!

See you in class - and that's a non-fiction FACT!

Ms. L

Study Buddy!

Starfish,

There are lots of great tools online to help you study for our novel test on The Giver.

One way to study is by taking a sample test. Another way is by answering practice questions. Click on the blue (or purple) words in the previous two sentences - they will take you to websites that will help you study.

Also, don't forget that part of your test will be your vocab words! Make flashcards, study with a friend, and write context clue sentences to help get ready.

A good habit to start is studying early. Cramming may help you for the meantime, but it's an awful lot to do in one night and you might forget by test time! Set aside thirty minutes each night to study and come the night before the test, you won't be "apprehensive" at all.

See you in class,
Ms. L

Extra Credit for Blogsters!

Hello Starfish,

Have you taken advantage of the extra credit yet? You can either:

a. Leave me a comment (using the correct form) for 2 bonus points

or

b. Copy down the "Blog Expectations" (#s 1-5) and bring them in with a parent signature for 10 bonus points

or

DO BOTH FOR 12 BONUS POINTS! WOW!

Happy Blogging!
Ms. L

ps - Do you think Jonas and The Giver will ever be able to change their situation and share the memories with the community? Why or why not?

What do you think?

Hi Starfish Students and Parents,

Welcome to our blog! Leave me a comment and tell me what you think. What kind of things would you like to see on our blog? Did you check out the links; do all the links work? What's on your mind about Language Arts? Do you like The Giver so far?

Students, remember to leave your first name, last initial and period when leaving a comment.

See you in class!
Ms. L