Ms. Schustak’s Class Blog

Today we started reading a wonderful book by Elvira Woodruff. This books is going to really help us understand the events of the Revolutionary War. This book is about four boys (and a little sister), who start an adventure club that focuses on events in our history. I know that many students in our class have text-to-self connections with this book! Was there a connection that you had while reading? Did you have a question, or a clarification? Do you know some facts that would help us understand this book better? You know what to do! Have fun blogging historians!

Today we learned about different formats of non-fiction text. This is our “handy dandy” non-fiction text, that we can “dip into” when we want to learn some more about an aspect of Colonial Life. This book, written by Ann McGovern, lists frequently asked questions about the daily life of colonists, and the answer to those questions. Was there something that you read that really made you think? Did you have a connection, clarification, question, or opinion? Post your ideas, and blog away!

Have you ever wanted to read a certain type of book, but you don’t know if it exists? This is a place where you can ask your classmates if they have ever read a book about a certain topic, type of character, genre, etc., that you are interested in. Maybe someone in our class has read a book like the one you are looking for, and can recommend the book to you. In your comment, post what you look for in a good book. For example, “I’m looking for a book that is science fiction, and full of adventure. I really enjoy reading about….” Good luck finding your books bloggers!

Welcome to our blog! You may be asking, “What’s a blog Ms. Schustak?” Well, I can tell you. Blogging is a way to communicate your ideas with others on a certain topic. It is like having a conversation with a classmate but instead of talking and responding to each other in conversation, you post your ideas on the blog. If you want to know some more about blogs, go to the BLOGROLL on the right of the screen, and watch a short “You Tube” video to help you understand this a little better.

For our blog, we are going to discuss our thinking after reading, both with books we have read together in class, and books that we read at home. If you have an idea that you would like to share, or would like to discuss a certain topic with your classmates, post a comment! Look below, and write a comment or question in the text box at the bottom of the page. Then click “add comment.” If you want to reply to someone else’s comment, click after their post where it says “reply to this comment.” I am excited to hear your thinking. Happy blogging!

We have been busy becoming strong non-fiction readers through reading Historic Communities: Colonial Life by Bobbie Kalman. While we were reading, we have been writing down our thinking while reading on post-it notes. This is another place for us to discuss our thinking after reading this book. Did you have a question, connection, opinion, clarification while reading that you would like to discuss with your classmates on our blog? If so, post a comment. Happy blogging!

Our class has really enjoyed reading this book in class. We have traveled with a young girl, Remember Patience Whipple, on her journey on the Mayflower to the New World. Through reading this book, we have seen all of the things that we have read about in our non-fiction books “come to life.” This is a place where we can write our questions, comments, opinions, connections, etc. after listening to this read-a-loud. Happy commenting!

   Have you read an amazing book at home that you couldn’t wait to share? This is your place to recommend a book to a fellow classmate to read either during D.E.A.R time or at home. Here is where you can give a brief summary of the book (try not to give away any juicy information!). You can write what the book is about, why you enjoyed it, or any other interesting information that could be helpful. Be sure to include the title and author! Feel free to respond with questions or comments