Art ~ Power of Personal Expression

 Sample                                                             The Lorax  (Title)
                                                                      By Jennifer D. (byline)

Art - Paint ~ Express ~ Explore what is within us;

All students are creating a masterpiece to reflect their personal selves.  The medium is water colors and acrylics.  Working from our imaginations we create paintings that express a thought, vision, desire, a part of our reality.

Paintings will be displayed in the halls and we will write a paragraph to express our paintings.  A paragraph includes 5 to 7 lines.  Our writing piece will begin with an Epigraph that further demonstrates our thoughts.   Your Title and Byline - Name your Painting -  Relative image to quote - Per Mr. Moreno - and Fifth Grade Style.

The Lorax
by Jennifer D.

"one thought, might be a Dr. Seuss quote..."  - Dr. Seuss

A paragraph around why you painted - what prompted the painting?  Why and What specifically did you like about it?  Why did you choose this?  What does it represent?  What would you like for the viewer to know....   What is BEHIND it?

Writing #2

Word Photos 

Creative Writing ~ Explore the Power of Personal Expression

As you work on writing in your journal, you are working on both your seeing and saying.  As you write to say what you see, you will begin to understand more - so you will have more to say, which in turn will lead to more seeing. 

In a way, you will use your words as a photographer uses a camera - you will become more alert, see more. There is a potential picture everywhere.  There is meaning in everything.  You will experience more fully.  

Now, sit down with your journal and begin the Writing Process - 

Review your day, look for those small moments that get 'captured' in your mind....

Now write in your journal - those seemingly nothings are most powerful.

Remember what we spoke about in class...

Do not explain - just see it fully with your words - stay grounded in the five senses - 

How did it look, feel, smell, taste, sound?  See it in new ways, from other perspectives, from another angle.  Move it around with words -  Then - in our journals, we may start by using lots of words - searching, wondering, poking around - trying to see what is there.  

We play with images - and metaphors, personification - literary devices -  to see what fits - then we tighten and focus -

Your first photos will include 150 to 200 words - take them, then - like a camera - tighten and focus.

Eliminate busy words and replace with meaningful words - draw a picture - a photo - FREEZE FRAME - SNAP SHOT of that moment - you are the photographer.  

Remember Dog - SHOW US WITH WORDS - reduce your photos to approximately 75 words each.

Now, fine tune, edit - check again, and write down your final piece with two word photos all on one page - each has a title - there is no epigraph for this writing piece - just two titles - and bylines.

Put your final piece in your writing portfolio - then go to our blog and type in your final pieces - 

Sample as follows;

The Flower

by Student L.

In a field, a perfect day.  Bright blue sky, deep green grass.  One flower is spotted as it smiles in the velvety emerald pasture.  Its bright yellow pedals, blowing in the wind.  Back and forth, back and forth, with a dancing rhythm to it.  Its strong pole like, green stem is holding it down.  The wild green leaves all around it.  As you look closer, the red and pink at the very center show within the yellow, blended well.  The beauty of it glows.  

Hello Again - I invite you to our first  post - our;
 "Where are You From?" Creative Writing Exploration as our first entry in our Portfolios.

We will start with our Title and byline - (no last names, only initials)

Next our Epigraph - that reflects your writing piece.  To follow with our Where are You From? share.

We will explore our past (which is always present and within us), looking at our beginnings...  We are working on telling our stories, which we must do in order to learn from them and to also, learn more about us.

Begin by opening your journal and getting quiet and receptive.

*Consider this common question:  Where are You From?  It is a question we are often asked, and we usually answer with a word or two - New York, Connecticut or Michigan.  But your CHALLENGE here is to answer it with a series of images, pictures and memories.

Start by writing - just making a list of sentences -

I am from....
I am from...
I am from ...

(as discussed and demonstrated in class)

Complete each sentence with an image or memory or moment from your life.  Explore the question fully and freely.  Answer the question with images of place, land, the neighborhood.  Answer the question with images of family, ancestry and history.

To explore this question is to explore many things - your beginnings - your connections, your joys and struggles - the mystery and wonder of your life.

Now, refine these sentences - make them strong and true and grounded - weave images together in the form of a poem or story.  Just weave together images from all facets of your life -

Writing Process - Rough Draft - imagine - play with it - create your masterpiece
Sleep on it - go back - embellish, add, revise - Rough Draft

Re-read your paper -  do you like it?  Start to edit - any corrections that need to be made?  Is it 5th grade style?  COPS - Have someone else read it - be open to suggestions - corrections. Make them if need be.

Now, sit down and write your final hard copy - put it in your writing folder.  Take your completed piece to the computer and post and share on our writing blog.

Post up with your Title, Byline and Epigraphs - Happy Writing!

Keep your Final Hard Copy in your Writing Portfolios - Thank you, Thank you - Ms. Lane

Student Introductions - Due Thursday, August 25th

Hello,

Thank you for visiting and participating Lane's Chronicles -

In the comment area - students will provide a paragraph or two of introduction along with
answers to a couple of questions.

1) Introduction

2) What do you most like about Ridgeline?

3) If I made you Principal - what would you change?

4) What are you most proud of?

Please post in 5th Grade Style - no last names - first names, initials to last names to be followed by a nickname if you would like.

Enjoy!

Students photos will go up and online - if your child does not have a media release on file with the office and you would like for their photos to be included on the blog and for media - please call the front office and make arrangements to clear for posting.

A previous classroom school blog with students writing pieces can be found at
www.staceylanesblogspot.com

Tuesday, August 23rd - SAY HELLO

Hello Fifth-Graders - Lane Class -

For your computer homework tonight - you will log on and say Hello - again, no last names - only first names/nick names -
or first name with last name initial. Sample of last writing blog at;

Have fun - just say hello - Enjoy!

We will post paragraphs and stories starting this next week - thank you! Ms. Lane

Hello and Welcome to The Lane Chronicles

Hello, my name is Ms. Lane and I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as I will be your child's teacher this school year. I am looking forward to getting to know your child and working directly with him/her in the classroom. Together we will further facilitate his/her exploration, learning, and discoveries.

Our Lane Chronicles Blog has been created for students to share their writing pieces. Students will concentrate on narrative, expository, persuasive and technical writing. Students will explore the power of personal expression as we tap into our creative writing side utilizing the Six Traits of Writing; Ideas and Content, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency and Conventions.

All writers, journalers and storytellers will report and learn about the 5 W's and H of Journalism, interviewing, photo captions and news story writing. We will be submitting news story adventures and photos to local newspapers for consideration. We will create a Writing Portfolio that will further demonstrate these expanding skills.

News Stories work best with photos - jpeg files to be e-mailed to slane@ridgelineacademy.org - Three or four of your favorite photos is best to send around an event or story. As always, feel free to send me any questions or comments to my e-mail, or phone line at Ridgeline Academy.

Visit more stories at www.deervalleytimes.com

Thank you, Ms. Lane