Dr. Joe’s Writing-Reading Classes

I Write, I Read, I Love.Dec. 26, 2014

Dear Students and Parents,

All the writing homework should be posted on our class forum for corrections and comments. Our class forum web address is:

http://englishwritingschool.com/forum/?q=forum

Please email to DrJoeWriting@gmail.com the following information so we can register you for the forum.  

1. Your real name (or class nickname); 2. Your email address used to register for our forum;  3. The forum username you wish to use.

Then we will email you your account information with which you can log in to the forum and start posting your writings and comments.  

Class Forum

Please post your homework assignments, questions and comments on the forum.

When you post your writing on the forum, make your title like this: “Grade Number - Writing Title.” For example, you are in grade 2 and the title is “I Like Books.” Then you type “Grade 2 – I Like Books” in the title area.

To make our class better, we will have in-class reading and ask-and-answer exercises. The students will be randomly chosen to answer questions and join discussions. This will make the students stay alert during the class time.

So don’t play games or websurf in the class—you might get caught off guard!

I. Today’s Story (continued)

Curious George is the main role of a series of popular children's books by the same name, written by Hans Augusto Rey and Margret Rey.

Today’s story is “Christmas Countdown.”

THE CITY shines and sparkles, filled with glowing yellow lights. George is so curious to see all the Christmas sights!

He hears the sound of jingle bells ringing in the air. Holly wreaths and bows of red—he sees them everywhere.

He looks in all the windows as it gently starts to snow. Will Christmas ever get here? There are still three days to go!

George's City Looks So Pretty

sparkle verb to produce small flashes of light

glow verb to shine with low light

jingle nouna light ringing sound

holly noun a tree or bush with dark green leaves and bright red berries

holly wreaths and bows of red

Hurray! We learned some new words!

Now every student makes a sentence with one of the following words:

sparkle verb; jingle noun

WITH two days left, there's the Christmas play; George sings his favorite song. He would like it very much if you would sing along.

Bells Ring! Let's Sing

ONE last day and George knows that Santa Claus is on his way, with toys for girls and boys (and monkeys!) filling up his sleigh. What presents can George give his friends? He thinks hard— then he knows! He'll draw a lot of pictures and tie them all with bows. He colors with his crayons. He's the smartest Christmas elf! He knows the nicest presents are the ones he makes himself. George puts out Santa's cookies and runs to jump in bed. So curious, he'll never sleep! He wants time to jump ahead.

George Can't Believe It's Christmas Eve

sleigh noun a large, open vehicle that is usually pulled by a horse over snow or ice

crayon noun a stick of colored wax that is used for drawing

elf noun a small fairy in stories usually with pointed ears and magical powers

Now every student makes a sentence with one of the following words:

sleigh noun; crayon noun; elf noun

HIP -HIP -HOORAY! It's Christmas Day! George runs to see the tree. His friends are there and presents too! He's happy as can be. Christmastime is filled with joy, but George knows in his heart that sharing it with all his friends is his favorite part. Christmas Day is here at last, with gifts and games and fun. There's only one thing left to say, "Merry Christmas, everyone!"

Let's All Cheer —Christmas Is Here!

“Hip hip hooray” is a cheering called out to express praise.

favorite adjectivemost liked

merry adjective very happy and cheerful

Now every student makes a sentence with one of the following words:

favorite adjective; merry adjective

This story is finished.

Hope you have enjoyed it.

II. Today’s Author and Book

If You can’t find the recommended book in your library, don’t worry. No one can read all the recommended books; just try to read as many as you can find.

Jan Brett (born December 1, 1949) is an American writer of children's picture books.Her best-known titles include The Mitten, The Hat, Daisy Comes Home, Cinders: A Chicken Cinderella, and Gingerbread Baby. 

Today’s Book Daisy Comes Home

by Jan Brett

Publisher: Puffin Reprint edition (Jan. 13, 2005) Pages: 32 Age range: 5 - 8

Overview of Daisy Comes Home

Mei Mei has the six happiest hens in China. She gives them treats and fresh hay baths, and when she calls to them-gu gu gu gu gu!-they all run to her as fast as they can. But one of the hens, Daisy, is not always so happy. The other hens pick on Daisy and push her off the perch every night, knowing that she is too small to stand up to them. Then one day Daisy accidentally drifts out onto the river in a basket and must quickly learn how to survive. When Daisy finds her way home, this plucky little hen is no longer afraid.

Jan Brett and her husband, Joe, traveled with their daughter-in-law, Yun, and her husband, Sean, to China, the land where Yun was born. During this trip, Jan found the inspiration for Daisy's story.

hen noun \ˈhen\ : an adult female chicken

treat noun: something that tastes good

pick on: bother someone unfairly

perch noun: a resting place for a bird

stand up to: to oppose someone or something without fear

accidentally: by chance

drift out: to move out of a place slowly

survive verb: to remain alive

daughter–in–law noun: wife of one’s son

inspiration noun: something that makes someone want to do something

Now every student makes a sentence with each of the following words or word groups:

pick on, stand up to

III. Idioms

Each student writes one or two sentences using the newly learned idiom.

1. a lot on my plate

If you have got a lot on your plate, you are very busy.

Chad had a lot on his plate today.

2. A picture is worth a thousand words.

A picture can often get a message across much better than the best words.

That photo can tell you everything. A picture is worth a thousand words.

3. a pretty penny

If something costs a pretty penny, it is very expensive.

The watch is worth a pretty penny.

4. ABC

ABC means the basics of something.

Tom doesn’t even know the ABC of science.

5. a bit much

If something is annoying, it is a bit much.

The talking bird is a bit much.

IV. Short Writing Exercise

List as many key words as possible on the screen after thinking about the following topic for ten seconds:

“I Am Great Today!”

List as many key words as possible on the screen after looking at the following picture for ten seconds:

The above key words exercises will help you to get related ideas quickly after getting a writing topic. In today’s homework, you will have the writing assignment based on a similar exercise.

We will start our writings with the Five-Sentence Model.

A Five-Sentence Model tells the reader who, what, when , where, and how. For example:

Sam was upset in this week’s school party. Ms. Jones told every student to bring a food they enjoy to the party to be shared with the others. Sam’s mother suggested him to make a pizza for the party. He made a perfect pizza, but he forgot to take it with him. The party was a good time for everyone but a shame for Sam.

Homework

Review and read out loud the teaching materials at least ten minutes at home every day. Ask parents to help. Be ready for the quiz next time.

Look at the picture here and list some key words. Write a five-sentence story (including who, what, when , where, and how) based on the key words. Post it on our forum for discussion and comments. Due Jan. 2, 2015.