Question of the Week #30

Dear class,

Now that we're at the end of our year together, you may write about anything that's on your mind these days. If you need a suggestion, tell us what you're going to do this summer. Write about your feelings now that we're almost done. Predict where you'll be in 10 years and write about that. This is like a "free writing" space for the week. It will also be our last blog.

Thank you for the wonderful year everyone! I hope you all go on to be wonderful children who grow up to be hard-working, responsible adults. May you always take the time to care for others and appreciate all you have been given.

God bless,

Ms. Gessner

Question of the Week #29

Dear class,

As you read in our Open Court books recently, kids are able to create some cool inventions. One boy created his own greeting card business. Another girl created a new way to cook bacon. Here are some famous inventors: Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, Bill Gates invented Microsoft (with some help) and Alexander Graham Bell invented the first telephone. If you could make an invention, what would it be? Thoughtful responses written by Friday, June 5th, will receive 2 extra credit points for their English grade. Remember to type it yourself and check your work for mistakes.

~ Ms. Gessner

Question of the Week #28

Dear class,

For this week's blog, write a letter to a 2nd grader who will be going into third grade next year. Address the letter, "Dear New Third Grader." Tell the third grader what they can expect to happen in third grade. What are some of the topics we cover? What projects will they be doing? What will be challenging? What will be fun? What will be something new that they haven't probably learned before? Thoughtful responses written by Friday, May 22nd, will receive 2 extra credit points toward their English grade.

~ Ms. Gessner

Question of the Week #27

Dear class,

This week, we're celebrating "Teacher's Appreciation Week." To honor this week, I'd like you to tell me what you hope for in a teacher. What do you think makes a good teacher? Maybe some of you have thought about becoming a teacher someday. You can also ask me questions this week about being a teacher. Write about any teacher you'd like and tell us why this person made a difference in your life. This blog is for fun and won't count towards extra credit. If you write about a teacher at our school, I'll make sure to deliver your message. Remember to check your work for mistakes.

~ Ms. Gessner

Question of the Week #26

Dear Class,

On Friday, we'll celebrate Granparent's Day. Grandparents are an important part of any family. For this week's blog, write about your grandparents. Think of the W's like:

Who are they?

Where do they live?

What do you like to do with them?

When do you usually see them?

What makes them special to you?

Thoughtful responses written by Friday, May 8th, will receive 2 extra credit points for their English grade.

~ Ms. Gessner

Question of the Week #25

Dear class,

Pets are an important part of the family. I couldn't find a picture of our last pet, Little G, but here's a picture of a weiner dog that looks just her.

For this week's blog, write about a pet that was special to you. If you've never lost a pet, write about your current pet. If you have never had a pet, ask your parents about a pet they had when they were young. Describe your pet and explain what made them special to you (or your parents).

Thoughtful responses written by Friday, May 1st, will receive 2 extra credit points for your English grade. Remember to check your work for mistakes.

~ Ms. Gessner

Question of the Week #24

Dear class,

On Wednesday, April 22nd, we will celebrate Earth Day. This is a great opportunity to remind ourselves how we can take care of our planet. Describe at least one way you are going to preserve the beauty of our world in a special way this week. Thoughtful answers written by Friday, April 24th, will receive 2 extra credit points for their social studies grade.

~ Ms. Gessner

Question of the Week #23

Dear class,

Write about your spring break. I'll be in Anaheim, CA for a teacher's workshop. For three days, I'll be learning new and interesting ways to teach you. Anaheim is the city where Disneyland is located. If I see Mickey or Minnie Mouse, I'll tell them "hi" for you!

What have you been doing for spring break?

How is your break going?

Where have you been?

Have fun and be safe everyone!

~ Ms. Gessner

Question of the Week #22

Dear class,

Welcome to Holy Week! This is a special time for Christians everywhere to remember how Jesus lived, died and rose from the dead (resurrected). On Thursday, we'll celebrate the life of Jesus as He shared in the last supper with His apostles. On Friday, we'll honor His death with a Good Friday service at school. Over the weekend, I strongly encourage you to go to church to celebrate Jesus' rising for Easter. This week's question is worth 2 extra credit points for a religion grade if you provide a thoughtful answer.

Why do you think Jesus chose to die? Why didn't He save himself?

I wish all of you a wonderful spring vacation and blessed spring break.

~ Ms. Gessner

Question of the Week #21

Dear class,

Spring break is around the corner. We will have a week off from school to rest and relax.

What are your spring break plans?

If you don't have plans, what do you wish you could do?

Thoughtful answers written by Friday, April 3rd, will receive 2 extra credit points toward your English grade. Remember to do the typing and response on your own. Your parents can help you with spelling.

~ Ms. Gessner

Question of the Week #20

Dear class,

Last Friday, the season of spring officially started. That means the next few months will be filled with warmer weather, flowers popping open and daylight lasting longer. For this week's question, answer this:

If you had to choose between winter, spring, summer or fall, which season do you like best? Why?

Thoughtful responses written by Friday, March 27th will receive 2 extra credit points toward their English grade. Remember to check your work for mistakes. Have fun!

~ Ms. Gessner

Question of the Week #19

Dear class,

On Tuesday, we will celebrate St. Patrick's Day by singing Irish songs to the residents at the Franciscan Apartments across the street. St. Patrick was a real man at one time. To read more about him, go to: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=89

We usually think of feeling lucky on St. Patrick's Day. This week's question is:

Describe a time when you felt lucky. What happened? Who else was part of it? Do you believe in good luck charms?

Thoughtful answer will receive 2 extra credit points toward their English grade. Good luck!

~Ms. Gessner

Question of the Week #18

Dear class,

On Friday, you will receive your report card for the 2nd trimester. For this week's blog, answer these two questions:

Why are report cards important?

What would happen if schools didn't use report cards?

This week's blog is just for fun. Make sure to check your work for mistakes. We'll read the blog together in class on Friday during lunchtime.

~ Ms. Gessner

Question of the Week #17

Dear class,

Every year, women around the world are recognized on March 8th for "International Women's Day." In Italy, little yellow flowers (called mimosa) are given out on many street corners to women as a way to say thank you. For this week's blog, think of a woman who has touched your life. This can be your mom, grandma, neighbor, etc. Write about how this woman has stood out to you. Thoughtful responses written by Friday, March 6th, will receive 2 extra credit points for their English grade. Remember to check your work for mistakes.

~ Ms. Gessner

Question of the Week #16

Dear class,

On Wednesday this week, we will celebrate the Mass for Ash Wednesday. This will be the beginning of a 40-day journey called "Lent." During Lent, Catholics are called to do three things: fast, pray and give to charity. To fast means to give up something that may be getting in the way of our path to God. You may want to watch less TV or cut back on sweets and eat healthier. For prayer, you could start a tradition of praying for 5 minutes before going to bed. Charity work is giving back to the community. If your church is collecting canned foods, remember to bring them to Mass. We will also be hosting a 3B garage sale in the middle of March to raise money for the Rice Bowl. The Rice Bowl collects money for families who are hungry and poor. The next few weeks are a chance for us to improve ourselves. In this week's blog, write about what you plan to do to make this a special Lenten season. Thoughtful responses written by Friday, February 27th, will receive 2 extra credit points for their English grade.

~ Ms. Gessner

Question of the Week #15

Dear class,

Since Valentine's Day is coming up next weekend, this is the perfect time to think about those people in our lives who we love. Please write a paragraph about a person who is special to you. Tell us why you love him/her, what makes that person special to you and how he/she has changed your life. To earn 3 extra credit points toward your English grade, your paragraph should have a topic sentence, a couple detail sentences and a wrap-it-up sentence. Remember to check your work. This assignment is due by Friday, February 13th.

~ Ms. Gessner

Question of the Week #14

Dear class,

This week, we will be learning how to make different kinds of poems. If you'd like to see some examples, you can go to the following websites:

http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/acrostic/

http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/diamante/

http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/shape/

These are just some examples. You can also make up your own kind of poem. Remember, poetry can be silly or serious. Poetry is not too worried about punctuation or complete sentences. Make up your own poem here on our blog by Friday, February 6th. This will be worth 2 extra credit points for your English grade.

~ Ms. Gessner

Question of the Week #13

Dear class,

Happy Catholic Schools Week! The theme this week is "Catholic Schools Celebrate Service." Here is a picture of children cleaning their school in El Salvador. This is one example of showing service. How can you show service this week? What are some special things you can do to give back to your family, community or the world? Thoughtful responses will receive 2 extra credit points for a religion grade.

~ Ms. Gessner

Question of the Week #12

Dear class,

On February 15th, Martin Luther King, Jr. would have been 80 years old if he was alive today. In the 1960's, he fought for the rights of all people. His dream (hope) was that segregation would end and that all people would be treated equally. What is your hope for the future? What would you like to see changed for our country or world? This week's question is worth 2 extra credit points for your religion grade.

~ Ms. Gessner

Question of the Week #11

Dear class,

On January 19th, President-elect Barack Obama will be moving into the White House with his wife and two daughters. Think about a time when you had to go somewhere new. Perhaps you were the new student in school or maybe you had to move from one house to another. If you have never moved, tell us about a time when you went somewhere new for the first time. Remember to check your work for mistakes before you post your blog for all to see. If you answer this question thoughtfully, you'll get 2 extra credit points for your social studies grade.

~ Ms. Gessner

Question of the Week #10

Dear class,

Happy New Year! I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas vacation. Since 2009 just started a few days ago, I thought we could blog about our goals for the new year. A goal is also known as a resolution.

What would you like to improve or change now that it's a brand new year? Tell us about your New Year's resolutions.

~ Ms. Gessner