Great Job!

Great job with your monster drawing, Barb. I will have to experiment with inDesign.

Marc's Monster by Joan R.

Here is the original monster!

I used inDesign to create this monster. It was easier this time around as I was much more familiar with the program this time. Then I cropped it in FireWorks and saved as a jpeg. Thanks for the story! ~Barb

To Blog? Yes, Let’s Try It! (by Joan R.)

My special education students are often quite resistant to writing. As soon as I pull out a graphic organizer, I hear moans and groans. The students frequently perceive the organizers as having to do more work. They just want to be given the assignment and just get it done. Blogging may break this cycle. In The Write Motivation article, the information about writing to experts sounds appealing. I also liked the idea of having ePals. Since the students are so used to emails and blogging already, the ideas in this article should provide another means for their skill development.

Several more activities are described in the Scaffolding for Struggling Students article. My eighth grade team does a lot with literature activities. I often have to modify for the special education students. Now I can have all sorts of web (blogging) activities and suggestions “up my sleeve” to make the modifications more interesting. The character journals, character roundtables, and think-aloud postings could definitely be used to make the lessons more appealing to my students. I will certainly try some of these suggestions next year.

Marc's Monster

Clowns are usually nice and jolly,
but not the one living in Marc’s closet.
Instead of laughing, this Monster just snarls.
Clowns are chubby and dress in stripes or polka dots,
but not the one living in Marc’s closet.
Instead, this Monster is skinny and twisted and wears lime green.
Clowns jump around on flexible legs and strong arms,
but not the one living in Marc’s closet.
Instead, Marc’s Monster’s limbs are pin stick straight.
Clowns have round faces painted white.
but not the one living in Marc’s closet.
Instead, this Monster’s face is long and slim and sickly yellow.
Clowns have eyes that twinkle and sparkle,
but not the one living in Marc’s closet.
Instead, the Monster’s eyes are slit and evil.
Clowns have smiles that light up the room,
but not the one living in Marc’s closet.
Instead, the Monster’s smile is upside down.
Clowns have red noses that honk and squeak,
but not the one living in Marc’s closet.
Instead, this Monster’s tiny nose just oozes slime.
Clowns have ears that are cute or silly,
but not the one living in Marc’s closet.
Instead, this one has ears as large as his head.
Clowns have curls that are red and soft,
but not the one living in Marc’s closet.
Instead, this Monster’s hair is course, straight and purple.
Clowns are friendly and fun to be with,
but not the one living in Marc’s closet.
Instead, thought Marc, maybe this Monster needs a friend.
Clowns have full tummies that are well fed,
but not the one living in Marc’s closet.
Instead, Marc thought, is my Monster hungry?
Clowns are given cookies and lemonade,
but not the one living in Marc’s closet.
Instead, one night, Marc places these treats inside the closet door.
Clowns are cuddled and so loveable,
Just like the one living in Marc’s closet.
Now Marc’s Monster has a good friend.