Hancock

Helsel

Ellis

Sometimes graphic organizers can help us get our ideas and thoughts organized. Use them if they work for you.

Hello everyone. Sorry I could not make it to Raleigh today due to the flooding. 

Today you will select the photo you feel speaks to you -- the photo that tells a story. You may not know what the story is yet, but nonetheless, the photo is speaking to you. Trust your instinct. 

Once your photo is selected and you upload it to the Shared Drive, you will begin the pre-writing process. Here are directions to view and upload your photos in Shared Drive. 

Start with a quick-write for five minutes about your photo. Just write down everything that comes to mind. It doesn't have to make sense now. 

Also, write down one prose sentence about your photograph that is not expository. So, do not explain what is in the photograph, but create a sentence that you think of from looking at the photo. I have some example below from a photograph I took while at Root (fluorescent light) and from a photo I took that inspired me to write the essay, Christmas Eve Wonder.
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Photo title: Grief Distilled

The light from the surface is not always the brightest source. Sometimes the true source of light is invisible and comes from within. My light comes from my faith, family and scars. There is a quote I love from a Leonard Cohen song, Anthem: There is a crack, a crack in everything 
Here are the last two stanzas of the song:
That's how the light gets in. 
Ring the bells that still can ring 
Forget your perfect offering 
There is a crack, a crack in everything 
That's how the light gets in. 

Ring the bells that still can ring 
Forget your perfect offering 
There is a crack, a crack in everything 
That's how the light gets in. 
That's how the light gets in. 
That's how the light gets in.

​My light shines bright but it was not always that way. When my mother died, my light dimmed and crackled as if a fluorescent light bulb about to burst. But now, as years of grief has passed and I am able to shine, I am shining a light for others. A light for those who have lost a loved one.

To be continued...

Photo Title: Twinkling Wonder
Essay Title: Christmas Eve Wonder

In each photo, there is a pocket where memory marinates.

What I remember most about Christmas is spending time with my family and the magic of Christmas Eve. The joy of spotting Santa in the sky and the holiness of the night as it curved into dawn of Christmas Day. We would wait up for my father on Christmas Eve, which was so exciting. He worked nights as a security guard at the Northern Trust Bank in Chicago. He would leave for work around 1 in the afternoon. Even though his shift started at 3, he would leave the house at 1 to catch the train into the city from the suburb where we lived. Mom had the house filled with Christmas smells and spices. My favorite was a mixture of orange peels, cinnamon sticks, and cloves simmering on the stove. It made the house smell so wonderful.

We would bake Christmas cookies and roll out the white dough and sprinkle green and red sugary crystals on top of each cookie. Snowmen, Christmas trees, bells, Santas, and elves. I don’t know how the afternoon passed. Sometimes we would wrap last-minute presents Mom needed help with. We would help get “The Little Room” ready for Christmas Eve. The Little Room was the name of the room attached to the garage. It was behind the house, about ten feet from the back door. It had a fireplace and that is where we put up the Christmas tree. It was such a magical place around the holidays.

With a fire crackling and the lights shimmering, we would sing along to the Christmas music on the radio and shake our presents to “see” what was inside. Even though we were allowed to open any gift under the tree on Christmas Eve, my sister and I always opened each other’s gifts that we got each other. Then it turned into tradition. I remember one year she saved her allowance for months to get me a monkey puppet. It had super long legs and arms and had a squeaky toy inside the mouth. It was brown and furry.
The most vivid memory is when Dad finally got home from work around midnight and we would squeal with delight, scampering around the house. Then we would run barefoot over the snow (it was Chicago – you could pretty much always bank on a white Christmas) and pitter patter through it, jumping from stone to stone on the circular stone path that led to the Little Room. And once inside the door, we would warm up by the fire and drink hot cocoa. Then we would open each other’s gifts — my sister and me — and my parents would watch. That is what I remember about Christmas. Well, Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve is such a special time. Everyone is getting everything ready and it just is magical, no way around it. I love Christmas Eve more than Christmas morning.
​
I am embracing this tradition with my son, who is experiencing the wonder of Christmas. I hope you all have a beautiful Christmas with your loved ones and I hope you experience the wonder of the season, just as you did in the pockets of your childhood memory and in the creation of new memories.

Photo Title: Knowledge Secret

So, what I bolded above can be the stem from which I write this week about my photo(s). It is a fictional story about the adventures of Gabriel and his secret. The story will be continued. Do you see how a photo can inspire your own creative writing? 

Below is a slideshow of photographs I took on day 1. I have used a freewrite to come up with ideas to write about by just writing down the first thoughts that popped in my head when I looked at the photos. This is what I mean by writing stems. Sometimes an idea really sticks with you and then you can choose to explore that idea more deeply and write more about it. 

To view photos already taken or check that they are there:
1. Open Google Drive App
2. Log in using Wake Google Account
3. Go to Shared with Me in Menu
4. Select Artist - Homeroom Teacher folder
5. Photos should be in this folder (Note: Students may want to rename photos to include their name or initials)

To save a picture to the Google Drive Folder (assuming the student has already logged into Wake County Google Account):
1. Take a picture(s)
2. Select a picture(s)
3. Go to share button on Photo app (up arrow in box)
4. Select Google Drive
5. Select Correct Folder (student might have to search for folder)
6. Upload photo(s)

Day 1 favorite photographs slideshow

Ms. Ellis' Class

Hancock

Helsel

On March 22 and 23, third, fourth, and fifth grade students at Willow Springs Elementary School participated in a photography workshop. Students had the opportunity to take their own photos using digital photography (iPads). Students explored photography techniques such as rule of thirds, framing their photo, zooming in and zooming out, and most importantly -- listening to their muse. Check out the student galleries organized by class name. Great work Willow Springs students. A picture is worth a thousand words!

We began each workshop inviting students to think about how photography has evolved. Students selected the oldest camera and the newest camera. Students were fascinated with film cameras and looking at cameras from different eras. I told the students that the black polaroid camera was my parents' camera and it took photographs from childhood when I was their age.

Highlights from all six classes

Eaton

Fowler

Sutherland

Tillery

Beard

Riley

If you don't see your photos with your class, it is most likely in the slideshow below. There were several iPads that were disabled to share to DropBox.

Dear 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Students,

I am very excited to work with you next week in our upcoming photography workshop. We will be using iPads to take digital photographs. I wanted to share with you some of my favorite photographs. Here is a link to my own portfolio, where you can look at photographs I have taken. 

Let's discuss some aspects of photography that create a great photograph. The most important thing is that you have to be inspired by your subject. You need to be drawn to it for some reason. That reason is muse (inspiration). When we take photographs during our workshop around the school and school grounds, follow the muse. Follow your inspiration. If you see something interesting, investigate! Look closely at your subject matter. Zoom in or zoom out. Frame your subject. Most importantly, take a lot of photos. Practice makes perfect. 
So to review:
1. Follow your inspiration! 
2. Zoom in or zoom out to frame your subject just right

Onto the rule of thirds...
The rule of thirds is important in photography. Here are some examples.

And finally -- composition. What story is your photograph telling? Do you see how "compose" is part of composition?  To compose means to create

Here are some photographs from my favorite photographer, Ansel Adams who was really great at composition in photography. He was also dyslexic and struggled in school. 

Ansel Adams photos

And finally another of my favorite photographers, Legographer, Andrew Whyte -- also known as the Legographer. He is great to study for perspective in photography. He places a LEGO mini-figure in all his photos and yes, the mini-figure has a LEGO camera. I am the CEO and Founder of Brick Scholars, a mobile STEAM lab that creates opportunities for children to brick and learn.  Here are some of my favorite Legographer photos.

Hello Banks Road students!  I am very excited to work with you on March 20 and March 30. We will be writing I Am and haiku poems. You will have a choice on what poetry form you choose. Poetry is all about free expression so I want to give you choices. 

I am providing some background information for you to read to get you excited about poetry. Poetry is wonderful because it allows children to express themselves and their ideas in the way that comes natural to them. Some poets like to write free verse, which means there are no rules to how the poem looks or sounds. Some poets like to follow formats such as haiku and limericks, which have rules. Below are some examples. 

Poetry is... How do define it? After viewing the slideshow below, write in the comments or on a piece of paper what you think poetry is.
Here's mine: Poetry is the laughter of children and the music of nature, calming the heart.

I am including some of my favorite poets and poems for children. If you love writing poetry on your own, I am also providing some different poetry formats for you to explore. ​I will bring plenty of poetry books for you to look at if you need help getting started. I will also lead you through several poetry writing exercises. 

Here are some examples of different types of poems. 

My favorite children's poet is Shel Silverstein. I will bring copies of his books to our workshop, but here are a few of my favorite poems you can read ahead if you have time. He'll make you laugh outloud. He started writing poetry when he was twelve years old and illustrated his poems himself. You might recognize some of his poetry books such as The Light in the Attic, Falling Up, and Where the Sidewalk Ends. I highly recommend them all!

Here are some of my favorite poems. Sick is my favorite Shel Silverstein poem.

Shel Silverstein used his poetry as lyrics for songs he composed music to. Music lyrics start as poems!

Jack Pretutsky is another favorite poet of mine.

I am looking forward to writing poetry with you soon. 

​Day 2: Exploring Poetic Devices 
Students were introduced to poetic devices (alliteration, metaphor, simile, personification, and onomatopoeia) and created their own examples. Students also started sharing their work aloud, preparing them for reading their poetry aloud in preparation for the Open Mic at the end of the week.

​Day 3: Writing Poetry
Students spend the majority of class time writing poems and polishing poems they started developing earlier in the week. Students used a bicycle graphic organizer to organize and synthesize their thoughts and ideas. For some students, the graphic organizer helps visually understand the complex nature of poetry and how many different elements create a well-crafted poem. Ultimately though, we decided that the poet is what brings a poem to life and the passion for a subject to write about.

Students at Weatherstone Elementary School were immersed in a week of poetry when teaching artist, Megan Oteri visited the school for the poetry residency, The Bicycle of Poetry: Riding through the Senses.

This residency was funded by grant money from the United Arts Council of Wake County and the Weatherstone PTA. I would like to thank Weatherstone Elementary School PTA for bringing me to work with the third grade students and teachers. 

Thank you to teachers for allowing me to work with your Language Arts classes. There were many poems born this week and students walked away inspired from each other and most importantly, themselves. That is a beautiful thing. Below is a video highlighting the week from start to finish and throughout this post are videos highlighting each day of the residency. Stay tuned until the end as there are videos of individual poets reading their work.

Day 2: Exploring Poetic Devices 
Students were introduced to poetic devices (alliteration, metaphor, simile, personification, and onomatopoeia) and created their own examples. Students also started sharing their work aloud, preparing them for reading their poetry aloud in preparation for the Open Mic at the end of the week.

Day 3: Writing Poetry
Students spend the majority of class time writing poems and polishing poems they started developing earlier in the week. Students used a bicycle graphic organizer to organize and synthesize their thoughts and ideas. For some students, the graphic organizer helps visually understand the complex nature of poetry and how many different elements create a well-crafted poem. Ultimately though, we decided that the poet is what brings a poem to life and the passion for a subject to write about. 

Day 4: Open Mic
This was a condensed residency (from five days to four) so we had our open mic on Day 4. Students read their work aloud in front of an audience, which included Weatherstone Elem. principal, Mr. Chadwick. The students did a great job. For students that were too shy to read in front of an audience, we recorded them reading their poem on the app, ChatterKid. Students had a fun time creating and sharing these poems. Some students even took the initiative to type up their poems and give them to me. I am hoping we can create a digital anthology for the entire third grade. Such marvelous poets! It was an honor to work with these talented young authors. Highlight videos from the open mic and ChatterKid are below.

I leave you with some of my favorite thoughts on poetry. If you are so inspired, please write your answer to -- "Poetry is..." in the comments. I would love to hear from you. Please share any other thoughts on the post too.