Text Speak?

When I heard the phrase Text Speak, I wondered if it was really a thing?  I have two teenagers and they are constantly texting rather than talking on the phone for hours like I did when I was growing up.  All that texting do they use correct grammar and spelling? We have heard of shortcuts and acronyms the kids are using but is there a time to use text speak appropriately?  4th grade was the lucky grade level to use this lesson.  They were all to ready to talk about their texting habits and routines.  There are benefits to using text speak according to the students. It is shorter, friends understand what they mean, and quicker than a phone call.  We broke into groups to discuss when grammar and text speak are appropriate.

As you can see school was the main reason to use grammar while social media  used text speak.

They talk to one another on video games like Fortnite, Minecraft and Roblox with shortened messages as to not interfere with their playing time.

Glad to see letters, business conversations, homework, emails made the grammar list.  There were a few giggles when we talked about shortening words like OMG and they knew not to use those in writing at school. Our next lesson was to see how well did they really know text speak?  I made a Kahoot and it was surprising to hear their thoughts when we were done.  Everyone knew BFF but very few knew what RSVP stood for but knew they had seen that somewhere before.  Most students used their phones-yes phones in the 4th grade to text one another. Others used iPads and computers to talk to one another during games.  The most interesting thing we found was the highest scoring students on the Kahoot did not have a phone to text friends. When asked why they thought they did so well, one said he reads the text conversations when his friends "talk" but doesn't really text back in the conversation. Interesting because it made me think about all the time I spent reading tweets before I actually made my first tweet onTwitter.  I was nervous and was almost learning a new language.  I was quite surprised how much social media these 4th graders were exposed to and interact with on a regular basis.  There are articles stating text speak is harming our student's writing skills with incorrect spellings, poor grammar, and incomplete thoughts. I think it is an important lesson to have with our 4th and 5th grades as productive digital citizens as there are valid reasons to use either. How do you feel about text speak and does it have a place in our classroom instruction?

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Week 1 was FABULOUS!

I really cannot believe a week ago I was up late waiting for the 1st day of school. Where does the time go? Where am I now? Trying to catch up the blog and putting those last minute details for this week's lessons. First thing first here is our 1st class picture!

They are a great looking bunch aren't they?!? So let's get a sneak peek into the week. Each year I start their personal journals on day 1 and we write EVERYDAY! I love reading and listening to them. We have lost teeth, lost family members, had brothers/sisters born, contests won, riding our bike without training wheels, and even attendance at the FSU games documented. GO NOLES! This one is extra special, CJ's mom got her first teaching job and CJ wrote about how each person in the house was "iksidid" for mom now how stinkin' cute is that?! We are very excited for you Mrs. Asbill and those 1st graders are lucky to have you.
We read bunches this week and wrote in our reading response journals. We used our face partners to read our writing to and it was too cute to hear them tell each other, "Thank you for sharing."

We learned about scientist tools this week and I think the exploration part can be summed up by this one picture...yes we got to wear the goggles.

I handed out the ActivExpressions and YIPPEE there was excitement that could be felt 6 doors down each hallway. We could share answers and text in number combinations. You should check out our class Instagram and Twitter feed to get the latest updates. Check out our friend texting his number sentence.

Who doesn't love a good book? Well reading Pete the Cat makes for an extra special time singing and joining in the fun because ..."It's all good."

and then before you know it it is time to leave and go home.

This is absolutely the BEST way to spend your days. These new chickens are ready each day for anything and they do so with a smile on their face. It is going to be a fabulous year so check back often and see us along for the journey. What do I have ready for them next week?

Breella's Ghost House Story

Breella wrote a story, The Ghost House.  I thought it was as cute as could be and said hey we should publish that!  I wanted to try out the Puppet Pals app on the iPad so there we went... Breella got sick, I sent the story home to practice, things happen and before you know it we passed up Halloween.  Well it was too cute to toss to the side.  Here is The Ghost House by Breella Moon. Watch out world...she is going to be famous!

thoughts from Breella

I have to say I love going to work. Each day is a new adventure and I am surrounded by my favorite little friends, what more could a person ask for? Breella is a new friend this year and she is creative, fun loving, and reminds me of Ramona Quimby! She took it upon herself to write something for the class and wanted to share. I couldn't get my phone out fast enough when she started reading. This is why I love coming to work...

Thank you Breella for making my day.

Heart Maps

We write in our journals every morning and during our writing time. Sometimes I am asked, "What do you do when they don't have anything to write about?" Sometimes I ask a few questions to get the writing juices flowing UNTIL I saw this awesome idea on another blog.  I asked the kids to think about all the things that they heart (love) and they had a bunch! I drew things on my heart map that I hold dear to me...Tim, Kaile, Carson, FSU, Phi Mu, our home, my classroom, my family, friends, ice cream, Chick-fil-A, Ann Taylor Loft, Panera...you get the picture. :) I gave them a paper heart and they were off and running.  After drawing we decided to make it pretty by coloring and decorating.  They are adorable!  So Andrew says I am going to write Edmodo!  Kasey takes an ActivExpression and copies the letters off of it to spell it correctly.  Aubrey says to me "I wrote you twice Mrs. Wright on my heart map and the class." These are the days a teacher lives for I tell you! It made me all mushy inside and I definitely heart my class! Check out their heart maps.

Mark your calendars-January 2014

You are probably wondering what in the world that is 3 years away.  Take it from me it will be here before you know it. In Florida, 4th graders take the FCAT Writes test where they demonstrate their writing craft in essay form.  We all know preparation does not just happen in fourth grade.  Teachers and parents start before Kindergarten exposing young minds to text and text features.  They read stories with different voices and intonation.  They help with sentence structure and word choice.  It truly takes a long time to improve one's writing craft.  Each year our 4th grade puts on a Write Night.  A guest speaker is offered to inspire and talk about their journey as a writer.  The 4th grade teachers perform a skit.  Tips are offered to parents along with a countdown writing calendar and door prizes!  Our administration feels so strongly about a family night that they even offer pizza to all the families!  Thank you Mr. Butler and Dr. Newnam.

This year the guest speaker was Marian Strong Tomblin, a famous local writer.  She has written books entitled, The Mystery of Ormond Hotel, Where's Capone's Cash?, Manatee Moon, and others.  She is such a fabulous speaker!  She captivated the crowd with her wit and she made writing seem so easy to do. All you needed was practice!  She even had some of her "in the works" notebook available for the families to see.  There was one notebook that looked a little weathered, come to find out she had enough one day and left it out in the rain. Kaile, my daughter, was so excited to get an autographed copy of her book.  Just look at that smile.  Of course I had to squeeze into the photo.  I love it when I meet authors and get to tell my class all about the experience.

It was night to remember.  Taking that writing test just lets you see the fruits of your labor from pre-school to now.  If you don't write with your child, start today.  Buy a notebook and write notes back and forth, buy a journal and write about all those memorable moments, or buy a blank book and write about a future trip.  When was the last time your child actually sat down and wrote a thank you letter? Writing is all around and it goes hand in hand with reading.  The only way to get better is to practice.