Teaching Interrogative vs. Relative Pronouns using Grammarcloud

Check out my new digital learning website: GrammarCloud!

Teaching Reflexive Pronouns using Grammarcloud Tutorials

Check out my new digital learning website: GrammarCloud!

Teaching Indefinite Pronouns using Grammarcloud

Check out my new digital learning website: GrammarCloud!

New Website grammarcloud.org

 I am currently building a new website called grammarcloud that is a combination of all that I have implemented in the classroom over the years.  My school has provided me with amazing professional development that ranges from project based learning, implementation of digital tools for enhancing grammar and writing, as well as the application of thinking routines after studying at Harvard's Project Zero. I recently received my master's in Instructional Design and Technology where I am applying design techniques blended with my expertise with grammar and writing to create instructional tutorials for a deeper cognitive learning experience.  I would like to offer support for those who are working towards creating a digital classroom blended with making thinking visible.  My website is a work in progress, but I hope to develop it over time and help those who are interested.

The Last Lecture

QuizMaker

I am trying this free assessment from QuizMaker that provides an HTML code for embedding it within a blog. I created a few sample test questions to try it out. So far, it seems like a quick, easy way to create quizzes for the teacher and learner to receive immediate feedback.

The Sentence

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Name:

Course:

E-mail address:

1. What is the purpose and function of subordinating conjunctions?

   They join two independent clauses for a compound sentence

   They create a complex sentence by joining a dependent and independent clause

   They create fragments

2. What is the sentence combining strategy needed for the following: My jacket is from Italy. It is made from leather.

   Sentence combine using one word

   Sentence combine using a group of words

   Sentence combine using a conjunction

3. Which of the following is an example of a comma splice?

   My family enjoys the beach we all soak up the sun.

   My family enjoys the beach, and we all soak up the sun.

   My family enjoys the beach, we all soak up the sun.

Movie and Book Trailers from Summer Adventures

Goonies Movie Trailer from Presbyterian Day School on Vimeo.

Series of Unfortunate Events Book Trailer from Presbyterian Day School on Vimeo.

Canterwood Crest Academy Book Trailer from Presbyterian Day School on Vimeo.

Storybird

During Summer Adventures at PDS, we have been learning about what it means to write a well-written story in our creative writing class. Storybird.com has enabled all of the participants to make their writing come to life with digital images that help tell a captivating story. So far, we have written stories independently and collaboratively based on preference and interest, and we have taken on a challenge of participating in the Storybird contest and writing according to the theme of acceptance. We are finishing the week with a story that is written in poem form. Below are a few examples of the fascinating stories that we have written so far, and more will be added as soon as they are completed.

The 5th grade recently participated in the Exchange Club’s Crime Prevention Essay Contest, and three boys were selected as a finalist. Edward Smith, Rob McFadden, and Jack Billups proceeded to the next phase of the contest as the Law Enforcement Officials and the Exchange Club members interviewed them on Wednesday, March 6th. 

Edward Smith was selected as the winner among hundreds of participants from Memphis City, Shelby County and other private schools in the area and was given the title of Junior Assistant FBI Special Agent in Charge.  He was honored at a luncheon at Southwest Community College on March 14 where all of the ranking Law Enforcement leaders presented the students with badges and a cash prize. 

It is an honor to have Edward represent PDS as the winner of the Exchange Club's Crime Prevention Essay Contest.

                  

Freelance Writers

My students have been working on freelance writing where they apply their grammar skills in context and then submit their final work to writing contests.  The following are examples of some of their work:

Genre	Title	Author	Participated in the following Contest:
Adventure, Fiction	Hunted	Thomas	Authorstand
Fiction	The Guardian Guardian Part 2	Sean-Marc	Authorstand
Action/Adventure, Fiction	The adventures of Carl and Whiskers: The Escape	Jack F. and Kyle	Authorstand
Short Story, Fiction	Troublesome Willy	Henry	Authorstand
Mystery, Fiction	The Silent Cowbell	Sean G.	Authorstand
Adventure, Fiction	The Thief	Charlie	Authorstand
Mystery, Fiction	All a Mystery	Gus	Authorstand
Mystery, Fiction	Crime at the Pentagon	Russell	Authorstand
Mystery, Action, Fiction	Hope	Robert A.	Authorstand
Short Story, Fiction	Bud	Spence	Authorstand
Action, Historical Fiction	Wartime	Benjamin	Authorstand
Short Story	The Silver Heart	Tre	Authorstand
Mystery, Fiction	The Haunted	Sean	Authorstand
Short Story	The Elf on the Shelf	Fox	Authorstand
Short Story	Blood Bucks	Sterling	Authorstand
Short Story	The Renowned Roomate	Rob M.	Authorstand
Mystery, Fiction	Museum Robbery	Jerry	Authorstand
Action/Comedy	Day Off	James	Authorstand
Short Story	The Apprentice	Reid	Authorstand
Action/ Adventure	My Story	Cole	Authorstand
Short Story	The Wal Mart Shopper Stalker	Rob M.	Authorstand
Realistic Fiction	Freelance	Seth	Authorstand
Adventure	A Sacred Town	Dalton	Authorstand