Ms. Gleichman’s Writing Class!

Although I totally heart Edublogs and super wish I could keep using it, I have a new class website because Adams 12 is all about Google.  So please visit my new site here!

What would you do if you were walking down the street and a smiling robot approached you, looking for directions?  Would you help it?  Turn it the right direction and maybe even give it some advice?

It kinda sounds like something out of the next Transformers movie, doesn’t it?  Actually, it’s an experiment done in New York City.

A researcher built robots called Tweenbots that depend on human help to get to where they’re going.  It sounds like something that could go horribly wrong with robots damaged or even destroyed – but the cool thing is, every single robot got to where it was going with the help of the people it met on the way!  If random strangers can help a robot, what can you do to help people you meet or know?

Check out a video about the Tweenbots here:

© Universal Press Syndicate

Whenever I spend time in class talking about figurative language, I start to notice just how often it’s used in life, and not just in literature.  Musicians use figurative language constantly to make their music flow better and have different layers of meaning – the Flobots, for example, use alliteration in “Handlebars”: “Have ‘em all grilled leavin’ lacerations.”  50 Cent, in “21 Questions,” includes the simile, “I love you like a fat kid loves cake.” Lupe Fiasco has a song called, “Hip Hop Saved My Life” – hyperbole?  Or truth?

You also often see figurative language in comics – the Calvin & Hobbes comic strip above uses both an allusion and onomatopoeia. (The first person to post a comment identifying both gets a bag of hot Cheetos!)

Where have you noticed examples of figurative language in books, articles, music, TV, movies, or everyday life?  Post your examples here or bring them to me in class!  Include the example, the type of figurative language, and where you found it.  And remember, I promised rewards (Eagle Bucks, pencils, or a piece of candy) to the students who notice figurative language being used around them. 

We have made it through CSAP for another year!  From what I saw and heard, everyone in the Transformation Core worked really hard on all the tests.  Great job, guys – we are really proud of you.

Last night I had the pleasure of attending the Niver Creek band concert.  Every grade level did a fantastic job – I was incredibly impressed with the musical talent that our students show.

If you’ve never had the opportunity to go to a band concert, next time you should do it.  They sounded great and are clearly very dedicated to their music.

Way to go, guys!

It’s been a really long time since I updated – apologies to anyone who may have been looking for information on what we’ve done in class for the last few days.  With parent/teacher conferences last week, things have just been busy and I hadn’t gotten around to the site.  It’s updated now, though, and I’ll try to keep it that way.

It was great to sit down with so many families at conferences; in the two nights, I met with 59 families.  That’s a lot!  I would still love to talk to anyone I didn’t get to talk to last week.  If you (a student) have any concerns about your grade, or you (a parent/guardian) have any questions or concerns about your student, feel free to call me at (720) 972-7046 or email me at allison.gleichman@adams12.org.  I am always happyto talk to anyone about their education.

One of the things I really like about Akeelah and the Bee is Akeelah’s friendship with Georgia. Though they go through some rough times, in the end their friendship is stronger than ever. But this story about an elephant’s best friend is even better – check it out!  (The video is on youtube, so it’s blocked at school.)

The Transformation Core had an impressive number of students participate in yesterday’s spelling bee.  Though all did well, nine of our students will be going on to the oral spelling bee next Tuesday.

Only 25 spellers made it total from all participants, meaning that over 1/3 of the students in next week’s bee are Transformation Core students!  That’s pretty incredible!

Congratulations to all the spelling bee participants for their hard work and dedication – I’m really proud of you guys.

After watching the end of Akeelah and the Bee today, I hope you’re all motivated to enter our school spelling bee this Tuesday, January 20th, after school in the cafeteria.  Remember, if you enter, you get a free homework pass from me to be used on an assignment of your choice – and if you make it to the oral spelling bee, you get another one!  What a deal!

In addition, the top six spellers after the oral spelling bee get cash prizes.  Last year, that included two Transformation Core students, and with the talent I see in you guys, I’m betting that’ll happen again.

If you want to practice this weekend and you forgot to bring home a list of words, visit Merriam-Webster’s Spell It! for tons of words that could appear in the spelling bee.  Study hard, and I bet you’ll kick butt (or as Derek T would say, b-u-t-t, butt!) just like Akeelah did!

(Which, by the way, is you!  If you are a girl.  If male, you qualify as an awesome boy instead.)

New Moon Girls is holding an inner beauty contest for girls from ages 8 to 12.  If you are 12 or under, you should enter!  All you have to do is go here, copy the questions, answer them, and then email it to submissions@newmoongirls.com.  Here’s the catch:  you have to enter by 11pm (midnight central time) this Monday, January 19th.

Take a look at the questions (also listed below) and get working!  Because I know that all my students have a lot of inner beauty, and I’d like to see y’all get recognized for it.  Now, guys:  this one is just for the ladies.  But you could nominate a friend, sister, cousin, or anyone you know who you think should be considered.

Here are the questions:

Your full name:
Your relationship to the Beautiful Girl:

Your email address:

Your phone number:
Beautiful Girl’s name (can be the same as yours!):

Beautiful Girl’s age:

Parent/guardian’s email:

Parent/guardian’s phone:

Parent/guardian’s address:
1. What are your nominee’s dreams for the future, either personally or for the world? (If you are talking about yourself, what are your dreams?) Please explain in detail!
2. What does she think would make the world a better place for girls? (If you are talking about yourself, what are your dreams?)
3. Describe her in three words. Why do these those three words describe her best? (If you are nominating yourself, what three words best describe you? Why?)
4. Who are her role models? Why? (If you are nominating yourself, who are your role models?)
5. How does her true beauty shine? Please give examples of things she has done (If you are nominating yourself, how do you show your true beauty?)
6. What about her (or you, if you are nominating yourself) might inspire other girls? Please explain!
7. Does she have a hidden talent? If so, what is it? OR What is the craziest thing she’s ever done? (If you are nominating yourself, talk about your hidden talent or craziest thing) Please tell us in detail!