~"Conversation Log" Messages~

These are done each morning in a "special" little journal.  The kids enjoy sharing their thoughts on each message!  Each message is read as soon as it is finished.  These "mini" writing conferences are powerful teaching tools BUT most of all each student is celebrated as a writer!  Suggestions for improvement are made to each writer based on the writing level (skill and confidence).  These "Conversation Log" entries are often shared during our "Authors' Chair" time.  "Authors' Chair" is done each day after lunch.  The messages incorporate as many integrated skill objectives as I can.  As precious as instructional time is, squeezing in as MUCH as you can WHEN you can is IMPERATIVE!  Oh, terms like "Personification, Alliteration, Metaphors, Similes, Onomatopoeia, Idioms, etc." become a special mini lesson!  Check out  "Dees' Ditties" to find our WHY.....

Dees' Ditties
Some messages deal with metaphors, a difficult concept for elementary students (I should say most all students :)  Check out this website for a beautiful way to understand metaphors! 
http://newali.apple.com/ali_sites/ali/exhibits/1000881/lesson_plan.html 
******Scroll to the bottom of this page for the "Conversation Log Rubric" that I use when checking over each student's conversation log. *******

 

August 17, 2007 

Dear Two~Gether Express, 

     Friday finds a friendly voice and says, “Get ready I am about to Make Your Day!  You have a three day weekend coming your way!  Stay home on Monday!  YeaJ” (That’s three words of alliteration, personification, and a little rhyme you know!) 

     Now I’m wondering, what do you think of when you hear “three day weekend”?  Please let me inside your headJ  (That’s an idiom you know) 

Sleeping late anyone,
Mrs. Dees

August 13, 2007 

Dear Two~Gether Express, 

     Monday makes many monkey faces!  (That’s personification, alliteration and is super silly you knowJ) 

     Speaking of monkey faces, what species of ape do you find most interesting?  We are planning a trip to the zoo and I want to be on the lookout for the best monkey faceJ  Be sure to tell me reasons for your choice. 

Bad Banana breath, (that’s alliteration you know)

Mrs. Dees

August 9, 2007 

Dear Two~Gether Express, 

     Thursday tries to thrill us with thoughts of terrific times!  (That’s personification and alliteration you knowJ) 

     Speaking of terrific times, tell me all about your most favorite memory!  I’m remembering mine right nowJ 

Scrapbooking anyone,

Mrs. Dees

August 8, 2007 

Dear Two~Gether Express, 

     Wednesday is wound up and wants to know, “What are your thoughts on our cafeteria?”  (That’s alliteration and personification you knowJ) 

     Wednesday and I want to know the same thingJ  Please share what you think about the whole cafeteria experience!  Don’t forget to mention things like the food on the line, salad bar, noise level, etc. 

Feasting on Food for thought,

Mrs. Dees

July 31, 2007 

Dear Two~Gether Express, 

     Tuesday tries to twist your thoughts and asks, “Even though I’m the last day of this month, I’m smiling!  Smiling because I got to see everything that came before meJ  Have you ever been happy about being last?”  (That’s alliteration and personification you know!) 

     What a great question!  Have you ever been last and happy that you were last?  Please describe the experience so that I’m sure to understand exactly what you’re talking aboutJ 

Remembering when last was best,

Mrs. Dees

July 30, 2007

Dear Two~Gether Express,

     Monday manages to make us smile by asking, "What do you like to do for fun?"  (That's personification and three words of alliteration you know!)

     Monday's right on the money with that question!  (That's an idiom you know.)  I'd like to know exactly that.  Please tell me what you like to do for fun and why that activity appeals to youJ

Following fun's funny feet, (that's alliteration and personification you know)
Mrs. Dees

July 23, 2007

Dear Two~Gether Express,

      Monday couldn't wait to get here today and say, "Hip, hip, hurray!  We're going to have a great day!"  (That's personification and a little rhyme you know!)

    Speaking of having a great day, what is your favorite day of the week?  Please tell me what makes that day the best for youJ

Weekday wondering,  (That's alliteration you know!)
Mrs. Dees

May 21, 2007 

Dear Two~Gether Express, 
     Monday is a crystal ball that sees an extremely special week aheadJ  (That’s a metaphor you know!) 
     Hey!  Where did Monday get a crystal ball? (That’s personification you know!) Doesn’t matter because we do not need a crystal ball to know that this is the week for us to “sparkle”!  (That’s a pun you knowJ  Oh, a pun is a clever remark connecting something together like crystal ball to sparkle.) 
   Speaking of a sparkling week, do you “shine, shine means do the best, in reading or math?  Don’t forget to give reasons for your choiceJ

Putting on sunglasses,
Mrs. Dees

May 1, 2007 

Dear Two~Gether Express, 

     Tuesday tells the tulips to tiptoe past the old month and welcome in a new monthJ  (That’s six words of alliteration and a funny fact you know!) 

     Speaking of tulips tiptoeing, have you ever heard “April showers bring May flowers”?  What do you think this old adage means? 

Tiptoeing through the tulips,

Mrs. Dees

April 24, 2007 

Dear Two~Gether Express, 

     Tuesday is a dream Wednesday will try to rememberJ  (That’s a metaphor you know!) 

     Speaking of remembering dreams, tell me about the best and/or worst dream you have ever had! 

Dreaming something dreamy,

Mrs. Dees

April 23, 2007 

Dear Two~Gether Express, 

     Monday quietly listens and hears the Earth say, “Please handle me with care…today, and every day.”  (That’s double personification and an extremely profound statement you knowJ)  Oh, profound means deep, intense, great! 

     Why is the Earth talking you may ask?  Well, yesterday was Earth Day and the Earth is trying to make us aware of our responsibilities as inhabitants (people) of Earth!  

     What is your greatest responsibility for keeping the Earth the best (and only) place to live?  What would you like other people to stop doing in order for YOU to inherit the best Earth possible?  (Inherit means to grow up inJ) 

Caring for the Earth,

Mrs. Dees

April 18, 2007 

Dear Two~Gether Express, 

     Wednesday is a midweek messenger making sure you know what super cool new stuff is in the Science Lab!  (That’s a metaphor and three words of alliteration you know!) 

     That’s right!  The Science Lab has loads of new inhabitants.  (Inhabitants mean living things that are living there.)  The new living creatures are: a long-tailed lizard, a red head agama, a Cuban tree frog, fire-bellied frogs, and a rose hair tarantula! 

     Some of these animals we have seen, some we haven’t.  Please tell me about at least one of the animals listed in paragraph two.  It can be something you already know or something you want to learn! 

Aghast with animal amazement, (That’s alliteration you know!)
(Aghast means stunned, astounded, amazed)

Mrs. Dees

April 17, 2007 

Dear Two~Gether Express, 

     Tuesday looks up from a good book and questions, “Did you know that this is National Library Week?”  (That’s personification and a fact you knowJ) 

     That’s right this week is National Library Week!  Mrs. Ruey, Matthew’s Mom, and Ms. Wright have lots of “excellent cool stuff” for us to do to celebrateJ  One of those things is based on probability.  Prizes will be given to the person checking out the 50^th, 100^th, 150^th, etc. book each day.  Winners will get to choose a prize from the prize wagonJ 

     Based on this information what do you think your chances are of coming back from the media center with a prize in hand?  (Hint:  Are your chances certain, likely, unlikely, or impossible?)  What can you do to increase your chances of winning? 

Counting heads in line,

Mrs. Dees

April 16, 2007

Dear Two~Gether Express, 

     Monday is a heart and mind looking back on what has been learned since this same date in 1862.  (That is a metaphor you knowJ) 

     Today is Emancipation Day and people are celebrating “big time” in Washington, DC!  What is Emancipation Day you may ask?  It was the day that President Abraham Lincoln freed over 3,000 slaves around Washington, DC with the declaration of the Compensated Emancipation Act.  (The declaration of the Compensated Emancipation Act was a law freeing slaves.) The move came eight months before slaves were freed throughout the nation.  

     That was an extremely important law in our historyJ  If you could make just one law what would it be?  Be sure to explain why you would enact this law!  (Enact means to pass, ratify, or endorse.) 

Happy History Hound,  (that’s alliteration you knowJ)

Mrs. Dees 

April 12, 2007 

Dear Two~Gether Express, 

     Thursday is thrilled about the terrific animal show yesterday!  (That’s personification and four words of alliteration you knowJ)

    Speaking of the animal show yesterday, which animal did you find the most intriguing?  (Intriguing means fascinating, interesting, exciting, captivating etc.)

Please describe the animal without using its’ name to see if I can guess which animal you are writing aboutJ 

Crazy about animals,

Mrs. Dees

April 11, 2007

Dear Two~Gether Express, 

     Wednesday wonders what you consider to be the most amazing thing you have ever seen?  (That’s personification and three words of alliteration you knowJ) 

     We are learning about some pretty amazing things like pyramids and sphinx and other Ancient Egyptian objects!  These things, however, we have only talked about and/or seen in pictures or videosJ  I want to know the most amazing thing you have seen!  It can be something from a book, television, movie, etc.  

Waiting to be amazed,

Mrs. Dees

April 10, 2007
 

Dear Two~Gether Express, 

     Tuesday happily announces, “Welcome back J  You sure were missed!”  (That’s personification and a fact you knowJ) 

     Speaking of being missed, we don’t want you to miss anything about our new unit of study, Ancient Egypt!  Tell me everything you already know and what you want to learn most about this exciting time in historyJ 

All wrapped up in Mummies,

Mrs. Dees

March 16, 2007

Dear Two~Gether Express,

     Friday is a door on which Spring Break knocks!  (That’s a metaphor and personification you knowJ)

     Speaking of Spring Break, if you could do anything you wanted over the break what would you do?  Give loads of detail because I might want to do it tooJ

The road is waiting (that’s an idiom you know),

Mrs. Dees

March 12, 2007 

Dear Two~Gether Express, 

     Monday mumbles, “Music makes me musical!”  (That’s personification, alliteration, and a little weird you knowJ) 

     Speaking of music, what music genre’ do you like best?  Describe as many reasons as you can for your choice. 

Shake, rattle, and rolling,

Mrs. Dees

March 9, 2007 

Dear Two~Gether Express, 

     Friday inquires, “What’s going to happen to the time this weekend?”  (That’s personification you knowJ) 

     This Sunday at 2:00 a.m. we begin Daylight Saving Time.  What that means is we will advance our clocks ahead one hour.  What time will it be when we adjust our clocks to Daylight Saving Time?  Why do you think we change the time like that?  (There is a BIG HINT to this question in the NAME OF THE TIME we’re switching toJ) 

Already missing that hour of sleep,

Mrs. Dees
 

Ps Do you happen to know the name of the time we’re using right now?

March 8, 2007

Dear Two~Gether Express,

     Thursday cheered, “March is Women’s History Month!  HurrayJ”! (That's personification and a fact you know.) 

     Speaking of Women’s History Month, what about Your Mother?  Think about one thing that Your Mom does really well and tell me all about itJ  Don’t forget to describe reasons for your choice!

Feeling Proud,

Mrs. Dees

March 7, 2007

Dear Two~Gether Express,

     Wednesday wants to know your vote!  (That's personification you know.)     What vote you may ask?   Why the North Carolina Children's Book Award of course!

     Take a look at the books on display at the Puppet Center.  Based on the book's cover, which one do you find most appealing (that means interesting)?  Why does it appeal to you more than the others?

Looking for book appeal,
Mrs. Dees

ps don't forget to underline your book title :-)

March 5, 2007

Dear Two~Gether Express,

     Monday is amazed at all our Painted Lady Butterflies!  (That’s personification you knowJ)

     Speaking of amazement, what amazed you most about the metamorphic process these insects go through?  Be sure to give all the facts you know about these amazing creatures!

Waiting to be amazed,

Mrs. Dees

March 2, 2007

Dear Two~Gether Express,

     Friday says with excitement, “Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!” (That’s personification and a fact you knowJ)

     Speaking of Dr. Seuss, which one of his books do you enjoy reading most?  Why is it your favorite?  

Thinking of the Thinks,  (that's alliteration you know:-)

Mrs. Dees 

March 1, 2007

Dear Two~Gether Express,

     Thursday is thrilled to announce, “March comes in like a lion but goes out like a lamb!”  (That’s alliteration, personification, and an adage (also called a proverb) you knowJ)

     What do you suppose the above mentioned adage (also called a proverb) means?

Wondering about lions and lambs,

Mrs. Dees

February 28, 2007

Dear Two~Gether Express,

     Wednesday wonders, “Which month is your favorite?”  (That’s personification and alliteration you knowJ)

     Now that you’ve decided on your favorite month, convince me that it is the best!

You don’t say,

Mrs. Dees 

 Note with this message.....Each morning the students select a coin to wear on their money button.  The button is worn all day allowing opportunity for various kinds of money computations to be made at any time!  This is a very good thing when learning this very difficult concept:-)

February 27, 2007

Dear Two~Gether Express,

     Tuesday turns to see all the different coins on your row!  (That’s personification you knowJ)

     Speaking of the different coins on your row, how many different coins are on your row?  How much is your row worth?  If all the coins on your row were placed in a bag which coin would most likely be picked?  Give reasons for your answerJ

Pondering probability,

Mrs. Dees

February 26, 2007

Dear Two~Gether Express,

     Monday announces, “Yea! The Soil Lady comes today!”  (That’s personification and a little rhyme you knowJ)

     Speaking of the “Soil Lady”, what do you think she is going to show us?  What questions would you want to ask? 

Soil Lady Fan,

Mrs. Dees

February 23, 2007

Dear Two~Gether Express,

     February’s final Friday fretted, “Guess I’ll see you next year with an added surpriseJ  Do you know what that might be?”  (That’s alliteration, personification, and a major hint to the question you know!)

     Hey!  What did you think of the Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches we saw yesterday in the Science Lab?  Give me your impression of these unique members of the insect worldJ

Hearing hissing (That’s alliteration you knowJ),

Mrs. Dees

Ps   don’t forget to answer the question about February if you think you might know the answer.

February 22, 2007

Dear Two~Gether Express,

     Thursday thunders through (like a Bull in a China Shop) and trumpets, “Happy Birthday George Washington!”  (That’s alliteration, personification, and an idiom you knowJ)

     Hey we’re studying about biographies and today is George Washington’s birthdayJ Are we lucky or what!   If you were going to write George Washington’s biography what important facts would you include?  Just think about all the things you already know about this famous first president of the United States of AmericaJ  (Hey did I just give you a biographical fact?)

Hoping not to get wooden teeth,

Mrs. Dees

February 21, 2007

Dear Two~Gether Express,

     Wednesday wastes no time in reminding us to “Stop and smell the roses”J  (That’s personification and an adage (also call a proverb) you know!)

     Speaking of adages, what do you think “Stop and smell the roses” really means?  Remember an adage (also called a proverb) is an old, short saying that is generally accepted to have some truth to it.

Stopping to smell the roses,

Mrs. Dees

February 20, 2007

Dear Two~Gether Express,

     Tuesday bids you welcome and says, “Please be reminded to enter your data in the seventh week column of your quality journal!”  (That’s personification you knowJ)

     Speaking of quality journals, are you where you should be to reach your basic and challenge Reading Counts goals for this nine weeks?  Time is flying!  (That’s an idiom you knowJ)  Check out your Quality Journal and tell me how you’re doingJ

Waiting to be wowed,

Mrs. Dees

Ps   Are you going to be Wow!  Or Wow?

February 15, 2007

Dear Two~Gether Express,

     Thursday is a door standing open beckoning (beckoning means to signal or call you to do something) us to walk throughJ  (That’s a metaphor you know!)

     Speaking of “open doors”, what do you consider the most entertaining indoor activity?  What about the most entertaining outdoor activity?  Be sure to tell me about activities in both places and why you chose themJ

Wondering what you’ll pick,

Mrs. Dees

February 14, 2007

Dear Two~Gether Express,

     Wednesday is an arrow from cupid’s bow heading straight to your best Valentine’s Day everJ  (That’s a metaphor you know!)

     Speaking of your best Valentine’s Day ever, what kind of Valentines would you like to get, or give this year?  Please give reasons for your choice.

Waiting to read my Valentines,

Mrs. Dees

February 13, 2007

Dear Two~Gether Express,

     Tuesday is a magic wand that wonders if you believe in magical thingsJ  (That’s a metaphor and personification you know!)

     If you had a “magic wand” for just one day what would you do with it?  Supply all the magical details pleaseJ (Since this is an imaginative question believing in "magic" or "magic wands" is optional, which means you really don't have to believe)

Looking around for frogs,

Mrs. Dees

February 12, 2007

Dear Two~Gether Express,

     Monday is the first page of a new week’s adventure storyJ  (That’s a metaphor you know!)

     This week is certainly a huge adventure for us!  We have four birthdays, “Gallon Man” pizza party, book fair, and a PTO meetingJ Which one of these do you find most exciting?  Give reasons for your answerJ

Dreading decisions,  (that’s alliteration you know)

Mrs. Dees 

Conversation Log Rubric
#1 error    Heading
#2 error    Greeting
#3 error     Indention
  #4 error     Punctuation
(give paragraph and or sentence location of error if student is having difficulty locating it)
        #5 error    Sight word misspelling
(or other word you know they should be spelling correctly all the time by now)
#6 error       Closing 
 #7error       Signature