Blackout Poetry

Blackout Poetry is a way in which one would rearrange words on a page to incorporate a different meaning.

Step 1: Find a book that you no longer need. Novels work best.

Step 2: Rip out a full page. Less dialogue and more description is always helpful.

Step 3: Circle words to form sentences or thoughts. As long as these words go well together and make sense... you'll be okay.

Step 4: Blackout everything else!

Here are some examples from the 6th grade!!!

Healing Boxes

Term 2 students embarked on unit of healing reading the short story "Zebra" by Chaim Potok. The story details the journey of a young middle school student known as Zebra, who gets into an accident while jogging. He is injured and no longer able to run anymore. While he is trying to nurse his physical disabilities, he is also faced with not being able to do what he loves by running. Zebra meets John Wilson, a retired and disabled veteran who teaches him how to cope with his injury through art.

Healing is a common theme throughout the story. Students not only detailed their own healing stories, but also did research on the Vietnam War, the war in which John Wilson fought in.

At the end of the unit, students were asked to make a healing box. The healing box would have many items inside it that would help any person who opened it seeking any sort of healing.

The healing box would have:

• a healing drop that has one word on it to invoke calming
• a handmade worry stone to rub 
• song lyrics that help in a time of need
• a quote on healing
• a worry doll (according to legend, if you whisper your worries to your worry doll, the worry doll will now worry for you so that you no longer have to) 
• 10 affirmations (positive statements about who you are or what you do) 
• a trinket of any significance 

The healing boxes were a huge success and came out much better than anticipated. These students created the cube out of cardstock paper using a template. Some were able to paint their boxes with acrylic paint and use magazine cut outs to decorate the top. 

Here are some worry stones that students created: 

Examples of Worry dolls: 

And some trinkets: 

And of course, the final healing boxes: 

Term 2 2014-2015 6 Word Memoir Video

6th Graders did a great job! Please leave comments as they will see them too!

Veteran Winners!

In November, students from West Springfield Middle School participated in the Patriot's Pen Essay Contest.  The Patriot’s Pen program asks students to research their local Veterans. This year's theme was "Why I appreciate veterans." In order to write this essay, students were able to meet some local veterans and to ask them questions.

Students from all 7th grade ELA 2 classes gathered to listen to veterans who served our country. The panel consisted of two middle school teachers and four veterans from our local VFW. There were five men and one woman. They ranged in ages, branches, rank and experiences. We certainly had diversity on our panel.

During the visit, the students were polite, respectful and interested in what our Veterans had to share through their experiences and stories. The students asked great questions that showed how interested they were in the visitors.  We believe students will take this experience with them for the rest of their lives.

After the visit, students had a month to write a 300-400 word essay answering the question “Why do I appreciate today’s veterans?”  Teachers then had to submit the essays to the VFW 6714 Barcomb-Trowbridge Post.  A panel of VFW  members then had to pick the top three essays that showed knowledge of theme, theme development and clarity of ideas.  The first place winner was Gabrielle Daley, the second place winner was Kira Poloski and the third place winner Renata Ostas. Gabrielle Daley will now go on to compete at the state level. The national first-place winner wins $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., in March.

Here is the Second Place Winner's essay!

Appreciation for America’s Veterans

By Kira Poloski

Norman Schwarzkopf once said, “The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it,” which in fact, is true. Bravery, sacrifice, and loyalty are all reasons why I appreciate America’s veterans. As a child, the Pledge of Allegiance was just a chore, now I know it as a thanks to the saviors of our country. Veterans have done so much for us, and they deserve our respect, and appreciation.

Imagine all of the veterans, who don’t get recognized for their duty. There are nine million veterans over the age of sixty five, and most don’t get the appreciation that they deserve from their service. It is hard to recognize veterans, especially when they are not in uniform. But the reason for the pledge of allegiance, and Memorial day is to thank our veterans for fighting for our country, no matter how long ago it was. How do I show my appreciation? I participate within the morning pledge in school, and also do something special on Memorial Day. My father and I once walked up to a veteran, and thanked him for his service and also asked for a photo. Everyone likes to be appreciated for something that they have done, and veterans could use some support. So say thank you!

Our veterans go through a lot.  Most likely they have gone through a traumatic experience, that could have left them permanently scarred, or terrified. A disorder some veterans face is called PTSD, which stands for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. It is a major anxiety disorder, that is mainly caused from a terrifying event. In fact there are more than 5.5 million veterans living with this disorder. Veterans go through so much, and deserve to be thanked for their service, because they gave up so much and were very courageous to join the military to save our country, even if it meant being permanently scarred or terrified.

Veterans have sacrificed so much, many fighters gave up their one and only lives. Respect your veterans, as you may not know what they have gone through in the past. Things get very intense in the military for most people. Know that when you next see a veteran, do the right thing and thank them for all they have done for you. To all of the veterans out there, you are my hero.


TO SEE THE OTHER TWO WINNING ESSAYS GO TO MRS. CANATA'S BLOG!!

Veteran Essays

Veteran Essays have been submitted and we are awaiting feedback!
Here are a few student essays!

Why I Appreciate My American Veterans?

Veteran; Someone who went to into the military, who went in war, who fought for our freedom while putting their lives in danger.  Everyday we should appreciate our veterans because we don’t realize until we really take the time to think about going into the military how hard it was for them to leave their families and to fight in the war. Most people don’t have the courage or bravery to fight in the war and we are lucky enough that we have these amazing people in the world that have to courage and bravery to go into the military. Everyday we should be honoring our veterans!

Veteran’s Day is a very important day that we celebrate that honors our founding veterans. We thank them for just about everything on this day. Something very important that we celebrate on this day is that we thank them for joining the military and coming home safe. Additionally, we thank our veterans that have passed and even the ones that are still living today. We should not only honor them on Veteran’s Day but also everyday!

As Sue Kelly said,” The sacrifices made by veterans and their willingness to fight in defense of our nation merit our deep respect and pride and to the best in benefits and medical care.” We as a whole should really have more respect to our veterans they don't get treated as well as the ones that are walking around in uniform. So when a veteran gets recognized they get thanked, but the ones that don’t get recognized don’t get treated the same? So why don't they get treated just like someone in the military today they both have the same equity so why not?

Our American Veterans deserve the best and nicest attitudes ever. They deserve everything that we can do for them because the have done so much for us. What they realize is that we don’t help our veterans as much as we should because they took their lives for us they fought for us! We don't realize this but we really need to change this so we can make a change so they feel supported by their decisions by going into the war and risking their life for us!

We should really try to make a change to this because they deserve it for being our American Veterans!

Why I Appreciate America's Veterans

Veterans of our military services have risked everything to protect the freedom of which we deeply enjoy. They deserve to be recognized for their commitment. I appreciate our nobel veterans for their love, devotion, and the colossal sacrifices they made not for themselves but for U.S citizens.

As Lincoln once said, “Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause. Honor, also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field  and serves, as he best can the same cause.”  Abraham Lincoln was a insightful man. I believe he was referring to what it means to appreciate a veteran . First, the honor to the veteran who fought in the field. Second, honor to the family and friends who truly missed the veteran. Lincoln's words are a clear motto to follow by. I appreciate veterans for their love, devotion, and commitment  to our country. Without their devotion we wouldn't have liberty and justice. Most of all they committed to staying in the harsh war no matter what. War is a torrential part of life, to keep America secure, World War I began in 1914. On November 11, 1918 the war ended, with their love, devotion, and commitment the soldiers from World War I were named the first veterans, and leaders for generations to come.

America's veterans made substantial sacrifices, by leaving their current living environment, job and family to serve our country. The unemployment rate of veterans is 3% higher than the rest of the population. Once veterans return to their regular lives it’s harder to get a job. Also 260,000 veterans are predicted to be homeless this year, meaning veterans sometimes don't have a home when they return and the government can only help a few veterans get back on their feet. Most people wouldn't even think of going to war. Our veterans joined the military and contributed to keeping our freedom and rights. They made sacrifices so we wouldn't have to suffer. They risked their lives for us. All of these sacrifices were not for something in return for them but  for American citizens.

Our veterans have risked everything for us. They have love, devotion and commitment to our country. They made life changing sacrifices and truly deserve respect and honor. They are real heroes. Our veterans deserve to be thanked for all they have done for our country.

Veterans: The Appreciated Men and Women of The U.S. Armed Forces

Veterans, they are the men and women that risked their lives, sanity, and time so we could have freedom. Without them we would not have the freedom of the press, a safe home, a stable government, or a free country. They are heroes, not superheros yet, veterans. Veterans are those with a heart that never stops beating for their country.

Veterans can be anyone. For example Ted Williams fought in World War II and Korea as a member of the Marine Corps. and U.S Navy while becoming a Major League Baseball Hall of Famer. Veterans like Ted Williams, Elvis Presley, and Joe DiMaggio all risked their amazing careers. But those men aren’t the only ones that risked their lives for their and our freedom. Mostly every man, woman, and child in the United States has a friend or family member who has carried their love for our nation into battle. When you sign up for the armed forces there’s no going back but you know when you come home, you will be considered a hero by your supporters. It is not only public figures that are veterans but it could be anyone we see every day from the woman at the bank to a 7th grade teacher.  For me and the other average citizens of the United States, we appreciate men and women who have risked their careers and lives for the United States.

When a soldier comes home they will not be treated like royalty. The veteran unemployment rate is three percent higher than the rest of the population in the United States. In return for keeping us safe, veterans deserve a job and a thank you. How can men and women that are respected by so many, become so disrespected and denied after they made the  decision to risk their lives. When most people think of veterans they think of a man on a famous statue or the men and women we continually honor. Sadly the truth is the veteran could also be the unemployed men and women searching for work or the disabled soldiers we see and stare at. But the men and women of America’s military alumni deserve respect, a thank you and a job.

Everyday you will see a veteran and you may not realize them but if you do they will appreciate a thank you as much as we appreciate their sacrifices .

Why I Appreciate My Veterans

  The definition of appreciation is to put others before myself and to be thankful for being here today. Veterans have fought for our country. Veterans usually volunteer to serve for our country. They serve at home as well as in other countries. When something devastating happens they help the country rebuild.

Veterans fought for our country. During the Revolutionary War, George Washington asked for men to fight to free themselves from under the control of England. They were our original veterans. During World War II, our president at the time Franklin D Roosevelt used the military to protect us when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.

Another reason I appreciate Veterans is that they volunteer to join the military.To volunteer is to freely offer to do something. Throughout most of our history veterans were volunteers. We as a country have only had five drafts.This means our military for the most part been formed through volunteers.

A third reason I appreciate the United States’s veterans is that the troops also serve at home as well as overseas. When a natural disaster happens the military goes to help rebuild civilization there. In West Springfield Massachusetts the dyke that was built by the Army corp of engineering is to help prevent flooding in areas lower than the dyke.

The last reason I appreciate America’s Veterans is they help internationally. In the recent outbreak of the disease Ebola the military is building hospitals so that doctors and nurses can help treat patients that have Ebola.After a natural disaster the United States Air force sends jet planes with supplies such as food water and other resources the country needs to rebuild. When Syria was being conquered by the terrorist group known as Isis our president Barack Obama sent in jet fighters to bomb Isis forces. Our veterans helped join in the fight against Isis so that the people of Syria could keep their territory as well as their livelihoods.

In the end I appreciate the United States of America’s Veterans because they protect us from dangers that are from foreign countries that threaten our country,natural disasters that destroy our homes, property and livelihoods.They do their service voluntarily. So when you see a veteran be sure to thank them for their service.

Why I Appreciate America’s Veterans  

Veterans are people who fought in any war and sacrificed their lives to protect and serve our country. Veterans are brave men and women to have the courage and have the grit to go into war and protect and fight for our country. Some veterans chose to go into battle and sacrifice their lives and some were drafted into war.

America’s veterans left their families for a different periods of time. Some veterans leave their families for weeks, months, maybe even years. Veterans made courageous sacrifices to go into battle. I appreciate america’s veterans because many men and women go into battle to fight for their freedom and our country’s freedom. Many men and women lost their lives in battle to fight for their country and any veteran family should be joyful for their sacrifices. Veterans sacrificed their lives to serve for our country and lost didn't get spend holidays with their family because they were in battle and protecting our country. We should all appreciate America’s veterans for their unbelievable sacrifices to serve for their country.

As John F. Kennedy once said, “ Let every nation know, whether it wishes well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose to any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty.” I believe Kennedy is referring to how veterans were ready for battle and anything that entered in their path or came across to their branch, they were prepared for it. Retired veterans were men and women that used to be in the military and served for our country and to protect our nation. John F. Kennedy said that quote to help our men and women in the military and veterans that this country is very strong and the veterans should be appreciated for their service in the military and to protect our nation.

I appreciate America’s veterans because they served for our nations freedom and protection to our citizens and their country. Veterans sacrificed their lives and their time with their families just to protect our country and they show great bravery and courage because they served in our military and they should be known for their sacrifices and how they may have lost their lives in battle. That is why we all should appreciate America’s veterans.

National Day on Writing

October 20th, this past Monday, was the National Day on Writing.

This is an annual celebration of writing that occurs every year and allows students, educators and everyone to celebrate why we write and how we write.

This year's theme was on community.

Students were asked to explore questions that asked them to think about what communities they belong to and how they interact with them. They were allowed to choose any question to write on:

1. What is a challenge your community is facing and what could you do to help?
2. What is an ideal dream for your community?
3. Give an example of a person who plays an important role in your local community. How do they do that?
4. How do you connect with your community? Online? Face to face? What are the benefits and drawbacks of connecting this way?
5. Will or does writing play an important role in our current or future communities? How?

Since this celebration is usually celebrated via Twitter, students were asked to keep their writing short. Each student put their writing on a leaf that was given to them and then they were hung up on the community tree. 

As students at WSMS, we all belong to one community together. This represents the trunk of the community tree. As separate people, we all have different interests and belong to different communities outside of school and therefore break into different branches. 

Check out the awesome work our students put together: 

Presenting Fall 2014 Memoirs

Hello fellow readers and students!

Sorry this took so long to get up, we had a few (to say the least) technological issues that are finally getting worked out and I for one am just thankful that students had the opportunity to create something so well done.

I am proud to present this fall's 6th grade 6 word memoirs!!!