The Wishing Well Horror 
I hated drawing water from the dank, bug-infested well house to begin with. When the bucket came up heavier and more slowly than usual, I sensed that something was wrong. But I was totally unprepared for the horror that followed...

The Book Seller's Enigma 
I hadn't remembered seeing the musty old book shop on that street before, but the old peddler beckoned me. When I returned the next day with my brother, shop and shopkeeper had gone. We asked an old-timer passing by, 'That shop?' he declared, 'why it ain't been around for 50 years!'

The Smell in the Cellar 
We kept the cellar door locked. No one went down there. One day when I went by I smelled an odd, familiar smell, like something I hadn't smelled since I was little. The odor got stronger, until finally I opened the door and went down the rickety steps.

The Missing Photo 
I loved to look through our old family photos. One day, I noticed that a certain picture had been removed. I asked the whole family and no one seemed to have taken it. Was someone hiding something?

The Secret Room 
Tearing down a wall to build an addition to our home, I discovered a small narrow room hidden between the walls for decades and what was in it gave me the shock of my life. 

The Thing in the Pond
 For years, I've visited a pond in the woods near our house. Recently I saw something more than sand, rocks and a few fish and turtles. Something much, much more...

The Prank Caller We thought the odd phone calls were just pranks by some local kids. Until the caller asked me something really scary. 'Did anybody ever find where you buried the body?'

The Letter from Yesterday The envelope that came in the mail looked really elegant and I was hoping that it was an invitation to a party. It was an invitation. For a party dated, July 30, 1927.

The Silent Boy We were all playing in our fort by the creek. A tall thin boy with dark eyes and long hair appeared silently from the woods. He came out every day for two weeks but he never said a word. Until one day...

The Creature 
My cat likes to bring home an odd assortment of creatures. Not that he kills them. I think they are his friends. One day the cat brought home something I have never seen before in my life and I doubt that I ever will again.

Plot Ideas:


Your character is looking for the perfect present

Your character wants to ruin a painter's picture

Your character is being blackmailed

Your character is sick and needs a rare medicine

Your character is found dead in a room

Your character needs money to pay for college

Your character is running for office and wants to be sure he will win

Your character is planning on something evil

Your character is very sad 
 

Suspense Writing Prompts

It was a strange night, there seemed to be a chill in the air...

As soon as I arrived, I could sense that something was out of place...

One night, I looked out the window and I saw the neighbor...

I was reading a book when I looked up. There in the window I saw...

I decided to go for an evening stroll.  I walked about three blocks when I felt it...

They would have been fine if they hadn't stopped for the stranger...

Everyone avoided the big old mansion. It was believed to have...

They said she was able to utter a few words before she died...

Something is drastically wrong! Every time I pick up the telephone...

Sometimes I think my friend has strange powers. Every time he's around...

All of the sudden I was trapped! 


 
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Our Fabulous volunteers!
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It worked!!!
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Happy kids with the finished product!
 

 
Tomorrow, for my language arts class only, we have a read-in.  Students may bring in a blanket or towel, pillow, stuffed animal and a novel from home! 

I would also like to share our last week of school plans.  We will not switch for any classes.  I appreciate all the help with Mrs. McCormick and the class party, but would love a little more help for the last week of school.  I would love 2-3 parent volunteers on ice cream day to completely coordinate supplies and help make the ice cream in class.  I once set ice cream ON FIRE (sad but true story), so I need some help with getting supplies and actually making it.  Who would like to join?  Does anyone have an ice cream machine they would like to come in and operate for me? 

We will also need popcorn (already popped) in a variety of flavors.  Does anyone have a popper we can borrow? 

If anyone else just wants to send in something for us, we receive donations well.  Popsicles? Pizza? We love celebrating, but this poor teacher can’t provide it all.   J

Monday: 

All About Me:  Today we will learn all about YOU!
·       Share your favorite game or hobby with the class.  Bring in your uniform or costume and show us some of your best moves!
·       Be ready to share all about your activity and why it is special to you.

Tuesday:

Ice Cream:  Let’s make some homemade ice cream!
·       We will measure and make individual servings  of ice cream and complete many ice cream tasks.
·       If you’d like, you can bring in your favorite topping to share with the class.

We need:
  • spoons
  • sturdy gallon freezer bags
  • 2 boxes of sturdy quart-sized freezer bags
  • 2 gallons of whole milk
  • vanilla
  • sugar
  • rock salt
  • chocolate syrup

Wednesday:

Popcorn & Movie:  How much do you really know about popcorn?  

We’ll find out today!
·       You’re going to be amazed at how we can use popcorn for math and reading!
·       We will also have a taste test to find out which kind of popcorn we like the best!

We need:
  • pre-popped popcorn from the chip aisle
  • microwave popcorn
  • popcorn kernels to pop
  • butter for popcorn/shaker toppings

Thursday:

Games! Let’s PLAY!

·       Bring in your favorite game to play with your fellow classmates.

·       Make sure you can carry the game to and from school on your own and that you can clean it up.

·       No electronic games please. 

 
We loved exploring what Mrs. Avery and her team put together in the mustang museum! We will return this week!
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Our own created sculpture influenced by Picasso's cubism!
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snothPa5Tlo&sns=em - thank you to our sponsors!!!!
 
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We mustachio a question! Face painting fun!
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Girls won tug of war multiple times!
 
Supplies:
Here is our classroom supplies need list:  http://www.teacherlists.com/lists/view/medlock-bridge-elementary-school/3/serafin-bellagamba-davis-usher/jennifer-serafin/classroom-needs  - the biggest thing would be a few zip drives as we finish the year with some really creative projects!


Progress Reports:  
From Mrs. Hutchens:  Next Tuesday will be the last week that graded papers will go home.  The 5/16 progress report will be an accurate reflection of what you will see on the report card.


Homework:
Math:  continue to practice long division (Quiz tomorrow!) and multiplication facts!  
Interpreting remainders homework:  Green:  #1 section 1, then #1-4 in section 2.  Green +:  1-4 in both section 1 and section 2.  Pink:  entire front page


Science:  we will test Magnets on Monday.  The kids pre-tested really highly today!  They have a vocab mix up sheet that they need to reorganize and match!


 
I have posted a few items on our class wishlist.  We would love a few flash drives to use since we cannot print from our classroom computers.  

We are also in need of (another) electronic pencil sharpener!

Thank you!!!!
 
We loved our pizza and drinks today at our party!  All 32 of my students joined for an extended lunch and treat in my classroom!  We are so grateful for the parents who came together to sponsor this delicious lunch!!! 

    Author

    Ms. Serafin is a third grade teacher in Atlanta, GA that loves to teach HOTS, writing, and to constantly challenge her students!

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