Literacy Skills for March 24-April 9, 2009/6-1

Literacy Skills for March 24-April 9, 2009/ 6-1

1. Shakespeare's Secrets--Students will complete the reading by April 20.
The project for the genre is to write a two-five minute mystery. Include as many elements of a mystery as you can---- discoverer, victim, crime, criminal, suspect, witness, clue, evidence, fingerprints, red herring, arrest, detective, observation, surveillance, solution. The written draft is due April 9. The draft will be checked by the teacher. The final typed draft of the mystery is due Thursday, April 16.
Include a solution sheet so that classmates can read your mystery and try to solve the case.

2. Other mystery options: Ziggy and the Black Dinosaurs, And Then There Were None, The Westing Game. Write a prediction about the plot before you read the book. Submit the prediction and final reaction for credit.

3. During April and May, we will cover the genres of Science Fiction and Fantasy.
Novel focus: The White Mountains by John Christopher.
Other options are available for all students.

4. Biography report-- 6 levels of critical thinking ----Responses are due April 17.

We are acknowledging Women in History Month. Students will share their findings in small cooperative groups.

We will continue to emphasize vocabulary and comprehension activities. The vocabulary to Shakespeare's Secrets will be reviewed on a test April 20-23.
Students are encouraged to read 30 minutes nightly . The AR cart is filled with books for all levels of readers.

Language Arts / 6-1 - March 24-April 9, 2009

Language Arts / 6-1 - March 24-April 9, 2009

1. Oral Presentation Project.--Students were given 8 options.
Due: April 9. Final typed draft of the plan ----the lyrics, poetry, excerpt of speeches, etc. you will use for an oral presentation to Language Arts class ( April 13-May 1 ). Upon presentation of the plan, you will receive the presentation date .
Example: Introduction---"The theme of friendship ( or achievement) will be the focus of my presentation. The poetry of Shel Silverstein and Roald Dahl will be presented." ( You present poetry with the theme of friendship ( or achievement). with a time span of 2 -4 minutes. There should be a conclusion that wraps the presentation to closure.
You will be evaluated on your plan, articulation , volume, eye contact, and audience rapport. We have practiced poetry, a speech excerpt, and speaking in front of the class.

2. Grammar: We will cover the topics of Adjectives, Adverbs, Prepositions, and Conjunctions, through the third trimester. Homework : TBA
Descriptive narrative writing will be assigned in class.
The descriptive paragraphs about a favorite place are due typed on Wednesday, April 15.

Comment about the research papers: The students are to be congratulated for their perseverance with the research paper project. The majority of the papers were representative of intense research, organization of information, and appropriate presentation. Many of the papers were very informative. Thank you to parent/guardian/student for the work that was involved . Computers, printers, printer cartridges, arrangements for using the computer, and other time commitments were involved. Thank you . A special thank you to our teacher/librarian, Ms. Nelson, for the excellent instruction all of the 6-1 students received. The outcome is superior.

Up and Coming:
In compliance with a District 97 School Board request, the grade 6, 7, and 8 language arts classes will participate in a pilot testing during the week of April 20-23. There will be 16 questions on three different tests and one writing component to the test. The test involves reading passages and comprehension. One test will be administered on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The scores will be received by Friday, Teacher Institute Day, April 24. My understanding is that you, as parent/guardian, will receive the scores shortly after. In the fall, when there is a new Language Arts text series in place , these tests will occur either once a trimester or twice a year. Since this is a pilot there are discussions about the program in progress.

Language Arts for March 9-13,2009--6-1 Team

Congratulations to the students for their excellent work on the ISATs.

Language Arts for March 9-13,2009--6-1 Team

1. The written draft of the research paper is due Thursday, March 12.
I will check all of the papers in class. The Works Consulted pages will be returned to students so they can include them in the final paper.
2. Final typed drafts of the research paper are due Thursday, March 19.
Remember: Cover page, outline, research paper, Works Consulted page, blank page, rubric page, in a clear plastic folder. Refer to Research Basics for labelling pages with your last name and number of page.

3. Vocabulary list : graphology, dermatology, psychology, ecology, anthropology,
psychology, biology, geology, sociology, cardiology.
Write the definition, part of speech , and a sentence that uses the word in context.
The written work is due Friday, March 13 . The post test is March 13 for periods 7,8,9. and March 16 for periods 1 and 2. ( due to different pre test dates.).

4. The Pronouns test that was postponed on Feb. 10..... etc.
We will review pronouns this week and take the test on March 18.
During the 3rd trimester we will cover adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and
clauses.

5. Oral report project--Rough draft of plan due April 10.
During the 3rd trimester, students will research and memorize poetry, essays, and speeches. In small groups of 3, 2 or one person.... the student will present a poem, excerpt of a speech, song,an opinion statement, or other options. The individual student or small group will present the literature in front of the class during April 13-23. Each presentation is between 2-4 minutes. A date will be assigned to each presentation.

A. Decide who you will work with. Alone? Pair? Trio?
B. Select one of the options on the sheet distributed in class. ( Poetry, song, speech., etc.)
C. Organize the presentation. Who will introduce the piece? Will there be musical background?
What technology will you use?

D. Research the poems or speeches. You may decide to write the opinion statement or the poem.. or the lyrics to the song. for the presentation.. Divide the work evenly in your group.

E. Practice the presentation. Every member must have equal time to speak , make eye contact, and create audience rapport.
F. We will have instruction on public speaking in class. Practice will be provided through the trimester as students prepare the final project.

Literacy Skills for March 9-13,2009/6-1 Team.

Literacy Skills for March 9-13,2009
Third Trimester of Sixth Grade / for 2008-2009

1. Where the Red Fern Grows / Historical Fiction unit will close this week
Students discussed, wrote extended responses, and final reactions to the novel.
An AR test and a written test has been administered. A second historical fiction novel for independent reading is recommended.
2. A unit covering the genre of Mystery will begin this week.
Vocabulary, characterization, and plot analysis will be included.
There are novel options. Shakespeare's Secrets,The Westing Game, or Ziggy and the Black Dinosaurs will provide differentiation .
3. Biography report for Women in History Month is due Friday, April 17.
Students have the critical thinking sheet for the assignment.
4. Through the third trimester we will cover mystery, science - fiction, poetry, and fantasy . The topics will overlap in Language Arts writing work.
Homework: There is a summary or prediction due Monday, March 9 for independent reading. ( One paragraph)
There is no extended response due March 16 or 23rd , but nightly reading for 30 minutes will be required to the end of the school year. We will be working on predictions, reactions, and projects IN class. More information to follow.