January 11-19, 2010/Language Arts, 6-1

Language Arts for January 11-19, 2010.

1. For this week: Complete the written draft of persuasive composition number 2 . Conference with at least 2 classmates . Check one another's draft for content, punctuation, spelling, paragraphing, capitalization...... Everything!!
Due Friday, Jan. 15: First typed draft with the written draft, plan, and braindrops sheet.
The final typed draft is due Jan. 22..... and extensions are possible for those who have been absent or need some assistance with the draft.

2. For Thursday, Jan. 14-----Quiz on another set of homonym pairs from the original packet. You also have 2 worksheets with additional homonyms. Study! The quiz will cover What is an adjective? What is an adverb? Which are the words that are modified???? This is a quiz instead of test because we have found that these parts of speech are relatively new to the majority of the classes. We will see the scores of this quiz, reteach , and test when there is greater than 80 percent mastery by all students. (to be announced.).

3. When you complete your persuasive composition number two.. you will receive information and lessons will be taught about organizing an adventure story. The short story will include at least three characters, a vivid setting, a problem...and then 3 significant events ( rising action)... with a high point ( climax)... followed by falling action of 3 events leading to the conclusion/solution. Do not rush this assignment. It may be worked on in school and at home. If you want to submit this story to the District 97 Writing Celebration, it is due Jan. 22. For a grade, the final draft will be due in February..... The due date will be announced in class. We need instruction on skills, grammar, story elements, etc.,so it is too early to announce the due date.

4. We will put the advertisement activity on " hold"for a bit, as I am focusing on the Illinois Learning Standards and goals in preparation for the March ISATs. Some skills require reteaching. I will be covering skills and concepts in class with all of the Language Arts classes. It is essential that students bring their spiral notebooks and a writing tool to every class.

5. Up and coming is the Research Paper Project. The project consumes approximately 7 weeks of Language Arts classes . We will be working with our teacher - librarian, Ms. Nelson beginning Feb. 8 and for 3 weeks. The students will need a pack of notecards , four inches by six inches..... They will need a spiral or composition notebook , a clear plastic folder..... and access to a computer and printer for the final draft, due in March. Each week, there will be a piece of the project due and graded. I will be teaching paraphrasing, outlining, and organizing the paper in the classroom to all four Language Arts classes. Parents will be kept informed of the status of the paper. Please communicate through email with questions.