Friday, September 24, 2010

Language Arts /September 27-October 1,2010

Language Arts/September 27-October 1,2010/LaBarbera/6-1
This list is subject to change during the week as instruction occurs.
Homework and Notes:
1.
For Monday, October 4---Select TWO reading response choices . ie.a) Draw a sketch .... b) Write a prediction; c) Compose a two verse poem or song.... etc. See the packet that was distributed.
The responses reflect separate nightly reading sessions.
2. Study for the Nouns Test--- for Tuesday, Sept. 28. Common , proper, compound nouns will be covered. Demonstrative pronouns, pronouns and their antecedents will be tested. We refer to the parts of speech in writing process sessions. Sheet 7 was assigned today, due tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 28.
3. Extra Credit Option: Students may research Swans , in conjunction with The Summer of the Swans novel. Reports, posters, or summaries are due no later than October 12, for extra credit .
4. An assignment is posted in the Pearson website. Check the site periodically and I will inform students when there is an assignment that is required.
5. A new spelling list will be studied later in the week. A pretest will be administered. As we build vocabulary using prefixes and suffixes, we are also studying vocabulary from our novels.
Word Study: bicolor; bicuspid; bicycle; biennial; bifocals; bilingual; bimonthly; biped; biplane; biweekly; unicellular; unicorn; unicycle; unidirectional; unify; unilateral; unique; unison; unit; unitard. Compose a sentence or use several words in a paragraph, indicating your understanding of the meaning of the words. DATE : To be announced.
Students are to select ten words from the list. Use the words in the correct context in your sentences. Ten sentences are due October 5. No post test.... yet... We will build on this list and have a post test with words containing different prefixes . TBA ( to be announced.)
Vocabulary for the novel, HOOT--ambush, vandalism, monetary, humidity, skeptical, doggedly, sarcasm, menace, consternation, snidely, balefully, provoke, sinewy, gored, disgruntled, dispatcher, forthrightly, civilized. ( Chapters 1-5) The students will have time in class to locate the words in the novel and use a dictionary to jot definitions. This activity is not homework at this time.
Notes: We are going to begin our Novel study/Literature text/mini skill lessons as we also proceed with writing our autobiographical narrative composition. We are busy during the 80 minute Language Arts block. If you have questions, please contact me at school.\

If you have entered the Pearson website for students, there is a prefix activity for students to try. I have reserved the Dell Laptops for students to use in my class next Thursday and Friday. We will explore the text, activities, practice tests, and essay scorer. Eventually, students will compose an essay and have it scored by ESSAY SCORER . The feedback is valuable for revisions.




















Friday, September 17, 2010

Language Arts/ 6-1/September 20-24, 2010/LaBarbera

Language Arts /6-1/September 20-24,2010/LaBarbera

Homework for the week.... so far...
1. Pre- test in class this week: List #2/ prefix --"un"/not or none
Vocabulary : uncertain, uncommon, unconscious, undecided, unexpected, unmistakable, unnecessary, untidy, unwise, unworthy. Study the spelling and definitions. Write a sentence for each word that shows you understand the meaning of the word. We will use these words in class discussions, novel reviews, and written work. We will start the work in class. The due date is Friday, September 24. The post test on this list is Monday, September 27.
2. Grammar review--Nouns, common and proper; pronouns-personal pronouns. We will cover demonstrative pronouns. A test on Nouns will take place on September 28. We are creating study guides in class. They should be in the student's accordion folder and Language Arts spiral notebook. Students should be able to identify common and proper nouns, pronouns, antecedents, and demonstrative pronouns.
3. Reading work---Self selected novels for independent reading. The yellow booklet is for this week's reading responses. Four written or typed responses are due Monday, September 27. We will be covering characterization, setting, and plot. Graphic organizers will be shown to illlustrate the structure of the novels .

New posting---September 22\
In class , students are pre-writing an autobiographical narrative composition. Using a "braindrops" graphic organizer, a topic and sub-topics are written in the drops. A "plan" is prepared with complete sentences that will be elaborated in the written draft. A yellow first draft will contain five complete paragraphs after there is instruction on a) how to write an introduction; , b) discussion about complete sentences, fragments,and run-ons; c)instruction and review of paragraphing, capitalization, punctuation, and correct spelling in a written draft. Students will write the entire project in class. I will be able to assess levels of writing. After peer conferencing and revisions, the draft will be approved by the teacher. The final draft is typed. A due date will be established.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Language Arts /6-1 /September 14-September 20, 2010

Language Arts/6-1/September 14-20,2010/LaBarbera

Homework: 1. The spelling work of ten sentences was due September 14. The MAP tests for two days took over our block. We will have the post test covering correct spelling and definitions on September 15, Wednesday. Students should study the definitions carefully.

2. All Language Arts students are expected to read silently at home for a minimum of 20 minutes per night. A literature response is a minimum of a half page of detail that thoroughly answers the question . A sixth grade sentence has a minimum of seven words. A Sixth grade paragraph has seven to 10 sentences. Be descriptive. Include the title of the book! Note the reading rubric for points .
Due to MAP testing, students should read silently this week. No written responses are due September 20. We will resume literature responses next week in booklet form.

3. We are studying nouns, pronouns, compound nouns, antecedents, and demonstrative pronouns. After a thorough review , we will announce a test date on these topics. Students will have notes in their spirals and access to their text online. ( Passwords will be assigned shortly.)

4. We are reading a realistic fiction novel in the classroom. The literature text skills cover prediction and reasons. As testing concludes, our schedule will return to novel study and skill work.

Curriculum Night is 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, September 15. Parents and Guardians are invited.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Language Arts/ LaBarbera/6-1/Sept. 8-14,2010

Language Arts/LaBarbera/6-1/Sept. 8-14,2010

Homework:
1. Study vocabulary with the prefix "co-" and "com-". Study the spelling and the definition of each word. Compose a sentence using each word correctly in a sentence. This work is due next Tuesday, September 14. A POST TEST ON THIS LIST WILL TAKE PLACE after the MAP tests are completed, or Sept. 15, if necessary.
Vocab.: coexist, cohesive, coincidence, combine, commiserate, committee, communication, community, compare, compatible.

2. Literature responses: Read 20-30 minutes nightly. Select 3 different choices for your responses.( Choices: a) Explain how the main character changes from the beginning of the story to the end. How does the author let you know that the character is changing? b) How does the setting help you understand what is happening in the story? Where does the story take place? When does the story take place?
c) Identify the main problem in the story. What resources will the main character use to solve the problem? Identify the protagonist and the antagonist. d) Compare the experience(s) of the main character in this story with experiences of your own.
Note the rubric attached to the choice sheet. Three responses are due
Monday, September 13. Use dark ink or type your work. Proofread for correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization. The parent signs the cover sheet confirming the student is reading at least 20 minutes per night.
Rubric of 4 points:
I explain the important information the author stated and the author meant.
I connect the important ideas to my own ideas and experiences.
I include examples and important details to support my explanation.
I use the author's ideas and my own explanation in a balanced way.
When you have a long range assignment, chip away at the work in small pieces so that the entire project is completed on time.
Study over a period of days rather than "cram" for a test.

Notes: This week we are covering nouns in our Grammar and Writing text, reviewing prefixes with our new word list, reading a common novel in class so that we have a working vocabulary : prediction, characters, setting , plot, conclusion. We will begin reading our Literature text. ( I am working on entering student names in the computer for home access. )

Next week Monday and Tuesday, students will take a MAP test in Language Arts classes on computers. Reading and math will be tested.