Language Arts, January 3-10,2011/LaBarbera/6-1

Language Arts for January 3-10, 2011/LaBarbera/6-1

Homework: for January 5..... Complete the All American Slurp worksheet for Thursday, January 6. We have been working on Drawing Conclusions.

1. Spelling/Vocabulary:
Prefixes: acrobat, aerobic, amphibian, altitude, anachronism, android, antebellum, anthropology, archaeology, barometer, contradict, geography, hydroelectric, malice.
Directions: Write the word, its definition, its part of speech, and divide the word into syllables, per dictionary. Compose a sentence for each word, using it correctly in context. If you prefer , you may compose a short story, paragraph, or other writing piece that includes these spelling words . Make sure every word is used.
Due date: January 10-14.
Post test is January 14, covering the spelling and definitions.
2. Work for Where the Red Fern Grows.
The Project list was distributed on December 15.** I will post it at the end of this blog.***
Select two projects . Note the corrections and additions that were made to the project sheet.
Read the novel to completion by January 27.
Due date of 2 projects: January 25.
3. Due upon completion of the novel, Where the Red Fern Grows: Billy Coleman characterization sheet.
4. Due date of Where the Red Fern Grows Novel Exam: January 27. Complete this work in class.
5. Reading responses are due January 10, January 18 , and January 25.
---Reading response question due January 10: Create a new character for the novel you are currently reading. You may include Where the Red Fern Grows. Describe the character's actions, appearance, feelings, thoughts, and how others view him , her, or it.
---Reading Response due January 18. ----Select a character from the novel you are reading. If you could imagine the "garbage" that would be placed in a garbage can by that character, what would the garbage include? Examples: ticket stubs, documents, food, ie.... What "things" might the main character throw out??? Explain .
---Reading Response due January 25: Create a 10-16 line free verse ( non-rhyming poem) that describes a character OR the setting, OR the conflict, OR the solution within the novel you have been reading. You may use Where the Red Fern Grows... or other historical fiction novel you have read during the second trimester of school.

Other homework .. to be assigned as instruction commences in the second trimester:
a. We will cover grammar topics in class: Chapter 15 of Pearson: Grammar and Writing: Verbs, page 312--327. Use pearsonsuccess.net to read the text online.
b. We will cover: Chapter 16: Adjectives and Adverbs. , page 328-349 in G&W text.
c. We will cover: Chapter 4: Persuasive Essay writing: Page 124-149 of the G&W text.
d. We will cover: Chapter 21" The Four Functions of a Sentence, Page 438-477.
Homework depends on pace of instruction per class, need for reteaching, pace of student learning,styles of learning, need for review and assessment.

We will write a minimum of two persuasive compositions in which grammar instruction will be integrated . We will write at least one expository composition prior to the sixth grade research paper project that will start in March, 2011.
We will be writing a mystery, a science fiction or fantasy story at the end of the 2nd trimester into the 3rd trimester.

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Project options for Where the Red Fern Grows.--
Students have 8 options.... but.... use technology where applicable. For example, put information into a Glog poster. Create an interactive project using a GLOG.... or retell a chapter of a story in the form of a digital story. This work would require knowledge of Web Tools, 2.0...Students have learned Wordle.... and some are familiar with GLOG. We will have instruction by a tech. leader in upcoming classes .

Where the Red Fern Grows project options:
Examine---Find and read 3 resources to examine what America was like when Billy was a boy during the 1920s -30s. Create an event chart with 4-6 historical events of that time period. Explain each historical event on your chart.
Compare---Read another book by this author and compare this book with the other. Make a Venn Diagram to demonstrate your findings . Write concluding statements at the end of the diagram.
Investigate--Investigate the elements of Native American Legends by finding several and reading them. Now use that knowledge to create and illustrate your own.
Assess- Assess whether or not your liked the ending of the book. If you can think of a better ending,rewrite the last chapter to show how you think it should have ended.
Evaluate----Find and read 2 sources to learn how Redbone Coonhounds are judged. Chart your findings. Write an evaluation of Little Ann and Old Dan based on what you've learned about the breed standards of hound dogs.
Compose---Compose a song --instrumental or with music and lyrics--that captures a mood or theme of the book or a particular character.
Invent--Invent a machine that would solve one of the problems in this book. Either draw it on paper or make a 3-D model . Explain the functions of the machine as it relates to the novel.
Imagine..... You are a writer. Determine what aspects of a novel are essential for it to be considered historical fiction. Make a list. Then, begin to create your own historical fiction novel by writing the first chapter and give it a title. ( To be authentic, research the time in history when the story took place.)

Two projects are due January 25, 2011.

Language Arts note for Dec. 14, 2010/LaBarbera

Language Arts note for December 14, 2010/LaBarbera/6-1
Notes on homework and.....
1. The first typed draft of the short story is due Thursday, December 16. 'Revisions should be made as needed. The final typed draft of the short story is due Friday, January 7.
2. The "budget project" is due Friday, December 17.
3. Vocabulary sentences from the Literature text will be due with 2 days of assignment. The first set is due today, Dec. 14.
4. Students are reading the novel, "Where the Red Fern Grows" in class. You may check the book from the library and read to the end of chapter 15 by January 10.
A projects list will be distributed which includes research, analysis, technology, and critical thinking. The due dates for the projects are at the end of January.
Other:
Sixth grade students will take the second MAP test on January 18 and 19. The tests cover reading and math.

Writing Celebration
Students who wish to enter a story ( prose) or a poem for the District 97 Writing Celebration should type the piece in Courier font, 12 point, by January 21.
Details for this competition are on the Team Blog.

Up and Coming:
Writing persuasive essays, poetry, research, biographies, grammar lessons, and technology /Web tools .

Please contact the teacher at school with questions.

Addendum / Language Arts/ December 9/LaBarbera

Addendum/ Language Arts, December 9/LaBarbera

If you were absent today...
If you were here today....

We covered:
Expanding vocabulary: Study.
menace, menacing
reckless, recklessly, recklessness
former, formerly
unreasonable, reason, reasonable.
Use new vocabulary in speaking and writing.l If a word is unfamiliar, re-read the story where it is used to identify it within the context of a sentence.

We covered: Expanding vocabulary for "The Circuit."
accompanied, accompanying, accompaniment.
drone, droning, droned.
instinctively, instinct, instinctual
savoring, savor, savory.
enroll, enrollment, enrolled, enrollment.
The definitions on page 272 were written in the spiral. Study and learn.
We read "The Circuit.: Literature text, pages 273-282.
To be assigned in class: Critical Thinking activities.

We are reading the novel, Where the Red Fern Grows. Technology / differentiated projects will be assigned after winter break.

Memo: Due tomorrow, December 10---First written draft of the short story, First typed is due December 16.
Due Monday, December 13---Reading response to 5 questions ( or differentiated amount.)
Final draft of the travel brochure is due Monday, December 13.

Writing Celebration... District 97
Outstanding drafts only.... prose or poetry.... due January 21 for entries.
More information on Team 6-1 blog.

Language Arts for December 6-December 17,2010/LaBarbera

Language Arts for December 6-17,2010/LaBarbera/6-1

Homework:
Select five questions from the Reading Response Question sheet. You are expected to read nightly, so your responses will reflect at least five nights of reading at a minimum of 20 minutes per night.
Sample questions on the sheet:
Are there any connections between this book and your own life?
What makes you wonder in this book?
What are your favorite lines or quotes in this book? Write them and explain them.
What questions about this book would you like answered?
What do you predict will happen next in your book? Explain.
What character do you like best? What character do you like least? Explain
How does the author create suspense?
If you could change the ending of the book, what would you do? Why?
What is the mood or tone of the book?
Did any of the characters change during the course of the book? How did they change and what caused the change?
What were your feelings after reading the first few pages of the book?
What confuses you in this book? Explain.
What is the most important part of the book? Explain.
What advice would you give a particular character? Why?
If you could introduce a character from your book to your family, who would you introduce and why?
Which character would you be ashamed to introduce to your family? Explain.
Do you think the author is asking you to judge one of the characters? Explain.
Do you think the author is asking you to cheer on one of the characters? Explain.l

There should be a one paragraph response PER QUESTION..... for a total of five paragraphs due Monday, December 13.

New project announcement:
We are preparing to read Where the Red Fern Grows. There will be vocabulary, critical thinking projects, and discussion.
Project #1 is due Friday, December 17.
Directions: Select an item you would want to buy for less than $500. Set up a chart of tasks with $ amounts attached. Determine how long it would take you to earn $200, $300 , etc. if you completed these tasks over a period of time. In the novel, Billy Coleman worked for two years to save for something he wanted. In your chart, indicate the tasks, their $ amount, and calculate how long it would take to earn the money for the object you want to buy. Share with the class on Friday, December 17.

Expand your vocabulary:
Learn these words . Read. As we proceed with the novel, find these words and indicate which page you found them in the book.
residential, scolding, whimpering, mantel, ringtail coon, whooping, cooped up, snorted and chugged, sycamore, kennel, dep0t, pangs, gunny sack, commotion, vicious.
If you do not know the meaning of a word, look it up in the dictionary and write its definition. Write a sentence for each word that is new to you.

These words are in chapters 1-5 of Where the Red Fern Grows.

Other:
There is a spelling test tomorrow, Tuesday, December 7.
Words and definitions for suffix "ian" and "or." Words and definitions for prefix "post."

The first written draft of the Travel Brochure is due Wednesday, December 8.
The final typed draft of the Travel Brochure is due December 13.

The first written draft of the short story is due this Friday, December 10.
The first typed draft of the short story is due Thursday, December 16.

We will read Where the Red Fern Grows in school, however some students will benefit checking out the book from the library in order to read 5 chapters a week.

Up and Coming: persuasive writing, biography/historical fiction, and expanding vocabulary with homonyms.