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.