Language Arts for February 1-February 7,2011/LaBarbera
1. Announcements:
Portfolio conferences will take place this week. Most conferences are scheduled for Thursday, February 3, 2011. Please remember to fill out the conference evaluation sheet and return it to the main office. Thank you.
Homework:
Please review the blog for Jan. 25-31.
a) Final typed draft of persuasive #1 is due Monday, Jan. 31.
b) A five paragraph extended response following the reading rubric for grade 6 is due Monday, February 7. Students are expected to read 20-30 minutes nightly.
c.) Other homework for skill review will be assigned. The blog will be updated.
Assigned on 1/31----We covered pages 144-145 Advertisement in the Grammar and Writing textbook. Students completed a chart with a concept, hook, image, and head for cereal advertisement. Due Feb. 7---Complete the chart you started in class. Make sure you have a catchy slogan. Submit a final draft of an advertisement chart on Monday, Feb. 7. That means you are submitting a final draft to the ad you started in class OR decided to create your own product or service ad . ( 10 points)
d.) Check the blog for Jan. 25-31 for the Feb. 14 extended response prompt.
In class----
a) Introduction to persuasive composition #2. Students will have a choice of six prompts. The student will select a prompt, brainstorm, pre-write(think), create a plan, and begin the draft. The written draft will be completed in class through at least 3 writing sessions. Students will confer with each other on their pieces and bring the draft to a final copy. Due dates will be announced.
In class--
We are reading Literature text--- Poetry collections 1-6. Skills that are covered include identifying the meaning of a word through context clues . Expanding vocabulary through the poems is assigned. A vocabulary quiz will take place on the lists for page 560-582 in the Literature text on Wednesday, Feb. 16. More information to follow.
In class---We will begin activities leading to the study of mysteries. Novel assignments will vary--The Westing Game, Shakespeare's Secrets, and Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None are three options . Written activities will be announced.
Study definitions for Feb. 16 test: rhyme, repetition , onomatopoeia, alliteration, metaphors, similes, personification, ravenous, cavernous, rancor, horrid, inedible, miniscule, deem , amid, pitiless,beseech, dismal, sympathize, crude, soprano, precious, stubby, thrives, sour, pleasant, billowing , accusers, plunging. In the test, students will be asked to explain a sentence, a part of a poem, and apply the skill of using context clues.
We are preparing for Feb. 28-March 4, ISATs. Skill instruction, short and long passage reading, extended responses, vocabulary review are emphasized.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Language Arts for January 25-31 ,2011/LaBarbera
Language Arts for January 25-31, 2011/LaBarbera/6-1
1. Due: Persuasive composition #1/School on Saturday?
First typed draft is due this week.
Final typed draft with revisions is due Monday, January 31.
2. Two reading projects are due January 25. Presentation will take place through the week in class.
3. The novel exam for a historical fiction novel is due Jan. 27.
Please ask your child to return Where the Red Fern Grows to the red cart in class, to the school library, or to the Oak Park Library , as needed.
4. A 10-16 line free verse poem reflecting the character, setting, or plot of the book the student is reading at home ( 30 minutes per night) is due
Jan. 25. Many students are writing beautiful poems.
5. During the week of January 25-Jan. 31 students will read self selected novels. We will move to a new genre, but continue to read excellent historical fiction novels .
The mystery unit .... new genre..... will include novel reading , solving mini-mysteries, reading short mystery stories, and writing a short mystery.
Stay tuned.
Novel choice: Agatha Christie--And Then There Were None.... or.. The Westing Game.... or... Shakespeare's Secrets....
More information to follow.
Coming Up.....Reading Homework ......
1. Reading responses for February.... Read a realistic fiction novel or mystery. You are expected to read 30 minutes per day/night.
a) Due February 7-----( Five paragraphs).. Follow the rubric for reading .
"Pretend an anonymous billionaire wants to give $500,000 to one of the characters in the book you are reading. Which character would you select as the beneficiary? How or why might the gift change the character's life as well as the book's outcome?"
b) Due February 14-----(Five paragraphs).. Follow the rubric for reading.
Describe changes that occur in the story. Describe at least 3 changes and what caused the changes to occur. What were the effects? Do you identify with any of these changes? How ?
c) Due February 22 ( Five paragraphs).... Explain why the title is appropriate for the book you are reading. What does it tell us about the author's purpose? Include how you relate to the title . How are YOU connected to the action in the novel? ( Use the reading rubric.)
ISATs are Feb. 28---March 11 .
Note: In class we will be covering figurative language : similes, metaphors, onomatopoeia, personnification, and others. Poetry Collections 1-6 are in the Literature textbook. Refer to pearsonsuccess.net for online textbooks.
In class we will be covering the parts of speech integrated in a second writing project. A prompt will be selected by the student who will plan, write, and confer a first written draft . To be announced.
Homework will be announced.
In class we will cover "expanding vocabulary."
Within our poetry units we will focus on the definitions of the following: crude,soprano, stubby, precious, thrives, sour, pleasant, billowing, accusers, plunging, ravenous, cavernous, rancor, horrid, inedible, miniscule, deem, amid, beseech, dismal, sympathize .
( For a head start... you will be assigned definitions, part of speech, and using the words in the correct context of a sentence......Due date TBA)
Other: Replenish pens, pencils, spiral notebook. For the research paper that will begin in March you will need notecards, a spiral , a clear folder, and computer access. Gather your supplies sooner than later.
We will: Select a topic from science, health, history, sports, the arts, nature, and /or the environment. A thesis will be formulated. Students will receive guidance for this project from our teacher-librarian, Ms. Nelson in the school media center.
1. Due: Persuasive composition #1/School on Saturday?
First typed draft is due this week.
Final typed draft with revisions is due Monday, January 31.
2. Two reading projects are due January 25. Presentation will take place through the week in class.
3. The novel exam for a historical fiction novel is due Jan. 27.
Please ask your child to return Where the Red Fern Grows to the red cart in class, to the school library, or to the Oak Park Library , as needed.
4. A 10-16 line free verse poem reflecting the character, setting, or plot of the book the student is reading at home ( 30 minutes per night) is due
Jan. 25. Many students are writing beautiful poems.
5. During the week of January 25-Jan. 31 students will read self selected novels. We will move to a new genre, but continue to read excellent historical fiction novels .
The mystery unit .... new genre..... will include novel reading , solving mini-mysteries, reading short mystery stories, and writing a short mystery.
Stay tuned.
Novel choice: Agatha Christie--And Then There Were None.... or.. The Westing Game.... or... Shakespeare's Secrets....
More information to follow.
Coming Up.....Reading Homework ......
1. Reading responses for February.... Read a realistic fiction novel or mystery. You are expected to read 30 minutes per day/night.
a) Due February 7-----( Five paragraphs).. Follow the rubric for reading .
"Pretend an anonymous billionaire wants to give $500,000 to one of the characters in the book you are reading. Which character would you select as the beneficiary? How or why might the gift change the character's life as well as the book's outcome?"
b) Due February 14-----(Five paragraphs).. Follow the rubric for reading.
Describe changes that occur in the story. Describe at least 3 changes and what caused the changes to occur. What were the effects? Do you identify with any of these changes? How ?
c) Due February 22 ( Five paragraphs).... Explain why the title is appropriate for the book you are reading. What does it tell us about the author's purpose? Include how you relate to the title . How are YOU connected to the action in the novel? ( Use the reading rubric.)
ISATs are Feb. 28---March 11 .
Note: In class we will be covering figurative language : similes, metaphors, onomatopoeia, personnification, and others. Poetry Collections 1-6 are in the Literature textbook. Refer to pearsonsuccess.net for online textbooks.
In class we will be covering the parts of speech integrated in a second writing project. A prompt will be selected by the student who will plan, write, and confer a first written draft . To be announced.
Homework will be announced.
In class we will cover "expanding vocabulary."
Within our poetry units we will focus on the definitions of the following: crude,soprano, stubby, precious, thrives, sour, pleasant, billowing, accusers, plunging, ravenous, cavernous, rancor, horrid, inedible, miniscule, deem, amid, beseech, dismal, sympathize .
( For a head start... you will be assigned definitions, part of speech, and using the words in the correct context of a sentence......Due date TBA)
Other: Replenish pens, pencils, spiral notebook. For the research paper that will begin in March you will need notecards, a spiral , a clear folder, and computer access. Gather your supplies sooner than later.
We will: Select a topic from science, health, history, sports, the arts, nature, and /or the environment. A thesis will be formulated. Students will receive guidance for this project from our teacher-librarian, Ms. Nelson in the school media center.
Friday, January 14, 2011
January 18-January 21, 2011...Addendum. Language Arts/ LaBarbera
January 18-21,2011/ Addendum for Language Arts/ LaBarbera
1. Please select 3 portfolio conference time slots . Ask your child to bring the signed conference sheet to advisory. You will conference with a different core teacher in the February conference.
2. Note the reading response prompts for Jan. 18 and Jan. 25 in the blog posting for January.
3. Two reading projects for the historical fiction novel are due Jan. 25-Jan. 27.
4. The novel exam is due Jan. 27.
If you find any HOOT novels or Where the Red Fern Grows novels that belong to GBMS , please send them back to school. Thank you.
5. The persuasive composition should be completed Tuesday, Jan. 18. The first typed draft should be ready by Jan. 25. The final typed draft is due Jan. 31.
6. A midterm progress report is being prepared for take home in the next two weeks.
The portfolio conferences are Feb. 3, 2011..
Up and Coming:
We are glad to have Ms. Elise Jury, Technology Teacher Leader, demonstrate web tools 2.0 to students in the language arts classes. In the near future, we will work on the library computers to learn Photo Story and digital storytelling.
--Students in Language Arts classes will be working on a research paper in March and April. As an advanced notice.... students will need 50-100 note cards ( 4"x 6"), a transparent folder, a composition notebook for the project, an envelope for the note cards, and computer/printer access for the final product. We are scheduled for lessons with Ms. Nelson, teacher librarian during March 14-April 5.
The MAP tests are scheduled for January 18 and January 19 during the Language Arts block . Students will use Dell Laptop Computers for this test. Parents will receive the results. These results are helpful with planning instruction , skill reteaching, and student progress.
----
1. Please select 3 portfolio conference time slots . Ask your child to bring the signed conference sheet to advisory. You will conference with a different core teacher in the February conference.
2. Note the reading response prompts for Jan. 18 and Jan. 25 in the blog posting for January.
3. Two reading projects for the historical fiction novel are due Jan. 25-Jan. 27.
4. The novel exam is due Jan. 27.
If you find any HOOT novels or Where the Red Fern Grows novels that belong to GBMS , please send them back to school. Thank you.
5. The persuasive composition should be completed Tuesday, Jan. 18. The first typed draft should be ready by Jan. 25. The final typed draft is due Jan. 31.
6. A midterm progress report is being prepared for take home in the next two weeks.
The portfolio conferences are Feb. 3, 2011..
Up and Coming:
We are glad to have Ms. Elise Jury, Technology Teacher Leader, demonstrate web tools 2.0 to students in the language arts classes. In the near future, we will work on the library computers to learn Photo Story and digital storytelling.
--Students in Language Arts classes will be working on a research paper in March and April. As an advanced notice.... students will need 50-100 note cards ( 4"x 6"), a transparent folder, a composition notebook for the project, an envelope for the note cards, and computer/printer access for the final product. We are scheduled for lessons with Ms. Nelson, teacher librarian during March 14-April 5.
The MAP tests are scheduled for January 18 and January 19 during the Language Arts block . Students will use Dell Laptop Computers for this test. Parents will receive the results. These results are helpful with planning instruction , skill reteaching, and student progress.
----
Monday, January 10, 2011
Language Arts for January 10-18,2011/LaBarbera/6-1
Language Arts for January 10-18,2011 / La/Barbera/ 6-1
Update: We are working on a persuasive composition in class. Students have completed 2 graphic organizers for the project. A five paragraph composition is assigned with the prompt: "Convince legislators to promote/or not to promote a requirement of elementary and middle school students' attendance at school on Saturday mornings." The prompt is hypothetical, not real. Students have discussed their reasons in cooperative groups . The writing component is completed individually in class. The first written draft should be completed by Jan. 18 in class.
The students will conference , revise, and bring the draft to final typed status by Jan. 25-27.
Homework: ( Skills of grammar are covered daily. Practice will be assigned . )
1. Spelling work and post test are January 14, Friday.
2. Reading Response #2 is due January 18. The prompt is posted on the blog for Jan. 3-10.
"Select a character from the novel you are reading. If you could imagine the "garbage" placed in the can of the main character, what might be thrown out? ticket stubs? evidence? food? clothing scraps ?( Cinderella). Explain your thoughts creatively.
3. Where the Red Fern Grows.. or historical fiction novel assigned. Two projects for the genre are due January 25. See the project options on the Jan. 3 blog. Ask your child for a copy of the options that should be in his/her accordion folder.
4. Novel exam on Where the Red Fern Grows or assigned historical fiction novel.
In class.
We are covering elements of persuasive writing in the Grammar and Writing Text.
We will be covering Chapter 21--The Four Functions of a Sentence. on pages 438-477 in upcoming lessons.
We will be reading "King of Mazy May," "Hard as Nails," and Jackie Robinson, Justice at Last" in the Literature textbook. We are reviewing the skills of drawing conclusions, conflict resolution, fact vs. opinion, and how to read an informational text.
Vocabulary for every story is reviewed prior to reading. We are covering the parts of speech in that activity. Syllabication and proper reading of diacritical marks for pronunciation are covered .
Update: We are working on a persuasive composition in class. Students have completed 2 graphic organizers for the project. A five paragraph composition is assigned with the prompt: "Convince legislators to promote/or not to promote a requirement of elementary and middle school students' attendance at school on Saturday mornings." The prompt is hypothetical, not real. Students have discussed their reasons in cooperative groups . The writing component is completed individually in class. The first written draft should be completed by Jan. 18 in class.
The students will conference , revise, and bring the draft to final typed status by Jan. 25-27.
Homework: ( Skills of grammar are covered daily. Practice will be assigned . )
1. Spelling work and post test are January 14, Friday.
2. Reading Response #2 is due January 18. The prompt is posted on the blog for Jan. 3-10.
"Select a character from the novel you are reading. If you could imagine the "garbage" placed in the can of the main character, what might be thrown out? ticket stubs? evidence? food? clothing scraps ?( Cinderella). Explain your thoughts creatively.
3. Where the Red Fern Grows.. or historical fiction novel assigned. Two projects for the genre are due January 25. See the project options on the Jan. 3 blog. Ask your child for a copy of the options that should be in his/her accordion folder.
4. Novel exam on Where the Red Fern Grows or assigned historical fiction novel.
In class.
We are covering elements of persuasive writing in the Grammar and Writing Text.
We will be covering Chapter 21--The Four Functions of a Sentence. on pages 438-477 in upcoming lessons.
We will be reading "King of Mazy May," "Hard as Nails," and Jackie Robinson, Justice at Last" in the Literature textbook. We are reviewing the skills of drawing conclusions, conflict resolution, fact vs. opinion, and how to read an informational text.
Vocabulary for every story is reviewed prior to reading. We are covering the parts of speech in that activity. Syllabication and proper reading of diacritical marks for pronunciation are covered .
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