Language Arts for Feb. 1-Feb. 7, 2011/LaBarbera

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.