Friday, March 25, 2011

April 4-April 8,2011/LaBarbera/Language Arts-6-1

April 4-April 8,2011/Language Arts/ LaBarbera/ 6-1

Research project is in progress:
For April 4: You need highlighters, a package of note cards, a clear folder for the final project, a tablet of yellow writing process paper for your written first draft.
You will organize note cards; work on easybib to establish your works consulted page.
On April 5--- You will receive instruction on "Webspiration." This will help you create an outline for your research paper. Easybib is due and the first 5 note cards are
due April 5.
--- In- class instruction will occur covering note cards, outlines, and writing the draft of the research paper. This is the student's" shining moment"-- to present his/her best work. The student should "own" the paper.

Other Work:
1. The reading of the mystery ( novel) must be completed by April 8. The reaction to the mystery was due March 25.
2. The student's written mystery first draft is due April 8. The final typed draft is due April 18.
Students will confer with one another on the first draft .
3. Grammar: We will be covering adjectives, predicate adjectives, possessive adjectives, and proper adjectives. All of the grammar topics aligned with the literature text will be covered prior to the upcoming MAP test scheduled for May 2 in Grade 6.
Homework:
Write the mystery.
Write the research paper ( after note cards are completed and the outline is printed).
Read a second mystery or self selection of novels. The upcoming unit will begin April 15, covering science fiction and fantasy.
To be announced:
Grammar homework
Vocabulary homework
Upcoming unit project

RUBRIC FOR SELF ASSESSMENT--Use the following criteria to evaluate your research report:

Audience and Purpose---Score 4----Focuses on a clearly stated topic, starting from a well-framed question (s); gives complete citations.
Organization----Score 4---Presents information in logical order, emphasizing details of central importance.
Elaboration---Score 4----Draws clear conclusions from information gathered from multiple sources.
Use of Language--Score 4---Shows overall clarity and fluency ; contains few mechanical errors ( capitalization, punctuation, spelling, grammar.).
( In addition, the student must follow the directions for presentation: First page is a cover page with identifying information about topic and student. Second page is the outline of the paper. The research paper is to include an introduction, research information which is paraphrased, which indicates the answers to the initial questions, and closed with an interesting conclusion. The paper is followed by the Works Consulted page. A blank page follows the WC page, The entire project is encased in a clear plastic folder. ( I will grade the research papers. ) Letter grade , percentage, and comments will be given.


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Thursday, March 17, 2011

March 17-March 25, 2011.Language Arts/ LaBarbera

March 17-March 25, 2011/ Language Arts/ LaBarbera.

Homework and due dates:

1. Distinguishing features /description of a person---Clip a picture from a magazine and write the complete description of the person. Include hair color, eye color, height, weight, and " distinguishing features." This aligns with our study of mysteries and suspects. Try this: Have someone walk into a room and walk out after a minute. Write a description of that person. How observant are you? Due March 21.

2. Upcoming TEST---March 24.
The test will cover Predicate nouns... eg. John is a student. ( The word " student " is a predicate noun.... See Grammar and Writing text.
The test will include correct use of homonyms . Review your list. Sentences are recorded. You may have them to study.
The test will include research skills and story elements of a mystery.

3. Due by April 8---We are working on the mystery in class. The plot diagram and story map will be completed this week. The written draft is due April 8. The final typed draft is due April 18.

4. All of the work for the research paper is checked and recorded.
Students will have research time in the library computers from March 21-25.... Upon return from spring break... students will complete note cards . There will be instruction about writing an outline, the rough draft, and how to correctly finalize the paper.
Please see previous blog for the due dates related to the research paper.

Other notes:
There were many emails, phone calls, and in person conferences in February. If you have further questions about your child's school progress, please contact me at school.

Friday, March 4, 2011

March 8-March 15, 2011/LaBarbera/Language Arts 6-1

March 11-March 21, 2011/LaBarbera/Language Arts 6-1

Due: Tuesday March 8, 2011:
a) Expository composition/cause and effect final typed draft ( 2/8/11)-- Work turned in late loses point value, but the work must be completed .
b) Homonyms list #2 sentences . Use vocabulary in the correct context. Turn in the work between March 8-15. Quiz on vocab. --March 24..
c) Reaction to mystery novel. Two -three paragraphs include a reaction to the story, the plot, the author's story devices, and outcome of the story. Be creative.--Due March 22-24.. If the book is not completed, an extension will be assigned.
d) By March 11.... due March 14---- Complete the "Research proposal /Search Form" which will be distributed on March 8 for approval . Select your research topic and write five researchable questions . The questions must contain search terms. They must not be answered with yes or no. The questions should encourage research.

New:
Gather your research materials: note cards, flash drive, spiral , clear plastic folder.... Stake a claim on your use of a computer and printer for the final draft due in late April.

Due: Read your mystery in class and , if possible , at home .
Due : March 14-15---- Write a one paragraph ( short) mystery. Give ONE main clue. In the paragraph, the reader is given limited data but must draw conclusions or questions in order to start the process of solving the case.
Write an answer to your mystery on separate paper.
Example: A hard copy of a grade book is missing. The teacher found a schoolbag on a chair that had not been there the previous day. What could have happened?
Speculate on the sequence of events leading up to discovering something was taken. How will you gather suspects? Who might have been a witness?

Due: March 21--Find and clip a picture of a person's face from a magazine or internet.. Write a short description of this face so that you indicate the " distinguishing features." Be prepared to discuss .

These activities lead up to writing your own mystery. (Characters, setting, crime, events, high point, falling action, and resolution ( solution.). We will be working on this in class as much as possible as the research paper schedule unfolds. The due dates for the written draft and final draft will be announced. ( TBA)
First draft will begin March 10-11. First check up in class TBA . Final draft is due in April TBA.( to be announced.)

In class: We will cover Chapter 11 of the Grammar and Writing text. All of the students have passwords to use pearsonsuccess.net in order to review the research report guidelines online.
We will also cover pages 758-762.

Vocabulary for Internet: See Grammar and Writing text pages 764-765.
attached file, bandwidth, bit, bookmark, browser, case-sensitivity, cookie, cyberspace, database, digerati, download, e-mail, error message, FTP site, GIF, graphics, hits, HTML, interactivity, Internet, JPEG, K, link, login, modem, newsgroup, query box, relevance ranking, search engines, signature, surfing, URL, usenet, virus, Web page, Web site, WWW, and zip.

Research Proposal/Search Terms
1.Proposed Topic_________________________________(Topic to be approved by teacher)
2. Why did you choose this topic?
3. What do you already know about this topic?
4 . Specific questions you have about the topic: ( What do you want to know?)
Your questions should include your topic: ( Include specific words that describe what you want to know about your topic; ask ONE question , and it must be researchable (which means it can be answered in FACTS.)
Example: What are the options for finding alternative sources of fuel?
(Notice the question is asking for facts, not yes or no.)
You need 5 researchable questions with your topic: Due March 11-14.


Schedule for Research project:
March 14- In Library with Language Arts class--One class period --Work on search terms sheet. Topic and questions are due for teacher approval.
March 15--Finish search terms sheet. Review print Source Cards and Encyclopedia Index. Find print source . Due: Search term sheet by the end of class.
March 17--and March 18----Review website evaluation and source card.
Search tips and printing. Finish finding print source.
March 21---March 22 and March 23.... --Search time . Website evaluation by end of class .
March 24 ---Easybib instructions for creating a works consulted page. You need an email address to send the reference number. You need all of your sources for the research paper at the beginning of this class.
March 25---Work on works consulted page.
We have spring break between March 26 through April 3. We return to school on April 4.
April 4---Highlighting and making notecards.Work on easybib or notecards.
April 5---Organizing notecards.Quick Book Talk.... Work on notecards... By the end of this class the works consulted page is due. You must check in 5 notecards by the end of this class.
Work to be done after being in the library.
a. Finish notecards. They will be graded. .. b. Instruction/ Create an outline...This will be graded. . c. Write your rough draft of the research paper..This will be graded. ... d. Final draft typed....
The final typed draft of the paper is due Tuesday, April 26.

This project will be differentiated . A minimum number of sources for this project is 4 with one print source .
The paper is submitted with a cover page, an outline page, the research paper typed from 4.5 to 7 pages typed ***, double spaced with correct margins, followed by a Works Consulted page, a blank page, encased in a clear plastic folder .

Upcoming quiz/test......
March 24... includes vocabulary from Literature text/ poetry , predicate nouns,homonyms, essay writing. ( multiple choice and essay)