Friday, April 30, 2010

Literacy Skills for 6-1/LaBarbera / May 3-7, 2010

Literacy Skills for 6-1/LaBarbera/May 3-7, 2010

1. Read The White Mountains.... Continue from page 126 to page 176 by Friday, May 7.
Read the book at home and at school.
2. Complete the story triangle and the timeline.
3. Complete the AR test for The White Mountains.
4. An extended response is due May 10 and May 24. Students may opt to turn them in early. As long as they are complete and match the high score in the rubric, they will be accepted. Typed final drafts are preferred.
5. Continue reading the sequel of The White Mountains, ( The City of Gold and Lead) OR select either a second science fiction story OR a fantasy story/novel.
6. Research file on futuristics.... due May 14.
Read the blogs below for more details.

Language Arts for 6-1/May 3-7, 2010/LaBarbera

Language Arts for 6-1/May 3-7,2010/LaBarbera

1. Due Wednesday, May 5---Sentences for vocabulary with hypo- and hyper- prefix.
Test on spelling and definitions---Wed. May 5.

2. By Friday, May 7, complete the writing of the science fiction or fantasy story.
May 14----Final typed draft of the science fiction or fantasty story is due.

3. In class only.---We are completing the activities, stories, and practice tests for the Pilot text benchmarks test, scheduled for May 10, 11 and 12.

4. Up and Coming---
On May 19-20--Students will complete the table of contents of their yellow writing process folders. All students have had the experience of two narrative compositions, one adventure story, two persuasive compositions, one Research paper, one science fiction story, one free verse poem, and independent writing pieces. Students will self-assess their writing progress, take home the folder of completed work, and I will request signature or initial to confirm you have seen your child's folder of writing process work for this school year.

5. Oral interpretation of literature/Speech presentations..... May 20-June 1.
TBA

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Literacy Skills for 6-1/LaBarbera/April 26-May 3, 2010

Literacy Skills for 6-1/LaBarbera/April 26-May 3, 2010

1. Extended response due April 26--- See blogs from April 19 for the prompt.
NEW: Extended response due Monday, May 10 and Monday, May 24.
Prompt#1---Analyze the main character. Compare yourself to the main character.
Prompt #2---What "thread" of action, or setting pushes the story forward? Is it a character that moves the story forward? Is it the conditions within the setting that pose an obstacle? Explain thoroughly.
Select the prompt for the 2 responses in any order.

2. Biography Report is due today, April 26.

3. File of futuristics research is due April 30 ( check up) and May 14.. .final.
4. We will create futuristic clothing in the classroom as an activity.. Date to be announced. This assignment has been revised.

April 26-May 3,2010/Language Arts/6-1/LaBarbera

April 26-May 3, 2010/LaBarbera/6-1/Language Arts

1. Final typed draft of free verse poem is due today, April 26.
2. This work was started in class..... It is .....In progress-and it is homework....---Write science fiction short story or fantasy story. ( Read page 896-900 for "James and the Giant Peach" as an example of a short fantasy story. See Literature Text. ) Use the template distributed in class OR use the plot diagram to confirm your plan. Final typed draft is due May 14-17.

3. New Word Study list: ( To be administered on Thurs. 4/29: Prefixes hypo-and hyper:
hypoallergenic; hypocrisy; hypodermic;hypogeal; hypoglycemia;hypotension;hypothesis; hypothyroidism; hyperactive; hyperbole; hypercritical; hyperextend; hyperglycemia; hypersensitive; hypertension; hyperthermia; hyperthyroidism; hyperventilate. hypoglossal.
Learn the definitions and spelling. Sentences due date and test To BE Announced.

4. The Book Fair at Brooks will be May 18-20. Students have until May 5 to accumulate AR points in Lit. Skills. The point total will equal a dollar amount in coupons to spend at the Book Fair (only.).

Up and Coming:
Grammar lessons...gerunds.... subordinate clauses.... preparation for the May 11-12 benchmarks test.
Oral reports..

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Language Arts for 6-1/LaBarbera/April 13-April 26, 2010

Language Arts for 6-1/LaBarbera/April 13-April 26, 2010

1. Word Study: Compose a sentence for each new vocabulary word with the suffix - ance or -ence.
Word list: annoyance, convenience, defiance, diligence, dominance, elegance, patience, perseverance, radiance, tolerance.
Study the correct spelling, the definitions for this list AND last week's list with -ian and -or suffixes.The final test covers both lists.
The work is due Tuesday , April 20. The post test is April 20.

2. Writing Process: We are planning : a) a free verse poem...THE FINAL TYPED DRAFT OF THE FREE VERSE POEM IS DUE MONDAY, APRIL 26.
b) a fantasy or sci-fi story....THIS DRAFT IS IN PROGRESS. FINAL TYPED DRAFT DUE DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED.
c) oral reports. Due dates will be announced. We will work on the written drafts in class. Final drafts will be typed or in black ink on non-smudged lined paper. All written work is evaluated with a rubric.

3. Literature Text---We are reading poetry, covering skills in the pilot text book, and will resume grammar lessons. A benchmarks test for units 4,5,6 will take place May 11 and May 12.

4. Oral reports---We will cover elements of voice, speaking to a large group, and presenting a short program in class ( tentative dates between May 3-May 20).

Literacy Skills for 6-1/LaBarbera April 13-April 26, 2010

Literacy Skills for 6-1/LaBarbera-April 13-April 26, 2010.

1. Extended response due April 26---See blog entry below for the prompt. The extended response should reflect 30 minutes of nightly reading. The response should be a minimum of 3 paragraphs. Refer to the reading rubric . How do you determine a character is intelligent?

2. Research topics for futuristics: communication, education, transportation, fuel sources.
Maintain a bibliography or works consulted page . Present a file of information for each topic, with responses to the questions on the Futuristics project sheet . Examples: What will it cost to manufacture this product? How would this alternative fuel source be efficient? Teacher will check the progress of this file on April 30. The final file is due May 14.

3. In class we will create futuristic clothing pieces and research futuristic clothing.. On approximately May( TBA), we will present our creations. Due to time constraints, we will conduct this activity in class.

4. All students should be reading at home for a minimum of 30 minutes per night.

5. The Challenges in Life /Biography report for Women in History Month is due April 26.

6. Take the AR test for The White Mountains.

Points for AR will accumulate through May 5. Students will receive coupons for purchase of books at the May book fair through point totals.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Language Arts for April 5-16/6-1/LaBarbera

Language Arts for April 5-16, 2010/6-1/LaBarbera


I. Word Study: Learn the correct spelling ,definition, and part of speech . Learn the meaning of the suffixes - ian and -or. ( a person who...)
a. A vocabulary list and definitions were provided. Study.
Study: centenarian, dictator, governor, inventor, juror, legislator, librarian, octogenarian, translator, veterinarian.
Find 3 words ending with -ian suffix. .. Find 3 additional words ending in the -or suffix.
Homework: Write a sentence using each word in the correct context. --due Monday, April 12. The work should be neat, accurate, and turned in on time. Typed papers or work completed in black ink on looseleaf paper will be accepted.
Assessment: Given an expository paragraph with words missing, complete the sentences using the correct vocabulary word. This will be assigned on April 12 in class. Study.

II. Writing Process.
Design an invitation OR create 2 greeting cards. -----Due April 13-14-15.
The assignment has 2 options. Option #1: Create an invitation to a party that reflects your personality. It may be a party for present day or the future. Examples: Celebrating your first flight in space.... your Academy Award... a Life Achievement Award party, a sport party, an end of the school year party, etc.
Include in your invitation: theme, when, where, time, menu, special guest performance, entertainment, music, clothing guests should wear, special requests- example-- a code word or artifact for entry into the party, a donation to charity, and when do you need the RSVP? The purpose of the project is to create an invitation that reflects your "voice." Voice is an element of the 6+1 traits of writing. Your voice brings the reader into your paper. The invitation is a symbol of your voice. The invitation should be typed neatly. Many students use creative envelopes, baskets, origami, and other encasements for the invitation.
Option #2: A second option is to create 2 greeting cards with special messages inside. Once again, your "voice" should be heard. Create a free verse poem, short verses, etc. that you would send to a close friend . The second card would have a message for a distant friend or associate, close relative, a coach, a service worker, etc. In essence,your personality would be reflected in the greeting.---Due April 13, or 14, no later than April 15.
See me for help .


III. Literature Text book.----GRAMMAR ---We will be reading poetry and starting a free verse poem in class.
We will be covering units 4,5,6 in class for structured grammar lessons, reading sections of the text, and testing the skills that are covered within the units. A benchmark test will be administered for units 4,5,6 in the middle of May.

IV Oral Reports
In the month of April students will work on oral presentations that will be shared during the first two weeks of May.
Options:Due date to be announced:
Create a product for a 2-4 minute commercial. or Present a humorous skit ( 4 minutes) with 2 classmates
( school appropriate.)... or...Present a poetry presentation with 2 classmates..( 4 min.). ... or present a serious monologue ( 4 min.), ....... or... We will discuss other options in class. You may work with a classmate or two on the project. A rubric will be provided for this project.

V. Research paper follow-up
Several students still have to type a cover page, type an outline , or make many corrections in the paper. Papers with grades of 80% and below must be corrected and turned in as soon as possible .
A midterm progress report will be distributed in the next week.

** Before the school year ends, all students should clear lunchroom fees, return overdue library books, return texts to teachers , and other responsibililties . In order to receive the official report card on the last day of school, which states you are " promoted to grade 7", you must clear out these tasks.