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.

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.

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.
----

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 .

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.

************************************************************************************
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.

Language Arts note for Dec. 14, 2010/LaBarbera

Language Arts note for December 14, 2010/LaBarbera/6-1
Notes on homework and.....
1. The first typed draft of the short story is due Thursday, December 16. 'Revisions should be made as needed. The final typed draft of the short story is due Friday, January 7.
2. The "budget project" is due Friday, December 17.
3. Vocabulary sentences from the Literature text will be due with 2 days of assignment. The first set is due today, Dec. 14.
4. Students are reading the novel, "Where the Red Fern Grows" in class. You may check the book from the library and read to the end of chapter 15 by January 10.
A projects list will be distributed which includes research, analysis, technology, and critical thinking. The due dates for the projects are at the end of January.
Other:
Sixth grade students will take the second MAP test on January 18 and 19. The tests cover reading and math.

Writing Celebration
Students who wish to enter a story ( prose) or a poem for the District 97 Writing Celebration should type the piece in Courier font, 12 point, by January 21.
Details for this competition are on the Team Blog.

Up and Coming:
Writing persuasive essays, poetry, research, biographies, grammar lessons, and technology /Web tools .

Please contact the teacher at school with questions.

Addendum / Language Arts/ December 9/LaBarbera

Addendum/ Language Arts, December 9/LaBarbera

If you were absent today...
If you were here today....

We covered:
Expanding vocabulary: Study.
menace, menacing
reckless, recklessly, recklessness
former, formerly
unreasonable, reason, reasonable.
Use new vocabulary in speaking and writing.l If a word is unfamiliar, re-read the story where it is used to identify it within the context of a sentence.

We covered: Expanding vocabulary for "The Circuit."
accompanied, accompanying, accompaniment.
drone, droning, droned.
instinctively, instinct, instinctual
savoring, savor, savory.
enroll, enrollment, enrolled, enrollment.
The definitions on page 272 were written in the spiral. Study and learn.
We read "The Circuit.: Literature text, pages 273-282.
To be assigned in class: Critical Thinking activities.

We are reading the novel, Where the Red Fern Grows. Technology / differentiated projects will be assigned after winter break.

Memo: Due tomorrow, December 10---First written draft of the short story, First typed is due December 16.
Due Monday, December 13---Reading response to 5 questions ( or differentiated amount.)
Final draft of the travel brochure is due Monday, December 13.

Writing Celebration... District 97
Outstanding drafts only.... prose or poetry.... due January 21 for entries.
More information on Team 6-1 blog.