May 16-May 23,2011/ Language Arts/ LaBarbera

May 16-May 23, 2011/Language Arts/LaBarbera

1. Final typed drafts of science fiction short story are due Monday, May 23. Design a cover page for the final draft. Attach the rubric at the back of the packet.
2. Complete the predictions and reactions to The White Mountains.... due May 24
( Extensions open)
3. May 24.... Design futuristic inventions and clothing in class.
4. Study Prepositions --Homework to be assigned.
5. Read Literature text.... Fantasy unit... or novel... The novels and reading book carts are to be returned to our school library on May 23... This will limit checking books out from school. We will continue reading through June 6. Stories in the literature text will be assigned in class .

6. Oral report presentations----With time remaining, we will cover oral presentations and active listening. Brief presentations will be featured in class from May 25-June 6. More information is forthcoming.
7. Students are expected to read thirty minutes nightly for self selected novel reading.
8. Four word challenge spelling list: Post test is May 26.
a)antidisestablishmentarianism----against taking government support away from the church.
b) floccinaucinihilipipification---estimating something is worthless.
c) supercalifragilisticexpialidocious-----very good.
d) pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis-----lung disease of coal miners who inhaled silicon dust.

Language Arts addendum... on May 10, 2011../ LaBarbera

Language Arts Addendum on May 10,2011../LaBarbera

1. Due dates:
a) Written draft of the science fiction story is due May 16.. Peer conferencing in class.
b) Final typed draft of science fiction story is due May 23.
c) Predictions and reactions to The White Mountains.. .due May 24.
d) In class project on futuristic inventions... on May 24. TBA.

2. Up and Coming:
a) Prepositions and Conjunctions ( guided practice and test by June 6) Study .
b) Fantasy and Laughter reading and writing: Grammar and Writing Text , covering page 650---Preparing a skit, monologue, or presentation. Tips on effective public speaking will be covered. Date of presentations: May 24 to June 6.

Other:
1. Return library books. Pay overdue lunch fees. Find text books you have signed out from your classes and return them on the assigned due dates . You will have to pay full price for missing textbooks. Report cards are held if you owe books to the school library..
2. Select your electives by May 13.
3. Maintain a solid grade point average through the third trimester. This trimester, indeed, counts. School is still in session. Follow rules in the classroom, halls, lunchroom, and school grounds. Follow the school appropriate rules for the dress code. Close your school year with a positive attitude, work completed, and proud that you put forth your best effort.

Language Arts for May 3 to May 13, 2011.. 6-1/ LaBarbera

Language Arts for May 3-May 13, 2011, 6-1 , LaBarbera

1. Test on Adjectives and Adverbs : Monday, May 9. Go online at pearsonsuccess.net with your ID and password to find chapter 16 and review the topics. You have worksheets covering the skills, as well.
a. ) articles--- a, an
b) Identifying Adjectives and the words they modify.
c) Distinguishing between adverbs and adjectives.

2. We are writing a science fiction short story in school and as homework . The written draft is due May 16. We will peer edit and conference. The final typed draft is due May 20-23.

3. We will work on the science fiction project in school and at home. We will design futuristic appliances, clothing, cars, etc. from ideas we find in our research. Recycled materials will be used to create prototypes. No due date is set for this project .
We will work on it in class and determine whether this will become homework.

4. Students will return to reading The White Mountains upon completion of the MAP tests on May 4 and May 5. A written prediction is required for every three chapters of the science fiction novel that is read. The book work will be completed by May 24.

5. Grammar topics up and coming: Prepositions and Conjunctions. We will review all mechanics: punctuation, spelling, capitalization of titles, names, etc.
6. Fantasy and Laughter will be the theme from May 20 to June 7. We will read A Wrinkle in Time or other books with high fantasy. Students will cover the elements of oral presentations in class during May 24-June 6. More info . to follow.

Language Arts Note... April 27, 2011. /LaBarbera/...

Language Arts Note... April 27/ LaBarbera

1. Homework: Research an article on futuristic technology by Tuesday, May 3. Be prepared to share your findings. What is on the horizon for telephones, automobiles, school, or appliances? Select a topic that interests you . Read the article and contribute your facts in class.

2. Study the science fiction vocabulary. You should use a dictionary and the book , The White Mountains to learn the meaning of the word in the context of the story. What is " companionable silence?"

3. Study your adjectives and adverbs notes, text, and practice sheets.
The test has been moved to Monday, May 9.... since the MAP tests for sixth grade have now been scheduled for Wednesday, May 4 and Thursday, May 5. Please take note.

4. Silent reading of self selected novels OR science fiction OR fantasy.... is expected through the end of the school year for at least 20 minutes per night...

5. The projects for science fiction will be worked on in class and at school. Due dates will be announced. The list of choices has been distributed.

6.. Congratulations upon the completion of the research paper. Almost everyone had the paper ready today.. I will begin reading, grading, and recording the grades today. Each paper is given time for a fair grade. The grades will be recorded in Power School after the midterm progress reports are printed this week. A rubric will be used for grading . If a paper and its parts earn an unsatisfactory grade, the student will be given time to revise and correct the work.

Language Arts/ LaBarbera/April 25-29,2011/6-1

Language Arts/LaBarbera/April 25-29,2011/Team 6-1

1. Homework: Go online at PHSchool.com , code eak 6002, Use your language arts username and password ( Your name in lower case and la(last four digits of your ID).
Study adjectives and adverbs. Test : Friday, April 29. ( If you are in the play, we can adjust the date . )

2. RESEARCH PAPER FINAL TYPED DRAFT IS DUE Wednesday, APRIL 27. Include the cover page, outline, research paper ( with numbered pages...eg.... Schmoe, page 2.), the Works Consulted Page, the blank page.... in a clear , plastic folder.

3. Due Tuesday, April 26---Respond to three science fiction questions. We will discuss these in cooperative groups. We will discuss five questions, so think about all of them.

In-Class.
Science fiction introduction:
Vocabulary for the novel The White Mountains, by John Christopher...
As you read the novel, these words will be important to understand:
inconsequential, capping, rhythmic ticking, vagrant, tripod, overtures of friendship, anguish, fallabilities, snug, ....the fight against domination, a tall man, very swarthy.... camomille tea, workmanship, crossroads, encounter, companionable silence, permanent restlessness, enormous burnished tentacles, immediate vicinity, perplexity, shuddered, compassion, sullen.

To be announced:
For the Science fiction unit....
First assignment due..in first week : Read an article from a magazine, online, or newspaper which illustrates, describes, or explains future technology. For example.... telephones, automobiles, home appliances, school technology. What's new? What's on the way??? Be prepared to summarize the information and share in class.
Long term project:
Choices: Use scraps, doo dads, household items, recycled parts, to create a template of a futuristic invention, work of art, clothing, or useful tool. Due date to be announced.
Or..... Write a piece of futuristic music. Be prepared to present in class. Bring your instrument. OR create a vocal group and arrange a vocal presentation.
OR.... Design a piece of clothing for the future. Create a poster of fashion... Or.... create the actual article of clothing that might be worn in 6000 AD.....
OR.... Use technology.. Create a Wordle.... a Glog,.... or Photo Story....OR propose a technology project that will illustrate a futuristic concept . Present your proposal for approval by the teacher.

We will all read The White Mountains as a base or common novel for our science fiction discussions. Identify the elements of science fiction that distinguish it from other genres.
Write a prediction and reason after reading 3 chapters at a time in the novel. Include a statement that tells whether your previous prediction was correct. Due dates for this will be announced.

MAP testing takes place in Sixth grade on May 2 and May 3. Scores will be compared with Fall MAP results.
Please contact me at school with questions or concerns.
Ms. L.

Language Arts for April 14-April 20,2011/LaBarbera

Language Arts for April 14-20,2011/LaBarbera

1. -There is a quiz on Adjectives on Thursday, April 14. This quiz includes identifying adjectives, proper adjectives, possessive adjectives, and demonstrative adjectives, as well as articles. Study your practice sheets that you have completed .
2. The outline for the research paper is due Friday, April 15. Your outline is not the paper... It is a road map , a brief guide through the paper . Your outline is created using Webspiration or following the examples that have been provided. Your outline is NOT Roman numeral One, followed by 13 letters of the alphabet .
3. The final typed draft of the mystery is due Monday, April 18.
Attach the pink sheet/rubric to the final draft . All of the mysteries will be scored in a timely manner; they will be recorded in Power School .
4. We will be covering Adverbs next week. See chapter 16 of Grammar and Writing. Use your computer access.
5. The written draft of the research paper follows the completed outline. The final typed draft of the research paper is due April 25-27.

Up and Coming: The next genre(s) is Science Fiction and Fantasy.
We will be reading a variety of books for this unit.
---The third MAP test is scheduled for May 2 and 3 for grade 6.
---Students are assigned to read self selected novels for a minimum of 20 minutes per night through the last day of school.

Organizing Note Cards... for the Research Paper.

April 6

Fifty note cards should be completed by Friday, April 8.

You should have about 20 note cards for each source you have.
Step 1: Organize cards into separate piles by category.
Ask yourself: Which cards ( or what informatin) could go together in a paragraph?

Step 2: Give each pile a category name. This will eventually become a Roman numeral in your outline and what you create your topic sentence around when you begin drafting.
Ask yourself: What one or two words describes what this pile of information is about?

Step 3: Order the cards within each pile, then order the piles themselves. The entire stack of cards should be in the exact order you would write about them in your paper. Ask yourself: How should I order my facts within each paragraph? How should I order the paragraphs themselves?
Step 4: Decide what you should do with the cards that don't fit into any of your piles or with each other. NEVER create a pile of cards for " other" or " interesting facts." Don't use the cards or use one or two in your introductin if they are attention grabbing.
Ask yourself: Would these cards that don't fit into any of my piles fit into my introduction because they are attention grabbing?
Step 5: You are ready to begin your outline.

( See the blog entry on Webspiration.)