This week in reading we will be finishing our first unit on ancient civilizations with a Mesopotamia quiz on Wednesday. Prior to finishing, we will exam Hammurabi's Codes and apply them to modern day laws. I think the kids have enjoyed learning about the "old days". The Latin root we will study is "meter". The first part of the packet will be due on Tuesday, and the Reading Comprehension and paragraph will be due on Wednesday. The "meter" quiz will be on Thursday. Along with the above, we will be studying testing strategies for the CRT tests which are quickly approaching.
In English, we continue to look at verbs and subject/verb combinations. We will have a quiz on Tuesday, After Tuesday, we will study regular and irregular verbs as well as verb tense. On Wednesday, I will model an informative presentation. The kids need to begin working on their presentation. This is informative not narrative. Their presentations will need to be completed at home, and presentation dates will begin on Feb. 22nd. Other than study for the Tuesday test and begin working on the presentation, there is no homework.
Feb. 1 - 5
Much of our English class this week will be completing our survey. This will be a four paragraph compare and contrast essay. The first paragraph is due on Tuesday. The first draft of the paper is due on Wednesday, and this is a MUST because we will peer edit on the same day. On Friday, the final draft will be due. Along with the essay, we will continue to look at verbs. This week's focus is subject/verb agreement.
On Monday in reading, we will be completing the first common assessment of the third quarter. The Latin root we will study is "spec" with the quiz being on Thursday. Concerning Mesopotamia, the "Mesopotamian" monster will be due on Tuesday. During the week, much of the class time will be in lecture or small group work affiliated with ancient civilization.
Jan. 25 - 29
I want to tell you that the third quarter is probably the most difficult of the four quarters in sixth grade. Please encourage your student to pay attention, ask questions, work hard, and study.
In reading this week, we will continue to study Mesopotamia and the first civilization. Towards the end of the week, we will create a "Mesopotamian Monster" which will not be due until Feb. 2nd. The kids will be given the information concerning this assignment on Monday. We will also study the Latin roots "vis" and "vid". The first portion of this packet will be due on Wednesday, and the second portion needs to be completed by Thursday. Our test will be on Friday. During the third quarter and into the fourth, we will study many Greek and Latin roots.
In English, we will continue to study helping and linking verbs. On Wednesday, there will be a quiz on these. The kids have a packet from which to study. They will also need to know the 23 most common helping verbs. These are included in their packets. We will also focus on expository writing. A handout "How to Eat Like a Child" will be due on Thursday. During class on Thursday, I will model a survey the kids will be taking with two members of their family. Next week I will discuss more about this.
Have a great weekend.
Jan. 18 - 22
As you know, we are entering into our third quarter. Along with the year going quickly, so are my supplies of tissues and hand sanitizer. As you visit the store this weekend, I would really appreciate either one of these for the classroom. I have three boxes of tissue and no sanitizer left for year. Thanks in advance for your generosity.
In reading this week, we will begin a unit on ancient civilization. One of our staff members, an expert on the subject, will talk with the kids about Mesopotamia. This unit will last for much of the next three weeks. The only homework this week will be a reading log.
In English, we will begin the week with reacquainting the kids with our rules and regulations, cleaning the binders, and new seating. On Tuesday, we'll talk about Dr. Martin Luther King, and the kids will need to complete an assignment relating one of his speeches to their life. This will be due on Wednesday. For those who did not complete the Daily Gram quiz, that will be on Wed. Much of the rest of the week we will look at verbs with emphasis on linking and helping verbs. Along with the MLK assignment due on Wed., the kids will need to finish the work of the day on Wednesday-Friday.
Jan. 11 - 15
In both classes this week we will review for the midterms on Monday. The kids will have half days on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday so as to complete the midterm testing.
Jan. 4 - 8
In reading class, we will begin the week by reviewing and completing the second interim test. Following this, we will review and study for our midterm test which will be the following week.
In English, we will spend our time reviewing for the midterm tests and completing the essay which is a portion of the test.
I wish all my students and their parents a healthy and happy 2010.
Dec. 14 - 18
In reading class, we will be finishing our novel. The kids seem to really be enjoying it. Along with our book, we will be completing the second of three common assessments. This one focusing on main idea and supporting detail. The third common assessment will be the midterm.
In English, we will finish our units dealing with the mechanics of grammar. This will include parentheses, colons, and hyphens. Along with mechanics, we will touch upon homographs and homophones. Our writing piece will be a short piece based on the different stages presented in the short book "The Giving Tree." I expect to get most of the work completed in class, so homework for this week is to finish the work of the day.
I wish all my students and their families a wonderful, relaxing, and peaceful holiday.
Dec. 7 -11
In reading this week, we will continue to read __Searching for David's Heart__. I know the kids are enjoying the book, and many are having a hard time stopping at the end of each chapter. It's fun for me to see the kids so absorbed in the story. Along with reading during class, we are also reading during our "PAWS" period in school. This is ten minutes where all (including staff members)stop and read. Truthfully, it's hard for me to put down my book. In preparation for the upcoming CRT tests, we will also complete a practice response similar to those the kids will be confronted with in the test. Presently, there will be no homework in reading this week.
In English, we will start the week with completing the second common assessment for the quarter. We'll follow this with lessons on correct quotating and underlining. Also, we'll address nouns. There will be a quiz covering underlining and quoting on Wednesday, and a quiz on nouns this Friday. Studying for these quizzes will be the work for the week.
Nov. 30 - Dec. 4
I hope our short holiday vacation finds all of you well rested and ready for routine. My four days have been relaxing, but it's time to get back to business.
In English class, we will complete a spelling lesson looking at easily confused words. I'll present the lesson on Monday, correct it on Wednesday, and the test will be on Friday. Along with spelling, we will continue to look at the writing mechanics of quotations. I plan on returning the narratives due last Friday and talk with the kids concerning the recent interim tests. Other than the spelling, the homework will be to complete the quotation work on each day.
In reading class, we will begin reading __Searching for David's Heart__ in class. Because I have a class set of this novel, all work needs to be completed in class.
Nov. 23 - 27
My English classes this week will be working to complete a five paragraph narrative essay. This will be the main focus. On Monday, the homework is to complete the first draft. Because we will be editing these on Tuesday, this is a MUST. Tuesday's homework is to complete the final draft for Wednesday.
In reading we will review mood and theme. After we review, we'll complete the common assessment. A second study will be to compare and contract two different stories. The only homework is to complete the work of the day on Tuesday.
I wish all of my students and their families a wonderful and peaceful four day break.
Nov. 16 - 20
In English class, we will finish our work concerning the comma. This little piece of punctuation has so many uses, and many of the kids have not used the comma correctly in the past. That's okay, but now I will be looking for the correct usage on their papers. With commas come quotation marks, so we will be studying these also. This week we will begin writing our personal narrative. This will be graded using the traits, and, I hope, these to be completed prior to our Thanksgiving break, so I can have that time to correct them.
Homework for this week will be the following:
Mon. - Finish comma work.
Study fragments and run-ons for common assessment quiz on Tues.
Wed. - Finish quotation work.
Fri. - Complete first draft of first two paragraphs of personal narrative.
In reading class we are finishing our author study presentations. Along with our presentations, we will be attend the school's book fair on Tuesday, and hopefully, we will have a Friday assembly with all the academy sixth graders to begin our unit on ancient civilization. If you have completed your author presentation, you have no homework this week. If you have not completed the presentation, preparing for it is your homework.
Nov. 9 - 13
Once again we will have a shorter week this week with Veteran's Day as an important holiday. I'm sure none of the kids will forget that.
In reading this week, we will start our presentations for the author study. This entire project will have five grades attached to it. I have explained the three most important rubrics to the kids and have answered all their questions. On Tuesday, we will be practicing our oral presentations in class with partners. Because the kids need to be well prepared, this is the only homework for the week.
In English this week, we will be continuing to look at additional uses of the comma. By the end of the week, we will have covered most every use. After this, I will begin to expect the kids to use commas correctly in their writings. Along with commas, we'll have a spelling lesson that I talked about last week. Our test will be on Friday. I am giving the kids the spelling packet today (11-6-09). Because the week will be busy, I suggest that they finish it this weekend.
This week we'll talk and exam more narratives and next week the kids will be writing their own. Other than the spelling test on Friday, the spelling packet is do on Tuesday. On Tuesday, the kids need to finish any work of the day.
Nov. 2 - 6
This week in English we will continue to work with the traits and begin looking at a personal narrative. In the mechanics of English, we will study the uses of the comma. Because many of my students shy away from using the comma at all, we will continue to study its uses next week. At the end of the week, we will again have a spelling lesson focusing on suffixes -ance, -ence, -ant, -ent. The homework for the week is to complete the comma work of the day, and there will be a comma quiz on Friday.
Along with studying the types of questions, in reading we will look at mysteries. On Friday we will work on our author study in class. Next week starts presentations, and all the kids have an assigned day. The homework is to work on this project.
Oct. 26 - 30
This starts the beginning of the second quarter and another new start for our kids. As you know, this week will be a short one. Once again I am requesting a few supplies, if possible. With allergies and colds, I am running out of tissue quickly. Also, I am totally our of hand sanitizer. Either of these supplies would be very much appreciated.
In English, we will be working with the writing traits, and, hopefully, the kids will have a strong understanding of the writing expectations. As I have been grading, I have noticed a weakness in "to" and "too." This, too, will be addressed. The only homework for this week is on both Wed. and Thurs. to finish the work of the day. Wednesday's work will be to complete a story ending and an alliteration assignment, and Thursday's work will be reviewing aspects of the writing traits.
In reading, we will work with the six types of questions on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday and Thursday, we will be going to the computer lab to research our authors for the author study. I am going to give the kids a reading log this week. I look forward to reading their comments on their author study books. The only other homework is to work on the author study project. The due date is Nov. 12th.
Oct. 19 - 23
This week our English classes will be completing the interims on Wednesday and Thursday. The purpose for the interims is to see where the kids are as a class, and what information needs to be visited or revisited. Along with the interims, we will continue to study the writing traits and the meaning of each. The homework for this week is the first draft of the "Elephant Story" is due on Monday. So there would not be a lot of homework this last weekend, the kids worked on this in class on Friday. The final draft will be due on Wednesday. Also, the first person fairy tale will be due on Friday. I'll explain this assignment, related to the trait of voice, on Wednesday.
In reading this week, we will begin our author study. I'll explain this project on Monday, and the kids will "select" their author out of a bag. The kids will be given all the instructions and should keep these instruction papers in the reading section of their binder. Along with this, we will spend time working on the six different types of questions. The homework for this week is to spend time working on the author study. They can start by researching their author and by beginning to read one of the author's books. Between the school library and my library, a book will be available to each one of my students.
We are approaching the end of the first quarter. The final assignments that will be included in the grade book will be the first draft of the "Elephant Story (English) and the questions affiliated with "Dragon, Dragon" (reading). I will also accept any assignment that was due within the last week.
Have a wonderful week!
Oct. 12 - 16
In English this week we will, again, have spelling words. The words will be ones that I have noticed misspelled on the papers the kids have written. Along with spelling, we will begin to cover the analytical traits. Because the kids will be using the traits as rubrics for their middle school years, we will spend much of this week and next week working with them. This, like so much of English, is an ongoing process. The homework will be the spelling test on Thursday, a sequencing assignment due on Friday, and the first draft of "The Elephant Story" due on Monday of the following week. If the kids use their time wisely, this first draft should be completed in class on Friday.
In reading, we will finish studying the literary terms and complete a terms quiz on Thursday. On Monday, I will give the kids strips to cut to begin practicing the words and meanings. My students should start reviewing and practicing on Monday night. The only other assignment will be a reading log due on Friday.
If I find that the kids are having other tests on Thursday in their core classes, I will change one or both of mine.
Another thing, concerning the Scholastic Book orders, this is the first time I have been asked about parents ordering on line. I will set this up with Scholastic before I hand out any more order form. I am sorry if this has been an inconvenience to any of my parents. I do appreciate the orders and use all my bonus points for classroom books all can enjoy.
One last thing, I am beginning to have planner checks. Since being organized is so important at this stage of their lives, I feel the planner is important to the kids. I expect them to have an entry for their English, reading, math, and science even if there is no homework.
Have a great weekend.
Oct. 5 - 9
This week in English we will be completing an assessment covering the ten pages of Daily Grams we have completed. This is open notes, but the kids need to study, so they know where to find the answers. Along with this, we are having spelling words. Through reading the different papers my students have written, I realize we need a lesson on "ie" and "ei", so our spelling lesson will cover these rules. We will also complete another writing piece incorporating different methods of starting sentences.
Homework for this week is the following:
Tues. - Daily Gram and Run-on quiz on Wed.
Wed. - "Smooth Sailing" - first draft due on Thurs. MUST
Thurs. - Final draft of writing due on Fri.
Spelling test on Fri.
In reading, we will go to our school library on Tues. We will also look at the literary terms we have been working with and apply to a short story in our literature book. In addition to our terms, we'll be completing a common assessment on Thursday and discuss flashback on Friday. The homework for this week is on Wed. and Thurs. to finish the work of the day. There is no reading log.
Sept. 28 - Oct. 2
This week in both English and reading, we will listen to the radio drama called "The Perfect Touch". In English class, we will focus on the listening skills, vocabulary, dialog, and writing about "jealousy". In reading, we will study conflict, theme, and foreshadowing within the play.
English homework will be the following:
Mon. - Study for a capitalization quiz on Tuesday.
Tues. - Finish vocabulary.
Wed. - Complete questions dealing with jealousy and vocabulary.
Thurs. - Finish direct quote writing piece.
Reading homework is the following:
Mon. - The reading log is due on Friday.
Tues.- Finish "theme" paper.
Wed. and Thurs. - The reading log is due on Friday.
Sept. 21 - 24
It's hard for me to believe that I need to complete progress reports this week. The first month has gone quickly.
In English this week we will be studying compound and complex sentences and avoiding run-on sentences. Along with sentencing, we'll look at the rules of capitalization. Each evening the kids should study their notes, both in their journal and packet, for a sentencing quiz we will have on Friday.
In reading this week, we will continue to look at fictional story elements. Our focus will continue to be characters and setting. We'll add the elements of plot and moral to that. The kids should finish the work of each day. There will not be a reading log this week.
Sept. 14 - 18
First of all, I am hoping that by the end of this week, all parents w
ill have a passcode to check the progress of their student on parentlink. Please let me know if you are having any trouble.
While checking my grades, if you see an assignment without a grade, don't worry. That just means I have not corrected that particular assignment yet. Once the assignment is corrected, a "missing or "m" is placed in the area if an assignment was not completed. If an "ab" is present, that means your son/daughter was absent. The computer automatically will factor a 50% (F) in. As long as the assignment is completed in a timely manner, that grade will change.
In English this week, we will be completing two paragraphs using the writing process and focusing on complete sentences and fragments. I expect to complete most of this work in class, but the kids are to finish any work of the day. On Monday and Wednesday, they will need to finish the first drafts of each paragraph and on Tuesday and Thursday finish the final drafts.
In reading, we will continue to analyze the characters in different short stories and work with the suffix "graph". The homework this week will be a "graph" quiz on Thursday and a reading log due on Friday.
Sept. 7 - 11
Thank you so much to all the parent who were able to attend our Open House. We much appreciate so many people taking the time to visit their child's school.
The school year is certainly getting underway. I have had a number of kids ask me about their access to parentlink. You should use your password from last year. I believe in the near future we will be sending this information home.
Thanks also for the people who have provided supplies such as tissue. Nothing goes to waste. I do ask that each of my students has a journal, binder, and dividers for their own use. These supplies help me with organizing your student.
In English this week we will continue to focus on the topic sentence and supporting detail. Along with this, we are looking at the simple sentence, compounds within the simple sentence, and types of sentences. On Tuesday, I am planning to send Student Expectations home for you to read and sign.
The homework for the week is as following:
Tues. - Return signed Student Expectations by Fri.
Wed. and Thurs. - Study all notes on sentencing for a quiz on Fri. and return signed Student Expectations by Fri.
In reading this week we will be studying the prefix "bio". Studying Greek and Latin prefixes and suffixes is part of our curriculum. We will also look at pieces of literature which deal with realistic fiction, science fiction, and the characters in both.
This week I will not pass reading logs, but I do hope the kids read and enjoy.
The reading homework for this week is to study for a "bio" quiz on Friday and two character maps on the two Junes we will read about in class. This is due on Thursday.
May 25 - 29
In English this week, we will spend much of our time writing our essay for the final exam. This will be hand written and completed in class. In addition to our essay, we will have a Daily Gram quiz on Thursday and review for our final.
In reading class, I need to cover one or two more concepts, so the kids are ready for their final.
Next week, we will review on Monday and tests start on Tuesday.
The kids are ready for summer. I hope they (and their parents)have a relaxing and enjoyable summer.
May 18 - 22
In English class, we will examine the different types of poems and begin writing our own. After talking with the kids, I am trying to select poems and types of poems that most of the kids have not written in the past. The homework for this week is as following:
Monday - Advertisement is due on Tuesday.
Tuesday - Finish the poem of the day.
Wednesday - Finish the work of the day.
Thursday - Finish the poem of the day.
In reading this week, we will be creating a brochure featuring a city each of the kids has chosen. Because so many of the kids will be missing one of the first three days of the week, I have scheduled our computer labs for Mon.- Wed. of the week. I am expecting most of the work for this project to be completed in class, but some time will need to be invested at home. Because of this, I will not be assigning a reading log. The homework this week will be to work on the brochure. On Thursday, the rough draft needs to be complete, and the final draft is due on Tuesday, May 26th.
Have a wonderful weekend!
May 11 - 15
In English class this week we are focusing on persuasion and propaganda. Our persuasive essay will be due on Wednesday. We're spending time in the computer lab typing it. If your son, daughter uses school time wisely, this essay should be completed in class. Following the essay, we will create an advertisement using different persuasive techniques. This piece will be due on Friday.
In reading class, we will complete the interim testing. This test takes a little over one class to complete. These tests are generated from the district and indicate any material we need to revisit prior to the end of the year. We're also evaluate different poems and poets. Near the end of the week, we'll begin reading a novel. The reading log will be due on Friday.
May 4 - 8
First of all, I apologize for being late this week. It is a busy time.
In English, we finalize our verb unit with a test on Tuesday. Also, we'll start a unit on idioms and figurative language. This will be in conjunction with poetry. I feel we need to complete one more essay, and this essay will be persuasive. I have booked one of our computer labs for next week, so if the kids use their time wisely, much o
f the work will be completed at school. The homework is the following:
Mon. - Verb quiz on Tuesday
Idiom sheet due on Tuesday
Tues./Wed. - Finish the work of the day
Thurs. - Opening paragraph of persuasive essay due on Fri. This is a MUST.
In reading, we will finish our Egypt unit and begin focusing on poetry including comparing the work of different authors. This will also supplement our English unit. The homework is the following:
Mon. - Reading log due on Friday
Pyramid due on Tuesday
Tues./Wed. - Finish the work of the day.
Thurs. - Reading log due Friday
April 27 - May 1
We will continue to study verb tenses this week in English and begin looking at poems which include figurative language. On Monday, the kids should study for an open notes Daily Gram quiz on Tuesday. On Tuesday, the kids need to study their diagramming notes for a quiz on Wednesday. Although I will send their notes home on Monday, this quiz is not open notes. If there is a diagramming question, please encourage your child to ask me prior to this quiz. Other than studying for these two quizzes, there is no homework.
In reading this week, we will continue to focus on Egypt. We will look at slavery, customs, math, compare an old Egyptian story to a story we know well, and examine how the pyramids were built. The kids will be taking notes on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, we will have an open notes quiz. The only other homework is to finish the work of the day on Thursday. I did not assign a reading log this week.
April 20 - 24
In English class this week, we will begin a verb unit. Once again, we'll start with basic information and move into more complex information. Also in the mechanics of English, we will revisit diagramming and include adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions. This challenges most of my students. On Wednesday and Thursday, we will create cryptograms using two proverbs. The school wide focus for the two days is da Vinci, and I think the kids will enjoy the final project. Homework for the week is to complete the work of each day. The final draft of the crytogram will be due on Friday.
In reading, we will continue our unit affiliated with Egypt. Our tomb project will be due on Wednesday. On Wednesday and Thursday, we'll decode a message written in hieroglyphics. This is a group project that should be completed in class. Unfortunately, I needed to postpone our "bartering" last week and bring it into this week, so on Friday, we will be bartering with one another. Please have your son/daughter bring something to barter. It should be small such as little pieces of candy, pencils, erasers. It is not my intent to have anything even bordering on expensive. Other than the tomb project, the only homework is the reading log.
April 4 - April 17
First of all, I hope all the kids and parents have a wonderful holiday. For school, I will be correcting, fine tuning the Egypt unit, and a few other odds and ends. As we all know, it's great to have the time to accomplish these things.
Upon our return, my English classes will be starting and completing a unit on the newspaper. I usually include this unit in May, but the Review-Journal will no longer be donation papers to the middle schools, so I needed to move this study into April. All work will be completed in class, so there is no homework this week.
In reading we will be continuing our unit on Egypt. One of the assignments will be to bring something to barter to class. These should be little things such as pencils, small candies, and so on. Nothing expensive, please. I will talk with the kids concerning this on Monday, April 13th. This week there will be a reading log.
March 30 - April 3
To begin, we'll start the week by cleaning the binders. It is certainly obvious that these have been well used. Concerning school supplies, please make sure your son/daughter has enough paper and pencils to last for one more quarter. Thank you for checking into this.
In English this week, we will finish our unit concerning adverbs with a test on Wednesday. Also, we will finish our unit on descriptive writing with a "Wanted" poster due on Thursday. The only other possible homework will be to respond to the poem "Sick" which we'll look at on Friday. I expect the kids to finish this during class, so there will be no homework over the holidays.
In reading, we will begin concentrating on ancient Egypt. We'll start by looking at the location and the importance of the Nile River. This week we'll also examine the mummy and mummification. On Thursday, our eighth graders will present their geography projects which is a study of different countries. My classes will spend a portion of class viewing these. The only homework will be the reading logs due on Friday.
Have a wonderful weekend!
March 23 - 27
In English this week, we will continue working with descriptive writing and begin a unit on adverbs. I believe the kids have liked the unit affiliated with descriptive writing. I know many have enjoyed sharing what they have written. With the study of adverbs, we will work on a piece which requires a theme, alliteration, and sentence pattern. I plan on explaining it on Monday. Encourage your son/daughter to ask me questions if he/she is confused. Homework for the week is as following:
Tuesday - The final draft of the descriptive writing is due on Wednesday.
Wednesday - Adverb assignment ("Z was Zapped") is due on Thursday.
Thursday - Finish the work of the day.
In reading, we will be ending our study on women in history and moving into a study on ancient Egypt. I have high hopes the kids will enjoy and find this interesting. Our librarian has invited a storyteller to our school, and on Tuesday, we will have the opportunity to listen to her. The homework for this week is to finish the work of each day with a reading log due on Friday.
March 16 - 20
In English this week, we will be completing our adjective unit and move into the study of adverbs. I will also provide the kids a choice of descriptive topics on which to write and, as the end of the week approaches, each student will need to select one of the topics to put in final draft form. On Friday, we will spend a portion of our day in the computer lab and, hopefully, finish the last draft, so I am able to begin correcting over the weekend. Because the end of the quarter is approaching, this will probably be the first grade of fourth quarter.
We will have an adjective test on Wednesday, and the first draft of the descriptive writing will be due on Friday. This is a MUST because we will be working with it in class on Friday. Those two assignments will be the work of the week.
Our readings this week will focus on women in history. At the beginning of the week, we will look at Sally Rider. Using the six critical thinking questions we examined during last week, the kids will write the questions for this reading. I look forward to evaluating these.
Our library day will be on Monday of this week. To avoid overdue books, please make sure your child returns any book(s) that he/she has.
Reading homework is as following:
Tuesday - Critical thinking questions are due on Wednesday.
- Finish the work of the day.
Wednesday - Vocabulary quiz is on Thursday
Thursday - Finish the work of the day.
- Reading log is due on Friday
March 9 - 13
This week in English we will be concentrating on adjectives and descriptive writing. A focus will be words that deal with our senses. Homework for this week will be the following: Monday - finish the work of the day and a Daily Gram quiz on Tuesday. Tuesday - finish the descriptive writing. Thursday - paragraph due on Friday.
In reading, we will begin the week with working on critical thinking questions. Following this we will continue looking at short biographies. This week the focus will be on women. The work of this week will be to complete a reading log on Friday, and we will have a vocabulary quiz on Friday covering the root "ped". Other than that, the kids will need to finish the work of each day.
Enjoy your weekend!
March 2 - 6
This coming week our students will be completing the CRT tests on Tuesday and Wednesday. Please help us by making sure your child has a breakfast either at home or at school and gets a good night sleep the night before. I know both requests can be difficult with kids this age.
In English class, we will complete our preparations for testing. I know the kids will be glad when that is done. I will cover letters, envelopes, and thank you notes this week. In addition to these things, we will begin our preposition picture book. If the kids use their time well, most of this will be completed in class. The final picture book will be due at the end of class on Friday.
In reading class, I want to focus on note taking. I noticed last week that many students had a difficult time in selection of what should and should not be included in their notes. I've selected a short nonfiction piece for this skill. We'll work on that this week as well as in the future. On Friday, we will have an open notes quiz.
Have a wonderful and restful weekend.
February 23 - 27
To begin, progress reports were sent home this last Friday (Feb. 20th). We teachers needed to complete the reports the beginning of that week. I will export my grades before leaving today (Feb. 20th). That grade in parentlinks.com will be the present grade.
In English this week, we will continue with our oral presentations. So many of the students have presented the class with wonderful, informative topics. I believe we have all enjoyed them. As we near the end of the week, we will once again look at prepositions. Those who still need to present need to work on their presentations for the week. The only other homework is to complete a thank you note due on Thursday.
Because the presentations have been longer, we are a bit behind in reading the Ruby Bridges story. That test will now be Tuesday of this week. On Wednesday, the kids need to finish the work of the day, and a reading log will be due on Friday.
The following week will bring CRT tests.
February 16 - 20
Our informative presentations will begin on Wednesday of this week, so preparing for the presentation is all the homework the kids will have. On Tuesday, we will practice for the upcoming CRT tests.
In reading this week we will begin reading the story of Ruby Bridges. All work will be completed in class. On Friday we will have a test, and the students will be able to use their notes. Because the kids need to spend quite a bit of time on their English presentations, I have not assigned a reading log this week.
February 9 - 13
In English this week, we will finish our unit concerning pronouns. I have noticed in the essays I have collected that many of the kids confuse affect with effect and like with as. I will cover this in class this week and include these with the test we will have on Friday. Also in English, I am assigning an expository oral presentation. These presentations will start next week, and, of course, the kids will be selecting their own subject matter. There is no paper involved with this presentation. By Wednesday, I hope all the kids will have their subject matter submitted to me for approval. I will give the kids some guidelines on Monday. This entire project will need to be completed at home, so there will be very little homework other than this project.
Because we spent much of last Thursday and Friday working to complete the essay due on Tuesday, many of these are already in my hands.
Homework for this week is the following:
Mon. - Compare/contrast essay due Tuesday
Thursday - Pronoun quiz (including affect/effect and like/as) on Friday
**** Remember to work on the presentation each day.
In reading this week, we will be finishing our unit on Mesopotamia. This includes creating a "Mesopotamian monster." Much of research and the writing for this will be completed in class. The reading log and the "monster" will be due on Friday.
February 2 - 6
As I mentioned last week, our class will have a new late assignment policy. After thinking about what would be fair, I decided to accept late assignments up to a week after the due date. I will not subtract points for being late but will make note in the computer. If an individual is often not on time with assignments, it will lower his/her citizenship grade. I consider responsibility a part of citizenship.
In English this week, we will continue with personal pronouns and the elements of a comparison-contrast essay. The first draft of this essay is due on Thursday. This is a "MUST" meaning that we will work on this essay in class on Thursday and Friday.
Homework for this week is the following:
Mon. - Venn diagram and H-Map due on Tuesday
Tues. -Pronoun quiz on Wed.
Wed. - First draft of essay due on Thurs.-MUST
Thurs. and Fri. - Continue working on essay
In reading this week, we will discuss our mood paragraphs and the elements. We're also going to look at the history of Groundhog's Day and Chinese New Years. Once again, we will study roots. The root this week is "graph".
Homework this week is the following:
Mon.-Thurs. - Reading log due on Fri.
Wed.-"graph" paragraph due on Thurs.
Thurs.- "graph" quiz on Fri.
January 26 - 30
As we enter into the second semester of school, I plan to change my policy in regards to acceptance of late assignments. The kids and I talked about this on Thursday, and I'm in the midst of finalizing it. I'll include this in my notes for next week.
This coming week I have two areas of focus in my English class. To begin with, I'll start a unit on pronouns. The second area of concentration will be the compare and contrast essay. Both units will take more than two weeks.
Homework for English class will be the following:
Monday - Spelling Test on Tuesday
Tuesday - Pronouns-page 7 due Wednesday
Wednesday - Pronouns-page 111 due on Thursday
Venn diagram and H map due on Thursday
Thursday and Friday - No Homework
In reading this week we will continue to study Jackie Robinson. We will be writing a biographical essay with his qualities as the thesis. I plan on the bulk of this essay being written and typed in class and have secured one of our computer labs to complete the final draft on Wednesday.
Homework for reading is the following:
Monday - First draft of essay due on Tuesday
Reading log due on Friday
Tuesday - Final draft of essay due on Friday
Wednesday - Same as Tuesday
Thursday - Essay and reading log due on Friday
Friday - Mood paragraph due on Monday
January 19 - 23
As you know, we will not have school on Monday or Friday of this week. This week also marks the beginning of the third quarter.
In English, we will first clean the binders of old assignments. I continue to suggest to the kids to keep all graded assignment for the present quarter at home. This way, if there is any question concerning a grade, the child will have the assignment.
On Tuesday, we will read a speech which was delivered by Dr. King and evaluate how it fits into our lives today. We will continue to look at using an apostrophe in both nouns and conjunctions. A portion of this will be accomplished through a spelling lesson. The only homework this week will be the spelling lesson which will be due on Thursday.
In reading, we will begin the week by talking about the inauguration and sharing inform about past presidents and what takes place at the inauguration. After this, we will read two different accounts about Jackie Robinson. This will lead us into a biographical paragraph which will be due the following week. The only assignment in reading will also be due on Thursday. This is to read and respond to the first story about Mr. Robinson.
Have a great week!
January 12 - 16
This week marks the end of our first semester. In both reading and English, we will spend Monday and Tuesday reviewing for our semester tests. The testing will begin on Wednesday and end on Friday. The kids will receive a schedule of the weeks testing on Monday to bring home and share with their parents. On Monday and Tuesday, the days will be typical. On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the school days will be shortened.
Have a great week!
January 5 - 9
Welcome Back! I'm hoping all my students and their families had a relaxing and enjoyable vacation. All good things must come to an end, and it's time now to focus on what we are going to accomplish this week in English and reading.
In English class, the week will be busy. The kids will complete the Daily Gram quiz we did not finish prior to vacation. This is open notes, so the kids should bring their study sheets. We will work on a short unit dedicated to abbreviations and a unit affiliated with nouns. The concentration will be forming plurals and possessives. While correcting over the holidays, I noticed that many of my students had difficulty forming the plural of nouns ending with "y". I will address this during the week and again the week after finals. Near the end of the week, we will start to complete the essay portion of our final exam. This will be completed in class, and my goal is to correct these next weekend. This week's homework will be to study for the Daily Gram quiz and work on the abbreviation sheets I provide. We will also complete a resolution writing which will be due on Friday.
In reading class, we will first look at the different sections found in our textbooks and the function each plays. We'll follow that with reading a nonfiction essay and discuss how the elements of nonfiction differ from the elements of fiction. We'll also work with a test achievers book I have in preparation for the midterm tests next week. It's time for interim testing, so that will be incorporated into reading this week. I gave the kids a reading log prior to our break. This will be collected on Friday. The only other homework will be an examination of nonfiction sheet which will be due on Friday.
December 15 - 19
Our English class will continue to work with organization. The cartoon project we started last week will be due on Wednesday of this week. We will spend a portion of Monday working on it in class. We'll also start a short unit on homophones and homographs.
Homework for this week is as following:
Monday - Comics due on Wed.
Tuesday - Comics due on Wed.
Daily Gram quiz on Thursday (open notes)
Wednesday - Daily Gram quiz on Thursday
All homophone/homograph work due on Thurs.
Thursday - No work
Friday - Have a safe and super break
In reading class, we will spend the week finishing our Excavation in Ur and begin comparing the Code of Hammurabi to our present day laws. So far, the kids seem to be enjoying ancient civilization. On Friday, their reading log is due. Once again, there will be no homework over the break.
I wish the best to all my students and their families as we enter a new year.
December 8 - 12
FYI - Progress reports were sent home via student on December 5th.
Our reading class will be spending much of the week focusing on Mesopotamia. We will continue the work of last week and, hopefully, begin learning about Hammurabi's Code of Law.
The homework for this week will be the following:
Monday - Finish the work of the day due Wed.
Reading Log due on Friday
Tuesday- Excavation team paper due at the end of class on Wed.
Wednesday - Complete Memo #4
Thursday - Reading Log due on Friday
In the mechanics of English we will study the semicolon, colon, and hyphen. Because I noticed in a variety of writing assignments the "ei" and "ie" is confusing to a number of the students, we are having a spelling lesson on this. Also, "to", "too", and "to" will be addressed. The "too" is the one the kids are misusing. In writing, I am behind from last week, so we will continue to focus on organization and the use of transitions in writing.
The homework for this week will be as following:
Monday - Bring in the Sunday comics
- Elephant story due on Tuesday
- Spelling sheets due on Tuesday
Tuesday- Spelling quiz on Wed.
- "To, "too", and "two" quiz on Wed.
Wednesday- Semicolon, colon, hyphen quiz on Thursday
- First draft of comic project due on Friday
Thursday - Work on Comic project
December 1 - 5
I hope your Thanksgiving was fun, relaxing, and filling. It was a super four days, but, truthfully, I'm looking forward to a few weeks without interruptions.
In reading class this week, we will spend much of the time studying the ancient civilization of Mesopotamia. We'll complete a map for location purposes, read a short story and play about Gilgamesh, and begin examining the findings at Ur. The only homework will be to complete the plot map from our story and draw a picture of a scene from the play explaining its importance. This week there is no reading log.
In the mechanics and usage of English, we will be examining the different types of sentences including dependent and independent clauses. There will be a quiz on sentencing this Friday.
We will also look at the Trait of Organization. This will include putting sentences in a logical order and being able to explain the order. Along with sequencing, we'll look at different types of transitions, and the kids will write a story showing transitions and sequence.
If you get the Sunday paper, please send in the comic section. I will be saving these for the next two weeks. They will be used for a follow-up piece dealing with organization. Do not buy the paper just for this. I have been collecting these and should have enough if those who do get the paper share theirs.
Homework in English is the following:
Monday - Bring in the Sunday comics.
Tuesday - Complete sequencing strips.
Wednesday - Elephant Story due on Friday.
Thursday - Elephant Story due on Friday.
- Sentencing quiz on Friday
Friday - Bring in the Sunday comics.
November 24 - 28
Even though this is a short week, we will be busy. In English class, we will end our unit on predicate nouns and predicate adjectives with a test on Wednesday. Along with this test, we will complete a writing which presents the beginning and middle of a piece associated with Thanksgiving. The kids will need to write the ending.
Homework for this week is as following:
Mon. - "Take a Guess" due on Tuesday
Tues. - PA,PN, and DO quiz on Wed.
Wed. - Finish the work of the day.
In reading class, we will start our unit on Mesopotamia. We'll start with mapping and background information. On Wednesday, we'll use the computer lab to research the subject. This last Friday, Mrs. Waggoner spoke to the class about Mesopotamia, and the kids were really enthusiastic. As I have said before, you send exciting and inquisitive kids to us, thanks you.
We will also visit our library on Tuesday. The timing is perfect for those who need something to read over the long weekend.
Homework for reading this week:
Monday: Reading log is due on Wednesday
"All-American Slurp" and " The Stone" paperwork due on Tuesday.
Have a wonderful and "filling" Thanksgiving!
November 17 - 21
In English class this week, we will focus much of our time on English mechanics and usage. My students will review direct objects and indirect objects, be introduced to predicate nouns and predicate adjectives, and continue diagramming. Our unit on commas will come to a close on Thursday with a quiz. On Thursday, I will challenge the kids with a list of words which is the first level of the district Spelling Bee. Only one from the entire sixth grade will move forward. The list is not given to me until Wednesday, and trust me, the words are difficult and tricky.
Homework for this week is as following:
Monday - Packet from our radio drama is due on Tuesday.
Tuesday - Complete page focusing on predicate nouns.
Wednesday - Complete page focusing on predicate adjs.
Study for a comma quiz on Thursday.
Thursday and Friday - No Homework
In reading class, we will read two different stories and compare them. Along with comparing, the kids will answer questions concerning these stories. I want to see if their responses are on target with what we have talked about as far as elements of fictional stories. We will also start a ancient civilization unit starting with Mesopotamia. I have high hopes that the kids find this exciting and interesting. Our library is having a book fair, so I will be taking the kids to the library on Tuesday.
Reading homework for this week is as following:
Monday - Reading portion of packet due Tues.
Reading log due on Friday
Wednesday - Finish the work of the day.
Tues., Thurs., Fri., - read, read, read!
November 10 - 17
On Wednesday, I am going to introduce both my English and reading classes to a radio drama. Personally, I have fun with this unit and use it to enhance vocabulary, sequencing skills, and elements of fiction. It's a short week and a good one for this unit. The completed packet will be due on Friday.
In English, we will continue to look at the uses of the comma. Because my 0-1 hour and 5-6 hour did not get to the computer lab as often as I hoped this last week, I have moved the due date of the English essay for them to Thursday of this week. Also, in English, we will have a Daily Gram quiz on Thursday.
Reading will have a reading log due on Friday, as well as, a piece called "Test of Fire" due on Friday.
Have a wonderful four days!
November 3 - 7
We will spend most of our English class time in the computer lab writing the final draft of the essay we started last week. The theme of this essay is "important possessions". The final draft will be due on Friday. I will also offer extra credit related to direct and indirect objects. This I will present to the kids on Wednesday and will be due on Thursday.
Our author study presentations in reading class will begin on Wednesday. Because this is to be a five to seven minute presentation, I expect these to take most of the class time. There is no reading log this week.
Thank you to all the parents who helped to make this last week's field trip a success. Your time and involvement is much appreciated by the kids and me. Thanks!
October 27 - 31
Monday is the last day of the first quarter. According to my notes, grades for first quarter will be sent home in the middle of November. This weekend (Oct. 25-26), I will finish correcting the narratives and post my grades on Monday.
In the mechanics of English, we will start a unit on commas this week. All this work will be completed in class. We will also start working on an essay which will be multi-paragraph and focus on the Trait of Ideas. The only homework will be to complete the first draft of this essay. It is a MUST to bring to class on Wednesday because we will edit it that day.
In reading, I did not hand out reading logs because the kids need to work on their author study project. I felt by this weekend (Oct. 25-26), the kids should have the author study portion done and finish reading the book written by their author. During this week (Oct. 27 - 31), the kids should start working on the book report portion. The author study is the only work for this week.
Thank you to all of you who volunteered to join us the day of our field trip. I will be sure to tell your son/daughter the time.
October 20 - 24
This week in the mechanics of English, we will study the direct and indirect object. Following the initial introduction, we will diagram sentences including the subject, verb, direct and indirect objects. At the end of the week, we will begin a unit on the use of the comma. On Thursday, I plan on introducing the trait of Ideas. I really enjoy the writings that I incorporate with this lesson, so I look forward to it. The English homework for this week will be on Tuesday and Wednesday to study direct and indirect objects for a test on Thursday.
In reading class, we will be taking the Interim tests. These are tests required by the district to see if the areas of our Power Standards are covered. There is not an individual grade attached to these. We also will read "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", so the kids are familiar with the story prior to our field trip. Irving Washington also wrote "Rip Van Winkle", and we will read that story also. Concerning our field trip, I think all the kids will enjoy it. If your child's permission slip has not been returned, please do return it. I really don't want to leave anyone behind. This week's homework will be the reading log, work on the Author Study, and a setting picture from "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" will be due on Thursday.
October 13 - 17
Once again, we will be busy this week. While in English, we will focus on when and where to use quotations and the correct way to do so. The narrative, which we started last week, will also be addressed. Presently the final draft will be due on Thursday, but this could change to Friday. Later this week, we will begin basic lessons in diagraming sentences.
The English homework for this week is to complete the narrative. In addition, all missing assignments must be in by Friday of this week.
In reading, we continue to look at different story elements and types of fiction. Each student has an author to study. Since we spent two class periods in the computer lab, your child should have information about the author. At this point, your child should be reading a book written by the author and organizing information for the biography on the author. I plan on working in class on Friday with the students to make sure this is not put off until the final week. The homework for this week is the reading log due on Friday. Yes, this can be the book written by the chosen author. Also, the kids need to spend time organizing and writing the author study. Finally, all missing assignments must be in by Friday.
Also in reading class, please complete and send in the permission slips for our field trip. Next week, we will start to read "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" in class.
October 6 -10
In our English classes this week, we will concentrate on completing the first draft of a personal narrative. Each student will be asked to recall an event in her/his life and elaborate. This week we will complete and edit the first draft. Because the narrative will need to include dialogue, the final draft will not be due until next week after I include a lesson on punctuating dialogue. Also, we will continue to look at capitalization.
Homework in English class:
Mon. - None
Tues. - 3/4 page of first draft - *MUST
Wed. - Complete first draft of narrative
Thurs. - Capitalization quiz on Fri.
Fri. - None
* We will be working on this portion on Wed., so points will be rewarded for having this much complete.
In reading this week, I will be introducing a project which will be due on Nov. 5th. The students will receive the name of an author and complete an extensive study on that particular author. The project has four parts with the final portion being an oral presentation. One of my underlining goals for this project is to work with the kids in pacing themselves, so it is not overwhelming during the final week prior to the due date.
Homework in reading this week is the following:
Mon. & Tues. - Reading logs due on Fri.
Wed. - "vit/viv" quiz on Thurs.
Thurs.- Spend 30 min. organizing author material and deciding format for report.
Fri. - Work on author report
- Log due Fri.
September 28, 2008
This week in English class, we will continue to study fragments, run-ons, and sentences. Especially in their own writing assignments, finding run-ons is difficult for many kids. We will also start a unit on capitalization. The initial rules most student will recognize. As we get into the unit, there will be some rules which will be new to the students. "So That's What Happened" was the first narrative we wrote. I was impressed while reading these with how many of our students began sentences in a variety of different ways. I will suggest that the kids put this writing in their portfolios. This week we will look at published narratives which are considerably longer. Our next writing assignment will be another narrative. This will be about an event in the student's life and should be longer with dialogue. On Tuesday, we will have an open notes Daily Gram quiz. They should have 5 sheets behind their DOL tab in the binder. The students should study their notes and highlight any questions they have. They can ask or use my sheets to re correct.
In reading class, I noticed there was some confusion between historical fiction, realistic fiction, and science fiction. This will be addressed. We will continue to read different fictional stories and start to focus on the story elements in fiction. The reading log will be due next Monday. Next week I plan on introducing a rather lengthy reading project. It will be very doable as long as the kids pace themselves.
Have a great week.
September 18, 2008
To begin with, I would like you to know the comments I have received from the two substitute teachers who have filled in during my absence. They have complimented me (you) for the wonderful kids I have. I accept the kind words, but it is you who have instilled integrity in your children. In my absence, I expect business as usual, and the kids have been great.
As I return papers to my students, I suggest they keep the returned papers at home in a file. I would like these papers out of the binder for organizational sake, but I would like the kids to keep the papers just in case there is a discrepancy in grades.
Please don't worry if an "ab" is in place of a grade. That indicates the student was not present the day an assignment or test was due. This factors in a 50%, an "F". This is just a reminder to me as to why a grade was missing. Once complete, I'll factor in the new grade.
In my gradebook if you see an assignment with no grade at all, that indicates that I am correcting that particular assignment. It does not indicate the assignment was missing.
This week in English, we will be concentrating on sentence types and move into usage of punctuation. Once again, we will have a writing assignment.
In reading, we will continue to look at different genres and elements in a story. Please keep signing the reading logs.
If you have a question, please do email me.
September 11, 2008
I am sorry I missed so many of you at our open house this last Wednesday. Along with the information I provided in my note, I would like to provide a few more details.
Two things the students need exclusively for my class are a binder with five dividers and a journal. If you have purchased a large binder, I will gladly share with other classes, but the five dividers are needed. This will help me with helping the kids get/keep organized. The journal or three ring notebook will be used in both my English and reading classes.
I provide a weekly agenda sheet for the students that is also used by science and math. Please check this to see what is due each week. Each student should have one. If your child does not, feel free to email me, and I will provide another. Once again, organization is one of the keys to middle school success.
I attempt my turn-a-round time for homework, class work, and tests to be one week or less. When it comes to lengthy essays, sometime it takes longer. Although tests are corrected in a timely manner, I do not return a test until all my students have complete it. Also, the students will keep a portfolio containing their writings. Each student manages his/her own. If at any point you would like to see your child's portfolio, please let me know. I typically am at school from 6 A.M. until 4 "ish". I'm sure we can arrange a time.
In my reading classes, please do sign the reading logs each week. This is so you know what your child is reading. As they progress in reading the material becomes more mature.
The best way to contact me is by email. This way we are not playing phone tag. Although this week has not been typical, I usually answer my emails within a day.
Again, thank you for sharing your children with us, I look forward to a successful year.
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