Tuesday 10/14/08
1. Lit Log #7 is due on Friday. See 10/13 for details.
2. Mini Lesson. Correct the following: American Veterans that fought in war should be honored.
3. Students received rough drafts of their Patriot's Pen essays back and we reviewed the Standards for Written Work. Click here for a copy.
4. Students were paired up to work on improving the organization of their essays. They read each other's work, identified the topic sentence in each paragraph and made sure supporting paragraphs were tied back to the theme.
5. I conferenced with students as others continued to work on their essays.
6. Periods 1 and 2 received progress notes that need to be signed and returned. Other classes will receive theirs tomorrow.
Monday 10/13/08
1. Lit Log #7 is due on Friday. The focus is conformity.
Conformity means changing to fit in.
"Case by case, we find that conformity is the easy way, and the path to privilege and prestige; dissidence (nonconformity) carries personal costs." Avram Noam Chomsky
A. What is conformity in the real world?
B. What are the advantages of conforming? Provide an example from real life or fiction.
C. What are the disadvantages of conforming? Provide an example from real life or fiction.
D. What happens to those who refuse to conform?
E. Can a person conform too much or too little? How?
Challenge level Lit Log prompts are available on my desk.
2. We began Stargirl today reading through Chapter Four. Click here for the regular study guide. Click here for the modified version.
3. We will return to the Patriot's Pen essays tomorrow.
Friday 10/10/08
It looks like we'll have a functioning server again, so I'll be updating daily. I am still waiting for my teacher computer to be repaired, but can come to the LC to keep this website up to date.
1. Students received their graded grammar tests on the sentence and spelling vocab quizzes today. We went over the grammar tests and students were asked to file both in the back of the room.
2. Each class had a short break for pictures.
3. We went to computer labs to work on the drafts for the Patriot's Pen writing contest. Drafts were due at the end of the period today. Some students did experience technical difficulties, so I had them simply submit what they had. We'll have time in class Monday and Tuesday to convert the drafts (I'm checking them all over the weekend.) into final drafts.
4. There was no Lit Log assigned this week.
5. I conferenced with students while others were working on drafts.
***There are only to weeks left for Quick Recs! Get credit for the books you've read before it's too late!!!!!
Tuesday 10/7/08
I can't tell you how pleased I am to finally have access to my website again!! We've had server problems that didn't allow me to update before this time.
So, what's happened since last Thursday?
On Friday 10/3 we read "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes and discussed his excellent use of extended metaphor. I wrote a page to accompany it and will attach tomorrow. Then we completed the grammar chapter.
On Monday 10/6 we played a review game to prepare for the Sentence Test. Questions from the test were included in the game. Students were encouraged to review their books and/or check my website. The grammar link includes information that would help them to prepare. I also distributed information on the Patriot's Pen writing contest. Students will all write in response to the following theme: Why Veterans Should Be Honored. Mrs. Foughner will collect essays and send them to the VFW for evaluation. Ask your child to see the prizes awarded.
On Tuesday 10/7 students created vocabulary notecards to prepare for tomorrow's spelling/ vocab quiz. Then they took the grammar test on The Sentence. There were three levels available with most students choosing between regular and challenge. Students completed the test and began rough drafts for the Patriot's Pen Contest. A product guide was distributed and will be attached to this website tomorrow.
Thanks for your patience and support. I was finally able to respond to my 73 emails today too! It's 2:35, and I've got to get ready for a meeting. Otherwise, I'd do more on this page right now!
Thursday 10/2/08
1. Mini Lesson: Write two similes and two metaphors for life. Extend one. Life is a highway (metaphor) filled with twists and turns. Some parts are fast and smooth while others are riddled with pot holes (extended).
2. We went over p 531 exercise 8 before going on to direct and indirect objects on pp 23-24. Students were exposed to the concept, worked together on one set of questions and then did p 532 exercise 9 on their own.
3. A vocabulary/spelling assignment was also distributed. Click here for a copy.
4. The test on the Sentence Unit is planned for next Tuesday. Check the grammar link off my main page.
5. The quiz on the new spelling/vocab unit is planned for next Wednesday.
6. Lit Log #6 along with the spelling/vocab homework and p 532 are due tomorrow. Kids had lots of time to work in class, so they shouldn't have much homework.
Wenesday 10/1/08
1. Mini Lesson: Write your own version of Langston Hughes' poem "Dreams". Follow the ABCB DEFE format and choose a topic like family, health, education, friends, etc.
2. We went over p 531 and continued by discussing complements following linking verbs on pp 22 and 23. Students completed p 531 exercise 8 in class.
3. We took a pretest for the next spelling unit. Click here for a copy of the words and some information. Click here for the words, definitions and sample sentences.
Monday 9/29/08
1. Mini Lesson: Click here for a copy of the poem we read and the questions. Students may want to visit Wordle.com to create their own poems.
2. We finished Crash and completed the final study guide. Click here for a copy.
3. Only one class made it to p 531, the rest will look at 531 and sentence complements on Wednesday.
4. Lit Logs were returned to periods 6 and 1. I didn't get to period 3 but will have them on Wednesday. Below is the assignment for this week. Students in period three can write their entry out and then tape them in later in the week.
Lit Log #6:What is normal?
1. Define what normal means.
2. Is the main character in your independent book normal? Why or why not? Provide details from the book.
3. Is the situation the character is in normal? Why or why not? Provide details from the book.
4. Are you normal? Why or why not? Provide details from your life.
5. Is it better to be normal? Why or why not?
Happy Roshashana!
Friday 9/26/08
1. Mini Lesson - What do I mean when I write, "You need to improve expression," in your Lit Log?
2. Collect Lit Logs.
3.Those who memorized helping verbs present.
4. Continue reading Crash through Chapter 45. Click here for a copy of the 37-44 Study Guide.
5. Go over p 17 and continue with the sentence unit. We went over how to find verbs and subjects in sentences that are in unusual order. See pp 18-20. We did p 20 1-10 together orally and then students completed p 531 Exercise 7 1-10 individually.
Thursday 9/26/08
We are experiencing server problems at school. Please excuse late responses to email as I've had to respond to emails from home the last few days.
In addition to the above, my school laptop is out of service right now, so I'm only able to update my webpage from a computer in the LC. I'll try my best to keep up!
Correct the following sentence:
This on kid who had been at camp longer than me so he felt like he had an advantage.
Than = comparison (He's been there longer than me.)
Then = after/time (He went to camp, then to school.
2. Grammar Quiz (Sorry, but I can't attach copies until I rewrite it. It's on the desktop of my messed up computer and may be lost.)
This was a 10-12 item quiz offered at a regular and challenge level.
3. We went over the four types of sentences with students completing p 17 1-10.
4. We read Chapters 33-40 in Crash.
**Any student who memorizes the helping verbs at the bottom of page 12 in order will receive five points of extra credit on Friday!
Wednesday 9/25/08 (plans)
1. Mini-Lesson
Complete the chart with the correct forms of plural and possessive nouns.
NOUN PLURAL POSSESSIVE
city cities city's
family 1. _____________ family's
dog dogs 2. ____________
Crash 3. ______________ 4. ____________
teacher 5. ______________ 6. ____________
Gus 7. ______________ 8. ____________
2. Go over Crash 27-32 Study Guide. This was collected for a grade.
3. Go over p 15 from the grammar book. This was collected for a grade.
4. Quick Recs
5. DEAR and conferencing.
An organizational meeting for BOOK MATCH took place today at lunch! Anyone in sixth grade can join, so please come by next Wednesday if you missed the meeting today.
**Any student who memorizes the helping verbs at the bottom of page 12 in order will receive five points of extra credit on Friday!
Tuesday 9/24/08
1. We began class by reading a poem and discussing the use of poetic tools. Click here for a copy.
2. We went over p 13 from the grammar and continued on with compound subjects and compound predicates. Students were assigned p 15 1-10 but most completed it in class.
3. I read chapters 27 and 28 from Crash with my students before distributing the 27-32 study guide for them to complete on their own. Click here for a copy.
4. Tomorrow will be dedicated to hearing Quick Recs. Students should report on at least their first book by this Friday, mid quarter.
**Any student who memorizes the helping verbs at the bottom of page 12 in order will receive five points of extra credit on Friday!
Monday 9/23/08
1. We began class with the open-note mini-lesson quiz.
2. We continued by going over the Crash 21-26 study guide. It was not collected and no further reading was assigned. Click here for a copy.
3. We continued with our unit on the sentence on pp 12 and 13 of the grammar book. The focus was on verb phrases.
4. The remainder our time was spent reading independently. I conferenced with as many students as time allowed.
5. This week's Lit Log #5 assignment is as follows:
Discuss how the characters in Crash have evolved over the course of the book.
1. Introduce the title, author and characters that have changed.
2. Write about one character and how he/she has changed for the better.
3. Write about a second character and how he/she has changed for the worse.
4. Describe changes in yourself and whether they've been for the better or for the worse.
5. Conclude by predicting future changes for characters in Crash or yourself!
OR TAKE THE CHALLENGE:
Challenge:
Dynamic characters change. Static characters stay the same. Respond to the following in regards to Crash.
1. Introduce the title, author and concept of static vs. dynamic characters.
2. Identify and describe a static character.
3. Identify and describe a dynamic character.
4. Explain and analyze how the dynamic character's change affected the book (other characters, the plot, the theme, etc.).
**Any student who memorizes the helping verbs at the bottom of page 12 in order will receive five points of extra credit on Friday!
Friday 9/19/08
1. Mini Lesson: DQ vs. Paraphrase
Mrs. Benson said, "I love Book Match!"
Mrs. Benson said she loves Book Match.
Find a direct quotation from Crash. Write it as is and then write it in a paraphrased version.
2. Go over p 9 from the grammar book. Read pp 10-11 doing the exercises on 11 orally.
3. Students were told to read over their Lit Logs and add a heading before submission.
4. We read Chapters 21-26 in Crash and completed the corresponding study guide.
5. Any additional time was spent conferencing.
6.THERE WILL BE AN OPEN-NOTE MINI-LESSON QUIZ ON MONDAY.
Thursday 9/18/08
Well, I thought my computer had been fixed, but there were still problems yesterday that prevented me from getting to my webpage.
1. Mini Lesson: My mother said, "I have to go to the store." (Direct quotation)
My mother sayd she has to go to the store. (Paraphrase)
Correct and rewrite the sentence below in two ways: using a direct quotation and paraphrasing.
Penn is not like anybody I know for all the infomation he gives like I'm a only child my parents call me the little surprise.
2. We reviewed complete subject and complete predicate. Then the students took a pop quiz. Click here for the regulare level. ( I couldn't attach the regular one for some reason, but it's the same as the modified without any words underlined.) Click here for the challenge and here for the modified.
2. Go over and collect the 14-20 Crash study guide.
3. Discuss pp 8-9 in the grammar book. Students completed p 9 1-10 in class.
4. I was able to conference with a few students today.
Wednesday 9/17/08
1. Mini Lesson: "Good is the enemy of great." What does this mean? How can you apply it to yourself? How does personification function in this statement?
2. Bathroom Problems -- Too many kids leaving the room; especially in periods 6/7. What can we do?
3. Submit corrections to the spelling/vocab test discreetly. If they're not in by Thursday, they won't be accepted.
4. Complete subjects and predicates (pp 6-7 of the grammar text). Students completed p 7 1-10 in class.
5. Read some of Crash Chapters 14-20 together. Complete individually with the study guide.
6. The study guide is due tomorrow. Click here for a copy the study guide.
Tuesday 9/16/08
1. Mini Lesson: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of BE.
I am silly now.
He _____ silly now.
We _____ silly now.
I was silly yesterday.
We ____ silly yesterday.
I can be silly anytime.
He was _________ silly before.
They have ________ silly forever.Crash SG 21-26
We discussed the forms of BE and how they function as being/linking verbs as opposed to action verbs.
2. Students traded 8-13 Crash Study Guides (see yesterday for a copy). I will grade the short answer questions, but students corrected the mulitple choice questions and we discussed the short answer questions.
3. I gave a sample Quick Rec to prove to students that they can be done in two minutes. I suggested that they write their information out rather than wing it to be sure to address everything and to keep it down to two minutes. Click here for a copy of the requirements and the sample I gave today.
4. Lit Logs were returned and the new assignment was distributed. Click here for a copy of the regular and here for a copy of the challenge. There will be more than one on each page.
5. Students were invited to give their Quick Recs in front of the group. Wednesdays will be the time when students may offer these oral presentations in front of the class. Otherwise, they'll need to come see me at lunch.
Monday 9/15/08
My computer died on me yesterday, so I was unable to update my site.
1. The mini lesson involved interpreting the distribution of grades on the first spelling/vocab test. There were 28 A's, 24 B's, 6 C's, 6 D's and 2 F's. Students who scored below 70% can write out corrections on a separate sheet of paper to raise grades to 70%. Write out complete sentences for errors made on the bottom half of the quiz.
2. We began reading Crash 8-13 together with students completing the reading and study guide independently. Click here for a copy of the study guide.
3. I spend the remainder of the time conferencing as students completed work and read their DEAR books.
Friday
1. Mini Lesson: Mrs. Benson, the greatest teacher ever, is both brilliant and stunning. The words within the commas are an appositive. An appositive is a phrase following a noun that provides more information about the noun: I love my dog Bandit, the wackiest dog ever. There are no verbs in appositives. Students wrote sentences using appositives about themselves, a family member and a teacher.
2. We went over the Crash 3-7 study guide and I collected it.
3. I conferenced and have met with all of my students except two. I'll meet with them on Monday.
4. Students read indepedently.
Thursday
1. Mini Lesson: Students picked a handout with a poem and read it before we discussed it as a class. Click here for a copy.
2. I gave book talks on Perfect by Friend and Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Sonnenblick.
3. We read Chapters 3-4 of Crash. Students received the study guide. Click here for a copy.
4. I finally gave the spelling/vocab quiz and will make level adjustments for the next quiz based on how the did on this one.
5. Students completed reading throughChapter 7 of Crash and completed the study guide.
6. Lig Log #3 and the study guide will be collected at the beginning of the period tomorrow.
Here are the three leveled spelling/vocab quizzes. Kids create their own word banks as the spelling quiz. I fill in some words for some students to create a more modified version. Click here for the modified. Click here for the regular. Click here for the challenge. You can find the words on 9/2/08 below.
Wednesday
Due to a workshop that was moved to Wednesday morning, the spelling/vocab quiz was moved again! Sorry, but the workshop had been scheduled for Thursday afternoon and we weren't notified about the change until Tuesday 9/7. I didn't want a sub giving the first quiz, so the sutdents had a little extra review. Thanks for understanding.
I was at a workshop in the morning.
1. Mini Lesson:
Correct the sentence and then complete the pattern.
Hurricane katrina devastated new orleans.
common proper
city Chicago
car Chevy Corvette
name ___________________
magazine ___________________
great person Mrs. Benson!
__________ Kit Kat
__________ McDonald's
book ___________________
2. Students received new seats and worked in their new groups to write a story about going to another country. They used all of the vocab/spelling words for tomorrow's test.
3. The stories were divided into parts with each student from each group reading a part to the class.
4. If there was time, students cleared thier desks and took a practice spelling test.
Tuesday 9/7/08
MAP Testing
I will try to conference with students who complete the test early.
Monday 9/6/08
Due to MAP testing, the spelling/vocab quiz has been moved to Wednesday.
1. Today students began with the following mini lesson:
One day I was walking down the street. I saw the school bully, Jeff Jackson, walking towards me.
This could be a GREAT opening line to a story. Improve it with colorful language and stonger verbs. Then continue the story using only excellent verbs. The verbs were underlined, but that's not all you can change!
2. Lit Logs were returned and a new Lit Log assignment was given.
Lit Log #3 Compare and Contrast Crash and Penn.
Suggested (not required) format:
1. Mention title and author in the first paragraph and introduce the characters briefly.
2. Explore qualities that you like/admire in Penn versus qualities you like/admire in Crash. Include specifics from the book.
3. Explore qualities that you find annoying/irritating in Penn versus qualities you find
annoying/irritating in Crash. Incude specifics from the book.
4. Based on what you wrote in response to the above, which would you rather have as a friend.
Who do you think is the better person and why? What advice can you offer to the other?
Lit Log #3 Challenge
Compare and contrast Crash with another character you’ve read about and/or compare and contrast Penn with another character you’ve read about. Include titles, authors and specific details from each book.
3. We read Chapter Two in Crash and students completed the study guide. Click here for a copy.
4. Stephanie Sedik from the Highland Park Public Library came in and did a Book Talk. Ask your child to show you the list and which book(s) s/he found interesting.
Friday 9/5/08
GO CATS!
1. For today's Mini-Lesson students were asked to correct the following sentence taken from one of last week's Lit Log entries:
If a friend of mine was being bullied I'd tell them to report the bully to an adult.
The corrections involved the following grammatcial concepts: subject-verb agreement, antecedents and subordinating conjunctions.
2. I collected the Lit Logs.
3. Students learned some ways to use their vocab cards to study.
4. Students completed the first half of the first Crash study guide covering Chapter One only. Do not complete the study guide; it is not homework!
5. The spelling/vocab quiz is scheduled for Tuesday.
6. Students had DEAR time and I conferenced with some starting where I left off on Monday. We'll continue on Tuesday of next week.
7. There will not be DEAR time on Monday. Instead Stephanie Sedik from the Highland Park Public Library will be coming to Book Talk with the kids. She's outstanding and I'm so pleased to have her coming.
Thursday 9/4/08
no classes-outdoor ed
Lit Log #2 and vocab notecards are due on Friday!
Wednesday 9/3/08
1. Students retrieved their mini lesson comp book from the folders in the back of the room and responded to the following:
What is Onomatopoeia?
It's a funny-sounding word that describes sounds--like "crash" or "ding-a-ling".
Write the following sentence and underline the example of onomatopoeia.
The boom of my books hitting the floor echoed through the empty hallways.
Write other examples of sentences that include onomatopoeia.
2. Book Balloons and yesterday's spelling pretest were handed back to kids.
3. We continued working on the spelling list. Students received a list of the words with definitions and sample sentences. Click here for a copy.
4. Students wrote a notecard for each word. On one side, they wrote one of the words. On the back they
created squares and wrote 2-4 of the following: 1. a definition or synonym 2. draw a picture of the
world 3. use the word in a sentence 4. write an antonym of the word
5. My 1-2 group began Crash. We read the first chapter only.
6. Before they left, checked assignment notebooks for the work due Friday: Lit Log #2 and vocab cards.
Tuesday 9/2/08
1. Students used their second comp book for the mini lesson below.
Complete the Pattern:
Try Tries Tried Trying
Bully _______ ________ _______
Pacify _______ ________ ________
What is the pattern or rule? What other words (verbs only!) follow the same rule?
See spelling rule #2 on the door when you get to class for the answer!
2. Students' Lit Logs were returned. 20% of my students did not meet the minimum requirement of filling the front and back of a manuscript book page. If they came close, they received 7 out of 10 (C-) but if seven or more lines were blank, the received 6 out of 10 (D-).
3. Lit Log #2 was assigned. Students were asked to write about their independent reading book. A format was provided but is not required.
Lit Log #2
Tell me about the book you’ve chosen for independent reading. Suggested format:
1. Introduce the novel by providing the title, author, genre, and challenge level.
2. Describe the setting and its impact on the novel.
3. Describe one to three characters with specific examples from the book. Link the characters to people you know and/or other characters you’ve read about.
4. Tell me about the plot. What’s happening to the characters so far? Has a conflict been defined?
5. Make a prediction and tell me whether you like or dislike your book and why.
Students may choose to do the challenge level Lit Log. They must print their reviews and include them with their responses.
Lit Log #2 Challenge
Find and print a review of the book you’ve chosen. Mention where you found it and/or who wrote it and how far along you are. Then agree and/or disagree with the review. You may agree with some parts and disagree with others. Be sure to include specifics from the book to support what you say both in favor of and in opposition to the review. Conclusion may include a prediction and/or your assessment of the book so far.
LIT LOG #2 IS DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS ON FRIDAY!
4. Students took a spelling pretest on the following words. They then wrote sentences showing the meaning of the words.
List One
1. Accent
2. Ascent
3. Assent
4. Accept
5. Except
6. Access
7. Excess
8. Adapt
9. Adept
10. Adopt
11. Advice
12. Advise
13. Affect
14. Effect
5. The remaining time was used for free reading and conferencing. Students met with me to plan on how to improve their writing and to set independent reading goals. I didn't get to everyone, but I will continue on Friday.
Don't forget that Thursday is Outdoor Ed for sixth grade!
Friday 8/29/08
1. Lit Log #1 was collected today. Students will get them back on Tuesday, then I'll conference with as many individuals as I can to discuss reading and writing goals.
2. Students completed and presented Book Balloons.
3. I gave a couple of Book Talks toward the end of each period.
4. Students need a DEAR book for Tuesday when they read independently while I conduct individual conferences.
I apologize for not having this up Thursday night--I'm still working on getting into my groove!
Thursday 8/28/08
1. Students received homework for parents that is due on Tuesday. Click here for a copy. Parents may choose to send this back to school in an envelope, and that's fine!
2. We began work on the Book Balloon assignment. Click here for a copy of the prouct guide. The balloon templets that students are using are only available in my room because they're not Word documents--sorry!
3. Students began to organize their Language Arts accordian folders. The first slot should be labeled "homework" and contain the assignment for parents (#1 above). The second slot should be labeled "classwork". Students put unfinished Book Balloons in there so they'd remember not to worry about completing them at home. We'll have time to finish tomorrow. The third slot was labeled "independent reading" (or "Ind. Read")
4. Students received a handout describing the Independent Reading requirement for my class. Groups of kids read different parts of the rather text-dense handout and shared what they learned with th class. This sheet should have been put in their accordian folders. All information on Independent Reading is also available off of my main page. Click here for an already-updated copy!
Wednesday 8/27/08
1. Today we defined what language arts is, and tomorrow the components of my class will be posted on a bulletin board.
2. Students prepared folders in the back of the room. These will be used to store paperwork and to keep track of reading and writing assignments.
3. The first Lit Log was assigned. See below for details.
4. Students completed a basic information sheet which I collected.
5. We shared information about ourselves in a "Stand up" way.
The first Lit Log assignment will be due on Friday 8/29/08. I refer to the Lit Log writing as "informal", and that basically means that I'm expecting a first draft. This assignment should be done in a composition or manuscript book and cover the front and back of a page as the minimum. More specific information about my expectations will be taped into students' composition books and can be found off my main page.This is a weekly assignment because, after all, the only way to improve as writers is to write!
Students will be assigned the following Lit Log topic: What is a bully?
Students may (but are not required to) use the following format:
Paragraph 1 - Define what a bully is.
Paragraph 2 - Provide at least one specific example of a bully or bullying from fiction (books, TV shows, movies, etc.) and make sure your examples supports the definition from the first paragraph.
Paragraph 3 - Provide at least one specific example of a bully or bullying from rreal life (yours, news, etc.) and make sure your examples supports the definition from the first paragraph.
Paragraph 4 - Suggest a solution(s?) to the victim of bullying.
Paragraph 5 - Provide ideas on how to eliminate bullying OR reflect on what bullying does to people.