Friday, September 28, 2012

Writing:  Students began writing a "Shoe" story.  They had to pick a pair of shoes and write a story from the shoe's perspective.
       Example paragraph:
                    Boy, what a life.  Always getting pulled on and off.  Getting covered with mud and dirt, going through snow and rain, tied so tight I could turn blue.  The same thing, day after day.  My back is aching and my twin's is too.

This isn't a homework assignment.  Students will have time on Monday to work on it.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Book report update!  Extra copies of Summer of the Swans  are here and have been given out to 3rd hour. Book reports for the third hour class are due on November 9th.

Reading: Students have two assignments in reading today.
               1.  Finish the questions, 2,3,4,5, that were started yesterday.
               2.  Selection test packet- do not do any of the essay questions on pg. 3

English: We have been discussing sentence fragments and run-on sentences.  Homework for tonight is a review worksheet.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Spelling homework is due tomorrow at the beginning of the hour.

Reading: Students read "The Sound of Summer Running" in class today.  As they read they needed to identify the story elements that we have been discussing.  After finishing the story, students need to answer questions 2,3,4,5 (all parts) found on page 12.  Questions need to be answered in complete sentences providing complete information.  These questions were not assigned as homework and they will have time to work on them in class tomorrow.
 

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

  Reading: Students discussed character's motives and character traits (qualities) today in class.  These words were added to their vocabulary journals.
                   HW: Vocabulary worksheet

English: Students began discussing sentence fragments and run-on sentences.
                  HW: Simple subject/simple predicate worksheet


Change in book report date- Summer of the Swans book report is now due November 6th.

Monday, September 24, 2012

English- reviewed simple subject/simple predicate.

 
Reading: Listened to the short story "Tenner Shoe Blight".  Reviewed the story elements discussed last week.

Spelling: Spelling homework was assigned and it is due at the beginning of the hour on Thursday.
    This week's spelling words are:

agricultural          rural          litter          gallon          loyal          error                     novel        struggle     stumble       horror
quarrel                 frighten     sample      moral           linen

 

Friday, September

I was gone from school on Wednesday and Thursday, so I was not able to update the blog. So, I apologize for any problems this might have caused. 

I also apologize for the amount of homework many students brought home last night.  I give a fair amount of homework, but I don't expect students to spend an entire evening completing language arts homework.  The plans were not clear to the substitute teacher and as a result, things were assigned that should not have been.  I have talked to each class and I think we are now all on the same page.  Students who completed assignments that were not actually to be given, will be given extra credit.

Reading & Writing:  Students were assigned a book report today for Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars.  The materials are due November 1st for first and second hours and November 5th for third hour.  There will be no class time given for this assignment.  It is a long term assignment and students should complete the requirements at home.  If students want this assignment typed so that they do not have to write it out in ink, I did tell them that a parent or other adult could type their final draft, once they had their rough draft completed.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Writing: "Most Embarrassing Moment" essay was due today.  Reading: Discussed more story element
vocabulary words and added them to the
vocabulary journal.
  characters, setting, mood (atmosphere), theme, plot

Homework: "Story Elements" worksheet


English: Students continued
investigating subject and
predicate.  Today's discussion was about simple subjects and simple predicates.

Monday, September 17, 2012

  Spelling: Due to the delayed start, no spelling homework this week.

Writing: Students in 3rd hour worked on an in-class 3-paragraph essay.  This essay was to be turned in at the end of the hour and was not homework.  Students in the other two sections of language arts will complete this assignment on future delayed start days.
             Students do have an essay, "Embarrassing Moment", that is due by the end of the hour on Tuesday.  We worked on this essay in class two days last week.  Many students have already turned this essay in, but some will be using the rest of their time tomorrow.

Students worked in small groups to determine the various story elements in "Eleven".  There is no reading homework this evening.  We also continued our study of sentence structure, learning about subjects and predicates.

Spelling homework is due tomorrow at the beginning of the hour.

Reading: Students read the story "Eleven" (pg. 465) silently in class.
               HW: Comprehension worksheet (hw)

English: Continued our study of types of sentences.
               HW: Sentence practice worksheet (hw)

Reading: Students continued to investigate vocabulary words related to reading.  The following words were added to their vocabulary journals: narrative, fiction, non-fiction, conflict, external conflict, internal conflict, and solution/resolution.

English:  Students will be spending time this week learning about sentences.  Today's inclass assignment involved identifying the four types of sentences.

Spelling: Students have spelling homework this week.  Spelling assignments are obviously designed to assist students with strengthening their spelling skills.  However, the practice activities are generally designed to practice skills that go beyond spelling- grammar, reading, etc.  Spelling homework is given out on Monday and is due Thursday at the beginning of the hour.  There is a quiz over the words on Thursday.

Writing:  Students completed their first in-class writing assignment.  Students will maintain a writing folder throughout the school year.  It will allow them to save each assignment for future analysis, and most importantly, allow them to see their improvement from week to week.

Students have no homework for the weekend.  I discussed with them that school will "really" start next week.  It will be a full week of reading, English, spelling and writing.  I have discussed with each class the importance of having a plan to "take care of business".  Please help your child determine the best way to use the agenda, arrange time for doing homework, and stay organized. 

Thanks to parents and all those adults who help students to be successful.  I appreciate your efforts.

I hope everyone has a terrific weekend!

 

Reading: Students received their reading textbooks today.  Students are expected to return the books at the end of the year in good condition.  Students who lose or damage a book will be held responsible for the replacement costs.
      Homework: Textbook Scavenger Hunt worksheet.  Due Friday at the beginning of the hour.

English: Students received English textbooks today.  Please encourage your student to use their book responsibly.
      Homework: Scavenger Hunt worksheet is due tomorrow.

Students began work in their vocabulary journal.  First word- "genre".  Please ask about the meaning of this word.

I am sorry for the delay in the blog this week.  I have had some technology issues.  A part in my computer was replaced and, hopefully, I will not have any more problems with it.

  The first day of school went smoothly.  Everyone seemed to understand what was expected, which was delightful!

Students received their syllabus for 6th grade language arts.  Please look it over, sign the parent signature page, and have your student return the slip to me by Monday.  At the top of the first page is my contact information.  Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

We are also asking that you to read through the student handbook in the front of the agenda. Once this has been done, there is a page that requires your signature and your child's signature.  If possible, this should be done by Friday.

I am looking forward to working with the students, and with the parents, during this school year.