Friday, May 28, 2010

TGIF!

We had a short day today due to an assembly in the morning and early release day.

The only class we had today was science. We finished up the Identifying Matter activity and talked about how scientists identify the physical properties of matter using their senses.

Homework:
Final reading portfolios due June 15
Genre Bingo due June 16
Deadline and paper for Avi book due June 1
World's Fair project and essay due June 3

Have a fabulous long weekend!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Thursday

The weather feels better today! It was nice to pump some of that cooler air into the classroom.

Students began by working on their World's Fair essays. There are only two more classes for this until the final drafts are due on June 3. Students are responsible for a rough draft and a final draft.

In reading, I showed students an example of what the first Avi paper should look like. I used the read aloud as an example to formulate the paper. I demonstrated how to use examples to back up what was said about how Avi creates the mood in his books. These papers are due on Tuesday. This is the last reading class before then due to tomorrow's early release and Monday's day off.

In science, we finished the DVD about Properties of Matter. Students finished taking notes on the important ideas. Next, we began to identify the matter that we brought in for homework by the physical property of sound. We will finish this activity tomorrow in class.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Feeling Hot! Hot! Hot!

Woo Hoo! Another HOT day today! We are surviving here in 6F. It was quiet during band this morning. Kids worked on reading for deadlines and writing response papers.

During reaeding, we went to the computer lab to start the work for finalizing our portfolios. Students are responsible for making a cover, a title page, a Dear Reader letter, as well as other things to get their portfolios finished. I have the computer lab signed out for the next few Wednesdays to get this work done. Students may need to do some at home, however, depending on how much gets done in school.

The first deadline for Avi books is Tuesday, June 1. Students are also responsible for writing a two paragraph response to the book which is also due June 1. They will be getting together in small groups to discuss the reading, using these papers as a guideline.

No more reading logs! Genre Bingo is due by June 16.

In writing, it was all about World's Fair Essays. Students only have four more classes to get them done! Final drafts are due Thursday, June 3. We are focusing on topic sentences, detail sentences and closing sentences for each paragraph. Next, students need to blend from paragraph to paragraph with transitions.

In science today, we watched a DVD about Properties of Matter. Students took notes on the important information. I guided them with this process. All students need to bring in a piece of matter in a film container for tomorrow. The piece of matter needs to be identifiable through either smell or sound.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Friday, Monday and Tuesday

My apologies for not updating daily for these three days. Sometimes things get so crazy, especially this time of the year!

On Friday, students took their genetics test in science. This happened during the morning reading block. I corrected them and went over them with 6S yesterday during science. I will go over them today for 6F. Please ask your child about how he/she did.

Also on Friday in writing, we went over the possessive packet that students completed awhile ago. Students corrected their own as we went over it. They should be bringing them home on Wednesday this week.

Yesterday in reading, students received their Avi books for the next unit. We will be studying elements of mystery: how an author creates a certain mood in a book using tools such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, and description. Students met in groups to decide page deadlines. The first deadline is June 1. On this day, students should have read to a certain page (decided yesterday) and should have written a 2 paragraph paper. The requirements for this paper were handed out yesterday. Basically, the first part of the paper is a summary of what was read. This needs to be 5 to 8 sentences. The second part of the paper is an analysis that answers different questions regarding the focus of the unit. On June 1, students need to write this paragraph about how the author creates mood using three examples. I have done one lesson today about this and will show an example of this paper on Thursday.

I collected the last reading log today. If students want to complete more (both sides), they may and pass them in for extra credit. Genre Bingo is due by June 16. Book orders are due tomorrow.

In writing, we are working on our World's Fair essays. These should be done by June 3, the day of the World's Fair. Topic sentences, detail sentences, and closing sentences are the focus of today's lesson. Students are drafting their body paragraphs and trying to organize them in a way the makes sense to their entire papers. We are doing all of the drafting in class with the exception of the final draft. This should be typed at home.

Finally, in science, we have begun our unit on matter/chemistry. Students completed a "probe" to test their prior knowledge for "What is Matter?" We wrote the definition of matter and students need to find a piece of matter that will fit into a film canister (given in class) and bring it in for Thursday.

6F also had a spelling test on Monday.

Dates to remember:
May 28: Early Release
May 31: No school for Memorial Day
June 3: World's Fair: 6:00 to 7:00 in the gym at MSS
June 4: Step Up Day at HMHS: Students start their day at the high school, just like the talent show. We will be walking back to MSs after lunch.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Talented Thursday

Today, we saw MSS students at their finest performing in the talent show. It was very fun to watch. I will post pictures coming soon!

We walked back to MSS from the high school. Phew! Good exercise!

In the afternoon, students in 6S and 6F took a quiz on nonfiction conventions. We also finished Freak the Mighty. It was such a good book! Our next read aloud will be something from Avi as he is the next author study we will focus on to finish out the year~!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Wet Wednesday

This morning students went to band and chorus while some of us stayed behind in study hall. It was a quiet morning all around! In 6F reading, we took our MAP tests. In 6S reading, we went over the nonfiction conventions and how they applied to each of the pieces of informational print that we read last week. Students have a quiz on nonfiction conventions tomorrow afternoon. Log 29 is due Tuesday; Genre Bingo needs to be done by 6/16.

In science, we practiced using Punnett Squares to determine traits of offspring. There is a test on Genetics on Friday for both classes.

World's Fair projects are due June 3.

Please remember that we are starting our day at the High School tomorrow for the talent show. We will be walking back before lunch.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Tuesday

Today's schedule was a bit different than normal. We started with 6S doing their reading MAP test in the computer lab. 6F went to math while the testing occurred. Their test is tomorrow.

I collected reading logs and handed out new ones that are due on Tuesday, May 25. Don't forget that Genre Bingo is due by 6/16! Also, there is a quiz on nonfiction conventions on Thursday after the talent show.

In 6F reading, I reviewed all of the nonfiction conventions and where they showed up in each piece of informational print that we read. This is a review for the test. Students were also given time to silent read.

In writing today, we went over the requirements for the World's Fair essays. We began writing the rough drafts in class.

I did the same lesson in science with 6F that I did with 6S. There is a test on genetics Friday.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Monday

Happy Monday! Our day started today with spelling. We got a homework assignment back and talked about the answers that most students got wrong. Students added words to their Words to Learn lists. Next, we collected words that were contractions.

In reading today, we read aloud and played a game with the phone book. Students worked in teams and used the phone book to answer certain questions that I asked. We learned about all of the different pieces of information that you can find using a phone book. Very enlightening! Homework: Reading log 28 due tomorrow; quiz on Nonfiction Conventions Thursday; Genre Bingo by 6/16

Students in 6F had double reading blocks because of the time that they missed on Friday when they were MAP testing. In this time, they completed the 3 Real Life Reading Stations including reading a TV Guide, reading a Time Zone map, and reading game directions. This work was all passed in when it was completed.

In 6S science, I went over the format of the test on genetics which is this Friday. Students looked at their notes to make sure they have all of the important vocabulary and concepts that they need for the test. Also, we did a worksheet about Punnett Squares.

World's Fair is June 3. All projects need to be done by then!

Friday, May 14, 2010

Flip Flop Friday

Today was a little flip/floppy because we had a different schedule. In the morning, we went to the library during writing time to finish our research for the World's Fair projects. We will be working on rough drafts for these reports next week in class. Students need to complete the project part of this assignment at home. It is due June 3.

Next, we came back to the classroom and put our voice published pieces in our portfolios. Then, we started going over some grammar rules about comma placement. We will finish this next week.

In reading for 6S, we read aloud and had one book talk. Students organized their reading logs and filled out their genre bingo sheets as well as the Books Read list. When this was completed, students worked in teams on the Real Life Reading stations. The rest of the class, they silent read.

6F did not have reading today because they took their math MAP tests. I will make up their reading class on Monday. For homework in reading, students need to complete a reading log for Tuesday. Also, both classes will have a quiz on non-fiction conventions on Thursday.

In 6F science, we presented our Paper Pet Projects. We will have a science test on genetics for both classes on Friday, May 21.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Terrific Thursday

Before I begin, I wanted to let the parents know that there is an information night for the parents of sixth graders on May 24 at the Middle High School. Also, Step Up Day for grade 6 is June 4. The "social" is that night at the High School. Many kids have been asking me so I thought I'd let you know!



Another general announcement is about the Talent Show next week. Please remember that we all starting school at HMHS on Thursday, May 20 for the talent show. Students need to be dropped off there and not at MSS. We will have snack up there and we will be WALKING back after the show. Students should dress appropriately (footwear especially) and for the weather. Any questions, please let me know.



In writing this morning, we worked on those possessive packets. They are due by tomorrow if students haven't finished.



During reading, we read aloud. Our book is getting exciting at this point! Also, students did book talks and we went over Tips for Reading a Map. Students took notes in their binders for this. Finally, kids got in small groups (pairs or triples) determined by me and worked on other real life reading activities including reading a map with time zones, game directions and a TV Guide. Homework is Log 28 due Tuesday, Genre Bingo due June 16.



Paper Pet Projects were presented today in science for 6S. 6F's presentations are due tomorrow. We are having a test on genetics Friday, May 21.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Wicked Wonderful Wednesday

Band/Chorus or study hall is how 6F started their day today. Students who were in study hall got a lot done, including reading or working on their Paper Pets.

Next, we had reading where kids read the NH Map and Guide and answered guiding questions. The real challenge came when it was time to fold the map! Anyone who didn't get this done in class stayed in for recess to finish. Log 28 is due Tuesday the 18th. Genre Bingo is due 6/16.

In writing today, most students finished up their published pieces. We then began to discuss possessive nouns. Students took notes and worked on a packet showing their knowledge of the topic. We will finish up the packet tomorrow in class.

Take Home Task 10 is due tomorrow.

In science, we did another Warm Up genetic scenario. Students then worked on their Paper Pet Projects. They are due tomorrow for 6S and Friday for 6F. We will have a test on genetics on Friday, May 21.

Please remember that students are starting their day at the High School on Thursday, May 20 for the talent show.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Ruby Tuesday

6F started the day with boardwork. They needed to find at least 20 words that contained the letters "th" together. We then switched over to writing where each student worked on their voice piece. Many students conferred with an adult and polished their final drafts. Some students need tomorrow to finish up.



In reading, we read aloud, listened to a book talk (6S) and talked about important factors to consider when reading a map. Students had a chance to browse a NH Map. We will work on a more focused activity tomorrow in class. I collected reading log 27 and handed out log 28, due Tuesday. I also shared some information about supermarket food from the book Eat This, Not That. Students need to have a Genre Bingo by June 16.



In 6F science, we did the same thing as 6S did yesterday. Paper Pet Project Presentations are Thursday for 6S and Friday for 6F.



Take Home Task 10 is due Thursday.



Reminder: The talent show is 5/20 and all students will start the day at the High School.

Monday, May 10, 2010

It's Just Another Manic Monday

We came in this morning and went directly to the library to use the computers and laptops. Due to MAP testing, we had to switch the schedule so that we could work on our published pieces. Students typed and conferenced on their pieces. We will continue this tomorrow. I'm hoping to wrap the pieces up this week.

After the library, we got our spelling tests back and added words to our Words to Learn lists. A Word Preview for Unit 10 was next on the list followed by a game of "Go Figure". In this game, a student thinks of a word (usually 4 letters, sometimes more) and the class tries to guess what it is. The student writes the guess on the board and lets us know how many letters are correct and in the correct sequence. We make our next guess based on that information. This game resembles "Mastermind" if you are familiar with that. There is a spelling assignment due on Thursday: Unit 10 Take Home Task.

In reading today, we read aloud, did some book talks and went over tips for reading a food label. Students are keeping notes on these tips so that they can make a guidebook for each piece of reading we've done. Reading log 27 is due May 11. All students are required to have Genre Bingo by June 16.

Science class started with a Warm Up genetic scenario that each student solved in their notebooks. This is to reinforce the concepts that we are learning about in class and for me to see who is not "catching on". We also worked on our Paper Pet Projects. I am expecting 6S to present their projects Thursday and 6F to present theirs on Friday. We will have a test on genetics next week.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Thursday and Friday

I was out sick on Thursday so the plan was as follows. We started the day with reading where we looked at different food packaging labels. Students were responsible for reading three different packages. Reading log 27 is due on Tuesday.

In writing, we went to the computer lab to type our drafts of the voice piece. I'm hoping to finish these up by next week to get ready to write the World's Fair expository essays the following week.

In science, students worked on their Paper Pet Projects. We will plan to present these next week sometime.

On Friday, we went to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. The trip was quick, but fun! They had a special exhibit on Ancient Egypt which was awesome! We even got to have headsets telling us about all of the the different parts of the exhibit.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Wonderful Wednesday

Today, we started the day with study hall or band/chorus. Students mostly studied for their social studies quiz. Others got some help with the science assignment that was due today.

In reading, we put our Who am I as a Reader? in our portfolios. Next, we finished the menu reading activity with a second menu. We then brainstormed important tips for reading a menu. Things like: "Look at the fine print" and "Scan the headings" were just a couple of ideas that students came up with when reading a menu. Tomorrow we will tackle reading food labels.

Log 27 is due on 5/11. Some students need to do a second book talk this month.

In science, we did a warm up activity where students were given a scenario and needed to come up with the Punnett Square that would represent it. Next, I showed the rubric for how I am grading the Paper Pet Project. Finally, I explained how to determine the genotypes for the offspring of the paper pets using Punnett Squares and a coin toss. Students proceeded to make their Punnett Squares and determine the genotypes of the 2 offspring for the project.

In writing, we looked at a paper written in two different versions and talked about the voice of each. Students are learning how to put more voice into their pieces of writing. I met with a small response group while others revised and edited their pieces.

8-4 and 8-5 are due Thursday.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Terrific Tuesday

The prompt for our writers' notebooks this morning was Black Flies. I love spring in New England, but I can't stand those black flies!

In writing today, we scored a piece of writing on the trait of Voice. We had a great discussion about objectively using a rubric and not imposing our personal biases when scoring a piece of writing. Next, students worked on their rough drafts in class while conferences took place. I met with my small group and went over what they had so far. In the end, students picked one sentence to share with the whole group. Rough drafts are due tomorrow.

In reading, we read aloud and then looked at menus from the 99 (yum!). We began talking about the features that are included in a menu and specifically, how to read a menu. We all went away feeling very hungry! Students then looked at another menu and answered some guiding questions using the menu. Log 27 was handed out and is due 5/11. Some students need to prepare their second book talks for the trimester.

We did the same thing in 6F science that we did yesterday, so please see that blog. The What am I Made of? genotypes are due tomorrow for both classes.

There is a quiz in social studies tomorrow. In math, 8-4 and 8-5 are due Thursday.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Welcome Back!

This morning, we wrote in our writers' notebooks about vacation. I heard from everyone about what they did. We also had a spelling test this morning. That was a good way to get our brains back in "school mode".

In reading, we read aloud and students finished up their nonfiction conventions notebooks. Others silent read. We had one book talk in 6S. There are a few people who need to do one more book talk to complete their two for this trimester. These people know who they are. I'd like these done in the month of May. There is no reading log due tomorrow. New reading logs will be passed out tomorrow.

During writing, I showed students an example of a paper written about the topic that we are working on now. Students are reading about their astrological sign and what it says about them as well as their Chinese Zodiac and what it says about them. Then, they are turning this into an informal paper about what they agree with and what they disagree with using examples from their lives to support what they write. Rough drafts of these are due Wednesday.

In science, we did an activity called "How Do I Look?" Students looked in mirrors and recorded what different traits they have (eye color, skin color, etc.) Then we put our results on the board and deduced which was the dominant trait based on our phenotypes. Then I shared the actual dominant traits and we discussed it. Next, students copied down phenotypes for different traits of a theoretical family. I handed out which traits are dominant and recessive and asked students to come up with the genotypes for this family. This is due on Wednesday.

A bunch of people still need field trip forms for our trip to Boston on Friday. Please bring them as soon as possible.

There is an Inca, Maya and Aztec quiz on Wednesday of this week.