Sorry for not updating the blog yesterday. It was a busy day to say the least. Most of our day yesterday was continuing on with what we've been doing this week. In reading, we did day 3 of stations. In writing, we continued the persuasive essays. In science, we worked on researching our elements.
Today, Thursday, we had a small break from the stations. Mrs. Meserve came in a did reading fluency videos (thank you!). Students had time to catch up on any station that they needed to during class. We will finish these tomorrow.
In writing, I asked students to produce their body paragraphs for their persuasive essays. We talked about topic sentences, detail sentences and closing sentences. Some students need to continue their research, but most are in a good place with this. The work continues on Monday after break.
Today is the last science class for 6F to finish their research on their elements. We will work on our citations when we return from break. The cubes will be put together then as well.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Tuesday
Today is day 2 for fluency stations. I did a mini-lesson on how punctuation and special print changes our expression. We toyed around with this using examples on the overhead. After that, students practiced their fluency with some You Read to Me, I'll Read to You books. They partner read these books. FUN!
In writing, we plugged along with our research on persuasive essays. I showed an example of an essay and we talked about its parts. Some students began writing body paragraphs.
Science for 6S was the same as yesterday for 6F. We are having a quiz tomorrow on the elements and their symbols.
In writing, we plugged along with our research on persuasive essays. I showed an example of an essay and we talked about its parts. Some students began writing body paragraphs.
Science for 6S was the same as yesterday for 6F. We are having a quiz tomorrow on the elements and their symbols.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Monday
Phew! Mondays are so busy! We began our morning in 6F working on those persuasive essays. Mrs. Alibrandi, our librarian, found a great site that builds a thesis for the essays. Students toyed around with that and hammered out a good thesis statement to build their essays around. This is definitely a work in progress.
In reading, we started stations around reading fluency. Students either worked with me on fluency lessons, listened to a book on tape with an activity, worked with Mrs. Bewersdorf doing a Reader's Theater activity, or worked with a parent volunteer (thank you!) on updating their portfolios. These stations will take place all week long. I will have some time when we get back from the break to work to finish up, if needed.
In science, 6F picked their elements and began their research. They will be making cubes for their elements and we will make our own version of the Periodic Table with the other pod.
Don't forget that tonight you are invited to come discuss the book Please Stop Laughing at Me in the Maple Street Library from 6 to 7PM. I can't wait!
In reading, we started stations around reading fluency. Students either worked with me on fluency lessons, listened to a book on tape with an activity, worked with Mrs. Bewersdorf doing a Reader's Theater activity, or worked with a parent volunteer (thank you!) on updating their portfolios. These stations will take place all week long. I will have some time when we get back from the break to work to finish up, if needed.
In science, 6F picked their elements and began their research. They will be making cubes for their elements and we will make our own version of the Periodic Table with the other pod.
Don't forget that tonight you are invited to come discuss the book Please Stop Laughing at Me in the Maple Street Library from 6 to 7PM. I can't wait!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Thursday and Friday
We have had 2 early release days this week so we've tried to balance the schedule over 2 days. Yesterday, we kept our homerooms due to assemblies, specials, etc. 6F worked on narrowing down their topics for the persuasive essays by gathering facts about 2 different topics. By looking at which topic has more facts, students needed to make a decision about what to write. We will continue this work all of next week.
We had a juggling assembly and music for a special. Students also had silent sustained reading.
Today, Mrs. Blinn came in for the morning and we switched for science and social studies. In science, we finished taking notes on the different families on the Periodic Table of Elements. Then, we played a game called "Name the Element" where they used dice to identify the atomic symbols. This is practice for the Element Symbol quiz on Wednesday.
Have a fabulous weekend!
We had a juggling assembly and music for a special. Students also had silent sustained reading.
Today, Mrs. Blinn came in for the morning and we switched for science and social studies. In science, we finished taking notes on the different families on the Periodic Table of Elements. Then, we played a game called "Name the Element" where they used dice to identify the atomic symbols. This is practice for the Element Symbol quiz on Wednesday.
Have a fabulous weekend!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Wednesday
What a fast day today! We had a catch-up day for the four stations that we did. Students passed in their work from reading a menu, map, phone book, and food packages. If they didn't finish, they could come in for recess or it is homework.
In writing, we began to research possible topics for our persuasive essays. We will continue this tomorrow.
In science, we went over the video from Monday and Tuesday. Then, we read about families on the Periodic Table and their properties. Students read in pairs and were able to pick out the important information to share with the rest of the class. We will finish this on Friday.
In writing, we began to research possible topics for our persuasive essays. We will continue this tomorrow.
In science, we went over the video from Monday and Tuesday. Then, we read about families on the Periodic Table and their properties. Students read in pairs and were able to pick out the important information to share with the rest of the class. We will finish this on Friday.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Monday and Tuesday all in one!
I apologize for not updating yesterday. It was one of those days!
Yesterday, 6F started the day with a lesson in evaluating websites and their credibility. We will work more on this today. We are getting ready to do some research for our persuasive essays. Good stuff!
In reading today and yesterday, we are working on the Real Life Reading part of the reading nonfiction unit. Students had experience on these days reading menus, maps, phone books, and food packages. We will have a "spill over" day tomorrow to finish up any of these stations. It has been insightful to watch students plow their way through each of these pieces of informational print.
In science, we watched a DVD about the Periodic Table of Elements. Students learned more about how the table is organized and what the rows and columns mean. I gave them focus questions to write notes on and we went over them at the end.
Yesterday, 6F started the day with a lesson in evaluating websites and their credibility. We will work more on this today. We are getting ready to do some research for our persuasive essays. Good stuff!
In reading today and yesterday, we are working on the Real Life Reading part of the reading nonfiction unit. Students had experience on these days reading menus, maps, phone books, and food packages. We will have a "spill over" day tomorrow to finish up any of these stations. It has been insightful to watch students plow their way through each of these pieces of informational print.
In science, we watched a DVD about the Periodic Table of Elements. Students learned more about how the table is organized and what the rows and columns mean. I gave them focus questions to write notes on and we went over them at the end.
Friday, February 11, 2011
TGIF!
It was a great day all around! We started in math groups and then went into reading. During reading, students used their nonfiction conventions to find more answers to a Scavenger Hunt using the Write Source 2000 books. They are becoming efficient at using these conventions to get information which was the goal of the unit! I collected reading logs and passed new ones out. Those will be due on Friday. We are back to vocabulary on the back.
In science, 6S did the same lesson as 6F did yesterday.
At the end of the day, we went to the gym for an all school assembly. We watched a video about bullying that the Team of Tomorrow put together. It was awesome!
Mr. Bessette came in this morning and talked to all the sixth grade classes about being safe at recess.
Have a super weekend!
In science, 6S did the same lesson as 6F did yesterday.
At the end of the day, we went to the gym for an all school assembly. We watched a video about bullying that the Team of Tomorrow put together. It was awesome!
Mr. Bessette came in this morning and talked to all the sixth grade classes about being safe at recess.
Have a super weekend!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Thursday
In writing this morning, we worked on Valentine's for our second grade buddies, Valentines for the Valentine Box that Peer Leaders are collecting, and looking for persuasive articles in magazines. We also found time to write in our writers' notebooks. 3 pages are due tomorrow.
In reading, we read some informational print and talked about the Bulls-Eye some more. We then, used the nonfiction conventions to do a Scavenger Hunt in the Write Source 2000 book. Students mapped their process to find the answers to some questions in this book.
In science (6F), we worked on finding information from the Periodic Table of Elements. We will finish this activity tomorrow.
In reading, we read some informational print and talked about the Bulls-Eye some more. We then, used the nonfiction conventions to do a Scavenger Hunt in the Write Source 2000 book. Students mapped their process to find the answers to some questions in this book.
In science (6F), we worked on finding information from the Periodic Table of Elements. We will finish this activity tomorrow.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Wednesday
Today, we began with band and chorus. Students worked diligently in study hall while others were gone.
In reading, we read an article about Polar Bears and filled out a Bulls-Eye about what was important, nice to know and necessary. Students should be well versed enough in this format to do it for homework which is due Friday.
In writing, we began to talk about persuasive essays. We brainstormed topics in the form of thesis statements. I asked students to begin to think about what they wanted to focus on for their essays.
In science, we talked about the Periodic Table of Elements and its components. This was on a basic level; we will get more in depth in the future. Students worked on a Getting to Know the Elements sheet where they looked through the table and wrote down element names that they knew and where they had heard the names. We also did an activity showing the importance of the organization of the elements.
In reading, we read an article about Polar Bears and filled out a Bulls-Eye about what was important, nice to know and necessary. Students should be well versed enough in this format to do it for homework which is due Friday.
In writing, we began to talk about persuasive essays. We brainstormed topics in the form of thesis statements. I asked students to begin to think about what they wanted to focus on for their essays.
In science, we talked about the Periodic Table of Elements and its components. This was on a basic level; we will get more in depth in the future. Students worked on a Getting to Know the Elements sheet where they looked through the table and wrote down element names that they knew and where they had heard the names. We also did an activity showing the importance of the organization of the elements.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Tuesday
What a fabulous time we had at Harold Martin this morning. Our second grade buddies are so cute! The sixth graders were so good with them. To see them in the role of "the big buddy" was very heartwarming! We can't wait to go back. Sadly, I forgot my camera. Next time I will put pictures on the blog.
In writing, students finished up their published pieces. Others who were done played spelling games.
During 6S science, we did the same lesson as yesterday. Please see that blog.
In writing, students finished up their published pieces. Others who were done played spelling games.
During 6S science, we did the same lesson as yesterday. Please see that blog.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Here's Hoping for a Five Day Week!
Our day began with Mrs. Alibrandi talking to us about the Great Stone Face books this year. There will be a different format in how the books will be read. Instead of students giving up recess and lunch, the staff is going to be reading books during the Community Club block (Fridays at 2:05) in the future. Students signed up for the books they would like to hear being read today.
In spelling today, we looked at the plural rules that we came up with last week. Students had a list of words that they made plural based on these rules. The words were nonsense words, but they used their knowledge of the plural rules to do this activity. We went over this together. Next, we did a Word Preview for unit 5 spelling. I went over each word and its part(s) of speech. Students are responsible for putting these words in sentences showing each part of speech. For example, the first word is "train". Students need to write a sentence using "train" as a noun and a second sentence using it as a verb. This is due on Thursday.
In reading, we read a nonfiction article and wrote notes on Post-Its. We then categorized these notes as "Very Important"; "Important but not Necessary"; or "Nice to Know". We put our notes on a big poster-sized bulls-eye and went over them. This activity is guiding them toward doing this on their own for homework as part of their reading log.
In science (6F), we watched a Power Point presentation on atomic structure. Students took notes on this. We then saw a clip of the elements in the Periodic Table of Elements.
We are ON for our trip to Harold Martin School tomorrow to work with the second graders! Students should bring snow clothes.
In spelling today, we looked at the plural rules that we came up with last week. Students had a list of words that they made plural based on these rules. The words were nonsense words, but they used their knowledge of the plural rules to do this activity. We went over this together. Next, we did a Word Preview for unit 5 spelling. I went over each word and its part(s) of speech. Students are responsible for putting these words in sentences showing each part of speech. For example, the first word is "train". Students need to write a sentence using "train" as a noun and a second sentence using it as a verb. This is due on Thursday.
In reading, we read a nonfiction article and wrote notes on Post-Its. We then categorized these notes as "Very Important"; "Important but not Necessary"; or "Nice to Know". We put our notes on a big poster-sized bulls-eye and went over them. This activity is guiding them toward doing this on their own for homework as part of their reading log.
In science (6F), we watched a Power Point presentation on atomic structure. Students took notes on this. We then saw a clip of the elements in the Periodic Table of Elements.
We are ON for our trip to Harold Martin School tomorrow to work with the second graders! Students should bring snow clothes.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Friday
I read a book with a surprise ending to illustrate how to write this type of ending. We then went to the computer lab to work on our stories.
In reading, we did a new type of note-taking called the Bulls-Eye. This is where students read a selection and then determine what is the essential message of the reading. That goes in the middle. Then, what's important, but not necessary goes in the next tier. Finally, what's nice to know goes in the outer tier. I modeled this today. We will practice this and students will do this on the back of their reading logs which are due Friday the 11th.
In science, 6S, we finished the note taking about atoms and matter and watched Bill Nye.
The trip to HMS is on for Tuesday!
In reading, we did a new type of note-taking called the Bulls-Eye. This is where students read a selection and then determine what is the essential message of the reading. That goes in the middle. Then, what's important, but not necessary goes in the next tier. Finally, what's nice to know goes in the outer tier. I modeled this today. We will practice this and students will do this on the back of their reading logs which are due Friday the 11th.
In science, 6S, we finished the note taking about atoms and matter and watched Bill Nye.
The trip to HMS is on for Tuesday!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Thursday
We worked in our writers' notebooks this morning, completing a prompt by request of the Team of Tomorrow. I then did a lesson on endings. We learned that there are four types of endings: humorous, emotional, circular, and surprise. Students revised their pieces to be one of these endings. We will work with this more tomorrow.
In reading this morning, we had a quiz on the nonfiction conventions. I have not passed out a new reading log yet. I will do that tomorrow and it will be due on February 11.
In science (6F), we watched Bill Nye the Science Guy about Chemical Reactions and Phases of Matter.
Students received progress reports today.
In reading this morning, we had a quiz on the nonfiction conventions. I have not passed out a new reading log yet. I will do that tomorrow and it will be due on February 11.
In science (6F), we watched Bill Nye the Science Guy about Chemical Reactions and Phases of Matter.
Students received progress reports today.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
A Snowy Tuesday
Sadly, there was a mix up with the buses and our trip to HMS was canceled. It feels like we will never get there, but we'll keep the faith and our fingers crossed! I'll let you know when it is rescheduled. We feel so badly but things happen and we must go on!
In reading, I read from How Come? and then students worked on their nonfiction conventions packet. I went over these with quite a few students. There will be a quiz tomorrow (or Thursday if there is no school) on these conventions. Reading log 18 is due tomorrow with the back side being Facts/Questions/Responses to the nonfiction book that students have picked instead of vocabulary.
EARLY DISMISSAL: Students will be getting out at 12:10 today.
In reading, I read from How Come? and then students worked on their nonfiction conventions packet. I went over these with quite a few students. There will be a quiz tomorrow (or Thursday if there is no school) on these conventions. Reading log 18 is due tomorrow with the back side being Facts/Questions/Responses to the nonfiction book that students have picked instead of vocabulary.
EARLY DISMISSAL: Students will be getting out at 12:10 today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)