Wow, this week is flying by! The last day of March has been a busy one!
We began our day in the computer lab working on the Avatar lesson from yesterday. Students pulled up their saved Avatar as well as a Word document. They then proceeded to describe in detail their Avatars. When they felt good about their description, they gave the written piece to someone. That person then built the Avatar based on the writing. We are not quite finished, but the lesson here is a good one. It is difficult to describe something in such close detail. Hopefully, this will transfer throughout our unit on descriptive writing.
In reading today, we finished A Day of Tears! It was a book that provided great points of discussion about slavery but more importantly how human beings should treat other human beings, no matter what. Students worked on Day 3 activities. Respond to Reading is due no later than Tuesday.
We learned about cell organelles in science today. Students finished up their graphic organizers with this information. We will be having a quiz on the cell parts soon.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Wednesday
It was a quiet start to the day: band and chorus as well as study hall.
In reading, we had a shorter class so there was no read aloud. I showed a passage from Hatchet and we discussed its point of view. Students, as a group, were able to identify that it was third person limited omniscient (in the point of view of a narrator relating Brian's thoughts and feelings). We picked out sentences from the passage that proved this. We then moved into our 30 minutes of independent work for a Day Two.
Writing was fun today! We watched the Schoolhouse Rock clip on verbs. Verbs are an important part of speech to know in order to have good word choice. Then, students went to a site (http://www.myavatareditor.com) where they built their own Avatars. Each student built one and saved it into their folders. Tomorrow, students will write descriptive paragraphs describing this Avatar. Then, they will give the paragraphs to a partner and that partner will have to build the Avatar based on the description. Very fun!
In science today, we watched a clip about animal cells and plant cells on the computer. Then, I showed specimens through a digital microscope. Finally, students began to look at the parts of the cell and their jobs.
In reading, we had a shorter class so there was no read aloud. I showed a passage from Hatchet and we discussed its point of view. Students, as a group, were able to identify that it was third person limited omniscient (in the point of view of a narrator relating Brian's thoughts and feelings). We picked out sentences from the passage that proved this. We then moved into our 30 minutes of independent work for a Day Two.
Writing was fun today! We watched the Schoolhouse Rock clip on verbs. Verbs are an important part of speech to know in order to have good word choice. Then, students went to a site (http://www.myavatareditor.com) where they built their own Avatars. Each student built one and saved it into their folders. Tomorrow, students will write descriptive paragraphs describing this Avatar. Then, they will give the paragraphs to a partner and that partner will have to build the Avatar based on the description. Very fun!
In science today, we watched a clip about animal cells and plant cells on the computer. Then, I showed specimens through a digital microscope. Finally, students began to look at the parts of the cell and their jobs.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday
Today, we began our day with math and reading. In reading, we read aloud A Day of Tears. We are almost done! I, then, continued my discussion of point of view in literature. I showed a cartoon illustrating the different third person points of view. We also looked at samples of stories and talked about how to determine from which point of view a story is told. I will continue to show examples and chat with students about this topic as it is not always an easy one to grasp. Students spent the rest of the class working on their day one activities (meeting in small group, conferring, reading to themselves, reading to a partner, or responding to reading).
In writing today, we worked on our descriptive paragraphs. Students are practicing their skill at writing description. Parts of speech (nouns, verbs and adjectives) will be a focal point when thinking about good descriptive writing. I did a lesson where students changed the verb in a sentence to give different meanings. We shared these.
In science, we did the same thing in 6S as 6F did yesterday.
In writing today, we worked on our descriptive paragraphs. Students are practicing their skill at writing description. Parts of speech (nouns, verbs and adjectives) will be a focal point when thinking about good descriptive writing. I did a lesson where students changed the verb in a sentence to give different meanings. We shared these.
In science, we did the same thing in 6S as 6F did yesterday.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday
We had a bit of a zigger-zagger day today. This morning, instead of writing, we did reading. Introduced the idea of point of view in fiction writing. Students should be thinking about what point of view their books are told in. We began talking about the difference between first person and third person. Also, we discussed the three different types of third person point of view: omniscient, limited omniscient and camera view. I will do lessons on these throughout the week.
We had a pretty powerful presentation this morning from a DEA officer. Ms. Wardell will be de-briefing with my class during health today.
We also had the opportunity for an extra art class today. Mrs. Emerson will take our class for the next 4 weeks to work on masks. Very cool!
In science (6F), we looked at an animal cell digitally and drew it. Then, we brainstormed language that we'd use to describe the plant cell as well as the animal cell were we to describe them. Students are responsible for writing a descriptive paragraph about ONE of the cells that they drew. These are due Wednesday.
If anyone can, I'm getting low on my supply of anti-bacterial wipes. We use these to wipe the tables after snack time everyday. THANK YOU!
We had a pretty powerful presentation this morning from a DEA officer. Ms. Wardell will be de-briefing with my class during health today.
We also had the opportunity for an extra art class today. Mrs. Emerson will take our class for the next 4 weeks to work on masks. Very cool!
In science (6F), we looked at an animal cell digitally and drew it. Then, we brainstormed language that we'd use to describe the plant cell as well as the animal cell were we to describe them. Students are responsible for writing a descriptive paragraph about ONE of the cells that they drew. These are due Wednesday.
If anyone can, I'm getting low on my supply of anti-bacterial wipes. We use these to wipe the tables after snack time everyday. THANK YOU!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
It's a Busy Thursday around Here!
We discussed the trait of Word Choice today in writing class. When writing descriptively, the idea of word choice is an important one. To help emphasize the point, students worked with using a thesaurus today. They were given some words and asked to come up with synonyms using the words. Then, they wrote the new words in sentences that illustrated their meanings in their writers' notebooks. Manipulating language was an important part of this activity. We shared our best sentences at the end of the class.
In reading, we read aloud from A Day of Tears. Students then worked independently on Day 4 activities.
For science, we read more about cells today. Also, we looked at a digital image of onion skin cells and we drew them. We talked about the importance of observation and close attention to detail. Students will be asked to write a descriptive paragraph about this or another observation that we will do on the next class.
In reading, we read aloud from A Day of Tears. Students then worked independently on Day 4 activities.
For science, we read more about cells today. Also, we looked at a digital image of onion skin cells and we drew them. We talked about the importance of observation and close attention to detail. Students will be asked to write a descriptive paragraph about this or another observation that we will do on the next class.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Wednesday
We started our day with band and chorus today. Those not in band or chorus had a study hall.
For reading class, I showed an example of the Respond to Reading using the read aloud book. Students helped me formulate a response in the way they need to do for their own books. After that, students worked on their Day 3 activities. My small group read Stellaluna and worked with its plot line.
In writing, students got their persuasive essays back and put them into their portfolios. Then, we read about descriptive writing and began a practice activity in our writers' notebooks. Students will be writing a descriptive paragraph about an animal of their choice. If students need a photo of the animal, they are to do that tonight and bring it for tomorrow's class.
In science today for both classes we discussed "How Big Is a Cell?" We did an activity to give students and idea of this concept.
Report cards go home today! Please sign and return the envelope as soon as possible. Let me know if you have any questions.
For reading class, I showed an example of the Respond to Reading using the read aloud book. Students helped me formulate a response in the way they need to do for their own books. After that, students worked on their Day 3 activities. My small group read Stellaluna and worked with its plot line.
In writing, students got their persuasive essays back and put them into their portfolios. Then, we read about descriptive writing and began a practice activity in our writers' notebooks. Students will be writing a descriptive paragraph about an animal of their choice. If students need a photo of the animal, they are to do that tonight and bring it for tomorrow's class.
In science today for both classes we discussed "How Big Is a Cell?" We did an activity to give students and idea of this concept.
Report cards go home today! Please sign and return the envelope as soon as possible. Let me know if you have any questions.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Tuesday
We began our day a bit delayed due to C-Time. Therefore, I did not teach writing this morning. In reading today, we looked at the plot steps to the story of Cinderella. Students worked in small groups to put these steps in order. We talked about writing the plot steps in a concise manner. They are writing out their own plot steps in small reading groups depending on the picture book that they are reading.
In science, we did the same lesson on Living Things that we did yesterday. (See the blog from yesterday)
In science, we did the same lesson on Living Things that we did yesterday. (See the blog from yesterday)
Monday, March 21, 2011
Monday
Once again, I realized that an entire day went by and I forgot to update my blog. My apologies! Time lately has been escaping me!
Really quickly, Friday we spent reading class talking about plot and what it is. We discussed the parts of the plot: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. We read about these in the Write Source books and I played a song (a rap one!) that talked about these parts. Plot will be the focus of this week's lessons and small group work.
In writing, we did a pre-test involving language arts skills. We will use the results of this test to place students in groups for the Friday morning WIN block.
In science, we took another pre-test, so to speak on what is made of cells. The discussion when we went over this was quite fruitful. Cells and heredity is our new unit.
Today, Monday, we were a bit distracted by the snow but made it through the day!
In writing, we did a pre-prompt activity to start our unit on descriptive writing. Students chose from a series of 6 prompts to complete during class. I will use the results of these to structure my lessons for this unit. Students need to work on these for homework if they did not finish.
In reading, we read aloud and began our work with plot in small groups. I collected log 23 and passed out log 24 which is due on Monday.
During science (6F), we looked at the 7 characteristics of living things on the computer and took notes on that. Then, we tested our knowledge with an on-line quiz together.
C-Time is tomorrow - March 22
Really quickly, Friday we spent reading class talking about plot and what it is. We discussed the parts of the plot: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. We read about these in the Write Source books and I played a song (a rap one!) that talked about these parts. Plot will be the focus of this week's lessons and small group work.
In writing, we did a pre-test involving language arts skills. We will use the results of this test to place students in groups for the Friday morning WIN block.
In science, we took another pre-test, so to speak on what is made of cells. The discussion when we went over this was quite fruitful. Cells and heredity is our new unit.
Today, Monday, we were a bit distracted by the snow but made it through the day!
In writing, we did a pre-prompt activity to start our unit on descriptive writing. Students chose from a series of 6 prompts to complete during class. I will use the results of these to structure my lessons for this unit. Students need to work on these for homework if they did not finish.
In reading, we read aloud and began our work with plot in small groups. I collected log 23 and passed out log 24 which is due on Monday.
During science (6F), we looked at the 7 characteristics of living things on the computer and took notes on that. Then, we tested our knowledge with an on-line quiz together.
C-Time is tomorrow - March 22
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Thursday already?
Wow, this week has been a hectic one! I'm so sorry for the late posts. I'm still making up for the lost hour because of Daylight Savings Time!
Well, lately, students have been finishing up some setting activities in reading class. They all completed an Understanding Setting sheet where they had to identify 8 passages in their independent reading books which gave them some idea about the setting of the book. We've talked about inferential clues as well as literal clues that authors give about the setting. We've also done some small group work with this topic during class.
In writing, the persuasive essays are due tomorrow. Students had their last opportunity to work on this in class today. Most were able to pass them in.
In science, we put our cubes together, did some riddles based on the periodic table of elements, and passed back our matter books. We are moving on to our unit on cells and heredity.
Well, lately, students have been finishing up some setting activities in reading class. They all completed an Understanding Setting sheet where they had to identify 8 passages in their independent reading books which gave them some idea about the setting of the book. We've talked about inferential clues as well as literal clues that authors give about the setting. We've also done some small group work with this topic during class.
In writing, the persuasive essays are due tomorrow. Students had their last opportunity to work on this in class today. Most were able to pass them in.
In science, we put our cubes together, did some riddles based on the periodic table of elements, and passed back our matter books. We are moving on to our unit on cells and heredity.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Monday
The time change has affected us all! We were a sleepy bunch today!
To start the day, we did a CBM in our writers' notebooks. I did a lesson on endings for our persuasive essays. We then went to the computer lab to work on these. They are due Friday.
In reading, we read aloud and I demonstrated how to complete the Respond to Reading with the read aloud book. Students then worked independently on their Day 3 activities. I passed out new reading logs today. These are due Monday, March 21.
Spelling consisted of a quick review of plural rules. Students worked on an activity finding words that apply to the different rules. There is a Take Home Task due Thursday.
In science, we assembled our cubes. Then we worked on riddles involving the Periodic Table of Elements and did a few word searches. The word searches are extra credit.
To start the day, we did a CBM in our writers' notebooks. I did a lesson on endings for our persuasive essays. We then went to the computer lab to work on these. They are due Friday.
In reading, we read aloud and I demonstrated how to complete the Respond to Reading with the read aloud book. Students then worked independently on their Day 3 activities. I passed out new reading logs today. These are due Monday, March 21.
Spelling consisted of a quick review of plural rules. Students worked on an activity finding words that apply to the different rules. There is a Take Home Task due Thursday.
In science, we assembled our cubes. Then we worked on riddles involving the Periodic Table of Elements and did a few word searches. The word searches are extra credit.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Friday
It has been a pretty quiet morning around here. I think a lot of kids are tired whether it be from a busy week, the weather or just getting back in the routine of school. It will be good to rest this weekend!
Instead of the WIN block this morning, we used it as a catch up time. Students worked on the Portfolio Update that was due today as well as time for their persuasive essays. Some students had the opportunity to work on their element cubes as well. It's nice to have a "catch up" time in the schedule.
In reading today, we read aloud and have some great discussions around slavery and people in that time of history. It's difficult to believe, for most children, how people in our history could be so cruel. It is my intention to tie this topic into how we treat one another in today's society. I look forward to the discussions that read aloud time brings on everyday. So, so, so important!
We continue our discussion of the story element of setting. How authors reveal setting is the focal point. Implicit clues as well as explicit clues are important for students to be able to find within the stories we read as well as the books they read on their own.
Ask about the rap song that I played today! Fun!
In science for 6S, we went to the library to have more review about citations, just like 6F did yesterday. Those element cubes are due Monday for both classes.
Have a super weekend!
Instead of the WIN block this morning, we used it as a catch up time. Students worked on the Portfolio Update that was due today as well as time for their persuasive essays. Some students had the opportunity to work on their element cubes as well. It's nice to have a "catch up" time in the schedule.
In reading today, we read aloud and have some great discussions around slavery and people in that time of history. It's difficult to believe, for most children, how people in our history could be so cruel. It is my intention to tie this topic into how we treat one another in today's society. I look forward to the discussions that read aloud time brings on everyday. So, so, so important!
We continue our discussion of the story element of setting. How authors reveal setting is the focal point. Implicit clues as well as explicit clues are important for students to be able to find within the stories we read as well as the books they read on their own.
Ask about the rap song that I played today! Fun!
In science for 6S, we went to the library to have more review about citations, just like 6F did yesterday. Those element cubes are due Monday for both classes.
Have a super weekend!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Thursday
Don't forget that tonight is the Celebration of the Arts at the high school. I hope to see a lot of you there.
Today, we continued our work on our persuasive essays. I did a lesson on the introduction. Students will get instruction on the conclusion next week and I hope to wrap them up by the end of next week.
In reading, we began our Reading Workshop format. Students worked independently while I met with a small group.
6F went to the library for science today to work with citations. Mrs. Raymond did a lesson on the importance of citing sources correctly.
Today, we continued our work on our persuasive essays. I did a lesson on the introduction. Students will get instruction on the conclusion next week and I hope to wrap them up by the end of next week.
In reading, we began our Reading Workshop format. Students worked independently while I met with a small group.
6F went to the library for science today to work with citations. Mrs. Raymond did a lesson on the importance of citing sources correctly.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Wednesday, the middle of the week!
It was a productive day today. I love those kind!
In reading, we read aloud from a new book: Day of Tears. Next, we discussed the upcoming unit on Story Elements. We will be going to a Day One, Day Two, etc. reading workshop format again. All students must have a book to read for class starting tomorrow. We will be working on the story element of setting to begin. Students will have the choice of Read to Self, Respond to Reading, Meet in a group, confer with an adult, or Partner Read. We will start this tomorrow. Students also took a pretest to determine how the groups will be assembled.
In science, we had one more day to work on our Adopt an Element project. These are due Monday for both classes. Students are to bring in a flat cube, final draft. We will assemble them in class.
Our next trip to Harold Martin will be Thursday, March 17.
In reading, we read aloud from a new book: Day of Tears. Next, we discussed the upcoming unit on Story Elements. We will be going to a Day One, Day Two, etc. reading workshop format again. All students must have a book to read for class starting tomorrow. We will be working on the story element of setting to begin. Students will have the choice of Read to Self, Respond to Reading, Meet in a group, confer with an adult, or Partner Read. We will start this tomorrow. Students also took a pretest to determine how the groups will be assembled.
In science, we had one more day to work on our Adopt an Element project. These are due Monday for both classes. Students are to bring in a flat cube, final draft. We will assemble them in class.
Our next trip to Harold Martin will be Thursday, March 17.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Tuesday
We're working on portfolio updates today in reading class. These are due by Friday at the latest. Students started calculating weekly page averages and totals of books read the week before vacation. Now, they are reflecting on their progress as readers for their portfolio, using their reading logs as proof of this progress. We spent time today in the computer lab typing our reflections.
In writing, we are focusing on transitions between paragraphs as well as our introductory paragraphs for the persuasive essays. Lots of hard work is going into these essays!
6S science did the lesson from yesterday (6F science). Please see that blog.
In writing, we are focusing on transitions between paragraphs as well as our introductory paragraphs for the persuasive essays. Lots of hard work is going into these essays!
6S science did the lesson from yesterday (6F science). Please see that blog.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Welcome Back!
I hope everyone had a nice week off last week. It was good for my family to catch up on many things: sleep, cleaning, time together, etc.
Today, we started with some new guidelines for writers' notebooks. I am stepping up the requirements. Students will be required to produce 5 pages in their notebooks each week. The notebooks will be due on Monday this week. I posted 5 prompts in my room. Students may pick from any or all of the prompts to work in their notebooks over the course of the week.
We finished up the fluency stations in reading today. Thank you to all the parents who were able to come in to help the week before vacation! Students need to write their portfolio reflections for Friday. I will give some class time tomorrow as well. There is also a new reading log due 3/14.
In writing, we worked through the body paragraphs in our persuasive essays. I had collected them prior to the break and gave people written feedback who wanted it on the body paragraphs only. We are working on topic sentences, detail sentences and closing sentences within these paragraphs. The next thing we will do in make sure there are transitions between paragraphs and work on the introduction paragraph.
Science for 6F was frustrating for some. Students worked on putting their citations from the Adopt an Element project into their notebooks with all of the correct information. I was VERY particular about how the information was organized as well as the conventions in it. Some did multiple drafts. We also worked on the rough drafts of the cubes. I will give Wednesday's class time to continue the work and then the actual cubes are due Monday.
Today, we started with some new guidelines for writers' notebooks. I am stepping up the requirements. Students will be required to produce 5 pages in their notebooks each week. The notebooks will be due on Monday this week. I posted 5 prompts in my room. Students may pick from any or all of the prompts to work in their notebooks over the course of the week.
We finished up the fluency stations in reading today. Thank you to all the parents who were able to come in to help the week before vacation! Students need to write their portfolio reflections for Friday. I will give some class time tomorrow as well. There is also a new reading log due 3/14.
In writing, we worked through the body paragraphs in our persuasive essays. I had collected them prior to the break and gave people written feedback who wanted it on the body paragraphs only. We are working on topic sentences, detail sentences and closing sentences within these paragraphs. The next thing we will do in make sure there are transitions between paragraphs and work on the introduction paragraph.
Science for 6F was frustrating for some. Students worked on putting their citations from the Adopt an Element project into their notebooks with all of the correct information. I was VERY particular about how the information was organized as well as the conventions in it. Some did multiple drafts. We also worked on the rough drafts of the cubes. I will give Wednesday's class time to continue the work and then the actual cubes are due Monday.
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