Language Arts news, week of 4/24/17
As noted earlier in the year, sixth grade seems to move at the speed of light and guess what;here we are – the final six weeks. There are lots of special events in our final six weeks and one fast approaching time period is the week of state assessments; May 8th and 9th are the posted days for the sixth grade math and reading tests. We will spend some time looking at specific skills but other than that, it’s time for shared novels, more research and one or two extension activities. Wish us well – this six week’s it truly is 7th grade here we come!!
Need to know:
- Report cards – sent home Friday, 4/21/17
- WTW, daily through 4/26 or 4/27 if needed.
FYI – during the WTW time period, class times have been shortened. All students will need to stay alert to keep up with the faster pace/increased demands of finishing all work when due. (Good practice for 7th grade.)
- Mary Martin garden – more information will be heading your way but for now, the garden coordinators, Mrs. Baker and Mrs. Snyder, are looking for empty plastic plant containers, the kind that could contain a small plant or shrub (one gallon or larger,) that students can use to transport mulch and other materials.
- STAAR testing – Math, May 8th, Reading, May 9th
- Sixth grade field trip, Main Event – May 16th
Spelling and vocabulary:
We are transitioning from weekly word maps and sentences to the use of reading/writing connections in our shared novels. Students will still write sentences and work with vocabulary but most of it will be represented through their individual novel jobs. The individual jobs will also be paired with in-class responses/activities that relate to prior learning or even work from other classes. Students will also continue to boost their own vocabulary level through independent reading and practice activities.
Class activities:
- Use various resources to learn more about the formal research process.
- Connect the formal research process to analyzing nonfiction beyond just the text
- Shared novel reading – all students started their books on Tuesday, 4/17. Each student will have a weekly job and the first one came due on Friday, 4/21. Not everyone got to share their job on Friday but any remaining student will get a second chance on Monday, 4/24. (All students know what their next job will be and have been advised to start this job as soon as the current one is finished.) Many of this six week’s grades will come from the shared novel work and with our decreased daily class time, a lack of attention will quickly lead to a major problem. **I have also suggested to all students that having your own book or down loading it to your device – Kindle, Nook or smart phone- may help ease some of the pressure of time constraints and limited resources.
- Preposition list update – a new/second list was given to all students and the first quiz incorporating words from both lists will take place by Wednesday 4/26/17. Those who study the lists are steadily improving their knowledge of prepositions. Those who do not are missing an opportunity to be better prepared for 7th grade and also not doing themselves a favor grade wise.