Welcome to 6th Grade Writing!

Monday, May 21
    Finish Worksheet for paper/project to share/publish
    Share Out

Tuesday, May 22
    Clean Out Lockers
    Quickwrite: Summer Bucketlist

Wednesday, May 23
    Reteach Day for select students

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Monday, May 14
    Spelling Week 32: Homophones
        allowed    aloud    capital    capitol    brake
        break        deer      dear        peace    piece
    Rough Draft of Advice Letter
    Revise/Edit Letter

Tuesday, May 15
    Type final Copy of Advice Letter - Computer Lab

Wednesday, May 16
    Spelling Activity: Go Fish
    Type final Copy of Advice Letter - Computer Lab
    Advice Letter Due by 3:35pm
    Homework: Checkpoint #4

Thursday, May 17
    Brainstorm list of ways authors share their Writing
    Look through Portfolio:
    1. Find 1 paper/project to share/publish
    2. Donations to Ms. Kunde
    Homework: Take home Portfolio!

Friday, May 18
    Spelling Assessment: Write word from Definition (Word Bank)
    Start Worksheet for paper/project to share/publish
    1/2 Day Field Trip to Iowa Hall of Pride

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Monday, May 7
    Spelling Week 31: Greek Root Words
        thermometer    centimeter    diameter    photograph    autograph
        biography        graphite        thermal        thermostat    thermos
    Advice Noticings
    Read: "Teaching Your Teen to Drive" and "IML" Q&A
    Homework: Read "Ace your Spring Finals" and code thinking

Tuesday, May 8
    Share Out/Add Noticings
    Gallery Walk - List of ideas to include in letter (use QW)
    Checkpoint #1

Wednesday, May 9
    Spelling Activity: Definition Search
    Early Out 1:00pm - Professional Development

Thursday, May 10
    Friendly Letter Format - Handout
    Start Rough Draft of Advice Letter
    Homework: Study Spelling

Friday, May 11
    Spelling Assessment: Matching
    Rough Draft of Advice Letter
    Checkpoint #2 (QW)
    Homework: Finish Rough Draft of Advice Letter

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Monday, April 30
    Spelling Week 30: Review Week
    Realistic Fiction Short Story Work Day - Computer Lab
    Homework: Realistic Fiction Due by 8am Tuesday

Tuesday, May 1
    Share examples of Good/Bad Student Reflections
    Checkpoint #2/#4
    Free Read/Free Write

Wednesday, May 2
    Spelling Activity: Partner Study Spelling
    Kuehn Activity
    Homework: Study Spelling

Thursday, May 3
    Spelling Activity: Partner Study Spelling
    Kuehn Activity
    Homework: Study Spelling

Friday, May 4
    Spelling Assessment: IA Format (multiple choice)
    Quickwrite: Reflect back on your experiences as a new 6th grader
    Share Out
    Small Group: Brainstorm histories of readers and writers of advice writing OR letter writing
    Share Out

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Monday, April 23
    Spelling Week 29: Opposite Suffixes -ful, -less
        successful        wonderful        doutful        eventful        forgetful
        thoughtless        priceless        fearless        senseless        tireless
    Climax/Plot Minilesson - watch "Bedtime Stories"
    Homework: Complete Plot Diagram (checkpoint 1)

Tuesday, April 24
    Return List Article
    Realistic Fiction Short Story Work Day - Rough Draft

Wednesday, April 25
    Spelling Activity: 3-column Chart with a Partner
    Realistic Fiction Short Story Work Day - Rough Draft
    Homework: Checkpoint #2

Thursday, April 26
    DOL #35
    Revise/Edit Rough Draft
    Realistic Fiction Short Story Work Day - Computer Lab
    Homework: Study Spelling

Friday, April 27
    Spelling Assessment: Fill-in the Blank
    Realistic Fiction Short Story Work Day - Computer Lab

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Monday, April 16
    Spelling Week 28: Suffixes - age and -ment
        marriage        mileage        courage        advantage        postage
        development excitement   document    assignment      instrument
    List Article Work Day
    List Article DUE!
    Homework: Checkpoint #4

Tuesday, April 17
    Realistic Fiction - Setting the Stage
    Complete Frayer Model (characteristics, definition, examples, and non-examples)
    Share Out

Wednesday, April 18
    Spelling Activity: Word Sort
    Finish Frayer Model
    Hand out Expectations Sheet for Realistic Fiction Story

Thursday, April 19
    DOL #34
    Read Aloud Mick Harte was Here
    QuickWrite: Schema of Plot Diagram and Characteristics of Fiction
    Homework: Study Spelling

Friday, April 20
    Spelling Assessment: IA Format (multiple choice)
    Read Aloud: Children's Book ISH
    Complete Plot Diagram for ISH
    Begin Plot Diagram for own realistic fiction story (if time)

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Monday, April 9
    No School -- Professional Development

Tuesday, April 19
    Spelling Week 27: Double Consonants
        accident    succes        recess        mirror    connect
        error        issue        hammer        process        terrible
    Visual Appearance Lesson
    Make Noticings List for Pictures/Layout

Wednesday, April 20
    Spelling Activity: Word Search
    List Article Workday

Thursday, April 21
    DOL #33
    Quickwrite: Checkpoint #2 (due Today!)
    List Article Workday
    Homework: Study Spelling

Friday, April 22
    Spelling Assessment: Dictated Spelling Test
    List Article Workday
    Homework: Checkpoint #3 (List Article Final Copy) Due Monday (at the end of the day!)

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Monday, April 2
    No Spelling this Week -- Iowa Assessments
    Unit Assessment: Punctuation Review #4 and Next Step (can use ANY tools)

Tuesday, April 3
    List Article: Setting the Stage
    Preview List Articles
    Immersion: Make notebook list of noticings

Wednesday, April 4
    List Article: Immersion
    Make notebook list of noticings

Thursday, April 5
    DOL #32
    List Articles: Share-Out Noticings
    (Star most Important)
    Close Study Texts: Share All-Class Examples:
    The Top Ten Biggest Money-Losing Movies of All Time
    Happy Birthday America
    Pretty Poufs

Friday, April 6
    Close Study Texts: Share All-Class Examples:
    If at First you Don't Succeed... You Won't Get a Sequel!
    Go Figure
    People Magazine: The Best (and Worst) of 2011
    Homework: Checkpoint #1 Due Tuesday

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Monday, March 26
    Spelling Week 26: Abbreviations
        etc. = etcetra    a.k.a. = also known as    misc. = miscellaneous
        subj. = subject    assoc. = association    co. = company
        ex. = example    no. = number        govt. = government
        dept. = department
    DOL
    Punctuation Review #1 WS
    * Check WS in Class

Tuesday, March 27
    DOL
    Practicing Editing/Proofreading Strategies:
    Read Aloud, Read Backward (for spelling)

Wednesday, March 28
    Early Out 1:00pm -- Professional Development
    Spelling Activity: Memory
    DOL
    Punctuation Review #3 (can use ANY tools)
    Homework: Finish Punctuation Review #3

Thursday, March 29
    DOL
    Check WS in Class
    Review/Read pages 79-83 in Write Source 2000 Textbook
    Practicing Editing/Proofreading Strategies:   
    Partner Revise/Edit Quickwrite using Checklist
    Homework: Study Spelling

Friday, March 30
    Spelling Assessment: Matching abbreviation to word(s)
    DOL
    'Try-out' Iowa Assessment Punctuation Test (not scored)
    QuickWrite: Yoga for the Brain #291

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Monday, March 12
    Change: Students will continue with Week 25 Words (see list below)
    Spelling Activity: Write all words 5x each
    Punctuating Dialogue Assessment: Punctuating Dialogue #2 WS & Next Step
    Free Write (use to discuss in upcoming unit)

Tuesday, March 13
    Early Out 1:00pm -- P/T Conferences
    Spelling Activity: Play Sparkle
    Free Write (use to discuss in upcoming unit)

Wednesday, March 14
    Spelling Assessment: Dictated T-chart (Re-test)
    Set the Stage: tool box metaphor
    Quickwrite: Schema: What tools do they already know?
    Homework: Bring Colored Pencils

Thursday, March 15
    Early Out 1:00pm - P/T Conferences
    Practicing Editing/Proofreading Strategies:
    Colored Pencils, use a 'screen' to read line-by-line

Friday, March 16 - Friday, March 23
    No School - Spring Break!

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Monday, March 5
    Spelling Week 25: Suffixes -ance & -ence
        performance        appearance        ambulance        attendance        importance
        experience            excellence        obedience            innocence        absence
    Pre-assessment: Punctuating Dialogue #1 WS
    Quickwrite: Yoga for the Brain #305

Tuesday, March 6
    Spelling Activity: Cut Words into Parts
    Immersion: Look through picture books for 'interesting dialogue'
    Share Out

Wednesday, March 7
    No School -- Boys State Basketball Tournament

Thursday, March 8
    DOL #25
    Finish Immersion/Close Study
    Make Anchor Chart: Things Dialogue Does
    Punctuating Dialogue Rules - Take Notes
    Homework: Study Spelling

Friday, March 9
    Spelling Assessment: Dictated T-chart
    Punctuating Dialogue Assessment: Punctuating Dialogue #2 WS & Next Step
    Free Read/Free Write

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Monday, February 27
   Read Across America Week -- Read for 10 minutes
    Spelling Week 24: Review Week #24
    Set Stage: Read Aloud: Today I Feel Silly and Coming Home Soon
    Discus the importance of Character in Fiction

Tuesday, February 28
    Ways to Reveal Character Worksheet
        - Refer back to read-alouds and discuss
    Quickwrite: In your SSR novel, how does the author reveal character?

Wednesday, February 29
    Spelling Activity: Partner Study
    Character Reveal Stations:
    Students try to experiment with 3 different ways to reveal character

Thursday, March 1
    DOL #24
    Finish Character Reveal Stations
    Grammar Lesson: Sentence Fragments Notes
    Homework: Sentence Fragments Worksheet

Friday, March 2
    Spelling Assessment: Iowa Ass. (Multiple Choice)
    Add to "best" character reveal
    Share out & Turn in

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Monday, February 20
    Spelling Week 23: Consonant Doubling to add -ed and -ing
        permitting        excelling        permitted        admitted
        admitting        complained        remained        remaining
        complaining        directing
    Give Speeches (Day 2)

Tuesday, February 21
    Give Speeches (Day 3)

Wednesday, February 22
    Spelling Activity: Word Sort
    Give Speeches (Day 4)
    Early Out 1:00pm -- Professional Development

Thursday, February 23
    DOL #23
    Quickwrite/Checkpoint #4
    Free Read/Free Write Day
    Homework: Study Spelling

Friday, February 24
    Spelling Assessment: Correct Errors in Paragraph
    Grammar Notes: Numbers
    Read Aloud: Air Mail to the Moon
    Homework: Numbers Worksheet   

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Monday, February 13
    Spelling Week 22: Text Ling
        cause/cuz        til        thanx/thnx    gr8        ur
        wanna            tho        prolly            k            plz
    Quickwrite: Schema of plays/performances
    Prepare for Field Trip - Rd "Theater Etiquette" and "About the Performance"
    Read Aloud from Locomotion

Tuesday, February 14
    Field Trip to Civic Center -- 11:30am - 3:00pm
    1st-3rd Hours: Quick Write and Free Read/Free Write
    HR: Valentine's Day Party

Wednesday, February 15
    Spelling Activity: Memory
    Write Rough Draft/Practice Speeches
    Homework: Speech Ready!

Thursday, February 16
    Spelling Assessment: Write Standard English
    Give Speeches (Day 1)

Friday, February 17
    No School -- Professional Development

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Monday, February 6
    Spelling Week 21: /z/ spelled z, s, ss
        amaze        freeze        scissors        husband        pause
        visitor        magazine    tease            browse        arise
    Apostrophe notes
    Quick Write: Checkpoint 1
    Homework: Apostrophe Worksheet

Tuesday, February 7
    'Grab Attention' Lesson - Review Introductions & WS
    Start planning/Prewriting

Wednesday, February 8
    Spelling Activity: Partner Word Sort
    Computer Lab
    Work Day/Prewriting and Drafting

Thursday, February 9
    DOL #21
    Write Rough Draft/Start Practicing Speech
    Quick Write: Checkpoint 2
    Homework: Study Spelling

Friday, February 10
    Spelling Assessment: Dictated 3-Column Chart
    Write Rough Draft/Practice Speech
    * Start Locomotion Discussion

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Monday, January 30
    Spelling Week 20: Descriptive Language
        awesome        surprise        beautiful        peacefully        suppose
        scenic            vacation        historical        interesting        wonder
    Setting the Stage - How-to Speech
    Read 1-2 Children's books and begin discussion
    Review Students Schema of How-to

Tuesdays, January 31
    Watch How-to Video #1 and discuss
    Students start 'How-to Noticings' in their Notebook
    Plurals Notes
    Homework: Plurals Worksheet

Wednesday, February 1
    Early Out 1:00 -- Professional Development
    Spelling Activity: Spelling Baseball
    Watch 2-3 more How-to videos and add to noticings list

Thursday, February 2
    DOL #20
    Quickwrite: Groundhog Day
    Share out noticings list
    Hand out Checkpoints/Discuss Homework

Friday, February 3
    Spelling Assessment: Dictated Test
    Discuss important requirements for How-to Speech
    Make Rubric as a Class
    Ms. Kunde Model Speech
    Homework: Checkpoint #1 Due Monday

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Monday, January 23
    Spelling Week 19: Directional Prefixes (under-, sub-, super-, inter-, mid-)
        midsummer    midway        underground        undercover        supersonic
        superstar        interchange        interview        intramural        intrastate
    100th Day of School Quickwrite
    Voice WS - as a class on Elmo!

Tuesday, January 24
    Organization WS
    Share out/discuss
    Commas after long Phrases and Clauses Notes
    Homework: Commas after long Phrases and Clauses WS

Wednesday, January 25
    Spelling Activity: Sound Dominos
    Sentence Fluency Activity:
    1. Model Writing Sentence 2-3 ways
    2. Try example
    3. Apply to Free Write

Thursday, January 26
    DOL #19
    Partner Revise w/ Score Sheet
    Share out/Discuss
    Revise Free Write
    Homework: Study Spelling

Friday, January 27
    Spelling Assessment: Multiple Choice
    Reflection on Drafting/Revising

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Monday, January 16
    No School -- Professional Development Day

Tuesday, January 17
    Spelling Week 18: Review Weeks 13-17
    Review genres for the year - list on board
    Free Write (use to discuss in upcoming unit)

Wednesday, January 18
    Spelling Activity: Partner Study
    Commas with Explanatory Clauses Notes
    Finish Free Write
    Homework: Commas with Explanatory Clauses Worksheet

Thursday, January 19
    DOL #18
    Drafting: Read p 62 in Write Source 2000 Textbook
    Worksheet pg 99 -- in class
    Discuss/Share Out
    Homework: Study Spelling

Friday, January 20
    Spelling Assessment: ITBS Format
    Revising: Discuss/Review Revising Tools in classroom
        (Thesaurus, Dictionary, Spell-Checker, Spelling Dictionary, Rhyming Dictionary, etc.)

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Monday, January 9
    Spelling Week 17: Silent Consonants
        knowledge        kneel        autumn        column
        numb        aisle        cupboard        almond
        debt        plumber
    Groups: Finish t-chart and share out
    Close Study #4 - Sports Illustrated Article

Tuesday, January 10
    Review Close Study Texts/Reasons for adding illustrations
    Close Study #5 - Internet Site

Wednesday, January 11
    Spelling Activity: Word Sort
    Commas between Independent Clauses
    Quickwrite: from prompt
    Homework: Commas Worksheet

Thursday, January 12
    DOL #17
    Practice Test w/ Partner
    Share Out
    Homework: Study Spelling

Friday, January 13
    Spelling Assessment: Dictated Spelling Test
    Illustrations/Graphics Quiz: Choose and answer questions
    * Open Note!

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Monday, January 2 (2012!)
    No School -- Professional Work Day!

Tuesday, January 3
    Spelling Week 16: Multi-syllabic Words
        bro/ken        pic/ture        an/gler        un/hap/py        plant/ed
        black/bird    ta/ble            ar/ti/cle      thou/sand        cy/cle
    Organize Binders/Pass Papers
    Setting the Stage: How Authors use Illustrations and Graphics to enhance meaning
    Rd. "Where the Wild Things Are"
    Quickwrite reaction & Share out

Wednesday, January 4
    Spelling Activity: numbers of syllables chart
    Close Study #1
    Make class list of types of graphics/illustrations
    In Groups: Add genre/type of writing etc.

Thursday, January 5
    DOL #16
    Commas Minilesson
    Commas in a series WS
    In Groups: Finish t-chart
    Share Out
    Homework: Commas in a Series Worksheet
    Homework: Study Spelling

Friday, January 6
    Spelling Assessment: 'Cut' Words into Syllables
    Quickwrite: Pass Story
    Close Study #2

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Monday, December 19
    Spelling Week 15: Suffix (-ous)
        mountainous        courageous        continuous        wondrous
        nervous            nutritious            cautious            precious
        obvious            curious
    Choosing the Right Word Minilesson
    Partner Revise & Edit Poetry (w/colored pencils)
    Homework: Choosing the Right Word Worksheet

Tuesday, December 20
    Finish Partner Revise & Edit Poetry (w/colored pencils)
    Publishing Favorite Poem - Individual
    Homework: Final Poem Due (checkpoint 4)

Wednesday, December 21
    Spelling Activity: Spelling Baseball
    Poems Due!
    Quickwrite: Write Reflection for Poetry (checkpoint 5)

Thursday, December 22
    Spelling Assessment: Closed Passage (fill-in-blank)
    Share Out Poetry!

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Monday, December 12
    Spelling Week 14: Long and Short Vowel Sounds
        chapter        vacation        regular        theme
        limit                strike        bronze        notice
        smudge        union
    Discuss "Battle Hymn" and finish up close study
    Discuss Vision/Topic
    Homework: Checkpoint 2

Tuesday, December 13
    Dashes & Hyphens Notes
    Dashes & Hyphens Worksheet
    Write under the Influence: Write with Vision
    Homework: Finish Dashes & Hyphens Worksheet

Wednesday, December 14
    Spelling Activity: Worksheet
    Write under the Influence: Find a Line Poem

Thursday, December 15
    DOL #13
    Write under the Influence: Break the Rules and/or Figurative Language
    Homework: Study Spelling

Friday, December 16
    Spelling Assessment: Dictated t-chart
    QuickWrite; Checkpoint 3
    Word Choice Activity
    Homework: Write under the Influence

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Monday, December 5
    Spelling Week 13: /f/ spelled: f, ff, and ph
        fashion        golf        former        effort
        officer        suffix        physician        triumph  
        photo        difficult
    Poetry: Students look at all kinds of poetry and mark
    3-5 noticings on sticky notes in books

Tuesday, December 6
    Quickwrite: Poem with 5-7 'random' words
    Poetry: Students look back at ALL sticky notes and make
    a 'noticings' list in their notebooks

Wednesday, December 7
    Spelling Activity: Word Sort w/ Partner
    Grammar Notes: Italics and Quotation Marks
    Homework: Italics and Quotation Marks Worksheet
    Early Out 1:05pm

Thursday, December 8
    DOL #12
    Poetry: Students meet in groups and choose 3-4 noticings to share out
    Make class list of noticings on chart paper
    Read "I, Too, Sing America" by Langston Hughes

Friday, December 9
    Spelling Assessment: Dictated Test
    Poetry: Read "Of Thee I Sing" by Barack Obama, "Fourth" by Shel Silversten
    "Song of the Settlers" by Jessamyn West
    Discuss Vision (ideas for Poetry)
    Homework: Read "Battle Hymn of the Republic" by Julia Ward Howe

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Monday, November 28
    Spelling Week 12: Review Week!
    Read How the Grinch Stole Christmas
    Discuss Alliteration & add to notes
    Read Click, Clack Moo. Cows that Type
    Discuss Onomatopeia & add to Notes

Tuesday, November 29
    Add to "My Thinking" notes & Review all Literary Elements
    Grammar: End Punctuation Notes
    Homework: End Punctuation WS

Wednesday, November 30
    Spelling Activity: Partner Review
    Writing Under the Influence: students write choice narrative or poem
        including 1-2 examples of literary elements
   
Thursday, December 1
    DOL #11
    Writing Under the Influence
   
Friday, December 2
    Spelling Assessment: ITBS Format
    Share Out
    Poetry: Create a "working definition" of poetry (groups)

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Monday, November 21
    Review foreshadowing, flashback, and point of view notes
    Read Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel
    Discuss Personification & add to notes

Tuesday, November 22
    Listen to She's my Kind of Rain by Tim Mcgraw
    Discuss Metaphor and Simile & add to notes
    Read "Paul Bunyan"
    Discuss Hyperbole & add to notes
    Quickwrite: Thanksgiving Topic

Wednesday, November 23 - Friday, November 25
    No School -- Thanksgiving Break!

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Monday, November 14
    Spelling Week 11: R-controlled vowels
        partner       insert        dirty        ignore    curtain
        carpenter    concern    confirm    adore    purchase
    Typing Review in Computer Lab (using Google Docs)
    Early Out 2:35pm -- Go Tigers!

Tuesday, November 15
    Typing Review in Computer Lab (using Google Docs)
    Checkpoint #4 Due TODAY!
    90-minute Late Start!

Wednesday, November 16
    Spelling Activity: Word Ladders
    Checkpoint #5 Due (in class)
    Capitalization Notes
    Homework: Capitalization Worksheet

Thursday, November 17
    DOL #10
    Quickwrite: Character Description
    Setting the Stage: Talk in Small groups about literary elements/figures of speech
    Share Out

Friday, November 18
    Spelling Assessment: 5-column Chart (dictated)
    Capitalization Quickwrite -- Application of Wednesday's lesson
    Share Out
    Literary Elements/Figures of Speech Notes

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Monday, November 7
    Spelling Week 10: Adding -ing and -ed
        admitting        hoping        adding        excelled
        permitted        coming        profiting        complained
        stopped        hopped
    Write Rough Draft

Tuesday, November 8
    Quickwrite: 8th of November Video
    Fact and Opinion Activity
    Read Aloud 2nd Close Study & mark fact/opinion
    Homework: Fact and Opinion Worksheet
    Homework: Checkpoint 3 Due Tomorrow (Wednesday)

Wednesday, November 9
    Spelling Activity
    Write Rough Draft
    Quickwrite: Checkpoint 3
    Homework: Bring Colored Pencils to Class Tomorrow
    Homework: Study Spelling
    Early Out 1:05pm

Thursday, November 10
    Spelling Assessment: Dictated Spelling Test
    DOL #10
    Partner Revise & Edit (with colored Pencils)

Friday, November 11
    Veterans Day -- Activities in the Morning
    Veterans Day Quickwrite
    Finish Rough Draft and Editing etc.

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Monday, October 31
    Spelling Week 9: Prefixes Meaning "Not"
        illegal        illogical        irregular
        irrational        misbehave        mistrust
        nonfat        nonprofit        antifreeze        antisocial
    Share Out Self-selected Piece & Explain Punctuation Decisions

Tuesday, November 1
    Introduce Review: informed opinions/decisions
   Quick Write: 'What makes an opinion believable & respected?"
    Preview 4+ Reviews

Wednesday, November 2
    Spelling Activity: "Cut" Words
    Read examples of Reviews (in class)
    Make Noticings list in Writer's Notebook

Thursday, November 3
    DOL #9
    Read examples of Reviews (online)
    Make Noticings list in Writer's Notebook
    Checkpoint #1 DUE

Friday, November 4
    Spelling Assessment: ITBS-Style (multiple choice)
    Share out Noticings & Highlight 'must-haves'
    Read Aloud Review #1
    Homework: Complete Checkpoint #2

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Monday, October 24
    No School - Teacher Work Day

Tuesday, October 25
    Spelling Week 8: Plurals & Possessives
        girls        girl's        girls'
        dishes    dish's        dishes'
        cities        city's        cities'
    Share out Hatchet Paragraphs
    Discuss importance of punctuation in Writing
    Quickwrite: Notice paragraph decisions & punctuation decisions
    Early Out 1:05pm

Wednesday, October 26
    Spelling Activity: Picture Book w/ Blanks
    Students Work in 2s & 3s to mark places with interesting punctuation
    Share Out

Thursday, October 27
    DOL #9
    Read aloud from various books/examples students found
    Chart "What we have learned about the potential of punctuation"
    Early Out 1:05pm

Friday, October 28
    Spelling Activity
    Students write a written piece (self-selected genre and topic)
        *must include examples of interesting punctuation
    Homework: Finish Self-Selected Piece   

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Monday, October 17
    Checkpoint 6 Due
    Quickwrite: What did you learn about yourself as a writer during this study?
    Paragraphing Decisions:
    Discuss schema of paragraphs

Tuesday, October 18
    1/2 Sixth Graders to Kuehn
    1/2 Sixth Graders watch Hatchet Movie & take notes

Wednesday, October 19
    Search independent novel for places where authors start new paragraphs & why
    Mark with sticky notes - must have 10
    Free Read or Free Writer when finished

Thursday, October 20
    1/2 Sixth Graders to Kuehn
    1/2 Sixth Graders watch Hatchet Movie & take notes

Friday, October 21
    Shared reading of examples of new paragraphs
        - new idea, time passes, dialogue, etc
    Discuss why paragraphs are important to organization of ideas
    Homework: Write 2-3 paragraphs comparing and contrasting Hatchet Movie & Hatchet Book
            - Use paragraphing Decisions!
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Monday, October 10
    Spelling Week 7: Schwa in final syllable (-el, -al, -ent, -ant)
        practical        central        label        tunnel
        absent        unpleasant        distant        talent
        channel        typical
    Quickwrite: checkpoint 4
    Continue Drafting Written Report
    Homework: Bring Colored Pencils to Class Tomorrow

Tuesday, October 11
    Partner Revise/Edit Written Report

Wednesday, October 12
    Spelling Activity: Word Sort
    Review Google Docs Basics
    Typing in Computer Lab
    Early Out 1:05pm

Thursday, October 13
    DOL #8
    Typing in Computer Lab
    Homework: Checkpoint 5 Due Tomorrow
    Homework: Study Spelling

Friday, October 14
    Spelling Assessment: Match final Syllable
    Typing in Computer Lab
    Checkpoint 5 Due at the end of the hour!
    Homework: Checkpoint 6 Due Monday

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Monday, October 3
    Spelling Week 6: Review Week!
    Discuss Close Study Homework
    Read 3rd Close Study Text
    Review choosing a topic
    Homework: Checkpoint 2 due Tuesday

Tuesday, October 4
    Quickwrite: Topic of Choice (checkpoint 2)
    Start Prewriting for Written Report (choose word web or list)

Wednesday, October 5
    Partner Spelling Quiz
    Research in Media Center
    Homework: Checkpoint 3 Due Thursday

Thursday, October 6
    DOL #7
    Research in Media Center
    Homework: Study Spelling

Friday, October 7
    Spelling Assessment: ITBS Format
    Begin Drafting Written Report
    Homework: Checkpoint 4 Due Monday (possibly Tuesday)

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Monday, September 26
    No School -- Professional Development Day!

Tuesday, September 27
    Spelling Week 5: Suffixes -ible & -able
        drinkable    washable    legible    responsible    sensible
        changeable    visible    available    capable    notable
    Quickwrite: "I am an expert on..."
    Define Nonfiction
    Preview & discuss close study texts for Written Report unit

Wednesday, September 28
    Spelling Activity: 'cut' words
    Read several examples of Nonfiction and create 'noticings' list in notebook
   
Thursday, September 29
    DOL #6
    Continue 'noticings' list
    Share Out
    Star/highlight 'must haves' for Nonfiction
    Homework: Study Spelling

Friday, September 30
    Spelling Assessment
    * Written Report Checkpoint 1 Due
    Quickwrite: What material do you already have in your writer's notebook r
        related to a possible written report topic?
    Close Study: Read text aloud
    Homework: Read Nonfiction Article

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Monday, September 19
    Spelling Week 4: Open & Closed Compound Words
        post office        all right        everybody        background
        throughout        bookstore    rock band        time line
        yourself            cell phone
    Finish T-chart from Thursday (Genre, Author's Purpose, How the Author Prepared)
    Share Out
    Quickwrite: Choice OR revisit an old quickwrite

Tuesday, September 20
    Spelling Activity: Word Sort with Partner
    Define Nonfiction
    Read 5-6 pieces in groups and identify main idea
    Share Out

Wednesday, September 21
    Visit Media Center -- Mrs. Melroy will give tour
    Quckwirte: Response to a Current Event Article

Thursday, September 22
    DOL #5
    Read Aloud: Sports Illustrated Article (Marvin McNutt)
    Discuss Main Idea & Finding a Research Question

Friday, September 23
    Spelling Assessment: T-chart
    Continue Main Idea & Finding a Research Question
    Discuss Possible Sources
    Quickwrite: 5 'random' words

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Monday, September 12
    Spelling Week 3: Commonly Confused Words
        immegrate        emigrate    except        accept    formally
        personnel        personal        advice        advise    formerly
    Response/Quiz over Writer's Notebook Purpose
    Read Aloud: Mick Harte was Here

Tuesday, September 13
    Quickwirte: Writing Process
    Small group: Share out writing process & discuss
    Review Generic Writing Process

Wednesday, September 14
    Spelling Activity: Partner Flashcard Quiz
    Make list of ways author's prepare for writing
    *Revisit 4-5 texts from first Unit
    Homework: Study Spelling
    Early Out 1:05pm

Thursday, September 15
    DOL #4
    Spelling Assessment: Matching with Word Bank
    Revisit 4-5 texts from first unit
    Create T-chart with: Genre, Author's Purpose, and How authors prepare

Friday, September 16
    Homecoming/Team Game Day -- No Classes

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Monday, September 6
    No School -- Happy Labor Day!

Tuesday, September 7
    Writer's Notebook Rules & Notebook Function
    Watch Penny Kittle video -- Elizabeth's Notebook
    Quickwrite: List of Ideas (many ideas)

Wednesday, September 8
    Dallas Chief Eagle Assembly - AM
    Quickwrite: Response to Dallas Chief Eagle
    Write Thank you to Dallas Chief Eagle

Thursday, September 9
    DOL #3
    Close Study: Nancie Atwell Heart Map
    Quickwrite: Heart map in Writer's Notebook (ideas from personal experience)
    Share Out
    Homework: Bring in Personal/Family Photo

Friday, September 10
    Close Study: Write Reflection/Story to accompany personal photo (ideas from personal experience)
    Share Out
    Quickwrite: Favorite Book & Why (ideas from other literature)

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Monday, August 29
    Spelling Week 2: Homophones
        here    hear    there    they're    their
        wear    where    to    too    two
    Close Study/Read Aloud: "Road Not Taken" Poem and List Article
    Quickwrite: Respond to the quote: "You can do anything, but not everything.—David Allen"

Tuesday, August 30
    Close Study/Read Aloud: "Mick Harte was Here" Novel
    Grammar: Writing in Complete Sentences Worksheet (Sent. Frag. and Run-On)
    HW: Finish Worksheet

Wednesday, August 31
    Spelling Go Fish
    Genre Study Process: Setting the Stage, Immersion, Close Study, and Writing Under the Influence
    Story Starter in Writing Notebook
    Early Out 1:05pm

Thursday, September 1
    DOL Week 2
    Continue Story Starter in Writing Notebook
    Share Out

Friday, September 2
    Spelling Assessment: Homophone Errors in Paragraph
    Reflection/Quiz over Identification of Genre and Author's Purpose
    Quickwrite: Current Event Response - TBD

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Monday, August 22
    Spelling Week 1: ie/ei words
        mischief    neice    yield    fierce    ceiling
        leisure    weird    receive    receipt    thief
    Genre Word Web
    Anchor Chart: Real World Genres
    QuickWrite: Why do we need to learn multiple genres of writing?

Tuesday, August 23
    Assemble Writing Binders
    Author's Purpose: entertain, persuade, inform
    QuickWrite: Choice (7-8 minutes!)
    Homework: Bring in an example of a Genre

Wednesday, August 24
    Partner Word Sort
    Immersion Expectations: identify genre, authors purpose, and explain thinking
    Three-column Chart in Notebook
    Read and identify multiple examples of genres in Notebook

Thursday, August 25
    DOL Week 1
    Read and identify multiple examples of genres in Notebook (continue)
    Share Out
    Homework: Study Spelling

Friday, August 26
    Spelling Assessment: ie/ei t-chart
    Close Study/Read Aloud: Rookies of the Year and Movie Review
    QuickWrite: Why are text features important? When do we use them?

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Wednesday, August 17
    6th Grade Writing Welcome!
    Read Parent Letter and Walk through Website
    Label Yellow Notebooks
    Read Aloud: "My Name" from The House on Mango Street
        & Quickwrite in notebook
    Early Out 2:35pm

Thursday, August 18
    Revisit Quickwrite
    Share Out
    Tour of Room/Procedures
    Writer's Interest Survey (HW)
    Early Out 2:35pm

Friday, August 19
    Read Aloud: excerpt from Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life
        & Quickwrite in Notebook
    Re-Read excerpt and Discuss "Reading like a Writer"
    Genre Word-Web
    Preview of Writing Workshop Process

Reminder: Spelling begins on Monday!