What We Do & How We Do It

CHOMP

This is a test prep practice. The activities are literary texts, informational texts, poetry, research skills, and grammatical expression. Most months 30 points are required.

Vocabulary

10 words per week, Cumulative each grading period. Homework every night.

Latin and Greek Root cards

Each month we practice the derivatives from 5 cards then have a quiz over the derivatives on those 5 cards.

Mug Shots Sentences

These are used to practice- Mechanics-Usage-Grammar- a little at a time. 5th grade has 3 sentences, 6^th grade has 6 sentences, and 7^th grade has 8 sentences. All mug shots are done in cursive. Fifth grade must write all three sentences on the test. Sixth and seventh grade write half the sentences.

CARDS

We do five minutes of daily practice in the academic vocabulary needed to be successful in ELA. Each nine weeks students are expected to master one level of the cards.

Writing Assignments

Students must learn to write multi-paragraph essays. Frequently 6^th and 7^th grade use the assignments from the textbook at my.hrw.com. We use a rubric to guide informational and argumentative or persuasive writing.

Independent Reading

Each grading period students are expected to read a minimum of 28 points-worth from my reading list. Books have a 5 point, 10 point, 15 point, or 20 point rating based on the length. A quiz is taken to determine mastery of the content. Points are pro-rated by the number of correct answers on the quiz. If 4 questions are missed, no credit will be given for that book. Students are encouraged to participate in the competition for the highest number of independent reading points in their class. Extra credit can be earned by completing up to 35 points.

Text-based literature

The texts for 6^th and 7^th are available on line at my.hrw.com. The fifth grade class will be assigned a text book.

Novels

Throughout the year we will read novels together, using projects to enhance the understanding. We will read from Agatha Christie, Sharon Creech, Natalie Babbitt, Washington Irving, Ellen Raskin, Charles Dickens, and Mark Twain.

Extra Credit

Extra credit will be through Reading Plus. Each grading period 8 Combos are required. Students who complete more than the required amount will be given 0.1 additional point on the final average per combo.

Matrix Logic

Matrix logic puzzles help to develop logical reasoning skills. There are 12 puzzles at each level with a total of six levels. Students who complete all of a level will receive a special reward.

Gifted Enrichment

Most days we will play some “game” designed to enrich the academic experience. We do Think Tank, Perception Stimulators, Personal Finance, The Stock Market, King Lexicon, The Gateway Game, MAYA, Treasure Hunt, Forum, Psychology for Kids, the Chocolate Caper, Greeks, Warlords of Japan, Analogies, and more. These are not graded but provide excellent enrichment.