Daily Blog

2019-2020 School Year

Friday, September 6, 2019

Our first day was a success!

Learning our schedules

Attended orientation

Took a tour of the school

Lockers, lockers, lockers - they will get easier!

Brief introduction to our class

Homework! Try to find a book that you want to read (or we will find one together on Monday!)

2018-2019 School Year

Friday, September 14, 2018

We had a great first full week of school. This week we worked on setting clear expectations for our classes. The most important rules we need to follow to be successful this year are: Be Respectful, Be Present, and Be Prepared. These simple rules will guide us through an inspiring year. Lockers are starting to be conquered and schedules are being remembered - all signs of progress.

This week we reviewed what standards we will cover for Reading Literature - and we set up our Reading Journal and reflected upon who we are as readers. It was fun to share the first book we remember. Mine was There's a Monster at the End of this Book.

We ended the week on a Character Ed day (Responsibility) where the Houses competed in challenges to team build. Each House had to chose what four items they would chose to survive on a deserted island with reasoning behind their choices. This was a great team building activity - and also will help us to remember when we write an essay we always need to justify why we choose certain evidence.

Next Week- We will have our first homework due (check the homework tab for more information). We will set up our Vocabulary and Grammar Journal. We will start Writers Workshop with our Personal Narratives. It will be a short week with Wednesday off - but it will be a busy week for our class. I am looking forward to hearing all of the amazing stories the writers have to share!

Friday, September 21, 2018

We started the week by setting up our Language Study journal. Students will focus on root words to help them identify unknown words. We will also keep track of domain vocabulary that will elevate our reading comprehension and writing. Our Vocabulary Tree will also be used to collect vocabulary that will enhance our writing - by focusing on advanced vocabulary words and synonyms to help us understand the meaning and application.

We had a great week (with a day off in the middle). This week we focused on the elements of plot. We analyzed The Three Little Pigs - and then watched some "Fixed" fairy tales to identify the parts of the plot. Each group did a great job analyzing their tale - and then they used their creativity to illustrate their elements on posters that they presented to the class. We will have a quiz on these elements on Thursday, September 27, 2018.

We are working on brainstorming strategies to help us generate ideas for our personal narratives!

Next Week - Scholastic Order will be placed Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Plot Element Quiz - Thursday, September 27, 2018

No School for Students - Friday, September 28, 2018 - Staff Professional Day

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Remember, tomorrow is a professional day! No school for students - enjoy the day off!

This week we had our first quiz on elements of plot - everyone did amazing! This is an important building block to understanding the structure of the plot and using that to analyze reading as the year progresses.

We read the short story "Popularity" and will be using it as a mentor text for reading and for writing our narratives.

The root word that we focused on this week was photo (light).

We also continued to brainstorm ideas for our personal narratives. We learned that strong narrative writers:

• Focus in on one episode (and do not summarize a stretch of time)
• Help readers picture an episode - with small actions and exact dialogue
• Climb inside a moment - and write with detail

Next Week: No More Bullying Workshop - Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday

Reading- Focus on characterization

Literary Analysis paragraph writing

Writing - Continue on narrative writing

Please Note: A new Homework tab has been added

Friday, October 5, 2018

We made it to Friday! And students will have another day off on Monday, October 8, 2018 - for a Staff Professional Day!

The first three days of the week, we had a No More Bullying workshop - the students learned about how to be an upstander and how to react when they see bullying occur. The students had some great insight into ways to prevent bullying!

Our root word for the week was cred (believe).

This week we added onto our reading strategies by learning about direct and indirect characterization. Students learned about the S.T.E.A.L. strategy and already their writing has improved!

Next week, we will focus on our personal narratives and using the strategies we have rehearsed in class!

Friday, October 19, 2018

This week we had our first "Book Tasting" to find books that interest us for book clubs. Next week we will start our first round of book clubs.

Students will be reading a book with their book club - they will work together to plan their reading goals. They will be responsible for reading their novel starting Monday 10/22/18 and finishing Wednesday, November 22, 2018. They will meet once a week to discuss their book with their club. In order to prepare for their book club, they will be responsible for completing a graphic organizer while they read. They will have time to read every day in class - but should be reading independently also.

We finished our personal narratives this week! We will self-assess and reflect upon our writing before we share the most powerful parts of our narratives with our peers to celebrate our hard work.

Next week we will have our first root word quiz - our first five roots are: Graph, Photo, Cred, Ped/Pod, Aud/Audi. Students may use their journal to study or use the slide show in the Vocabulary section of this site to review.

Friday, October 26, 2018

We accomplished many things this week!

We started Book Clubs this week.

Students are reading a book with a group of other students. While they read they are noting what they think is important including (characterization/plot/conflict/summarizing/signposts). They then met on Friday for their first discussion. The group discussed their books - then, they created a shared document that showed what they read this week. This included making a claim about their protagonist and synthesizing their evidence to back up that claim.

It was a strong first week; I look forward to seeing how their discussions develop each week.

Students created movements for their first five root words - and all students were successful on our first quiz.

We prepared for our Unit One Reading Comprehension/Reading Skills Test. We reviewed characterization, symbolism, elements of the plot, and types of conflict.

We worked on a literary analysis paragraph -and what is required for a well-developed paragraph in sixth grade. Students did a close read of a short story, "Eleven," by Sandra Ciscernos. They then completed their paragraph. Everyone had a conference to discuss what their strengths were and where they could improve.

Students diligently worked on their Ignite Talks in class - they look GREAT! I cannot wait to see them present them. Students have had ample time in class to work on this project, some may need to work on this outside of class (I encourage them to work on them during advisory). Presentations start Monday, November 5, 2018!

Next week, we will be reading and creating suspenseful spooky stories. We will share and celebrate our narrative writing! We will also be reflecting and preparing for parent-teacher conferences

Friday, November 2, 2018

We had a spooky week!

We wrote spooky stories that focused on foreshadowing and slowing down to build tension. At the end of the week we celebrated our narrative writing by reading some strong selections by our classmates.

The students also completed their portion of the Parent/Teacher conference. It was a chance for them to reflect upon what we have learned so far and also set some goals for the future.

Next week is a short week. Three half days. We will take the Common Assessment One test that reviews all of the skills we have learned so far, including a narrative writing portion.

Also, next week we start Talks! The students have been working hard all month to prepare their first talks. I am looking forward to seeing what they are passionate about!

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

It was great getting to meet with so many parents this week!

We started our Ignite Talks - and they have been great! We will continue watching two a day until Thanksgiving break! Then, the next date will be unveiled!

We took our Common Assessment Reading Comprehension and Narrative Writing Test, and we continued reading and discussing our Book Club novels.

Next week, we will begin to research the Civil Rights Movement in order to prepare for our whole class novel - The Watsons go to Birmingham - 1963.

Friday, November 16, 2018

This week we have watched many amazing Ignite Talks - we are getting to know a little more about our classmates and what they are passionate about.

This was the last week of reading for our book club books - our final discussion will be Monday.

We have been researching the 1960s - our Big Question is "What is important to know?"

We have read informational text, analyzed songs, created a timeline of the Civil Rights movement, analyzed events (cause and effect), and are working on answering questions to prepare for our first Socratic Seminar next Tuesday.

Next week, we will start our novel The Watsons go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis.

Friday, November 30, 2018

The last day of November! As we reflect back on November, we revisted our big question of the year "How do we decide who we are?" Student created a slide for November connecting our big project "Ignite Talks" to this question. They looked at what the project taught them about who they are as a student - and what they throught of sharing their passion and presenting to the class.

We finished the first five chapters of our novel and had a quiz. Next week, we will have a quiz on the next five root words (port, chron, bio, phon, and hydr).

We started Grammar minutes to review grammar concepts - and also started using Flocabulary (which will be a weekly homework assignment). This is a fun and interactive way to review important grammar lessons throughout the year!

Next week, we will complete our research project based learning assignment. Students will present in their groups what they have learned in their research about their assigned topic! We will listen and make connections to the world today. I look forward to seeing the product of their hard work.

January 2, 2019

Happy New Year!

I-Read

New Homework Procedures - New Year's Writing Menu

One Word Project - theme for new year

Do Now- Quote Analysis

Grammer - Possessive Nouns

New Root- Log = Word

January 3, 2019

I-Read

New Talk Dates Given - Inspiration Twin, must be signed by parent

Do Now- Poetry Analysis

Grammar - Pronouns

Text Features - Flocabulary Review and Notetaking

Scavenger Hunt - Identifying Text Features

January 4, 2019

Happy Friday!

I-Read

Shopping for New Books!

Signed Talk Forms Due

Do Now- Fully-developed paragraph

Reading Non-Fiction

Notice and Note Non-Fiction Signposts - Group Activity

January 7, 2019

Happy Monday! Letters due this week - new homework menu.

I-Read

New Root - Astr = star

Do Now- Quote Analysis

Paragraph Revision

Grammar Assessment - Subject/Predicate - Nouns

January 8, 2019

Homework: Letters/New Homework Menu - Signed Talk Checklist

I-Read

Do Now - Words of the Week - Adversary, Brandish (practice Vocabulary.com - 100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know!)

Achieve

Writing - Create an argument. Write a fully-developed paragraph that addresses all aspects of prompt. Use rubric and list of transitions to improve writing

Grammar - Pronouns - As subject and object (practice No Red Ink)

January 9, 2019

Homework: Letters/New Homework Menu - Signed Talk Checklist

I-Read

Do Now- Poetry Analysis

Review Text Structures - Notetaking skills

In groups - research one structure

create anchor chart for structure including key words, graphic

organizer, and tips for readers

Present Chart

January 10, 2019

Homework: Letters/New Homework Menu - Signed Talk Checklist

I-Read

Do Now-Picture Prompt Narrative

Text Structure Analysis - Forms

Brainstorm text structure

Create short passage with each text structure

Choose topic for Magazine Project

January 11, 2019

Homework: Letters/New Homework Menu - Signed Talk Checklist

I-Read

Writing about our Independent Reading

Text Structure - Brainstorm

Text Structure - Review Game

Begin Text Structure Magazine Project

January 14, 2019

Homework: Letters/New Homework Menu

Work on Talk

Study for:

Quiz 1/18 Grammar (nouns, subject/predicate, simple/compound sentences)

Quiz 1/22 Text Structure (Description, Cause and Effect, Problem/Solution, Compare and Contrast, and Sequence)

I-Read

Text Structure Review for Quiz - Flocabulary (classwork)

New Root - Rupt = Break or Burst (vocabulary journal/vocabulary.com)

Text Structure Project: Conference Description Writing

January 15, 2019

I-Read

Vocabulary Words - conspicuous and disdain

Text Structure Review - Quiz Tuesday 1/22

Writing - Project

Descriptive Paragraph - Writing/Revision

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

I-Read

Poetry Analysis

Review for Grammar Quiz (Friday, January 18)

Reading Informational Text - Newsela Article

Writing Project - Revision

Brainstorm Graphic Orgainzers for each page

Prewrite - conferences

Thursday, January 17, 2019

I-Read

Review Newsela Article

Writing Paragraphs Project

Friday, January 18, 2019

I-Read

Grammar Quiz - Nouns, Sentences, Subject/Predicate

Writing Workshop

Compare/Contrast

Create paragraph for project

Sequencing Page for Project

Tuesday, January 22

I-Read

Review for Text Structure Quiz - moved to 1/23

New Root - Meter

Verb - Flocabulary Classwork Assignment

Writing - Topic Sentences

Create Cause and Effect/Problem and Solution paragraphs

Wednesday, January 23

I-Read

Achieve "Man Changes LIves in Sudan"

Quiz- Text Structure

Complete Magazine Project Paragraphs - Revise using rubric and lessons

Thursday, January 24

Review of Reading Strategies for Informational Text

Read and annotate "Children of War"

-Big Question "How are children impacted by war?"

-Final Workshop - Finish Magazine Project (final design touches)

Celebrate writing tomorrow!

Friday, January 25

We celebrated our magazine projects!

All students had a chance to review their peers work - and leave an encouraging note!

We discussed Ignite 2 Talks and created a Works Cited page for them to document their research

Monday, January 28

I-Read

Quote Analysis

Talk Brainstorming

Unlocking the Prompt - reading a prompt and understanding what it is asking

Syria's Children - Read and analyze author's development of central idea

Tuesday, January 29

I-Read

Poetry Analysis

Unlocking the Prompt

Achieve 3000 - Ms. Marval

Wednesday, January 30

I-Read

Unlocking the Prompt

Zlata's Diary - Read and annotate (purpose author's development)

Thursday, January 31

I-Read

Complete Zlata's Diary- read and annotate (purpose author's development)

1/2 Propaganda - persuasive techniques

3/5 Helping Verbs - Flocabulary Review

Friday, February 1

I-Read

January Reflection Slide - Big Question "How do we decide who we are"

1/2 Super Bowl Challenge - identifying persuasive techniques

Creating an ad using specific persuasive techniques

3/5 Ignite Planning

Happy Monday - February 4, 2019

I-Read

Talks Begin!

Analyzing Author's Development - Zlata's Diary

Writing Body Paragraphs

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

I-Read

Talks

Review Verbs - sentence structure

Root Review - Movement

Achieve - Prankster Artist

Narrative

Finish body paragraphs

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

I-Read

Talks

Review Verbs

Root Movement

Introductory Paragraph - Refugee Essay

Thursday, February 7, 2019

I-Read

Talks

Root Quiz

Verb Review

Conclusion Paragraph-Refugee Essay

Friday, February 8, 2019

I-Read

Talks

Verb Quiz

Essay Revision - Reading the Rubric, Color Coding, Revision Stations

Monday, February 11, 2019

I-Read

Talks

Elements of Poetry

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

I-Read

Talks

Achieve - Before Smart Phones

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

I-Read

Talks

Poetry Analysis

Thursday, February 14, 2019

I-Read

Talks

Poetry Analysis

Finding common themes

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

I-Read

Talks

Achieve - A Different Kind of Camp

Writing - Identifying text evidence to prove a claim

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

I-Read

Talks - Talk Reflection

Analyzing components of a body paragraph

Thursday, February 21, 2019

I-Read

Reading Informational Text (Review for Common Assessment Two)

Technology - Helpful or Harmful?

Organize research to create claim for essay

Organize evidence for essay

Friday, February 22, 2019

I-Read

Planning to write

Using a graphic organizer students plan essay

New Book Club Books will be given out!

Monday, February, 25, 2019

Book Club - Review of new book club homework

Writing about our reading - Opening Lines

New Root - geo

Writing Workshop - Conclusions

Finish typing essay for peer revision tomorrow!

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Book Club - Reading/Conference

Review for Common Assessment

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Book Club- Reading/Conference

Common Assessment Two

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Book Club-Reading/Conference - making a claim/creating higher-order thinking question for discussion

Common Assessment Two

March 1, 2019

Book Club Discussion

Completing Common Assessment Two

March 4, 2019 Delayed Opening

New Book Club Planning

Reading Comprehension Test Friday 3/8

Reading Short Story- Dragon, Dragon

Focus: Characterization/Theme/Inferencing

March 5, 2019

Book Club

Reading Focus: Inferencing

Achieve 3000

Dragon Narrative/Brainstorming

March 6, 2019

Book Club

Dragon Narrative Brainstorming

Dragon Dragon Inference Activity

March 7, 2019

Book Club

Tracing Development of Theme

Characterization

Dragon Narrative

March 8, 2019

Book Club

Book Club Meeting/Discussion

Dragon, Dragon Comprehension Test

Writing - characterization

March 11, 2019

Book Club Reading

Theme Development in Picture Books

Read/Complete Graphic Organizer to show theme development

March 12, 2019

Book Club Reading

Theme Development in Picture Books

Create fully-developed paragraph tracking theme development

March 13, 2019

Book Club Reading

Achieve - Secret Millionaire

Thought Question - writing

Theme vs Main Idea Flocabulary

March 14, 2019

Book Club

Dragon Narrative/Revision Strategies

Theme vs. Main Idea - Flocabulary

March 15, 2019

Book Club Meeting

Theme Quiz

March Madness Book Competition Voting!

Share Narrative Moves

Narrative Writing Reflection

March 18, 2019

Book Club Reading/Conference - new sheet for the week

Comma Usage - Flocabulary due by Friday

Analyzing fables / Theme Development

March 19, 2019

Book Club

Achieve - Bugging Out

Thought Question - Paragraph Writing

New Root - Grad = step

March 20, 2019 Happy Spring!

Book Club

Comma Usage

Analyzing literature

Short Story - annotate and analyze theme

Plan for writing

March 21, 2019

Book Club

Comma Usage

Analyzing Literature

Poetry - read and annotate

Plan for writing

March 22, 2019

Book Club Discussion

March Madness Voting!

Analyzing Literature - finish essay draft

March 25, 2019

Book Club Reading/Conferencing

Comma Review/Pronoun Flocabulary

Analyzing Literature - Organizing for Literary Analysis

Writing Essay

March 26, 2019

Book Club/Conferencing

Comma Review/Pronoun

Achieve 3000

March 27, 2019

Book Club/Conferencing

Comma Review/Pronoun

Literary Analysis - Love

March 28, 2019

Book Club-Last Discussion

One Pager Final Assessment of Book Club

No Red Ink- Sentence Structure

Finish Essay - Color coding

March 29, 2019

Complete One-Pager

WWII Research Slides

April 1, 2019

Review for Root Quiz - Thursday (created study guide)

Review Commas/Pronouns (quiz Friday)

Analyzing Prompt for Essay

Reading "The Bracelet"

Chapter One - Number the Stars

Online Novel Study

April 2, 2019

Review for Root Quiz - Thursday

Review for Commas/Pronoun Quiz Friday

Analyzing Prompt for essay

Finish "The Bracelet"

Chapter Two - Number the Stars

Online Novel Study

April 3, 2019

Review for Root Quiz - Thursday

Review for Comma/Pronoun Quiz - Friday

Graphic Organizer for Essay

Begin Essay

Chapter Three - Number the Stars

Online Novel Study

April 4, 2019

Root Quiz

Writing Literary Analysis

Chapter Four

Online Novel Study

April 5, 2019

Comma and Pronoun Quiz

Writing Literary Analysis

Chapter Five

Online Novel Study

April 8, 2019

Flocabulary POV

Perspective in novel

Chapters 6/7

Novel Study

Revision/Conferences

Grammar

April 9, 2019

Achieve 3000 - Remembering the Holocaust

Flocabulary POV

Perspective in novel

Chapters 8/9

Novel Study

Revision/Conferences

Grammar

April 10, 2019

Flocabulary POV

Perspective in novel

Chapters 10/11

Novel Study

Revision/Conferences

Grammar

April 11, 2019

POV/Perspective

Tracking what affects perspective

Chapters 12/13

Novel Study

Reading: The Boys Who Fought the Nazis

April 12, 2019

POV Quiz

Review of Academic Vocabulary Game

Chapters 14/15

Novel Study

Characterization/Perspective - Creating a Bio Poem for character/self

April 30, 2019

I-Read - recording quotes to write about literature

IXL Skills Review - POV

Narrative - Reading and Answering Comprehension Questions

Generate a narrative that continues the story

May 1, 2019

I-Read

IXL Skills Review

Review and assess narrative samples

Achieve - That's a Rap

May 2, 2019

I-Read

IXL Skills Review

Writing Informational Essay

May 3, 2019

I-Read

IXL Review

Skills Game

Assessing Informational Text

May 6, 2019

I-Read

IXL Review Skills

Literary Analysis

Poem Assignment

May 7, 2019

I-Read

IXL Review Skills

Reading Prompts

May 8, 2019

I-Read

IXL-Review Skills

Review of Skills

May 9-15

NJSLA Testing

Hero's Journey Project

May 16, 2019

I-Read

Hero's Journey Project

Research Background Knowledge for novel

May 17, 2019

I-Read

Research/Questions for Novel Study

1/2 Arthurian Legends

3/5 Westward Expansion

May 20, 2019

I-Read

Achieve 3000 Final Level Set

Set up Novel Journaling

Pre-Reading Vocabulary

Essential Question

Novel

May 21, 2019

I-Read

Review Elements of Myth

Novel

Journaling

May 28, 2019

Novel

Journaling

Create Study Guide for Root Test (5/31)

Begin "Theme Park" project - in class (present 5/31)

May 29, 2019

Novel

Journaling

Root Word Review/Bingo Game - Peer Quiz

Theme Park Planning - Start Design

May 30, 2019

Novel

Journaling

Root Word Quizlet Game/Journal Review - test tomorrow!

Theme Park - Design; prepare to present tomorrow!

May 31, 2019

End of Month Celebration - reflection

Novel

Journaling

Theme Park Class Trip - present and evaluate theme park projects

June 10

Read

Letter to next year's sixth graders

Start Podcast: The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel

June 11

Read/Review Battle of the Books

Reflection Letter

Podcast: The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel

June 12

Locker Clean Out!

Read/Review Battle of the Books

Short Story/Narrative

Podcast: The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel

June 13

Review Battle of the Books

Characterization

Podcast: The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel

June 14

Single Session

Battle of the Books