6th grade only: 1st and 2nd period classes

11/11/11
Standard: ELA6W1 Writing ("How to")
Warm-up: Log in to my.hrw.com
Use the username/password I gave you
Go to HOLT ONLINE ESSAY
Click NEXT and choose your class.
Go to "How to" on the essay topic list.
Choose one of the two choices, then, minimize the screen and type your essay in WORD. (Don't forget to use your transition words! You should write at least 2-3 paragraphs)
SAVE your document under your login name- Label it HOW TO writing
PRINT your writing.
THEN, COPY/PASTE your writing into the my.hrw.com essay box (raise your hand when you get to that point and I will help you)
CLICK "GET YOUR SCORE"- you will need to make sure the pop-up blocker is disabled first. Your essay is scored on a 1-4 point scale. Read the suggestions and feedback from the score. You may go back and edit using that feedback. (1= 65, 2= 75, 3=85, 4=100)
GOOD LUCK!
-Ms. M.

6th grade: "The Tell-Tale Heart"

EQ: What is the difference between tone and mood?
Warm up: Read the intro paragraph in the following link: http://poestories.com/read/telltaleheart
Journal- After reading the opening of this story I think that I will/will not like it because...
Lesson:
1. Finish typing your expository essays, save, print, and submit online
2. Finish reading "The Tell-Tale Heart" (link above)
3. Watch short video over the story
4. Watch brief bio. on Edgar Allan Poe
5. Time allowing: 3rd/5th- Presentations; 1st/2nd- Odyssey sentence folder
Homework: None- but see post below for Wed. night homework

6th grade only!

Wednesday night homework: 11/2/11
Read a sample essay from the following link and then answer the questions that follow:
http://library.thinkquest.org/10888/expos.html?tqskip1=1

Questions: (Answer on your paper)
1. What is the author's main idea? (THESIS STATEMENT)
2. Did you read the process paper, compare contrast, explaining with examples, or cause/effect?
3. What types of transitions do you notice in the paper?
4. Do you think the author stayed on topic and had supporting details? Why/Why not?
5. Did reading this sample help you understand the expository essay?
6. What is the purpose of expository writing?

Important message: CDA will be Thursday

6th grade: We have covered all the material on your CDA. What do you study? You can study organizational structures, extraneous details, and practice your comprehension skills. Your test is only 10 questions and I think you will do great. Just remember to read each question carefully before answering.

6th grade: 3rd/5th periods only: You will only take the multiple choice test this week- Thursday 10/20/11. The other performance task will be at a later date. As far as your 9 week project- just hang tight. With our testing and library days I am waiting until the following week to introduce it- it will be a short poetry project using Voicethread.com- if you want to get a "head start" on this project, ask your parents to help you set up an account- it's free and only requires an email address to set it up.

4th period: Your CDA will also be on Thursday this week: 10/20/11. You need to pay close attention to types of sentence structures- notes and review will be given on Monday and Tuesday. This may mean postponing your presentations- they are still due, but may be presented next week. We will lose 2 days of instruction due to testing and our library day on Thursday (research with Mrs. Bowlick's center activities). If we need to extend the digital storytelling project we can discuss it Monday. Our next unit will be Persuasive writing- so much fun!

CDAs (Common District Assessments)

Are you studying for the CDA? Did you take your journal home to look at definitions and examples? The 3 most important things you could study before Thursday are:
*prepositions/prepositional phrases
*subject/predicate- simple subject/simple predicate (verb)
complete subject/complete predicate
compound subjects/compound verbs
*subject/verb agreement

Get ready! Know your organizational structures...what is an extraneous detail?

-Ms. M.

6th grade...READ THIS FIRST 9-15-11

Follow these directions for the lab assignment:
1. Read  the bio. on Gary Soto: http://eolit.hrw.com/hlla/authorbios/index2.jsp?author=7garysoto&WebLogicSession=Tm8ksKx1ZSYM5TQ1M6Y2B2B8xcJs7XLUV23roa1t1rfKaDtv7GUi|8121286389490268350/-1062731312/6/6001/6001/7002/7002/6001/-1
2. Go to "Cheetah Chat"...the Cheetah link on the left...and take the poll at the top...ethnicity...click your race.
3. Go to Moodle and then REFLECTION 1. Answer the journal questions online in the threaded discussion: 1. Hispanic Heritage 2. Sharing Our Stories
*3rd/5th...also answer the EXTENSION activity about how Gary Soto/Ritchie Valens contributed to Hispanic literature*

4. Answer one of the following journal topics related to your in class reading. You may do this in Word in the lab if you wish:
Writing tie-in- Journal topics- choose ONE of the following and write a one page response in your composition book: (assignment is due during class next Thursday 9/30/10)

1. This selection references vinyl records. Research types of recording devices and compare vinyl records, cassettes, CDs, and current MP3s. How has music recording changed over the years?
2. In the story Manuel has to perform publicly in front of his school. Have you ever had to perform in front of an audience? If so, when. Describe the feeling of performing and compare/contrast with Manuel's feelings while performing.
3. Many actors/actresses have to deal with stage fright or may have "butterflies" about performing. Find an article or a book about public speaking. How might you deal with anxious feelings?
4. Read a short biography about Ritchie Valens. Write a one page summary of his life as a performer. You may include details such as the movie that chronicled his life.
http://www.ritchievalens.com/ (Ritchie Valens- Official Website)

All classes: Make sure you have turned in the narrative topic 1 from last lab day and your "I AM" poem. Also, I am missing several grammar assignments. You have had worksheets on VERBS, PRONOUNS, and "La Bamba" verb tense WS. If you have been absent you are responsible for making this up.

Finished with all that? You may begin working on topic 2  and 3 (your choices) from your Narrative sheet: Autobiographical incident. You will choose one of these to extend into an essay. Study for your CDA next Thursday- all grammar.

Enjoy your 1/2 day... ;)

Ms. M.

"La Bamba"- all 6th graders

"La Bamba"You will read this short narrative story about Manuel. It is written in 3rd person narration with lots of figurative language. For example, you will be asked to find similes with a partner after finishing the selection.
Notes: simile- a comparison between two unlike things using the word like or as or resembles. See also class reference book: Handbook of Literary terms (brown book on bookshelf).

References to help you understand the selection: Ritchie Valens- singer; Gary Soto- author

Writing tie-in- Journal topics- choose one of the following and write a one page response in your composition book: (assignment is due during class next Thursday 9/30/10)

1. This selection references vinyl records. Research types of recording devices and compare vinyl records, cassettes, CDs, and current MP3s. How has music recording changed over the years?
2. In the story Manuel has to perform publicly in front of his school. Have you ever had to perform in front of an audience? If so, when. Describe the feeling of performing and compare/contrast with Manuel's feelings while performing.
3. Many actors/actresses have to deal with stage fright or may have "butterflies" about performing. Find an article or a book about public speaking. How might you deal with anxious feelings?
4. Read a short biography about Ritchie Valens. Write a one page summary of his life as a performer. You may include details such as the movie that chronicled his life.
http://www.ritchievalens.com/ (Ritchie Valens- Official Website)

Hear the jukebox! http://www.ritchievalens.com/jukebox.html

Extension assignment: 3rd/5th: Read a brief bio. on Gary Soto, author of "La Bamba."
http://eolit.hrw.com/hlla/authorbios/index2.jsp?author=7garysoto&WebLogicSession=Tm8ksKx1ZSYM5TQ1M6Y2B2B8xcJs7XLUV23roa1t1rfKaDtv7GUi|8121286389490268350/-1062731312/6/6001/6001/7002/7002/6001/-1