Portfolios= complete!

Today we completed our Humanities work with portfolios! All Humanities work should now be in portfolios. We completed reading calendars either individually or with our reading groups so that we planned to have our reading complete by May 18th. Reading calendars will be checked on Monday. See here.

Then, we shared our final, research questions and brainstormed where we could look to find information on our questions. We are to bring in any research materials that we find that could help us.

Finally, we had time to read in our groups.

Homework: Bring in research materials and bring in your complete reading calendar on Monday

Choice reading and portfolios

Today, we made sure that each student chose a reading book for this final month of school. Some students are reading independently, some are reading in partners and others are reading in groups. We discussed the Book Fair project that will be due May 20th. See here.

Then, Miss D. met with each student to give them a grade on their final portfolio submissions and cover letters.

No homework.

Final portfolios & cover letters

Today we continued to select final artifacts for our end-of-year portfolio. Then, we began to write a first draft of our cover letter using this template.

Homework: All 5 final Humanities artifacts are due with entry slips in class tomorrow. Complete first draft of cover letter for homework. If you have an independent reading book you'd like to read for this last month of school (when reading is all choice books), bring it tomorrow.

The final portfolio process

Today we discussed the final portfolio process and what it would be like for us in Humanities. Students worked to select their best piece of work from each of these skill areas: Reading, Writing, Cultural & Historical Understanding, Research and Communication. Students filled out a new and improved entry sheet and collected all materials related to these artifacts. Then, they got the artifacts approved by Miss D.

Homework: Bring in an IR book tomorrow.

Social Studies CRCT

Today was the Social Studies CRCT.

Then, students reflected on the CRCT: what they found hard and what they found easy.

We looked at all our work from this school year- stored in pizza boxes and in class portfolios- and began to brainstorm cross-curricular questions to lead us in our project for the rest of the school year. More details on this project will be discussed this week.

No homework.

Science CRCT

Today was the Science CRCT.

6A students received graded work, organized work from unit 4 and organized their pizza boxes. Then, they played a review game for the Social Studies CRCT which will be on Monday.

6B played the review game.

No homework this weekend. Be prepared for SS CRCT on Monday.

Math CRCT

Today was the Math CRCT.

6B students met in class and they received graded work and organized materials to prepare for the end-of-year portfolio presentation process that will begin soon.

No homework. Be ready for the Science CRCT tomorrow.

ELA CRCT

Today was the ELA CRCT.

6B watched Hercules and discussed elements of the myth in the movie.

Homework: Be ready for Math CRCT tomorrow. Get good rest and breakfast.

Reading CRCT

Today was the Reading CRCT.

6A watched Hercules and discussed elements of mythology that they saw in the movie.

No homework tonight. Rest up the for the ELA CRCT tomorrow.

It's...CRCT week!

This is CRCT week. Tests begin tomorrow.

Today, students did some CRCT practice and then we practiced sorting sentence types. We finished presenting book projects and then played a CRCT jeopardy review game.

Homework: Get rest, eat a good breakfast and be prepared for the Reading CRCT tomorrow.

Sentence types and book projects

Today we did some warm-up practice with CRCT questions.

We went over the survey questions students completed for homework to generate ideas about the last unit of the year.

Then, students presented book projects and audience members took notes.

Then, we went over a few more sentence types- complex and compound-complex. Students have a practice sheet for homework.

Homework: Happy weekend! Sentence types practice sheet.

CRCT prep work & book projects!

Today was shadow day. 5th graders from various schools visited our classes.

Today, we did some practice with CRCT questions. Then, we did book project presentations. Afterwards, we did some work with sentence types- simple, compound and fragments. Students worked in groups to sort sentences and then they did a practice sheet sorting sentences.

Homework: Practice sentence types sheet. Student survey about projects for the end of the year.

Success Day!

Today we discussed the things we'll do to make sure we have a successful CRCT week next week.

6A went over the CRCT practice test from homework. Then, both classes presented book projects.

The rest of the day was for SUCCESS DAY. Students either participated in the day's activities or they were in study hall finishing up missing work.

Homework: None. Be prepared for your book project presentation if you have not done it this week.

Getting ready for the CRCT!

Today, we listened to students' book project presentations. Then, we discussed the CRCT- the who, what, where, when, why and how of its importance. We discussed test-taking tips and practiced with a practice test using those skills. Students in 6A also have a practice test for homework.

Links with CRCT 101 and the CRCT test-taking tips are to the right.

Homework: 6A- practice CRCT test. Work on book p

Welcome back from break!

Today, students finished watching the Whale Rider movie, while completing their movie guides. Then, we discussed the movie and what we had learned about the Maori people in watching it. Miss D. collected students' Success Day sheets and signed them, informing students about what work they had completed or was missing. Then, students worked on their portfolio submissions for unit 4. Finally, these students presented their book projects:

Thomas, Ian, Josh, Dominick, Cole, Mac, Sophie.

Homework: Complete 2 portfolio submissions for unit 4.

The Whale Rider & Food Day!

It's Spring Break time!

Today, students celebrated the Food Day of Australia, Oceania and New Zealand.

Then, we watched the movie, The Whale Rider, about a young Maori girl in New Zealand. Students completed movie questions as they watched the movie and after watching the movie, we discussed it.

Reminder about Book Projects over the break:
Don't forget to do it! Check the link to the right to remember which day you're presenting your book project. These are the things you must complete:
-choice project
-plot chart
-written information about book (Just Read It book reflection)
-be prepared to present in class on your day

Homework: Enjoy the break! Do your Independent Book Project.

CRCT benchmark and IR projects!

Today we took a CRCT benchmark exam to determine where kids were in preparedness for the CRCT. Then, students worked on their unit 4 reflection. Most students completed it in class, but if they did not, it is for homework. Here is the unit 4 reflection.

Then, students had time to finish their independent reading book and work on their book projects.

Finally, we shared out some more of our myth projects and made sure to sign up if we are bringing food tomorrow for Australia/NZ/Oceania Food Day tomorrow!

Homework: Unit reflection, bring food day food!