Chinese cultural revolution & Mr. H's first day and PALS

6th: Today Mr. H. began his student teaching. He began with Latin America and did a mapping activity with the students before beginning to talk about the indigenous people of Latin America. From there, students began PALS- learning paragraph shrinking.
Homework: Read and record.

7th: Today we began class by checking and going over our Mao timeline from Friday. Then, we introduced the somebody wanted but so strategy that we'll be using to summarize on our picture book projects. Finally, students began the Chinese Cultural Revolution picture book projects. They read their assigned picture books in groups and then began to create their individual posters.
Homework: Read and record.

Book project presentations & Learning about Mao

6th: We began class today with book project prep time. Then, students shared their book projects in museum and presentation format. We saw some excellent presentations!
Homework: Read and record on your new blue bookmark.

7th: We began class today recapping what we recalled about the Mao movie we started yesterday. Then, we watched the rest of the movie together and discussed what we learned. Afterwards, we began a foldable that we created into a timeline in our comp books, marking what we thought were the 10 most important events in Mao's life. These are due on Monday if you did not finish yours in class.
Homework: Read and record on your new purple bookmark. Mao timeline foldable.

Benchmark exam, Mao Tse Tong, Book projects

6th: Today we began class by taking a benchmark exam, a mock CRCT of sorts. Students took the Reading and ELA exam. We will go over these scores soon. For the rest of the class period, students had time to work on their book projects, which are due tomorrow.
Homework: Read and record. Bookmarks due tomorrow. Book projects due tomorrow- make sure yours is ready to present!

7th: Today we began class by taking a benchmark exam, a mock CRCT of sorts. Students took the Reading and ELA exam. We will go over these scores soon. For the last part of class, we watched the Biography movie: Mao Tse Tung: China's Peasant Emperor.
Homework: Read and record. Bookmarks due tomorrow.

Pals fluency test, book projects & China preview

6th: Today we began class with a fluency test that students administered to one another in order to begin to monitor their reading fluency progression with PALS. For the last part of the class period, students had time to work on their book projects, which have a revised due date of FRIDAY. Students need to be ready to present projects on Friday.
Homework: Read and record. Work on book project.

7th: Today we began class by doing the China preview that we began yesterday. Students read Scholastic news articles about China, answered questions, taught each other about what they learned and then added a bunch of new information to the L column of our KWL chart. For the last part of class, students did a fluency test that they administered to one another in order to begin to monitor their reading fluency progression with PALS.
Homework: Read and record.

6B Book Projects and 7B China preview

6th: Today we began class by sharing our plans for the plot and conflict book project. Students conferenced with Miss D and Mr. H to be sure they were on the right track with their reflections in order to begin work on their book projects. Several students began the book project.
Homework: Read and record. Work on book project.

7th: Today we began class by thinking about what we already know about China, before we begin our study of China. Then, students worked on a China preview activity and began combing through the atlases and a Junior Scholastic to explore this country!
Homework: Read and record.

Book project presentations & Introducing the 6th grade book project!

6th: Today we began class by doing the term 2 reflection. Then, we talked about the book project options for the upcoming book project. Students got their choice approved by a teacher and then began the book reflection, which is the heart of the book project. The rough draft book reflection is due on TUESDAY for a teacher check, before students begin the choice project. Students must have these things done in their comp book when they return on TUESDAY:

1. What is the conflict in your story?
2. Which type of conflict is this?
3. Plot the plot development of your story on a diagram.
4. Find 2-3 passages where the author uses really interesting, exciting, specific, juicy or descriptive nouns, verbs and adjectives.


Homework: Have a great long weekend. Enjoy the sunshine. Read and record on your new GREEN bookmark. Complete book reflections questions (above) for book project.

7th: Today we began class today by collecting homework- bookmarks, term reflections and book projects. Then, we took 10 minutes to get ready for book project presentations. We did presentations and several students presented in front of the class and several presented in museum format. There were some excellent projects today! Book project grades will be a part of term 2 grades. Term 2 ends today.
Homework: Have a great long weekend. Enjoy the sunshine. Read and record on your new GREEN bookmark.

Picture book project presentations, book projects and conflict

6th: Today we began class by working on our plot and conflict development projects. Then, we presented these and guessed each group's SOMEBODY WANTED BUT SO chart before it was presented. We discussed conflict types- character vs. nature, self, character and society and decided which books that we read fit into which type of conflict. From there, we brainstormed other books that we had read and which conflict models they followed. Finally, Ms. Devine introduced the book project that students will be working on for the next few days. We reviewed the concepts of plot development, conflict and conflict types so that students could begin reflecting about these in their own, independent books.
Homework: Read and record. Bookmarks due tomorrow.

7th: Today we began class by completing a term 2 reflection of our work in Humanities. Ms. Devine will use these to write term reports. They are due tomorrow. For the next part of class, we had some time to work on our book projects. Some students- Dominick, Brittney and Kayla presented. The rest of the students will present tomorrow.
Homework: Read and record. Bookmarks due tomorrow. Make sure your book projects are ready to go and be presented tomorrow!

Conflict/Plot Development project & Book Projects

6th: Today we began class with independent reading while Miss D checked students' RAFTS. Final drafts were due today and we will share them later this week. Then, students continued to work on their conflict/plot development picture book project in their group. We will be presenting these tomorrow in class. For the last part of class, we did PALS.
Homework: Read and record.

7th: Today, for the 1st part of class we worked on book projects. They are due Thursday. For the last part of class we did PALS.
Homework: Read and record.

Somebody wanted but so...and book project time!

6th: Today we began class with RAFT work. Those students who had revised and edited published their essays. Those who needed to revise and edit did so. Final RAFTS are due tomorrow. From there, we began to discuss plot and conflict development. We talked about a new strategy- Somebody wanted but so. We looked at conflict and plot development in several stories using this model. Afterward, Ms. Devine introduced the Conflict and Plot Development group project that students will be doing for the next few days. Students began to read their picture books and began the project.
Homework: Read and complete final RAFT by tomorrow.

7th: We began class by collecting final character change essays. We shared some of these and gave each other feedback on what we turned in. Then, the rest of the class time was used to work on character change book projects. They are due to present on Wednesday.
Homework: Read and work on book project.

RAFT time, PALS and character change projects...

6th: We began class with some independent reading as Miss D checked homework- raft drafts. Then, those who HAD the drafts worked on peer revision/editng and those who did not worked so that they could do peer revision/editing. Final RAFTS are due on Tuesday. For the remainder of the class period, we did PALS.
Homework: Read and record.

7th: We began class with independent reading. We discussed the book project- how students will do a choice project, creating a way to SHOW their classmates how their character changed in the book. Some students chose to work and plan out these book projects (due next week), while other chose to publish their final draft of the essay (due Monday). The rest of the class was used for PALS.
Homework: Read and record. Make sure your PUBLISHED character change essay is ready to turn in on Monday!!!

Character change essays & BWWF RAFT

6th: We began class today with independent reading while Mr. H and Ms. D checked homework. Then, we discussed one student's excellent example of an opinion statement, 3 reasons, and 3 supporting details. From there, students drafted their RAFTS. RAFT drafts are due tomorrow!
Homework: Don't forget to record reading and get a parent signature on bookmark! Due tomorrow. RAFT Draft due tomorrow!

7th: We began class today with independent reading. Then, we took the STAR test. From there, we peer revised and edited those character change essays. Final essays are due on Monday. Miss D also passed back a portfolio eligible reading assignment and students determined whether or not it was something they wanted to include in their portfolio.
Homework: Don't forget to record reading and get a parent signature on bookmark! Due tomorrow.

RAFT project & Character Change Essay

6th: Today we began class by discussing author's use of language and how different words could create a different feeling in a passage. We worked on changing words so that we changed the feeling in a passage. Then, we introduced our RAFT project. We decided our role, audience, format and topic, as well as brainstormed about our character's personality and the timing of the piece. We did some brainstorming alone before assembling with students who were focusing on the same role, to expand ideas. Tonight, you need to write your character's opinion statement and then 3 reasons to support the opinion statement, as well as 3 supporting details for each reason.
Homework: Read and record. Tonight, you need to write your character's opinion statement and then 3 reasons to support the opinion statement, as well as 3 supporting details for each reason.

7th: Today we began class with independent reading while Ms. Devine checked students' homework- 3 body paragraphs. We shared out some amazing 3 body paragraphs and then discussed how our essay should have an hourglass figure. We saw example intro and conclusion paragraphs and then looked at Ms. Devine's example essay with a missing introduction and conclusion. The class was charged with writing Ms. Devine's introduction and conclusion paragraphs and then the class voted on the winners. Good work Maya and Spencer, Caston and Sophie! From there, students worked on their own intro and conclusion paragraphs and this needs to be completed tonight for homework.
Homework: Read and record. Complete rough draft of essay due tomorrow.

Plot development, verb assessment, 3 body paragraphs

6th: Today we began class by thinking about the events that represented the climax in BWWF. We had a debate about what was actually the climax. We discussed what connections we could make with the book and what is currently happening in Egypt. Then, we took our verb assessment. After our assessment, we finished up our plot foldable from BWWF and we thought about strong words that would be used if we were in support or against El Jefe. We will use this brainstorming list to begin our RAFT tomorrow.
Homework: Read and record.

7th: Today we began class by discussing the idea of theme. We brainstormed what we thought might be the theme in The Breadwinner and then what might be the theme in the other books we've read together this school year. Then, we brainstormed what we thought the theme of our own independent book might be. From there, Miss D checked students' homework- body paragraph planning pages. Those who had done a good job planning proceeded to work on writing the body paragraphs. Those who had not, worked with Miss D to plan out those paragraphs. For the rest of class, we worked on writing our 3 body paragraphs. This needs to be completed tonight for homework:
Homework: Read and record. Complete 3 body paragraphs.

PALS, BWWF and thesis statements!

6th: Today we began class by explaining the new reading bookmark that must be filled in each night with nightly reading as well as have a parent signature- due Friday. Then, we discussed and did the first lesson of PALS, a reading comprehension & fluency practice that we will be doing 3 times/week. From there, we finished reading chapters 10 and 11 of BWWF and concluded the book. Wow! There will be a lot to talk about tomorrow. We also took the STAR reading test in the lab.
Homework: Read and record.

7th: Today we began class by explaining the new reading bookmark that must be filled in each night with nightly reading as well as have a parent signature- due Friday. Then, we discussed and did the first lesson of PALS, a reading comprehension & fluency practice that we will be doing 3 times/week. We shared out some excellent thesis statements and posted these in the wall in the classroom. From there, we planned out our 3 body paragraphs of our character change essay. Tonight, for homework, you need to complete the 3 body paragraph plans.
Homework: Read and record. Plans for 3 body paragraphs.

Persuasion strategies and thesis statements...

6th: Today we began class with some verb practice. Then, we continued to talk about persuasion- taking notes on persuasive strategies from a powerpoint and making statements to persuade Mr. Underwood. Then, we began to read from chapter 10 of BWWF. We will finish the book Monday.
Homework: Read and record it.


7th: Today we began class by checking book pages for the week, and defining what a thesis statement is, in our own words. For most of the class, Miss D conferenced with students about their thesis statements. Then, we worked on mapping out the body paragraphs of our essays, based on the thesis statement.
Homework: Read and record it.

Egypt, Character Change & BWWF and verb review

6th: Today we began class with a reading check-in. We started creating a layered book foldable in class to review verbs. Students need to complete it for homework. After that, we finished up the diary chapter of BWWF. Anita may be in danger! We will find out tomorrow. Then, we discussed what it means to persuade someone of something. We talked about a time when we had tried to persuade someone of something and what we did when we were doing it. We will continue discussing persuasive strategies tomorrow.
Homework: Read and record. Devine will check calendars tomorrow. Complete verb review foldable.


7th: Today we began class with a read aloud- "Listen to the Wind." We discussed what Greg Mortenson is doing in Pakistan and Afghanistan to bring people hope. From there, we spent some time discussing current events in Egypt and WHY people are protesting. We ready pieces of a New York Times article about the reasons why people are protesting, summed these pieces up in groups and then shared them out to the class. We made a list of the top reasons why the citizens are currently protesting in Egypt. We also looked at photos from the recent events. From there, we began working on our Character Change project. We figured out what book we will be using and what character from the book we will be analyzing. From there, we began to write our thesis statements describing how this character from our book changed.
Homework: Read and record. Devine will check calendars tomorrow. Come with a complete thesis statement to be checked tomorrow.

Anita's Diary & Afghanistan and character change

6th: Today we began class with verb practice. Some students shared their create verb presentations. Then, we discussed drawing conclusions about character traits based on the observations we have been making about the character we are following in BWWF. From there, we began reading the Diary chapter of BWWF. We will finish the diary tomorrow.
Homework: Read and record.

7th: Today we began class by watching the movie that did not work yesterday- Afghanistan Revealed. We took notes while watching the movie and discussed what we learned. From there, we discussed how we would be beginning a project on character change and read Julius the Baby of the World and practiced plotting out how the main character, Lily, had changed. Then, we wrote practice thesis statements about how she had changed.
Homework: Read and record. Complete reading check-in.

Character analysis and Afghanistan Revealed...

6th: Today we began class by doing some verb practice. Those that did the CREATE verb work shared it out and taught the class. We continued with our character analysis from yesterday. Groups studying the same character combed the book for descriptions and quotes about the character. We shared out our findings with the class. Then, together we read chapters 8 and 9, did our summarizing activity and made predictions about what we believed would happen next.
Homework: Read and record.

7th: Today Ms. D was out a training session. Students continued to explore the readings on the Taliban, summarizing with the RAP strategy and defining new vocabulary. After reflecting on all that they had learned about the Taliban, students viewed a film, Afghanistan Revealed and answered questions as they watched it.
Homework: Read and record.