Hello!

P. 1,4: Today we reviewed the parts of our writing prompt and prepared for a graded timed writing prompt tomorrow.Please see the sample prompts below and practice the prewrite for them. Remember, the three questions in the prompt are the essential questions, and these go in the middle of your for your "reasons."
H/W: Do practice prewrites to prepare for prompt tomorrow. They are below.

P. 2,6: Wordmaster quiz was today. We also began out persuasion unit by filling out a chart about a "choice" that was important in your little 6th grade lives. Whether you're 12 or 90, you make important choices everyday.
H/W: Do practice prewrites to prepare for prompt tomorrow. They are below.

P. 5 Students practiced writing the conclusion of their prompt today. We also revisited The Road Not Taken and explored and annotated its meaning in relation to decisions and change.
H/W: Do practice prewrites to prepare for prompt tomorrow. They are below.

Sample Prompts:

1) The Mysterious Check

Yesterday when you got home from school, there was a letter waiting for you. When you opened it, you found a check inside - and nothing else! What was the value of the check? Who do you think sent it? What will you do now with it?

Write a narrative essay about the day you got the check.

2) Favorite TV Show

Everyone watches TV, although some people watch more than others. What is your favorite TV show? Is the show enjoyable to all audiences or just people your age? Why is it your favorite?

Write a persuasive essay that convinces someone who has never watched your favorite show to watch it.

Hello everyone!

Thank you for a great day today! You are doing a wonderful job being attentive and on-task.

P. 1,4: Today we continued with the body and conclusion tips for ISTEP writing. Come in tomorrow with your conclusion finished.
H/W: Finish conclusion of the ISTEP practice prompt. Remember: restate claim, summarize reasons, and add pathos.

P. 2,6: We continued with ISTEP writing today; we reviewed body paragraph and wrote conclusions. Persuasion books were also distributed.
H/W: Wordmaster quiz on words 13-25 tomorrow. Some words from 1-12 are also included on the quiz, as well as a few words from Wordmaster I. Review the words!

P. 5: As part of "The Road Not Taken," today students discussed times when they were faced with a difficult decision. We also continued with the body paragraph of ISTEP writing.
H/W: Finish the body paragraph of the ISTEP prompt

See you tomorrow!

Greetings!

Remember to be completing about 4 acuity activities per day and recording them on your log sheet!

P. 1,4: After Divergent trivia we continued with ISTEP writing. It is so essential that you realize that this style of writing is important and necessary; it will improve your skills as a writer and test-taker. I am feeling very encouraged by the understanding that I see..it seems to "make sense." Continue to work hard!

H/W: Finish your body paragraph of "Better Gym." The prompt is below if you need to review it. The body is addressing the question in a general statement, addressing a detail, using a transition, and adding a +1 statement of explanation.

P. 2,6: Today students worked with words 13-25 of Wordmasters through a group writing activity. We reviewed the definitions to make sure they are all covered. After that, we transitioned to ISTEP writing by finishing up the introduction part of the prompt using our specific format.

H/W: Please finish the introduction paragraph of the"Best Gym" prompt. Remember the format of definition, borrowed words, claim, parallelism (reasons in a balanced sequence), counter-claim. Don't forget those borrowed words!

P. 5: We officially started out Persuasion unit today! I love this unit! We kicked it off with terms that will be learned, and then applied some of those terms to "The Road Not Taken." After that we transitioned to ISTEP writing.

H/W: Complete the chart on p. 18 of Persuasion. Don't do the work on p. 19. We will complete the introduction of Best Gym together in class.

If you need a refresher on the Better Gym prompt:

Your principal has received money for new gym equipment. She is asking all sixth grade students for their opinion about what should be purchased. What would you like to be able do during gym class? What equipment would be necessary for this activity? Why is this the best use of the money?

Welcome back (I feel as though I am always saying that!)

Ok, so I am hoping we can have uninterrupted instruction this week!

To prepare for ISTEP, I suggest that all students practice acuity@home each day. It would be very helpful for you to do about 4 language arts activities every day. Because of all our days off, it is difficult for me to justify time in the computer lab practicing acuity, so it would be worth your time to do it at home. I am able to squeeze it in at certain times (for example, following a quiz) but there is plenty you can do in acuity independently at home. Acuity is designed with ISTEP in mind, so it is worthwhile to spend time practicing the activities. Remember, 80% is passing.

Today all classes had a quiz on using appositive phrases and prepositional phrases in writing. This is part of our ISTEP prep. After the quiz, we went to the lab for acuity practice.

H/W: I would like for everyone to have their Better Gym prewrite (not prompt) completed for tomorrow.

P. 2, 6: Wordmasters words 19-25 due tomorrow. This includes definitions, illustration, sentences. Quiz on 13-25 on Thursday.

If you need a refresher on the Better Gym prompt:

Your principal has received money for new gym equipment. She is asking all sixth grade students for their opinion about what should be purchased. What would you like to be able do during gym class? What equipment would be necessary for this activity? Why is this the best use of the money?

See you tomorrow!

Welcome back!

Right back to learning today! Students are doing a great job of transitioning back and forth to school mode! Remember to look in your planners and on blogs to remind yourself what you had for homework, and come back to school prepared.

All classes today had a review on writing with appositives and prepositional phrases. Then we focused on a prompt example from ISTEP. Students have nailed the prewrite, and now they are learning how to write a quick and concise introduction. We're getting there! This takes practice, practice...especially because it's timed.

Homework:

P. 1,4: Appositive phrase and Prepositional phrase quiz tomorrow. Please finish your "best gym" prewrite.

P. 5: Appositive phrase and Prepositional phrase quiz tomorrow

P. 2,6: Appositive phrase and Prepositional phrase quiz tomorrow. Wordmaster words 19-25 due Tues. (definition, picture, sentence). Remember, all definitions for a word should be represented.

Some Common Prepositions: about, above, across, after, against, along, among,
around, as, at, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, beyond, by,
down, during, for, from, in, inside, into, near, of, off, on, onto, outside,
over, past, since, than, through, to, toward, under, until, up, upon, with,
within, and without.

Stay warm!!

Hello!

P. 1,4: Today students worked on getting to know more about appositive phrases in their writing. We have seen a need for this across curriculum, and it will be very helpful in their ISTEP writing. This not only shows them how to add details, but correct comma use as well. We continued with practicing writing prompts and using parallelism, transitions, and details.
H/W: Appositive and prepositional phrase quiz Friday. Hold onto all the papers we have used for this!

P. 5: Today students worked on getting to know more about appositive phrases in their writing. We have seen a need for this across curriculum, and it will be very helpful in their ISTEP writing. This not only shows them how to add details, but correct comma use as well. We continued with practicing writing prompts and using parallelism, transitions, and details.
H/W: Appositive and prepositional phrase quiz Friday. Hold onto all the papers we have used for this!

P. 2,6: Students took the Wordmaster quiz for words 1-12 today. These were reviewed and graded in class. After that we worked with appositive phrases. The emphasis here is adding details, not just nouns, in different parts of the sentences. Tomorrow we will use these in the prompt writing. 

H/W: Appositive and prepositional phrase quiz Friday. Hold onto all the papers we have used for this!

Watch for snow tonight! 

Hello!

P.1,4: Students went to the computer lab today to revise their argument writing papers. I will not be regrading the papers, but I will give credit for proof of revision that shows a strengthened argument. Students were to read my feedback and make necessary changes. Thanks for your effort!
H/W: Complete appositive 2 sheet for tomorrow.

P. 2,6: Students practiced Wordmaster words with partner Pictionary and using groups of the words in a sensible sentence. I am hoping all the visuals will help make connections for  the students. We had some interesting pictures!
H/W: Definitions, pictures, and sentences for Wordmaster 13-18 due Wed.
          Quiz tomorrow on words 1-12. Remember to review Wordmaster I words!

P. 5: I handed out the William and Mary Persuasion books that students will be using for our new unit! The student handbooks are great because they contain all the texts and documents we will be using, so they are able to annotate and take notes right in the book. We got the character writing ready to hang in the hall and also completed some acuity assignments.
H/W:  Complete appositive 2 sheet for tomorrow.


Thanks everyone! See you tomorrow!