Room 103 - Classroom News

Time Flies!

2010-09-17T18:21:00.000-07:00

Week of Sep 13-17.

Where has the time gone? 6th Graders should be well accustomed to middle school as mid-quarter is fast approaching! Changing classes, using lockers and keeping track of assignments for seven different classes are things that should begin to come easy for 6th grade stars.

In reading class thus far, students have chosen independent reading books and been reading from them for about 2 weeks. Students turned in a Week 1's Reading Log with daily summaries and visualizations on Thursday.

Students have also had several opportunites to attend girls basketball and football games. Typically there are 2-3 games per week! Hopefully, students are learning to balance extra-curricular activties and academic requirements.

Have a restful weekend as next week promises to be a busy week with Open House on Thursday!

MAP Testing continued

2009-04-11T19:07:00.000-07:00

Week of April 6 - 10

We began the week MAP Testing in Math. Students in 6th grade ended the Math MAP Test on Wednesday. Students continued testing in their 1st period class.

In our Reading Class, groups continued where they left off in the WebQuest. Tuesday afternoon students were selected to participate in Learning Lab to make more progress on the Final Project as the deadline for completing the Book Cover Redesign or the Book Trailer Advertisement was on Friday. Wednesday students participated in an End of MAP Reward after lunch. Thursday's schedule was back to "normal" as the MAP Test concluded for 6th grade. Friday was the deadline for the WebQuest project. Students did not have the opportunity to go to the Library as 8th grade was still MAP Testing - Science.

Posted By: Mrs. W.

You Can Judge a Book By Its Cover

2009-04-03T20:00:00.000-07:00

Week of March 30 - April 3

On Monday, students were introduced to a WebQuest project. I polled each class before we began to see how many were familiar with a WebQuest. I projected the image below on the Smartboard and each student marked where he/she fit best.

Just 7 students recalled ever completing a WebQuest in the past.

Tuesday, students continued their progression through the WebQuest. On Wednesday the entire school started the Communication Arts MAP test. Students in 6th grade tested in 1st period Wednesday - Friday. Our schedule was modified in the afternoon so we would see all classses one more time before the weeks end. For those students who qualified with at least 95% attendance, 15 or fewer plantimes, no D's or F's and no ISS/OSS they attended the 3rd Quarter Field Trip - Bowling. We had a blast! Unfortunately, due to MAP testing students did not have a chance to go to the library for checkout since it was used as a testing overflow room. Students were selected to participate in Learning Lab to continue work on the Final Project.

Posted By: Mrs. W.

Time for a Break!

2009-03-29T19:49:00.000-07:00

March 23-27 was Spring Break.

Hope you enjoyed it! I know for me it went by so fast. I spent the week doing a slew of activities from cleaning, organizing, recycling. and finally updating the WebQuest we will begin on Monday. I hope you are rested because on Wednesday after Spring Break MAP Testing will begin.

Posted By: Mrs. W.

Sub, Sub, and Sub?

2009-03-16T20:00:00.000-07:00

Week of March 9 - 13

Students began the week with a substitute, Mr. E. because I was gone to eMINTS training on Monday. Students read a non-fiction article called "Bird Brains!"

On Tuesday, I had students quickly meet with their Literature Groups to designate their group reading assignment since last week's meeting was postponed due to illness. On Wednesday, I had yet another substitute because I developed a fever on Tuesday night. After resting all day on Wednesday, I was able to return on Thursday to meet with Literature Circles.

On Friday, students went to the library with Mr. E so Mrs. Y, our librarian could conduct the lesson and then let students check-out. I was in Columbia with the Science Olympiad Team for State Competition. Science Olympiad had a great day at State on Saturday. We had two 5th place ribbons and a 3rd place medal. Way to go!

Students had practice this week showing respect to those filling in for me. The week started off rocky but each class proved they can do it on Friday when they earned 8's and 9's on the substitute behavior form! Keep up the good work!

I am looking forward to being at school for the entire week! My trainings will slow down for awhile and let's hope warmer weather will bring better health!

Posted By: Mrs. W.

Celebrate Reading!

2009-03-06T19:46:00.000-08:00

Week of March 2 - 6

We began the week celebrating Read Across America in honor of Dr. Seuss's Birthday. After the class read aloud, Horton Hears a Who! students identified examples of onomatopoeia. We also discussed the literary term alliteration. Students completed an online activity where they had to identify examples of onomatopoeia. During independent reading, students completed a response on the Class Blog.

On Tuesday and Wednesday I was gone to the RCET Technology Conference so students had a substitute. Mr. E. did a two day lesson comparing and contrasting two Cinderella stories from different cultures (a Chinese folktale vs. a Native American folktale). On Tuesday, students also got a treat when they attended an assembly by Mr. N. who talked about his trip to Greece. I wanted to come back to school so I could immediately start applying what I learned from the conference but unfortunately students had a sub on Thursday as well because I was home sick. Students read "The Dog of Pompeii." from the literature series. On Friday I returned to take the students for a lesson in the Library. Mrs. Y. taught how to use the World Book Online Citation Tool. Students had time for a quick checkout before class ended. Since I missed on Thursday, Literature Circles will be postponed until next week.

Posted By: Mrs. W.

Week 2 - Literature Circles

2009-02-27T15:58:00.000-08:00

Week of February 23 - 27

Students read "The School Play" by Gary Soto from the McDougal Littell Literature Series. Students began the week with a substitute because I had eMINTS training. Students were to apply the strategy of monitoring their reading comprehension by asking questions during this read aloud. Unfortunately, students had also had a substitute on Tuesday because my son was sick. They had a second read aloud by Gary Soto, called "The Jacket." For this they were to make connections to the text.

When I returned to school on Wednesday Literature Circles meet for Week 2. On Thursday, Literature Circles wrapped up for any group that was unable to meet on Wednesday due to time restraints. Members of each group learned more about one another as they completed two more sections on the Membership Grid. On Friday, students met in the Library. Mrs. Y. shared a photo story about the changes to our school library that included the similies and metaphors the students created earlier this month. The photo story summarized the good things going on this year in our school library. The students voted for a Truman Book Award nominee and completed a survey about the school library. Mrs. Y. will use the input from the survey to make changes to the school library. Students have 10 minutues to return/renew or check-out new books.

The last 45 minutes of the day was designated for Star Time/Learning Lab. Any student with a D or F in Science or Reading participated in Learning Lab to increase his/her grade.

Posted By: Mrs. W.

Week 1 - Literature Circles

2009-02-22T18:07:00.000-08:00

Week of February 16 - 20

Students and staff enjoyed a long weekend, celebrating President's Day on Monday. Tuesday, classes resumed with students understanding the expectations of Literature Circles. The lesson centered around the idea of what Literature Circles "Looks Like/Sounds Like" to visitors coming into our room. Wednesday, Literature Circles met to discuss Week 1's reading assignment and comprehension strategies used. The Week 1 Meeting of Literature Circles concluded on Thursday for any group that had absent members on Wednesday or if time ran short due to longer group meetings. We also had a team-building activity designated to help each group learn more about each member of the Literature Circle. Students found out what was each person's "Favorite Fast Food/Name of Menu Item usually ordered" and "Favorite T.V. Show/Why?" Again, we ended the week in the Library where Ms. Young focused on text features of non-fiction materials. She also served quite a treat of southern cuisine, Garlic Cheese Grits. The text feature focus was photos while the non-fiction material was cook books. We appreciate all the hard work Ms. Young put into this demonstration. Students had 10 minutes at the end of class for return/renew and/or check-out books.

Posted By: Mrs. W.

Literature Circles Begin

2009-02-13T19:00:00.000-08:00

Week of February 9 - 13

On Monday students had the chance to make any final changes to their Character Business Card. We spent the entire class period on Tuesday completing a Book Pass. Each class had a selection of books to preview and rate according to interest level and difficulty level. At the end of the previewing session students were to rate the books 1 through 8, 1 being their first choice while 8 being their last pick. I spent Tuesday evening creating a document for each class period organizing the Literature Circle groups based on student choice. It took me nearly 3 hours to organize the groups! I tried my best to honor each student's first or second choice. Wednesday, students met the members of their Literature Circle group or Book Club and the book that would become the first focus of their group. Each group agreed upon the first reading assignment which would be due the following Wednesday, February 18. Students set up a 3-braded folder that would be used throughout Literature Circles. Each folders contained a Table of Contents, February and March Calendars to record reading assignment due dates, Membership Grid and Strategy ThinkMarks. On Thursday, students listened to the short story, "A Mouthful" as a class read aloud. Students evaluated the piece and as aimed to get a score of 4 as outlined on the "Race Rubric." Our week ended with a lesson in the Library on Friday. Mrs. Y. continued having the class analyzing text features on non-fiction books. She announced a new "Star Reader." She also mention the award books for 2008. Students had approximately 10 minutes for check-out.

Posted By: Mrs. W.

Business Cards

2009-02-09T07:33:00.000-08:00

Week of February 2 - 6

On Monday, we started the week with a new business card project and starting it with a project planner. On Tuesday, we didn't have reading class due to a short day and Star Time.

On Wednesday student "A" started their project on the computer. Students began by writing about a character from a book as well as what services he/she would offer if he/she ran a business. The card included pictures related to the text, the character's name, and job title. Thursday, student "A" finished their projects so student "B" could start on the computer.

The class had a substitute, Mr. E., since Mrs. W. was gone to an eMINTS conference in Columbia on Friday. Mrs. Y, our school librarian, designated non-fiction reading groups for the day based on choices provided by the students. The week concluded with students returning and checking out books from the library.

Look for our finished projects on our class website under the "Showcase" area.

Posted By: Cameron R., Edited By Mrs. W.

Frodo Business Card Created By: Cameron R.

Ice, Snow, Ice

2009-01-31T16:14:00.000-08:00

The week of January 26-30 started out like any other week. On Monday, students took an Individual Check/Quiz to assess their ability to identify author's purpose. During Independent Reading, "Student A" completed a second Response for January on the class blogs. "Student B" would be on the blog on Tuesday and a new project would be introduced.

Mother Nature had a different plan; by the time I walked to my car on Monday evening, the parking lot was beginning to get treacherous. I even wiped out trying to help Mrs. Lane clear off her windshield. When I got home that evening, I wondered whether we would even have school the next morning.

The New AlertNow System informed parents, teachers, and students acrossed the District that school was canceled for Tuesday, January 27. School was also canceled on Wednesday and Thursday due to the snow that fell on top of the ice and sleet. Students returned on Friday for Library check-out and a lesson on non-fiction. It looked like we would have to postpone the introduction of our new project until, Monday, February 2, Groundhog Day.

Posted by: Mrs. W.

Goals and an Upcoming Project

2009-01-21T18:15:00.000-08:00

On January 1 each year, millions of people make a New Year’s resolution. With the arrival of 3rd quarter students were asked to create 3 goals. It is my intention to have the students review those goals periodically through the quarter to evaluate if they have made progress toward their goal.

Starting Monday, January 26 students will begin a project that requires them to think symbolically about a character from one independent book they have read this year. Students will create a business card reflecting the personality of their chosen character. The students will select images that connect to the character as well as appropriate text font.

Look for examples of student work to be displayed on the SHOWCASE page of our main class website by Feb. 10.

Posted by: Mrs. W.

Room 103 - Classroom News

Time Flies!

MAP Testing continued

You *Can* Judge a Book By Its Cover

Time for a Break!

Sub, Sub, and Sub?

Celebrate Reading!

Week 2 - Literature Circles

Week 1 - Literature Circles

Literature Circles Begin

Business Cards

Ice, Snow, Ice

Goals and an Upcoming Project

You Can Judge a Book By Its Cover