Mrs. Anderson's Blog

Language- We will be taking the acuity test.  This test is given 3 times a year to assess what needs to be covered before the MAP test.  It will probably take a couple of days to take the test and then another day to put it into the computers.   The 6th grade Communication Arts teachers are going to meet together after everyone has given the test to score the constructed response, or essay, questions to ensure that the tests are being scored the same way.

Reading- The students will be choosing among 3 books to read and respond to for Reading Workshop:   Hatchet, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, and My Side of the Mountain.  The students will be assigned a group with no more than 6 students.  Each person in the group will have a job.  A copy of the requirements is to be glued in the Communication Arts Notebook and we’ll go over the job requirements in detail.  The students will assess themselves, as well as the other members of their groups, regarding preparation and participation.  A copy of the assessment is to be glued into the C.A.N.

I anticipate taking all of Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th to discuss the jobs; reading will probably start Wednesday the 29th.   I really want to jump in to reading the books, but I know that the groups will need time to go over their own requirements and understand the expectations.

Book Orders are due Oct 21.

October Reading Log is due Nov. 5.

The next Book Talk will be the week before the end of the 2nd quarter.

Now that the first Book Talk is over, we’ll spend some time on Thursday the 16 talking about how the students will prepare for the next one.

Language- Learning the rules for making singular and plural nouns possessive:  If the noun doesn’t end with -s add (’s).  If the noun ends with an -s add (’) after the s (usually).

The interesting thing about focusing on one aspect of language is that then you notice that particular focus everywhere.  Help your child notice the possessive nouns that surround us everywhere.

Reading- Finishing summarizing “Bullies,” focusing on what has to take place for actions to be called bullying, going over the questions from “The Fan Club.”

Starting next week we are going to get into adventure/survival books.  I’ll introduce the books that we’ll have to choose from on Friday.

Book Talks will be presented Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  I gave another Book Talk last week to show how each requirement is to be met.  There are a number of students who haven’t handed in their book choice.  The choice needs to be handed in to me by Friday, so I can get a copy made and get it back to the student.

I would suggest you read ”Bullies” and “The Fan Club” with your child.  “The Fan Club” was written by a high school student and has a very powerful ending!  Bullying can only be stopped if we all do something about it!

Progress Reports went out Monday for the kids to see and check their work.  They have had several days to get late work in.  A progress report for parents will be sent home Friday. 

Reading:  Reading the story “The Fan Club,” answering questions, and doing 2 word cards from the vocabulary words.  We’ll work on in Wed., Thurs., and Fri. with the questions and word cards being due Monday the 6th.

Language:  FInding and identifying possessive nouns in the newspaper and writing rules in the Communication Arts Notebook.