Monday, October 24, 2011

Sorry...


I have not been myself lately. I've been dealing with some small medical issues which want to become larger medical issues. I'm lethargic and unable to keep up to my usual pace. However, the show must go on...So, this week we will continue with blend sounds in phonics. The students will finish their folk art and onomatopoeia poems.

Reports cards go home on Friday. Awards also on Friday.

7th grade will finish Crispin this week.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

October means Poe and Poetry

During the remainder of October, students will read and write poetry, learn about the "Father of the Short Story" Edgar Allan Poe, and continue phonics.

Folk Art

We will finish our Folklore unit with some Folk Art native to Pennsylvania (my home state).

Sunday, October 9, 2011

New style of Vocabulary for 6A, 6B, and 7A...

Beginning Monday, each of my classes will take a Screening Assessment.  Don't worry, they can't study for it and it doesn't count for a grade.  I will give each student 25 words to spell.  Then, I will analyze the answer sheet (with a special key) to place students in one of four groups.  Once they are placed in a group, I will create vocabulary lists for each particular need.  For example, one group might be having problems with knowing when to drop the "e" with adding -ed or -ing endings.  Another group may be confused with long vowel patterns and so on.  Throughout the week, students will work within their groups. There will be no vocabulary tests but there will be intensive lessons.  Please monitor your child's agenda for information and progress.

The goal is to increase comprehension and fluency.



Fluency:

reading quickly, accurately,

and with expression

Rate + Accuracy= Fluency
which leads to comprehension



“Fluency provides a bridge

between word recognition and

comprehension.”

—National Institute for Literacy (NIFL),2001, p.22



Fluent readers are able to focus

their attention on understanding

text.



Because non-fluent readers

focus much of their attention on

figuring out words, they have

less attention to devote to

comprehension.









 









Saturday, October 1, 2011

6B Vocabulary for week of October 3

1.  mythos
2.  logos
3.  traditio
4.  centaur
5.  satyr
6.  trident
7.  zephyr
8.  omnipotent
9.  omniscient
10.  banquet
11.  epic
12.  insatiable
13.  eureka
14.  kudos
15.  chaos

6A Vocabulary for week of October 3

1.  centaur
2.  satyr
3.  trident
4.  zephyr
5.  epic
6.  insatiable
7.  shroud
8.  omniscient
9.  omnipotent
10.  mythos

Pandora's Box Play -6th grade

Don't forget to go through those old Halloween decorations and costumes to see if there is anything we might be able to use for our play.  Please, ask permission first.

Greek gods and goddesses -- 6th grade


Mount Olympus


Mount Olympus is Greece's

highest mountain range. Its highest peak, Mytikas, rises to


9,577 feet. It is located on the borders of Thessaly and Macedonia. Mount Olympus, in

Greek Mythology, was the home of the gods, specifically the Twelve Olympians.


The Twelve Olympians


The Twelve Olympians, also called the Dodekatheon, were the principal gods in Greek

Mythology. They were said to reside atop Mount Olympus. The Twelve Olympians are

Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Ares, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Hephaestus, Aphrodite,

Hermes, and Dionysus. Hades was not one of the Twelve because he did not have a

seat on the Mount as he spent almost all his time in the underworld. Hestia was

originally one of the Twelve, but when Dionysus was offered a seat, the total number of

Olympians became thirteen. Because thirteen was believed to be an unlucky number,

Hestia chose to step down leaving the number of Olympians at twelve.

  • Zeus is the king of the Olympian gods and is the god of thunder and sky.



  • Hera is both wife and sister to Zeus and is goddess of the hearth, home, and women.



  • Poseidon is a brother of Zeus and the god of the sea.



  • Athena is Zeus's daughter and is the goddess of wisdom and heroism.



  • Ares is Zeus's son and is the god of war and bloodlust.



  • Demeter is one of the earliest Olympian gods and is the goddess of the harvest and fertility.



  • Apollo is the son of Zeus and is the god of archery, the sun, healing, and many other qualities.



  • Artemis is Zeus's daughter and is the goddess of childbirth, the hunt, and virginity.



  • Hephaestus is Hera's son, and he is god of technology, fire, and volcanoes.



  • Aphrodite was born of the sea and is older than Zeus. She is the goddess of love and beauty.



  • Hermes is often thought to be the son of Zeus and is the messenger of the gods.



  • Dionysus is the son of Zeus and is the god of wine.



  • Crispin Vocabulary for week of October 3, 2011



    Crispin Vocabulary



    Chapter 1

    midst- in the middle of.

    shroud- something that covers; protects.

    taunted- to jeer or mock.

    pauper- a person who lives on charity.

    steward- one who acts as a supervisor.

    transgression- the act of breaking a law.

    poaching- to trespass on private property for hunting or fishing.

    forfeit- something that one loses or gives up.

    Chapter 2

    ceased- stop; discontinue.

    welt- a lump raised on the skin as by a blow.


    parchment- the skin of an animal prepared as a surface on which to write.

    kin- one’s family; relatives

    Chapter 3

    mortality- death

    plight- dangerous situation

    mercenary- a person who will do anything for money



    Chapter 4

    thatch- a roof of straw

    bailiff- the agent of the lord of a manor who collects rents and administers the local law

    pinnacle- the highest point

    meander- an aimless wandering

    fallow- land left uncultivated or unplanted

    Finishing the Medieval Period-7th grade

    We will begin Crispin on Monday. Each student will have a copy to bring home. Please be careful with these books and return them in the same shape you received them (new). The novel will serve as nightly homework. I will make daily assignments which parents will be able to find in their student's agenda. We will also be working on grammar and writing skills every day.

    7th grade Middle Ages Projects

    What amazing students I have...the Middle Ages never looked so good!  Students' stained glass, castle models and heraldry banners are on display for all to see.  We will continue on Monday with some powerpoint presentations.  If you have not handed in a project yet-Monday is your last chance-ANON!!