Archive for January, 2006
Monday, January 30th, 2006
* Monday, January 30:
IRL (pink reading log) is due Friday. Scroll down to read more about the IRL
Stumper (“The Boat”) is due THURSDAY
Memoir RD due Friday, February 3. Scroll down to read more about the criteria for your memoir.
* * Tuesday, January 31:
Homework is the same as Monday! Criteria sheet for the Memoir was sent home today. Everyone did a great job working on their memoirs today in Language Arts class. Kudos, Sixers!
* * * Wednesday, February 1:
Because we have LIFESKILLS on THURSDAY, the MEMOIR rough draft will be due on MONDAY. Otherwise, homework is the same as Monday. Tomorrow, we will have Lifeskills classes in the morning, so we will not have Language Arts. You do not need to bring your portfolios, as I asked. Sorry for that mix up! Please bring your stumper to class, I will collect it. THANKS!
I’m enjoying reading The Dark 30 to all of you. Literature groups will begin early next week.
Our first newspaper went out today. Did you receive your copy yet?
* * * *Thursday, February 2:
Pink IRL sheet is due tomorrow, FRIDAY!
Memoir Rough Draft will be due Monday. Please review the criteria for your rough draft. I gave a paper that tells how you will be graded on your rough draft.
We had Lifeskill class today. We had a lesson about making decisions and choices. Good job listening and participating, Sixth Graders!
* * * * * Friday, February 3
Memoir Rough Draft is due on Monday. Scroll down if you need to check over the criteria for your memoir! Happy Weekend to one and all! I missed you today! 
Posted in All Blog Entries | 23 Comments »
Monday, January 30th, 2006
Memoir Criteria:
Rough Draft is due on Friday, December 3.
Your memoir should be:
Complete: 2 pages double spaced if hand written (only write on one side of the paper). 1 – 2 pages if typed (double space, font 12 or 14)
Correct: Title and Your Name centered at top of page; Indent paragraphs; Proofread carefully and make sure you have used CUPS properly.(C for Capitals, U for usage/grammar, P for punctuation, S for Spelling)
Creative: Make sure you have 2 vivid snapshots and 3 power words. Your lead should HOOK your reader and your ending should leave the reader thinking.
Critical: Try to connect your personal story with the BIG Wide WORLD! When I write my memoir about writing in my own private special office, a “room of my own,” during my leave last year, I will add some thoughts about how it’s important for all people to have a chance to take some time off and to pursue their goals. What kind of social theme might be lurking inside your memoir?? We’ll be talking more about this in class, so don’t stress about it.
Posted in All Blog Entries | 27 Comments »
Saturday, January 28th, 2006
We discussed the controversy around James Frey’s book in class last week. James Frey has recently admitted that several episodes in his memoir have been changed or exaggerated. New printings of his book will have an author’s note added, telling readers that the events in the book have been fictionalized.
What will your memoir be about? 
Posted in All Blog Entries | 37 Comments »
Thursday, January 26th, 2006
How’s it going with the IRL? There has been some confusion about how the new PINK IRL works. Read over these Frequently Asked Questions. Maybe this information will clear things up for you!
Q: When’s the pink IRL due?
A: February 3.
Q: How does the new pink IRL work?
A: Every time you sit down for a reading session, you’ll fill out a section of the IRL, with the date, title, author and page number. We’ll read every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in class, so you’ll fill the IRL out 6 times at school and 4 times at home. Make sure you read for at least 15 minutes to fill in your IRL.
Q: What’s the response question all about?
A: When you FINISH a book or magazine, you’ll write some kind of response and staple that response to your IRL sheet. That could be a summary, a book jacket, a book review, a web of interesting ideas, a letter to a friend about the book, or a Q and A sheet about the book.
Q: Do I have to have have a response sheet stapled to every IRL sheet?
A: No, you might not finish a book in the two weeks you’re working on your IRL. You will receive 5 points for keeping track of your reading and sticking with a book or article over time. You don’t have to finish every book you start, but you should work to finish at least one independent book each month.
Q: Do I HAVE to have my parents sign the IRL?
A: No, but you do get 2 extra credit bonus points if you get a parent signature. Have a little chat about what you’re reading with your family. Give it a try!
Posted in All Blog Entries | 33 Comments »
Thursday, January 26th, 2006
Hey Sixth Graders!
Visit our new blog to find out news and notes about your language arts classes!
Posted in All Blog Entries | 63 Comments »
Wednesday, January 25th, 2006
This is an example of a WordPress page, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many pages like this one or sub-pages as you like and manage all of your content inside of WordPress.
Posted in All Blog Entries | Comments Off
