Das Bloggenstein

Core – Review of elaboration strategy definitions and applications.
High Cap – Generating ideas for writing

Reading – Summary of Raymond’s Run, class question and discussion.

Assignment: Your Reactions paper to discussion, and participation in class discussion. 2 pts possible for each, total of 4 pts, participation grade.

Library day, take AR tests and SSR. Table sign decoration.

Assignment
First bookmark due today! If not completed, can be turned in next week only for partial credit.

Assignment
Last day to turn in Elaboration Letter assignment if score was lower than 3. I will reevaluate added elaboration for a higher score.

Elaboration quiz. Adding concrete, specific details in writing. Asking/Answering interpretive questions from Raymond’s Run.

Elaboration by showing, not telling. Using description and the 5 senses to get the reader to visualize or picture what you’re writing

Continue recognizing elaboration in Halloween paragraphs and more sophisticated example of Home Ec. Find elaboration in own reading novel.

Students received letter to principal back with grade. Can add more elaboration to increase score up to 3 if turned in before Friday, Oct. 9th.

Recognizing elaboration, practice with paragraphs about Halloween. Second reading of Raymond’s Run with directed notes: Where does Squeeky’s attitude help her or help her?

1/2 Day: Library, take AR tests and time for SSR. Assembly during 5-7th period. Earthquake drill 5th.

Elaboration through asking questions and finished reading Raymond’s Run

Yesterday was a half day and I spent the day working on some projects elsewhere in the building so I had a substitute in the classroom. I am happy to say that overall things went well. In case you’re curious about what teachers do on half days I met with Mr. Holm and Mrs. Peters (the other 6th grade core teachers) and we mapped out what comprehension strategies we are going to teach and when, as well as discussed how the paragraph and essay writing was going and brainstormed what we could do to promote reading throughout the school.

In other news we will be finishing Raymond’s Run today by engaging in a discussion, or Socratic Seminar, and will move on to the next story on Monday. Of course we don’t have school on Tuesday since it is the 11th day of the 11th month so next week might prove interesting with the interruption midweek.

Finally, AR points are due on Friday, November 14th. Core 1 has 20 due and the other classes have 10 due. Please encourage your student to read a book they are actually interested in and they want to read. Too often over the years I see a student pick a book based on the number of AR points it’s worth, they aren’t enjoying the book or not understanding it and they put it back after 2-3 days. Then they never finish a book and their grade suffers. The point of AR is to give credit to students who are reading 20-30 minutes every day as research says that is the minimum. Reading is like a sport, how do you get better without practicing?

The classes are still writing their Narrative essays (a short story about themselves) and have received their own copy of the SLMS 6 Traits scoring guide. If they haven’t already they will have at least 2 peers edit their essay and if any discrepancies arise (scores differ by more than 2 points in any given trait) they will have a third score just for those traits where there are major differences. This is exactly what we teachers will do in January with the school-wide writing prompt. The more adept they become with editing someone else’s writing the better they will become with making those changes within their own work.

Period 3 and 5 have the 2nd draft due tomorrow at the beginning of class.

We should also be finishing up Raymond’s Run this week and have our discussion on Friday. Thursday is a half day and I will be out of the classroom working on Student Learning Plans so there will be a substitute.