Tuesday, May 19th, 2015

Hello there! We have a little surprise for you tomorrow. We have a falconer coming in to the school to show us this graceful bird! Hopefully, it does not rain so that we can go outside to enjoy the show. But if it does, we will still have the presentation inside!

In ELA today:

• We will be continuing our researchRI.6.7: Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g. visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue. into our environmental issues that we have chosen for our persuasive essays.  As a different twist to the routine, I'd like to have pairs/small groups of students working together to share the work SL.6.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-to-one, in groups, and teacher-led)with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on each others' ideas and expressing their own clearly. that they have done so far.  For example, I would like people that are researching animal poaching to share ideas and information with each other.  I'd like to see the individuals researching oil spills to collaborate together and enlighten each other on the effects that these have on the environment. 
• As a reminder, please please please, you HAVE to back up what you say with cold, hard facts from your research.  These kinds of details separate a persuasive essay from a narrative essayA story or account of events, experiences, or the like, whether true or fictitious..  You have to take a stand or a position on something, and back it up.  How do we do this?

1. By having LOTS of information found on credibleworthy of belief or confidence; trustworthy. websites that give accurate information about your topic, not sites driven by emotion.
2. By placing this information in your writing so it has real impact.

• We also need to take the Socrative quizRI.6.1: Cite textual evidence to support what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. for Chapter 11 - The Kids Are Heard. I know that the routine of having a quiz everyday can get tiresome at times, but I think it's important to know if you are understanding the material.  Plus, you get to know right away how you did, and if you need to pay more attention.
• And, of course, you will need to read the next chapterRL.6.3: Describe how a particular story's or drama's plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution. of Frightful's Mountain called There Are Three. FYI - anyone can listen to the audio chapters, whether in school, or (if you are able to) at home.  We are limited at school by the amount of technology, however, so you will need to take turns.