Chapter 5 Study Guide

The Chapter 5 test is this Friday. Here is a study guide to help you. Remember that on Friday, you will also turn in 5-1, 5-2, and 5-3 note taking sheets.Chapter 5 study guide

6th Grade Reading: Ugly Duckling Homework

Homework: prepare for Thursday's seminar
Here are the questions you will need: 

1. Do you think Great-Aunt Malkin’s gift to Camilla was a good idea? Why or why not?  How might Camilla’s life have been different if her beauty had not been hidden?

2. How would the world be changed if everyone looked exactly the same? 

3.  What attitudes are presented in this play about outer beauty?  About inner beauty?  How are the attitudes of the chancellor, the king and queen, Great-Aunt Malkin, the princess herself and Prince Simon similar and different?

Things to keep in mind:

• Speak so that all can hear you
• Listen closely
• Speak without raising hands
• Refer to the text
• Talk to each other and the middle of the circle, not just the leader
• Ask others for clarification. Don’t stay confused
• Invite and allow others to speak
• Consider all viewpoints and ideas
• Know that you are responsible for the quality of the seminar

How will the seminar be graded?

1. Student notes will be collected and checked for completeness but will not be graded

2. Students will be graded using the following rubric: 

Seminar grading rubric

This Week in Core

Busy week for us in Core. 
Here is our plan:
Monday: Social Studies Chapter 5 Section 2, library to check out SciFi/Fantasy book, book box work time.
Tuesday: Social Studies Chapter 5 Section 3, book box presentations begin
Wednesday: 6th Grade Movie Trip (study guide available for test), book log passed out
Thursday: Chapter 5 study guide, book box presentations
Friday: Presentation of "Scrooge" by Mr. Willing's class, Chapter 5 test

Current Event Assignment #1

 For your first current event (CE) assignment, you will need to have an article (not a tv program or video) but if you are looking for a way to get started, you can watch student news and get an idea...then look for an article on one of topics you saw. If you need a great site for actual articles, check out the links below.

Want 5 points extra credit? Do your CE assignment online using this form:

CE Form 

CE Links

CNN
C-SPAN
White House Press Release/Weekly Radio Broadcast
NPR
MSNBC
CBS
ABC
Fox News
C-SPAN in the Classroom
Associated Press
KOIN TV
KATU
Oregonian
BBC
Bloomberg Business News

Time for Kids

CNN Student News

The Week in Rap

Scholastic News Zone

Wall Street Journal Classroom

Lost your CE form? Want to print a new copy from home or library? Here:

Current Event

This Week in Core

Hey all.


This week in Core:


Due to OAKS Reading testing, we will not have Core during 2nd period this week (students will report directly to reading class each day 2nd period for testing)


Monday: Intro to Commas
Tuesday: Commas, Current Event #1
Wednesday: Comma practice
Thursday: Economic systems, comma quiz-ito (???)
Friday: Current event DUE, fun-write Friday


Hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend. 3 weeks until winter break!

Keyboarding Practice

Looking to practice your keyboarding skills?

Try these sites:

1. Learning Games for Kids
2. Keybr
3. Fingerjig

This Week in Core: Nov 7 - Nov 11

This Week: November 7-11

Daylight Saving Time

How to Packet

How to Packet

Having trouble with the first 3 pages of the How to Packet?

This video (please ignore the dates in the video, your first 3 pages are due Wednesday, November 2nd), can provide you with a little help.

Happy Halloween!

October 31st -November 4th

Spelling words and our agenda for the week of October 31, 2011:

October 31 - November 4

Please note: 

• Spelling practice sheet is due on Friday, November 4, 2011 (this was left off of the calendar)
• We do not have a reading log due this week (due to writing assessment and design star last week)

This Week in Core: 10/9 - 10/13

Hey Hey Hey...

Monday

Language Arts

• Audience and Purpose
• Daily Language Workout:
• An human heart beets about one hundred thousand times a day
• A Womans heart beats more faster than a Mans. 
• Accept for the fact that it can be burned, its almost impossible to destroy human hare.

Social Studies

• Design Star presentation with Jessica Nunley (city planner) and Jan Wolfe (GIS specialist)

Tuesday

Language Arts

• Library to get new reading book
• must be mystery or adventure
• 200 pages+ and/or at your current reading level
• Reading log due TOMORROW
• review conflict in your story, work time

Social Studies

• Design Star
• wants vs needs
• positive and negative impacts of businesses on a community
• what is capitalism?

Wednesday

Language Arts

• Reading Log Due
• Plot Line and Theme
• New Reading Log (due next Wednesday
• Audience and Purpose

Social Studies

• Design Star
• groups
• what businesses does Newberg need

Thursday

Language Arts

• Attack the Prompt
• Verbs

Social Studies

• Design Star
• Group work time

This Week in Core (and elsewhere)...

Short week = crazy busy week.


Core
Monday: Fall Haiku Due, Landform Research
Tuesday: Verb Review, Landform Research due (after 15 min work time), Landform Bingo!
Wednesday: Reading Log DUE, New Reading Log (Conflict), Landform Quiz


Wildcat Pride
Monday: Wildcat Olympics Research
Tuesday: WCO Decision, and typing
Wednesday: WCO Signs


Cultural Exploration
Monday: Prepare QUESO! board
Tuesday: Finish QUESO! board and play QUESO!
Wednesday: Quiz (please be able to say, write and understand the following list of items in SPANISH)

Monday                   

Tuesday                   

Wednesday              

Thursday                 

Friday                       

Saturday                  

Sunday                    

January                   

February                  

March                       

April                          

May                          

June                          

July

August

September

October

November

December

It is one o’clock

It is 4pm

It is 8pm

It is 12:20

It is noon

It is 2:45

Morning

Afternoon

Night

Red

Yellow

Orange

Green

Blue

Black

White

Purple

Brown

Pink

Hello

Goodbye

How are you?

What is your name?

My name is

Tomorrow

Today

Yesterday

Week

Month

October 3rd Landform Assignment

Assignment:

1. Choose a lanndform from your notes.
2. Complete the "Required Landform #1" box on research sheet using the links below
3. Using the Wikipedia landform list choose a landform that is not on our required list.
4. Complete the "Required Landform #2 and #3" box on the research sheet
5. Done? Turn your assignment in to Miss Bryant
6. Challenge yourself with the landform game.

Landform Resources:

Wikipedia Landform List

Enchanted Learning: Landform Glossary

Landform Picture Gallery from about.com 

Challenge yourself: Landform Game

Landform Notes

If you missed the landform notes.  Here is the presentation we used in class.  Each student should be able to identify these landform definitions, names, and pictures.  There will be a landform and mapping quiz on Wednesday, October 5th.  Landform notes will be collected before the test.

Landforms

This Week in Core

Ahoy.
Been really busy grading (a ton!) so your grades will hopefully be updated very soon.
Here is the rundown for this week, along with spelling words.


Monday
Language Arts: New Spelling words (parallel, meridian, latitude, longitude, equator, hemisphere, North America, South America, Antarctica, Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe).
Social Studies: The Internet Spy Network (mapping activity, due Tuesday)


Tuesday
Language Arts: protagonist and antagonist word lists, reading log work time, defining spelling words
Social Studies: using map scale, compass, working with floor plans


Wednesday
Language Arts: Reading log due, assign new reading log, point of view
Social Studies: Landform card match, map activity


Thursday
Language Arts: Point of View, spelling sort it
Social Studies: landform notes


Friday
Comfy Cozy Day
Language Arts: Spelling words due, definitions due, spelling test
Social Studies: Pledge, landform notes

This Week in Core

Monday: New Spelling words, Earth & Sun

Tuesday: Word meanings, Earth & Sun

Wednesday: Finish Earth & Sun (SS), Reading Log DUE, Character

Thursday: Detectives, Latitude and Longitude

Friday: Spy Network, Spelling Practice Sheet DUE, Word Meaning DUE, Spelling Assessment

Technology, Reading & Writing Survey

Good Morning 1st period Core students and Welcome to the computer lab!

For today's assignment, please click HERE

This Week in Core

For Wildcat Pride, and Cultural Explorations Assignments, please refer to the tabs above.

This Week in 6th grade Core 

(plan is subject to change, this is an outline)

Monday: Intro planner, computer lab tour, taking notes

Tuesday: Maps & Globes notes, Intro Setting

Wednesday: Intro weekly reading log, Adjectives, Maps & Globes, DIBELS testing

Thursday: Adjective Semantic-Gradient, maps, DIBELS testing (if needed)

Friday: Setting/Adjective Review, Constitution Day

This Week in 6th grade Reading 

(plan is subject to change, this is an outline)

Monday: Finish Eleven, begin name burst

Wednesday: Finish name burst (due today at end of the period), reading assessment

Friday: Begin Ta-Na-E-Ka

Core: one more night to get that syllabus slip signed (it's due tomorrow!), also remember that tomorrow is picture day (bring your picture form to PE), and tomorrow is also the day to order PE sweats and MV spirit gear!

Reading: Read Eleven and answer the questions that we highlighted during class time (page 44 & 45 and page 48)

Wildcat Pride: get those camera slips in (the sooner it is in, the sooner you can take pictures)

Cultural Explorations: Where in the world do they speak Spanish? The map is due tomorrow.

September 7th Homework

Woo, we made it through the handbook and we are ready to start the year on the right foot! Here is a rundown of tonight's homework.

Core: check out the website and try to leave a comment

Wildcat Pride: brainstorm those spirit days

Cultural Exploration: practice el alfabeto. try this fun site

Welcome Back!

It was a great first day to the school year today! I enjoyed seeing each and every one of you.

Here is a rundown of tonight's homework.

Core: go over the syllabus at home and bring back the signed portion by Friday

Reading: relax with a good book

Wildcat Pride: start brainstorming spirit days

Cultural Exploration: practice saying and using your new Spanish name!

Get lots of rest and eat a good breakfast before school tomorrow, and don't forget: it's Wednesday late start!

Transitioning to Middle School

Incoming 6th graders, I am so excited to begin our year together. Here are a few tips to make sure that you (and your parents) have a smooth transition from elementary school to middle school.

1. Get connected: Email! Blog! Edline! There are many ways to easily get in touch with your teacher. Check your grade and stay on track using Edline. Get homework assignments and stay up to date on what we do each day using the blog. Ask questions, and stay connected with email.

2. Be present: attendance in middle school is VERY important. Not only will it keep you up to date and on track with assignments but it also will keep you from getting behind.

3. Get some rest: it's best to come to school well rested so you can be successful the entire day. When you are tired it's hard to focus on your learning.

4. Get organized: set up a quiet study area at home where you can sit and do your homework (which almost always includes reading). If you make it a habit to sit and do your homework in the same place each day, you will feel less stress, and see more success. Get the homework done so that you can enjoy our many incentives. Keep up with assignments and important dates by using your weekly planning sheet

5. Ask: don't be afraid to ask your teacher for assistance, we are here to help!

Secret Series...

If like me, you forgot to watch the Today show on Wednesday (even after I reminded you, and myself), no fear! here is the video, ENJOY!

The Name of this Book is...SECRET

Helllllooooooooo fans of Cass and Max Ernest. If you have enjoyed hearing me read the Secret series, I have 3 exciting bits of news for you. If you're coming into 6th grade, don't worry, we will read the Secret series in class during quiet work time and soon, you too will be hooked!!

1. The author of the series, Pseudonymous Bosch,  will be on the Today Show (that's channel 8) on Wednesday, August 24th (that's tomorrow). The reason, aside from the book series total awesomeness? Al Roker chose this book as part of his book club!

2. Watching Pseudonymous Bosch on TV seems rather boring, doesn't it? Why not see him in person! What? Really? YES! In October Pseudonymous Bosch will be at Wordstock, a festival for books and writers that takes place at the Oregon Convention Center. Woot! Check that out HERE! Come check out Wordstock October 7th-9th (but especially October 9th because that is the day that I am volunteering!!)

3. Perhaps the most exciting piece for readers? The 5th book of the series is almost here! You Have to Stop This will be released on September 20th (just in time for a favorite teacher's birthday perhaps?) This book relates to the sense of touch. Can you remember what the other book titles and senses are? I can't wait to see what happens! Can this really be the end? What will I do with myself.

It's still summer: have a S'more!!

Click to enlarge

Get Ready!

As we edge closer to the first day of school, look for the blog to update and change to correspond with our new school year. Don't worry, you'll still be able to find that special post from September 2006. Just use the BLOG ARCHIVE, located on the right (underneath the pictures but above "Every day matters")

Enjoy those last few nights of staying up late and mornings of sleeping in until noon (I know I will). Go out to lunch, hang out with your friends, and do that Back to School shopping. I look forward to seeing you next week at the Back to School BBQ (6th grade, August 30th), and Ice Cream Social (7th & 8th grade, August 31st).

Enjoy the SUNSHINE!

Miss B

Machu Picchu Anniversary

Today is the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Machu Picchu in Peru by our favorite 1911 Yale professor, Hiram Bingham. 

Check out this cool Google Earth 3D Model of our favorite Incan getaway!

Seen first at the Google Earth Blog

Our Year in Review: Core 2010-2011 Survey Results

Here are some of the results from our Core Survey. Click on the pictures to see a larger version

1. Was Miss B's blog helpful?

 2. Do you like the class point system?

 3. What are your favorite ways to "show" that you learned something?

4. What is your least favorite way to "show" your learning?

5. I wish we could have done MORE

6. I wish we could have done LESS

7.  How hard have you worked in core class this year? (1 = didn't work hard, 5 = I worked very hard)

 8. I think school email is...
options were:
is awesome
is nice but not necessary
is not useful
is Awesome but not used enough
is used too much
is lame

9. I check Miss B's blog

10. What units of study did you like best?

11. What units did you like LEAST?

12. How much have you learned in Core this year? (1= nothing new, 5=  a lot of new things)

How do you use your time on the web?

 

Click to enlarge this cool infographic from the Adverblog http://www.adverblog.com/2011/06/15/60-seconds-on-the-web-infographic/60seconds/

Core Survey

5 Tips for Life

as seen HERE (these tips are from Naveen Selvadurai and were found at one of my favorite blogs: Teach Paperless)

 

Be Curious - look at things and wonder why. Wonder if something can do more. Wonder if you can make something better or different. Ask why? Ask how?

Keep Learning - never stop learning. Be a life-long learner. Learn because you are curious. Learn because you want to better yourself. 

Don't Be Afraid to Fail - no one succeeds on the first try. For every great success, there are hundreds of failures. You learn from your failures and they help you succeed. We should encourage students this way in school also. 

Be Passionate - be passionate and excited about what you do, no matter what. Why do it if you aren't passionate or don't care. This goes for everything you do, from cleaning your room to doing your work.

Keep Good Company - be around people who share your values and beliefs. Be with people who are passionate, curious, and keep learning. Surround yourself with people who will help you succeed, not lead you to failure or troubles.

One last News Show before Summer

Our 2 favorite News sources are taking a break for Summer...Check out the last posts til August:

The last 18 Years in Rap:

The Year's Biggest News: CNN Student News

Happy Friday

Tea divers: "Even though he knew the likelihood of shark encounters was low, Eric still had anxiety about the dive."

Check out more "food art" HERE

Grammar Review

Each day until June 2, students will review and work on different grammar lessons. On June 2, students will have their year end grammar test.

Today's review: Conjunctions

Mayan Discussion Questions

Please prepare notes for each question and be prepared to discuss your answers on TUESDAY MAY 17th DURING OUR MAYAN DISCUSSION. Participation in the discussion is required, these questions will guide you through the exercise. 

1.  The Maya built thousands of pyramids and the Egyptians less than one hundred.  Why are the   Egyptian pyramids so much more famous than the Mayan pyramids?  Why are pyramids associated with Egypt and not Central America?

2.  Pyramids played an important role in Mayan culture and life.  What was the significance of these pyramids?  how were they the center of Mayan beliefs?

3.  Pakal the Great was a Mayan king in the 7th century, and builder of one of the greatest  pyramids.  Why did Pakal build his great pyramid?  What was he preparing for with this pyramid?

4.  What is Chichen Itza?  Where is it located?  Why is this place so important to Mayan beliefs and   culture?

5.  To try to solve the mysteries of the Maya scientists and explorers go cave diving.  What are the  dangers of cave diving?  What precautions must divers take to ensure their safety?  Why is cave diving so dangerous?

6.  Many keys to the secrets of the Mayan world are in the Popul Vuh.  What are the Popul Vuh?

 7.  There are no temples or pyramids in Candelaria.  Why do scientists go to Candelaria to solve the mystery of the passage to the Maya underworld?

 Helpful Links: (from http://www.whiteriver.k12.sd.us/FamilyResearch.htm)

The Palenque Project:  http://www.mesoweb.com/palenque/current_dig.html

Omniglot:  A Guide to Written Language:  http://www.omniglot.com/writing/mayan.htm

The Popul Vuh:  http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/pvuheng.htm

Palenque:  http://www.utexas.edu/cofa/a_ah/dir/precol/maya_palenque.html

 

Creature Feature

Today's Lesson

Good Day Poodles,

1. Be AWESOME today.

2. Click HERE for the MesoAmerican Ballgame assignment

-Miss B

See the Future

If you're wondering how the rest of the year will go, you can now see what our plan is for each day from now until June 15th. Just click the "calendar" tab above or follow the calendar on the toolbar to the right.

Updates...GALORE

Ahoy my mateys.

I apologize for my lacking web presence over the past few weeks, but I can say that our yearbook is now done, and our fundraising week for Doernbecher Children's Hospital is also complete! I am back and ready to finish this year as I always have: blogging up a storm!!

So, check in often and look for important updates about our class.

Pronouns

 This week we have spent some time reviewing pronouns. Just a reminder to students that the "Agreeable Pronoun" handout is homework due WEDNESDAY May 4th at the beginning of the period!

IFCC Simulation

For the next 2 weeks students will prepare for the IFCC (International Federation of Characters Conference).  The theme of this year's conference is meeting challenges.

The conference will take place over 2 periods in class next week.

Students will hear a "featured speaker" and then rotate through 6 stations or "break out sessions" these sessions include:

1. Challenges your character faced
2. Personality traits
3. Artifact
4. Recommendation
5. Theme summary and costume
6. Added chapter

To prepare for the IFCC students are to fill out their 3 page registration packet (this is white and was given to students in class on Tuesday, May 3).  To help students prepare the packet has been broken into pieces with individual deadlines. These deadlines are listed below:

• Due May 4: #1 Adjectives that describe you and #4a challenges
• Due May 5: #2 personality trait passage and #4b Personality traits
• Due May 6: #4c Object and #4d Recommendation, as well as Added Chapter rough draft
• Due May 9: #3 Theme Summary
• Due May 10: Added Chapter Final Draft
• Due at the end of class May 10: Name Tag and Registration Form
• Conference: May 11th

Students will have time to complete these items in class the day before they are due, and are encouraged to stay on track (this means, not to work ahead), except for the added chapter which should be done entirely at home.

Check the blog for more updates! I look forward to a fun and challenging IFCC!!

In the Bag Speech

In the bag speech

Story Element Project: Card How-To part deux

Card #3:Protagonist

Front of Card:

1. Definition of protagonist (from "flower" note sheet)
2. Description of the protagonist in the book that you completed

Back of Card:

1. Quote from the book with page number that describes the protagonist
2. Detailed, hand drawn picture that shows the protagonist

Card #4: Antagonist

Front of Card

1. Definition of antagonist(from "flower" note sheet)
2. Description of the antagonist in the book that you completed

Back of Card:

1. Quote from the book with page number that describes antagonist
2. Detailed, hand drawn picture that shows the antagonist

 Card #5: Conflict

 Front of Card:

1. Definition of the type of conflict in your book (use slides below for assistance)
2. Description of the conflict

Back of Card

1. Quote and page number that illustrate the type of conflict
2. Picture

Card #6: Theme

Front of Card

1. Definition of theme
2. Detailed written description of the theme in your book

Back of Card

1. Quote and page number that illustrate theme
2. Picture

Card #7: Point of View

Front of Card

1. Definition of the type of POV used in your book
2. Description of the POV in your story, what is it and how do you know?

Back of Card

1. Quote and page number that illustrate the POV
2. Picture of the person

Card #8: Extending Understanding

Front of Card

1. 5 sentences connecting the book to your life, or the world around you

Back of Card

1. Picture to illustrate the connection

Story Element Project: Card How-To

As we go through the week, each of the 8 cards will be explained here. The rough draft packet that includes all 8 cards (front and back) is due on Friday, April 1st.

Card #1: Setting

Front of Card:

1. Definition of Setting (from "flower" note sheet)
2. Description of the setting in the book that you completed

Back of Card:

1. Quote from the book with page number that describes the setting
2. Detailed, hand drawn picture that shows the setting

Card #2: Plot

Front of Card:

1. Definition of Plot (from the "flower" note sheet)
2. Plot diagram of your story ("mountain drawing" that includes intro, rising action, climax, falling action and conclusion)

Back of Card:

1. Detailed, hand drawn picture that shows either climax, falling action or conclusion

This Week in Core: March 28 - April 1

Story Elements

Elements of Story

Elements of a Plot Diagram: from alex.state.al.us

You may want to refer to this video as you complete your book project this week.

Flocabulary - Five Things (Elements of a Short Story) from Flocabulary on Vimeo.

Five Things Lyrics

Check it out yo...

Setting, that's like where it's going down,

Could be the train compartment, a castle or a town,

Could be the Arctic winter - like To Build a Fire

The temperature's dropping, excitement is getting higher,

Setting sets the scene so the scene seems set,

Could be the Italian restaurant where we met,

Setting gives us the where and the when,

Could be modern day, the future, or way back when.

Plot, Character, Conflict, Theme,

Setting, yes these are the 5 things

That you're going to be needing

When you're reading or writing

A short story that's mad exciting x2

Plot is the action, the quest for satisfaction,

What's going down, what's going to happen.

Four men at sea in an open boat,

Rowing and hoping that they can stay afloat. The plot:

They have to make it to the beach,

But the waves are big, and the shore seems out of reach,

Plot is a series of events... like Lemoney Snicket,

It could be crazy, wild or straight wicked.

Plot, Character, Conflict, Theme,

Setting, yes these are the 5 things

That you're going to be needing

When you're reading or writing

A short story that's mad exciting x2

Knock knock, who's there? Oh, it's the characters,

The people in the story who carry out the action.

Characters can be pretty, tiny or clean,

Characters can be silly, whiney or mean,

Juliet is a character, and so is Romeo,

Pokemon has characters and so does Yu-gi-oh,

Characters could be dogs, lions, or hippos,

JK Rowling chose Harry Potter. "Why?" Who knows!

Plot, Character, Conflict, Theme,

Setting, yes these are the 5 things

That you're going to be needing

When you're reading or writing

A short story that's mad exciting x2

Uh-uh! Put your snack back in your backpack we're not finished!

Something gone wrong! That's the conflict kids

A struggle in the plot, now who's on top,

Could be a fight for money, like some robbers and cops,

Could be an internal conflict - a struggle inside,

Like I don't want to tell the truth but I don't ever want to lie,

Flick something in your eye, now you're conflicted,

What created drama? The conflict did.

Plot, Character, Conflict, Theme,

Setting, yes these are the 5 things

That you're going to be needing

When you're reading or writing

A short story that's mad exciting x2

The theme of the story is the main idea,

The central belief or the topic that's in there,

It's usually something abstract like sacrifice,

Isolation or resurrection: we're back to life,

Like don't lie, don't practice libel,

The theme of To Build a Fire is survival,

Survival on your own like Fievel Moskowitz

Flocabulary's something that you HAVE TO GET...

Plot, Character, Conflict, Theme,

Setting, yes these are the 5 things

That you're going to be needing

When you're reading or writing

A short story that's mad exciting x2