Make it Yours

In Reading Workshop we have been studying figurative language this week. For today, take this starter poem and see what you can do. You can use idioms, similes, metaphors, repetition, action verbs, imagery, onomatopoeia, or anything else you can think of to make your poem great.

I walked down the hall
very slowly
because my name was called
to come to the office.

A World with Nice People

Reading Assignment

Students are required to read at home as homework. Students must read 20 minutes each night Monday – Thursday and one time over the weekend (Friday – Sunday) for 20 minutes. Students should have a time every night to do their reading homework. Students that do not complete this will have serve detention to make up for missed time.

Students' Weekly Reading Assignment rewards effort. Students choose a book that they want to read from home, the library, or the bookmobile. The only requirement is that they log the title, time read, and pages. 

Any time students read it counts towards their weekly minutes. They will read each day at school during SSR--Sustained Silent Reading time (10:55-11:10). In addition, they can read at home, on the bus, while they are eating breakfast, once they finish a test or assignment in another class. Any time they read it counts towards their grade.

Reading Assignment Grading Scale

A = 180 + Minutes
B =    120 - 179 Minutes
C =    60 - 119 Minutes
F =    Less than 60 minutes and/or less than 4 times a week.

Extra credit will be given for students that read more than 225 minutes in a week.

Be Like Mike

Opportunity v. Obligation or Don't Be Average

Energy?

Do you have energy?

It's All in What You Do

Never, Ever Give Up!

Image from @WeAreTeachers

Dear Students

Dear Students,

This has been a great start to the new school year. Students have been working hard with great attitudes. Also, it seems like this has been a record start for smiles. By now, everyone should know how I feel about smiles--they make our world a better place. Language arts class this year has been the best.

Our language arts class is built around books. Knowing this, when I see students making great choices, I know they will have a good year. Book selection is so important in determining how students feel about language arts and reading. I have seen students talking to each other, talking with Mrs. Blubaugh, and asking me about good books. 

As I am sure you have noticed already, students do a lot of writing in Reading Workshop. Some of the writing will be based on the book students are reading, but they will write on many topics throughout the year. In every assignment, quality is based on the details. Writing supported with evidence always means more, but like everything else, this takes work.

I hope all students have a fabulous sixth grade year. Please keep in mind, two factors control success--hard work and a great attitude. Make these a priority and choose good books and it will be a year to remember.

Take care,

Mr. McGuire

Kid President Says Get Along

The latest video from KP talks about how to disagree without being disagreeable.

Eleven Habits of a Successful . . .

I saw this today on Twitter.

And it made me think about students, so here goes:

What do you think? Reading Workshop students, does this sound like you?

Celebrate National Read a Book Day!

Today I am reading _________________ on National Read a Book Day, #ReadABookDay. 

Please share the title of the book you are reading in a comment below. I am reading Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix.

 

Be Tough!

Be the Best You Today!

A Different Thought on Being a Leader

You hear a lot of discussion on being a leader. What do you think of this view? Is being the first follower just as important?

Writer's Voice

When writing, there must be a consistent voice. The Point of View should not change throughout the essay. Most blog posts are written from a personal standpoint and should be in first person. This means using pronouns like I, me, she, we, and our.

Could This Be You?

If this looks like how you feel this morning, look at the bright side. There is a three day weekend coming up and you have already survived nine days of school this year. Keep working! Good things will come!

Is This Freedom of Speech?

San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kapernick sat during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner before a football game. Is this freedom of speech?

Here are the opinions of a few people from Twitter:

Dale Wilsey Jr. ‏@drwilseyjr

Veterans fought to protect the rights guaranteed in the Constitution, not the flag. #ColinKapernick

Kelly Reed ‏@thatsokellyreed

So no one read #ColinKapernick say it was "bigger than football" watch the news! Police brutality will not be swept under the rug anymore.

Bruce A. Brunger ‏@BrungerB

Shame on #ColinKapernick... Many Patriotic Americans & Vets are Not Pleased w/your refusal to stand for the Anthem 

 Shep Michaels ‏@ShepMichaels

Demanding #ColinKapernick stand during a song is against the very foundation of freedom those making the demand pretend to believe in.

marcINArcadia ‏@MarcRader68

@Espngreeny seems like it's ok to protest,as long as you do it the way other people want you too. #ColinKapernick

Ron Scroggins ‏@RonScrogginsJr

@Kaepernick7 you can protest anyway you want, as long as it is non violent and peaceful #ColinKapernick

WineCowboy (Eric) ‏@WINECOWBOY

@Kaepernick7 @foxandfriends "If you are ashamed to stand by your colors, & your country you had better seek another flag". #ColinKapernick

 

James Hogan ‏@galaxyalpha

Is the @NFL proud of #ColinKapernick? Proud of him disrespecting our flag, our Constitution, and our military, who protect his/our freedom?

Ernst Sports ‏@ErnstSports

Don't worry #ColinKaepernick, this hero will stand on your behalf during the national anthem.

What do you believe, Reading Workshop students?

Making the Best

Writing an Essay

Reading Workshop students are beginning the first writing project. All writing should use a format of introduction, body, and conclusion. Here is Mr. Heath's videos that explains the process.