Friday, February 10, 2017

Mistakes are OK

Mistakes are just proof that you are trying.

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Excited by the Opportunity

Opportunity not obligation!





If you knew you could do anything, anything, anything at all, how would you act? Would you be different? Then why not be that way now? Describe yourself as that person that can do anything. Tell about it.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Even Animals Like Puns





Image from @TheFunnyWorld

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Are You Good Enough?

A lot of people told this guy he wasn't good enough.

Monday, February 6, 2017

Want to Succeed?

 
Image from@DesmondDreckett

If You Were in This Video . . .



Your assignment--write about this video. The rest is up to you.

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Is Your Meaning Clear?

Make sure your writing says what you mean.





Image from Puns @TheFunnyWorId

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Be Responsible


Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Sometimes Word Choice is Everything

Monday, January 23, 2017

Go For It!


 

Image from @Socialfave

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Do You Know?

The good news is that no one on has to know everything. All we need to know is to know when we don't know and know, ask questions, and know how to find out when we don't.


Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Have a Great Day!

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

MLK

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Take a Break

For just a minute, let your mind go on a short vacation to this abandoned bridge in Germany.

 

Thursday, December 8, 2016

MAP Testing


GREAT NEWS! Nearly 75% of the sixth grade language arts students have already shown a year's growth in their reading ability. When students are doing this well, it really opens the door for an outstanding year. I am extremely excited about the potential for their continued growth as readers and writers.

‌Three times each school year students take the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) Test in reading, math, and science. The first test is within the first two weeks of the school.  They then test again near the middle of the year and at the end of the school year. The last two test measure the amount of growth students make during the school year.

‌Taking all of the tests that are required is no fun. Students don't like them. Teachers don't like them. At least though, we can celebrate when we see excellent growth. A lot of this is due to the hard work of the students in the hallway.

‌For each subject that students meet their growth target, they earned a reward. Students get a movie party for one test, movie and pizza for two, and movie, pizza, and an hour of extra recess if they reach all their targets for reading, math, and science. This is our way of rewarding them for their hard work.

‌GREAT JOB TO THE SALT CREEK SIXTH GRADE STUDENTS!

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Comparison to the Main Character Letter


Image result for character question mark
For this project you will be writing a Dear Mr. McGuire letter. The topic of the letter is "How would the book be different if I was the main character?" The letter should have an opening paragraph that states basic information like the title and the main character's name. It also should connect with the reader.
For the second paragraph, start with the main character and build from there. Tell about the main character in the book you are reading. Describe him/her. What makes him like he is? How does he act? Think? Respond? Feel?
The next paragraph should be a compare/contrast between you and the main character. You might tell how you are alike or how you are different. You need at least one example to make your point clear.
One of the main keys to doing well on this project comes next. This paragraph needs to describe in detail how the book would be different if you were the main character. Specific details of differences will strengthen your letter.
Please use details to support your writing. For example, if you state that the main character is brave, you should have a detailed scene from the book that proves your claim.
Whatever you do, DO NOT RETELL THE STORY! This assignment is to write a letter to me about how the main character compares to you and how the book would be different if you were the main character. If you summarize or retell the book, you are not following the directions! The best essays will be written by a writer than gets inside the book and the character.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

I'm Thankful For . . .



Made with Padlet

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

A Little Help with Rhyming



So what do you do when you need to rhyme?  How about going to Rhymezone? When you are writing a poem and you need a word bank to help you, Rhymezone is a great resource.  All you do is type in the word and it gives you a bunch of choices.  Don't forget though, a poem still has to make sense and be meaningful.

Room For All

 

Image from @thebradmontague

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Swear to Howdy Poems

In Reading Workshop I recently finished the read aloud of Wendelin Van Draanen's book, Swear to Howdy. Students had to write a poem based on something from the book. Here are a few examples.

   
From Karlie
              It really happened
Me and Joey
We really killed her
We killed Amanda Jane
We didn’t mean to
We just wanted to make “the lost ghost”

              At First we were all ok
Sissy cried all the time
Longing for her best friend
And I longed for mine too
No One was the same any more
Especially Joey
We just weren’t the same anymore
Our friendship was breaking apart
then one night I heard the secret knock …

From Blayton
        Tank
Tank the fat, dark green, frog
Sat on the huge, muddy, muggy bank
Spewed and gushed out
Bright green, slimy, soaked tomaters


From Tayla
       A Promise
Joey and Rusty go together
like PB & Jelly
they are such good friends
making promises
having the best times
like playing in the river
on hot summer days
never forgetting
the day that Joey got bit
but no one will know because
they made a promise

From Jersey
        A True Friend


A true friend will have your back until the end
A true friend will not listen and do what you say
But will go out of their way to do the best for you
You may hate what they do but still love them
And when you lose them you always regret it.


You know you’re a true friend when you accept them
You know you’re a true friend when you are not to judge them 

or talk behind their backs meanly
Not to judge them for what their family acts like
Or what your friend doesn’t have that you have


You know you’re a true friend when that does not matter.

You can’t be a true friend if you hold grudges more than memories
you can’t be a true friend if you look back instead of forward
And you can not stay mad at them for more than a minute
It is in the name friend end is the last part
so they will be with you until the end and will never leave you