Week of December 3

This week the Advanced students will create a time line of their lives.  They will use the information text, The History of Chocolate, as a guide to their time lines.

Language Arts classes will continue studying verbs and will complete part 2 of the verb unit.

Week of November 18

This week the Advanced Reading class will be completing the Westing Game Unit with a final test on Monday.  Be sure to study for the final and have your study guides completed.

Advanced classes will also be presenting Part B of their historical fiction book reports.  Since these were already turned in, students are encouraged to look over their notes about the book and be ready to present on Monday and Tuesday.

The regular Reading class will have an opportunity to watch Maniac Magee on video as they complete their Unit.

Week of November 5

Monday and Tuesday are non attendance days for students.  Have a great weekend- see you Wednesday!

Here are some helpful tips for becoming a better reader:

Make it a habit. Now that you've started reading, how do you stick with it? Make it a habit. Carve out a niche of time – it might only be fifteen minutes a day, that’s okay – where you can get alone with a book.  If it helps to have a certain time or place dedicated to reading, go for it.  Do it everyday and make it a priority. 

Read widely.  If you regularly read novels, consider devoting a month to non-fiction…or epic poetry, or Shakespeare, or graphic novels. Get out of your comfort zone.

Make it a family affair.  If you have kids, read to them or take turns reading to each other. If you’re feeling really ambitious, orchestrate a reading group with your family.  

Visit the library.  If you are lucky enough to live near a decent library, take advantage of it!  The library is a low-cost, risk-free way of introducing yourself to new and compelling authors.  Plus, most libraries offer all sorts of cool (and often free!) resources and activities for kids, families, and readers of all ages and interests.

Week of October 8

Here is some interesting information on Columbus Day.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Christopher Columbus is often portrayed as the first European to sail to the Americas. He is sometimes portrayed as the discoverer of the New World.

Columbus Day originated as a celebration of Italian-American heritage and was first held in San Francisco in 1869. The first state-wide celebration was held in Colorado in 1907. In 1937, Columbus Day become a holiday across the United States. Since 1971, it has been celebrated on the second Monday in October. The date on which Columbus arrived in the Americas is also celebrated as the Día de la Raza (Day of the Race) in Latin America and some Latino communities in the USA.

Mrs. Benson's blog

This week in Reading, the regular sixth grade class will begin reading the novel Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli.  Here is a link to Jerry Spinelli's website:  http://www.jerryspinelli.com/newbery_002.htm.  You can learn much more about the novel and the author by visiting this site.

The Advanced Reading classes will finish up their short story unit with, "A Retrieved Reformation" by O. Henry.  This story is a great mix of mystery, suspense, and action.

Week of April 30

On Monday, April 30, the 6th graders will take MAP tests in Reading class.  This will be the 3rd MAP test of the year.  Students and their Homebase teachers set goals for these tests last week.  Students be sure to review your goal before testing and try your hardest.  Good luck!

Compare and Contrast

This week in LA, students have been working on compare/contrast brochures. Students chose a topic to explore and wrote about the topic's similarities and differences. These brochures are due on Wednesday whereupon the students will share their brochures with the class.