What makes a hero? How do we define heroes and what do they mean to us?
These are a few questions that have guided our discussions and new theme in Language Arts (Heroes). These questions have been a springboard for debate and further questions as we read, write and listen to each other.
-Students have been reading about different people who share many qualities that some define as heroic.
-They practiced mini-essays that include a thesis statement with reasons to support their opinion.
-We focused on using spelling strategies to self-identify which words are invented and which words were spelled correctly in our writing.
-A fishbowl discussion was held, in which 4 students gather in the middle to debate their own questions about literature we've read. Students gather in a circle around the group of 4 and "tap in" and "tap out" to share their opinions.
Questions that we will consider this upcoming week: What is adversity? How does it shape our ideas and actions?
-Students will continue to read literature and focus on the ways that we can comprehend and make meaning from text. A term that your student will become familiar is a "think aloud." A "think aloud" is just my term to ask them to stop and reflect on the text through connections, inferences, predictions, opinions and feeling.
-We will work on vivid imagery in the descriptions in our writing. How can we use all 5 senses to guide our reader?
- Students will continue to work on spelling (Tuesday and Thursday) and Spanish mini lessons (Monday, Wednesday and Friday).
- We will watch a clip of Erik Weihenmayer, the first person (who is blind) to reach the summit of Mount Everest, on May 25, 2001. He says that people succeed, not in spite of adversity, but because of adversity. Students will use this quote (and others) to reflect on their own feelings of the difficult moments in our life. Then, they will start to draft an essay about their opinions of adversity. This essay will build on their practice with vivid imagery, paragraphs that include details and peer conferencing in the writing process.
OTHER NOTES / REMINDERS
-5th grade MATH test on Tuesday. ALl students received (and started) a Ch. 1 math review in class on Friday. We will go over this review on Monday.
-Curriculum Night for 3rd-6th grade classrooms on September 22nd.
Structures in our Neighborhood!
A shelter built by 2010-2011 Hoover 6th graders. This year, all 6th graders will go to School of the Wild the week of April 9th!
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