www.mmsgr6lamrsm.wikispaces.com

I certainly do look at having a great deal of fun reading and writing with you here.

Homework 

Thursday, June 4, 2009:  Today in class you heard the picture book Diary of a Worm.  You also thought about an animal/insect you would like to use as a main character in a similar type book.  You should have started the plan for your picture book which should include at least 10 diary entries, a cover, title page, and pictures to accompany the entries.  Continue to work on your book which will be due next Thursday, June 11th.  As you work make sure you make a plan, do a first draft, and have someone review your draft for revision ideas and for editing purposes.  I have some white paper for the pages once your draft is done.  Have fun with this project.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009:  If you are done with your persuasive piece and it is passed into me then do some fun writing.  You may do any kind of writing that you enjoy.  This may be on the wiki or in your journal.  You may write a poem, a letter,or a reflection about school or a particular class.  You may write a story or a diary entry or whatever you like - just WRITE and have fun.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009:  Identifying Parts of Speech 9.1 - Identifying which of the 8 parts of speech in various sentences.  Do be careful.  (Remember those tricky prepositions that sometimes act as adverbs!!!)

Thursday, May 28, 2009:  The interjection 8.1 - Words that express sudden excitement or strong feeling.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009:  Correlative conjunctions (or those that work together to connect words or word groups) 7.2 sheet.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009: The conjunction 7.1 sheet. 

Thursday, May 14, 2009: Revisit your perusasive piece and rewrite at least one paragraph using the logic, common sense, or common goal approach from your Persuasive Paragraph Types sheet.  Don't forget to revisit the examples.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009:  RMake sure you have your Persuasive Graphic Organizer completed and at least your rough draft written.  Remember to skip lines in your rough draft and put each paragraph on a new page.  As you write your rough draft get down your ideas.  Don't agonize over spelling, but think more about your reasons and how to persuade someone to think your way.  If you already have a rough draft, work on draft #2 and perhaps just rewrite one paragraph now that you know more about paragraph types. Reread any samples you have for ideas and writing style to imitate.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009: During class today we went over paragraph types and made sure our organizer was complete.  Using your persuasive outline write your first draft of your persuasive piece.  You will need a copy of your first draft for Wednesday.  Use your organizer as you write, put each paragraph on a separate page, and skip lines as you write (or use double spacing in the Format: paragraph, line spacing area if you are typing this).  If you type your first draft please print it out  BEFORE class.  

Monday, May 11, 2009:  In class today we worked on collecting evidence to support your persuasive essay topic and your organizer.  If you did not collect enough at least 5 facts today, you need to finish this collection for homework.  Make sure your Persuasive Writing Idea List:  Research/supporting information facts/ statistics/"expert opinions" sheet contains at least 5 bulleted points and information on where you collected this information.

Thursday, April 30, 2009:  Fill in a Vocabulary Graphic Organizer for each of the 3 persuasive vocabulary words assigned to you.  The vocabulary word goes in the center box.  (See attachment #8 below if you don't have the sheets.)  See the attached Knowledge Rating Scale sheet (attachment #7) to see the list of words assigned to the class.  You should remember your three assigned words.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009:  Knowledge Rating Scale of Persuasive Vocabulary (attachment #7 below).

Tuesday, April 28, 2009: Formal/Informal Article Sheet.

Monday, April 27, 2009:  Persuasion is All Around You:  Find an example of the art of persuasion and answer the 4 questions about your example.  Bring the example and sheet to class. 

Wednesday, April 22, 2009:  Earth Day! (and Civil War Week at MMS)                                   
Choose a Civil War photograph from the American Memory collection and write a story about the picture.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/cwphtml/cwphome.html
Please word process your story and bring it to class printed out (with the picture, if possible).
                                               . 

Tuesday, April 21, 2009:  Adjective and Adverb sheet.  How many can you find? 

Monday, April 20, 2009:  Complete the three Word Referent examples. 

Tuesday, April 7, 2009: Complete sheet with 3 revision examples.  Change your password on the wiki.

Monday, March 30, 2009:  Additional info:  Please make sure you have your jounals with you Tuesday (which should include 2 responses to 2 chapters of Woe Is Me, Jr.) as I will collect them.  You can also give me any extra writing you have done this quarter to review.

Monday, March 30, 2009:   Most of you should have your Laws of Life essay and your Mother's Day piece ready for me.  If I have not given you feedback then please make sure you get me something to read.  I will expect both pieces by Wednesday at the end of the day.  You will need to pass in your planning sheet, rough draft, other drafts, and a final copy preferably double spaced.  I am available Monday and Tuesday during lunch recess, Period 9, and after school from 2:45-4:00 (with a note from parents).  I will not be in school on Thursday or Friday due to curriuculum work and other meetings so see me before the end of the day Wednesday.

Monday, March 23, 2009:  Fill out the 5X7 card with the following information:  Name, age, grade, teacher name, school name, and school address including phone number (Grade 6, Mrs. Menton, Memorial Middle School, 1 Memorial Drive, Middlebury, CT  06762  203-758-2496).

Then list the Top 10 Favorite Books by title and author.  I will mail them all to Scholastic for a chance for you to win and iPod shuffle and Top 10 library.

Also continue working on your writing pieces (Mother's Day and/or Laws of Life).  Make sure you have a plan, rough draft, and first revised copy of each.

I will collect the work done from half the class tomorrow to review and the other half on Wednesday. 

Friday, March 20, 2009:  No official homework but if you have any assignments still due, work on them.  Also, make sure you set up a time to see me during lunch recess or period 9 if you need to discuss any owed work.

Thursday, March 19, 2009:  Work on your Laws of Life essay.  This should be between 1-2 pages long. Bring a rough draft to class Friday. (You may also bring a second draft if you have already done some revising.  If you have a typed copy of your piece please make it double spaced.  You will need your green pen for class.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009:Tomorrow we will have a visitor from the Republican-American to observe the writing work we are doing with our wiki.  In preparation for that visit I have rearranged some homework. 

• Tonight please post a "new" piece of writing on your homepage. 
• Please include a date and a sentence about why you are posting this piece.  (Is it a poem you have been working on, a paragraph from a piece you want the class to review and comment on, a complete piece that you want comments on, or even some other piece of writing from science or social studies that you feel like sharing?)
• You should also include a question that you would like members of the class to answer.  Think about what makes writing more difficult for you. How can someone else in class be of help to you.  (For example:  What do you like best about my piece?  Do you see any places where the flow of my piece is choppy or where my sentences might be combined?  Can you think of some words which might work better than "good"?)
• You also may ask for help.  (I am not a great speller so can someone help me with editing for spelling suggestions.  OR Would you check to see that I don't have run ons?)

   Tomorrow we will be in the media center working on the wiki, commenting on the work of others, editing and revising the work of others, and continuing to learn more about writing.  Bring your journals and writing folders to the media center.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009:  Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

Monday, March 16, 2009: An almost regular day today; we had a full class but at a different time.  For homework tonight I want you to work on your Laws of Life essay.  If your plan is complete, start writing.  If your plan still needs some additional information, then work on the plan.  The more complete your plan is and the more thinking you do ahead of time, the easier your writing will be. 

Friday, March 13, 2009: Oh it's Friday the 13th, a lucky day for me.  Today's homework is to try one of the Adverb or Preposition quizzes noted on the Grammar Idea page of the wiki.  Either quiz will do to help firm up the differences between the two.  There will be a 10 question quiz on Monday based on these two quizzes.  If you spend a few minutes trying one or both you should do marvelously on the quiz Monday.

Thursday, March 12, 2009: Adjective/Adverb sheet.  Don't forget the directions at the bottom of the paper.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009:  Read Chapter 5 in Woe is I, Jr. and respond in your journal.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009:  Read Chapter 4 in Woe is I, Jr and respond in your journal.  This chapter covers more than one would think so read carefully.  Verbs and tenses ought to be easier after this chapter.

Monday, March 9, 2009: Preposition/Adverb sheet.

Friday, March 6, 2009:  Read or write something of your choice.  Bring what you read or wrote to class on Monday.  Be ready to share why you chose what you did with others in class.  Take this choice seriously and come to class prepared.

Thursday, March 5, 2009: Read Chapter 7: CASTING A SPELL - How to Be Letter Perfect in Woe is I, Jr. and respons in your journal.  Make sure you date and label the page.  How can you use this chapter to help you?  Can you create a poem similar to the one on page 76?

Wednesday, March 4, 2009:  Read Chapter 3:  YOURS TRULY - The Possessives and the Possessed in Woe is I, Jr. and respond in your journal. Make sure you date and label the page.  Include a comment on one new idea you learned about possessives.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009:  Read Chapter 10: CONNECTING THE DOTS - All About Punctuation in Woe is I, Jr. and respond in your journal. Make sure you date and label the page. 

Friday, February 27, 2009:  If you have your Persuasive Writing packet graded and returned to you get it signed by a parent.

Thursday, February 26, 2009:  Editing and Revision passage with questions.  Read and complete carefully. 

Wednesday, February 25, 2009:  Complete the pages in the packet started in class.  Work carefully as this will be graded on a 20 point scale.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009:  Homework tonight is to get any missing homework done (1. City Council Letter draft -posted to wiki; 2. City Council Letter revised using the info on how to write a business letter; 3. read the note about your City Council letter from me on the discussion page of your home page and follow my suggestions; 4. complete the editing your wiki page- a handout;  5. complete the Picasso paragraph - 5 Ws; 6. respond on the wiki on the Journal Response page to chapter 12 of Woe is I, Jr; 7. complete the capitalization packet given out by Ms. Hines; 8. complete the persuasive writing packet handed out by Ms. Hines; 9. read the prompt response from Monday's class which began "I, Lauren..." and note 2 things the writer did well and 2 areas in which the writer needs to do some work).  Progress reports come out Friday so if the work is not done in time you can get it in as soon as possible.

Progress reports come out on Friday and many of you are missing assignments. Please review the sheet you got in class and catch up.  I will be collecting some assignments (like the wiki page print out which you should have edited) which due to my absence, were not collected.  However, many of you have not gone to the wiki and examined your homepage, reviewed the discussion area, revised or edited your letter to the City Council or written a response to Chapter 12 of Woe is I, Jr.  Your grade depends upon YOUR work, so review where you and make some decisions as to how you will proceed.  If if it not done I can't give you anything but a zero. 

Monday, February 23, 2009:  Read the student paper which starts with "I, Lauren...".  This is a processed piece by an unknown student for a contest.  Your job is to review the piece and note two areas in writing that this author did well (and give examples to support your choice).  Then reread and see in what two areas you might suggest some work be done (and support your choice with examples).  Think about the paper we examined in class and the choices we discussed along with the examples which supported our choices.

Thursday, February 5, 2009:  Using the 5 Ws you had and the additional information you learned from others in your group today, write a paragraph about Picasso.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009: We talked about the word "montebank" yesterday as a new word I found on the banner about Picasso which is hanging in the front hall.  Tonight I would like you to learn a bit more about Picasso.  On a piece of paper write down the 5 Ws about Picasso:  who, what, where, when and why.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009:  Read Chapter 8 in Woe is I Jr.

Monday, February 2, 2009: Planning for Laws of Life Essay.  See bottom of sheet from Monday's in class work.

Thursday, January 28, 2009:  First of all enjoy your long weekend.  But do remember to get your homework done.  For Monday:  Print out a copy of your letter to the City Council.  Also read the letters written by two other classmates and post a positive comment and a suggestion for improvement on the discussion tab of their page.  You will have to put in the subject of your posting.  This most likely will be: Letter to City Council.   

Tuesday, January 27, 2009: Using the handout on letters and today's discussion on letter format, go back to your draft of a letter to the City Council which you posted on your wikipage and do some editing.  You should check for capitalization errors, check out spelling questions, and review for punctuation.  You should also make sure your ideas are presented clearly and have the needed support.  Then make any necessary changes.

Monday, January 26, 2009:  Work on editing your copy of information from your wiki writing homepage which I passed out to you last week.  I expect you can find most capitalization errors.  I also expect you can circle words with possible spelling errors and do some work on figuring out how to spell them correctly.  The third area to check is punctuation.  Some of you leave punctuation out entirely.  So reread,  see what you are missing, and do your best to fix it.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009:   In Woe is I, Jr. read chapter 12, On Line Skating: The Rules of the Road pages 131-137.  In your journal comment on why this chapter is important for you to know.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009:  In your journal write about today as a "day in history", a day to be remembered.  Why will this day be one of the more memorable presidential inaugurations?  Be specific with what you saw, heard, and learned about the inauguration of President Obama.

Friday, January 16, 2009: In your journal write to this prompt:  Who is someone you admire?  List three qualities that you admire about that person.

Thursday, January 15, 2009:  In your journal or on a piece of paper write briefly to this prompt:  Name three things for which you are thankful.  (Please briefly explain why for each thing.)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009: Use the Prompt sheet you had for homework Monday night and the prompt you discussed in your small group today to create a more detailed plan for writing around that prompt.  This may be in the form of a web, graphic organizer or an outline.  There should be more specific details about where you would go with your writing - IF I were to give this chosen prompt to you and asked you to respond to it.  (Some of you for Monday had written very general thougths and had a generic outline but no specifics.) 

Tuesday, January 13, 2009:  Some of you need to revise/rewrite your decalogue that was due Monday as you either did not follow the directions or your sentences need work of some kind.  So first look over your paper and my comments. Reread, then revise, rewrite, redo or edit your decalogue.  Finally post your list (revised, rewritten, or just edited) to your wiki Homepage for Writing with the title: 

 A Decalogue: 10 Things I know/believe about myself as a writer. 

Monday, January 12, 2009: Using the writing topic sheets passed out in class do some brainstorming/planning for topics 2-6 (Skip #1).  I do not expect any complete sentences but want to see some ideas that you MIGHT include in a response to each prompt. 

Friday, January 9, 2009: Complete the Decalogue Sheet.  Your topic is:  What I know/believe about myself as a writer.  You may only start one sentence with I.  You need 10 complete sentences.

Thursday, January 8, 2009:  Most of you wrote 3 leads (for Goldilocks and the Three Bears).  For tonight I want you to pick 3 techniques for writing leads that you did NOT use already and write 3 new leads for The Three Little Pigs.  We will share some during class Friday and then I will collect your journals to review over the weekend.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009: No school, thus, no homework.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009: Write 3 different (and new) leads for Goldilocks and the Three Bears using the sheet with 8 new lead ideas for Little Red Riding Hood for categories and examples.  Most of you should write these new leads on the next free page in your journal which I let you take home today.  (Louis see me for another journal!)

Monday, January 5, 2009:  Bring in a book you are currently reading as well as an article from a magazine or newspaper.  I am looking for you to have a nonfiction piece and a fiction piece in class Tuesday.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008:  Work on NC or Pumpkin piece and bring in all pieces.  If you think you are done and ready for me to review be ready to pass in. 

Monday, December 15, 2008: Drafting and Revising Sheet #8.  Circle the conjunctions.

Friday, December 12, 2008:  None.  Have a relaxing weekend reading and writing on your own.  (But if you DO owe me anything use this time to catch up - or even continue working on your NC or pumpkin piece which will be due next week.)

Thursday, December 11, 2008:Drafting and Revising #7. (Make sure all other homework is done. Bring all drafts, planning pages, and student conference notes for Nature's Classroom piece and Pumpkin piece to class Friday.  If you think you are done, you may pass your "packets" in for me to review.)

Wednesday, December 10, 2008:  Check several of your classmate's homepages and read their "best sentences".  Pick two classmates and post one thoughtful comment in each of their discussion areas.  This thoughtful comment should be positive and notice what was done well.  You may also post a question or a suggestion for a change.  When you post in the discussion area please highlight, copy, and paste the sentence into the discussion box and then write your comment.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008:  Post 2 sentences on your homepage: the best simple sentence and the best compound or complex sentence from your pumpkin piece or your Nature's Classroom piece on your homepage under Recent Writing.  Make sure you label each sentence as S (simple) and CPD (compound) or CPX (complex).   

Monday, December 8, 2005:  Sentence combining sheet.  Combine the first 6 sets of sentences into 6 different sentences and then take the 6 sentences plus sentence #7 and create a 7 sentence paragraph.

Friday, December 5, 2008:  For Monday's class in the media center make sure you come with your FLASH DRIVE which should have your latest draft of the pumpkin piece on it.  You will also need your yellow writing folder and your LA notebook. 

IF you have NOT made your homepage (and 7 of you have not as of this posting) you must have that done before Monday morning as I have to link it prior to class.  We will be working on your writing pieces and the wiki (for those of you who are ready.)

Thursday, December 4, 2008:  Work on your pumpkin piece.  Look at sentence fluency (sentence length and variety of beginnings) and make notations on two paragraphs:  circle the first word in each sentence and write the number of words per sentence in the left margin.  Bring in your next draft typed and double spaced.  Save this file to your flash drive for work on Monday in the media center.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008:  Drafting and revision sheet #6.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008:  Work on pumpkin piece.

Monday, December 1, 2008:  Draft and revision sheet #5.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008:  Peer editing and revision continued today. For HW tonight: choose your best paragraph from your NC piece and your best sentence from your NC piece and add them to your Homepage under recent writing.  Label as follows:

 "My best paragraph from my NC piece:"

 "My best sentence from my NC piece:"

 Make sure you do your best typing and editing here.

For Wednesday: Bring to class all drafts (labeled), your two peer editing sheets, planning sheets, bluebook (or similar) from NC for Wed. 

We will be putting this  NC piece aside for vacation and returning to it and the pumpkin piece after Thanksgiving break.  (You may add to your wiki homepage with writing pieces and constructive comments on other's work at any time.)

Monday, November 24, 2008: We did more peer editing in class today.  Take your feedback form and do some more revision and editing based on the comments made by your partner today.  Bring in 2nd draft with all revision comments, rough draft #1, planning sheets, and bluebook (or similar) from NC for Tuesday.  No excuses - just get it done! 

Friday, November 21, 2008:  Complete your Homepage if you have NOT done so.  There are still 7 of you who have not done this as of Friday morning!  Others of you have not quite followed all the directions and need to reread them to make sure you did.

Thursday, November 20, 2008: Make sure Wiki homework is done (Home page should be created - and 2 subheadings made.  See Home page on classroom wiki for more specifics!)

Wednesday, November 19, 2008:Work on concluding paragraph and have your piece ready to be reviewed in class Thursday.  As you review your introductory and concluding paragraphs review what was your purpose for choosing your NC topic.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008:Continue to work on NC piece. If you do not have an introductory paragraph written as one of your 3 paragraphs you have worked on, do so tonight.  If your introductory paragraph is already written, please make sure your supporting paragraphs (number to be determined by your introductory paragraph) are all written.

Monday, November 17, 2008:  Bring to class Tuesday, 3 paragraphs which will be included in your Nature's Classroom piece.  We will continue to work on them during class, but without the computers tomorrow.  If you worked on any of these 3 paragraphs today make sure they are printed out and available for class work Tuesday!

Friday, November 14, 2008: Check out the class wiki for information you need to know and complete by next week. 

Thursday, November 13, 2008:  Using your topic sentence you worked on last night and which we revised today in class, write a paragraph which may or may not become part of your Nature's Classroom piece.  Remember to bring your flashdrive to class (which will be in Mrs. York's classroom.  To get to her room go to the media center and take a left.  Mrs. York's room is the one at the end of the hall.)

There is ALSO important information at our class wiki and at the NC's wiki to check out.  So let's see who does so first...    

Monday, November 10, 2008:  Make a list of words/phrases associated with Nature's Classroom.  The longer the list the better off you are (grade wise and participation wise on Wednesday).  Plus the longer our list is, the easier it will be for you to write your Nature's Classroom piece later in the week.  I hope you are all glad to be back at MMS.

  Last summer I read many of the 2008 Nutmeg books. 

This summer I tried to read many of the 2009 Nutmeg books plus some other books

that I have been wanting to read but just can't fit in during the school year.

During the summer I read many books,

worked on curriculum, and took a three day

technology and writing workshop.

Since the school year has begun, I am enjoying my different responsibilities

working with my one 6th grade Language Arts class

and learning more about them (as well as meeting our other

new 6th graders in the hall).

 I know we will be doing a lot of writing (and reading and talking).

I am hoping to fit in many lessons using the SmartBoard,

the computer lab (or the COWS, aka Computers on Wheels),

and some writing to each other via wikis or blogs.

So if you are in my 6th grade Language Arts class continue to check this website and to get your homework (usually related to writing and reading) done on time.

And do feel free to send me an email about what you are read this summer or are reading now..

Mrs. Menton

Happy Reading!

For parents:  Here is an article on summer reading "How to Keep Reluctant Readers Reading over the Summer" from Teacher Says by Evelyn Porreca Vuko (Penguin Group, Inc. 2004).  Ms. Vuko has some EXCELLENT suggestions and if you find the book she also has some titles listed by age level.  Another resource for summer reading is the school media specialist or town librarian.   

http://school.familyeducation.com/summer/reading/39287.html?page=1&for_printing=1

 A new resource that was just shared with me is part of the International Reading Association's website.

http://www.readwritethink.org/beyondtheclassroom/summer/

This link will take you to a page where you first select the age group of interest. 

For Middle School students there are 8 links to then choose from.  I copied and pasted them below but you will need to go to the actually website to access them.

Summer Literacy Activities for Ages 11-14 Celebrate Heroes Encourage children to spend a little time thinking and writing about just what makes a hero and who their personal heroes might be. Comics and Graphic Novels After reading a book, help a child create a comic book or cartoon adaptation of major scenes from the story. Design a Travel Brochure After visiting some place new over the summer or learning about an interesting location, invite children to create a Travel Brochure—complete with pictures, photographs, maps, and details about what they see or learn.  Explore Summers Past and Present Have fun sharing favorite summer memories. In this activity, children think about their own memories and answer questions before asking the same questions of someone older. Make a Mystery Puzzle Have children explore the different parts of mystery writing by making a puzzle about a favorite book. They can then invent and write their own mysteries using the online Mystery Cube tool. Summer Blockbusters Before seeing the movie Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, kids can learn about filmmaking and create their own scenes based on favorite moments from the novel. Write Letters to Friends & Family—or a Local Newspaper Summertime is the perfect time to write to others—letters to classmates, postcards from travels, or e-mail messages to family and friends.  Write Sports Trivia Look at different online baseball trivia questions to see how they are written. Then have children write their own questions and play a trivia game.   If you go to any of these areas you will find directions on things to do plus some other neat websites embedded within. There is place to make cartoons, a place to make a CD cover, a doodle area, an online printing press, and a mystery cube area.  You may be able to find even more great things here.  It seems to be worth an explore or two.  So go have fun!

Please click the "Be Notified" link above to be emailed when this classpage has been updated.

   Read. Read.Read             and also