My Birthday

My birthday is here,
and I'm so hype.
I hope that it's better
than the sunlight.

My mom will be late,
and I will be too.
Hopefully,
we won't miss
all of the good food.

Tomorrow's my birthday,
I cannot wait.
Maybe I will
just smuggle some cake.

     Corinthia
           6-6

Today is paperwork day for me. I'll be marking your papers, including their essential iBooks! If I have any time left over, I'll be sure to put some of your writing on the blog. Otherwise look for it tomorrow. I hope you had a pleasant holiday so far.

This week was a mixed bag of yes, yes, YES!
And no, no, you're wrong, whys.

For those of you in the YES column, thanks!
Those of you showing off, and following the wrong DO...
Clean it up.

More writing to come... and it will be yours.
Merry Christmas boys and girls. Read up.

http://www.snopes.com/

     Write it down. Memorize it. You might be wondering why. One word: Facts. Snopes is a well-known website that enables you to discover whether or not something you read or hear is actually true.

     Words are words, but only facts are facts. As you may know, the recent presidential election was marred by fake news and illogical debate spawned by Russian disinformation, or as adults call it, propaganda. Adults, and maybe kids too, will be writing about this election for many years to come. Before you ever post online, check your facts! Snope it.

     Have a great weekend.

     OK. Good move checking out the blog tonight. So (unfancy transition word) the test tomorrow will require you to know the definition for only some of our vocabulary words. The main part of the test will ask you to provide evidence from our story, The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg. If you can do that, you get full credit. This type of question is called a text-dependent question.

     The test itself is not the Reading Wonders curriculum test. It's one of mine. If you have been listening and paying attention in class, you shouldn't have any problems. If you haven't, you'll have some work to do. If you haven't and you don't do the work to find the answers in the open-book text, you will be granted what you deserve.

On a side note. Nobody ever claimed the money. You must read carefully, as carefully as you listen. If you do that, your reading ability will improve drastically. That's all for now. Time to cook dinner.

Some say cats have nine lives. I don't know what that really means and I think the reason that saying sticks around is because of the assonance rhyme. Nine lives rhymes inside.

Even so, let me tell you that I don't like cats. First of all, I am allergic to cats, and I don't like their attitude. However, I do think that cats make better pets than dogs. Let me give you just one example why.

I just came home late today. My dogs were glad to see me. But I wasn't glad to see their pee and poop on our rugs! Cats won't do that to you. Cats have the refuge of their litter boxes to fall into when the time comes. For this reason alone, cats get my thumbs up for being clean. Dogs? Not so much.

Another reason why cats make better pets is because cats don't bite people. They don't cause a ruckus when people come over. Too many times my dogs have bitten friends and strangers. We had the PoPo at our door because of it! We're one bite away from putting our dear dog down.

Another reason why cats beat dogs is that cats eat less than dogs so they're cheaper to keep. I'd rather spend $15 on cat food than $50 for dog food, that's for sure. Cha-ching, more money for me.

Now I know there are a lot of people who are dog lovers. I love dogs too, but dog lovers need to realize the trouble that dogs cause them. The mess on the rugs, the biting, the barking—they're a mess! Get a cat. Be happy with a cat. Get the love from a pet without the dog downside. Down with dogs!

     Now that we understand that characters, narrators, and yes, people have different points of view, we may begin to learn how to get others to see our point of view. That's where persuasion comes in. In writing, we call it persuasive writing. Lawyers call this an "argument".

     Remember to always start your writing with "the hook". Reel that reader in. ZZZZ like fishing, not like ZZZZ sleep. After you have their attention, start off with your topic sentence. This week we learned another name for topic sentence. Thesis. The thesis, or topic sentence, tells the reader what your opinion is.

     Support your thesis with reasons, examples, or other evidence to backup what your thesis. The more support, the better. It is usually best to dig for at least three different reasons, facts, or examples that do the job. Start our with your strongest supporting paragraph. Follow it with your weakest. Then finish the support (your lettuce, tomato, and onion from the burger graphic organizer) with another strong fact or reason.

     Next, be sure to anticipate, and write about, the counter-argument. The counter-argument is the other side of the debate. If you can dissolve the other side's point of view, in your own persuasion, you are well on your way to winning the the debate.

     Your last paragraph should re-state your thesis, or topic sentence. (your bottom burger bun of your graphic organizer.) Sometimes, writers add a call to action.

Do you remember what Logos, Ethos, and Pathos mean?? Check your notes and get back to me ASAP. If you can explain to me at lunch this week, I'll reward you with 100 of something, like the Genie.

Feeling lawyerly? Copy and paste the link below into your browser for college-level details on how to write persuasively. Study this and you will rule the day.

https://www.everettcc.edu/files/programs/communications/writing-center/the-writing-process/basic-principles-of-persuasive-writing.pdf

Thanksgiving

            Giving thanks, on Thanksgiving:
THANKS for coming to school when you didn't feel up to it.
THANKS for doing your homework.
THANKS for taking care of your little brother or sister.
THANKS for correcting your mistakes in your schoolwork.
THANKS for doing a graphic organizer, when you felt like skipping the step!
THANKS for emptying the pencil sharpener shavings.
THANKS for serving as my paper passer person.
THANKS for making the teachers smile.
THANKS for trying your hardest.
THANKS for your creativity.
THANKS for being you!

JOURNAL - Story Prompt Ending
November 16
by S.P. 6-6

I COULD HARDLY BELIEVE MY EYES. I walked down the steps and saw a lever that said, "White People." I pulled the lever and I got drenched with chemicals. I looked on a piece of glass and was shocked at what I saw. I was whiter than I was before. I tried to get out of there as fast as I could but I heard Uncle Bob coming down the steps. He immediately saw me because I was so white. He took me into a room and made me watch white slavery videos! DON'T BE A RACIST!

Wondering what reading level your book is? Here you go:

http://www.scholastic.com/bookwizard/

     My name is Semaj and I am going camping. I am very nervous because I have never been camping before. I am also very excited because it is a big experience for me. This is how I feel about going camping.

                                                   Books and Reading

                                                        by D.R., section 6-6

     I am writing about my imagination and reading. I use my imagination when reading books. Books can be fun to read. I use my imagination to make believe that I am in the book I am reading.

     For example, when I read about the American Revolution, I would pretend that I was in the war to defeat the British army. Furthermore, I was able to learn things. For instance, I learned about George Washington being the first President of the United States, and I imagined that I saw him and spoke to him.

     In fact, I can use my imagination with millions of books and millions of topics. Some topics are George vs. King George, The Battle of Bunker Hill, Legas of Ninjago, and the French and Indian War. If I imagine it, I can find a book about it, and have fun learning about it!

Living in a Ping-pong Ball

    By A.B. , section 6-4

     Living in a ping-pong ball is horrible. I get smacked around all day. Night is the only safe time. My friends have escaped while I was sleeping. This is the time for me to leave. I’m going to escape. I opened the ball and jumped out. It was quiet. I jumped onto the table.

     I had thirty minutes until I would start to grow into a full sized adult, so I have to get out quickly. I made it. I started to grow. I began to look for everyone. I pulled out my phone and called people.  I made it to the village and we lived happily ever after.

Looking for a new toy review? Try cutting and pasting this link into your browser:

http://www.metrokids.com/MetroKids/November-2015/Toy-Test-Games/

Toby Farms Spelling Bee Competition!

     For all you spelling masters in grades 6-8, the music teacher, Ms. Heslop is planning a Spelling Bee Contest. To prepare for the contest, each week participants will receive 2-4 words to chunk into syllables, define, and use in a sentence. 7th and 8th graders will receive 3-5 words/week.
   
     The Spelling Bee competition will be held in February.

     Awards are as follows:
             
              1st place - trophy and a tablet
              2nd place - medal and a tablet
              3rd place - medals
   
     All participants will receive a certificate of participation.

Student Video Review

by G. L. - Class 6-5

If you like action, and a little bit of violence, then you should check out these games right here.

Pixel Gun 3D

     Many people may know this game, but in case you don’t, Pixel Gun 3D is like Minecraft and Call Of Duty, mixed together. There are over 100 maps and weapons. This game is only on PC and cell phones.

DC Universe Online

     I’m sure you heard about this game. Create your own DC Comics hero or villain, and interact with other players from around the world. You can even have your own powers, hideout, and pets. Your choices affect the world.

Skyrim

     An old 2011 game that many people play today. You are a warrior, mage (wizard) , or a thief. Your choices affect the world. You are a dragonborn - a person born with dragon blood with a destiny to defeat the world eater, Alduin, and save the world. That’s not it. The people around depend on how you act. And much more to discover. 

     This week we are looking at the paragraph. The paragraph is made up of sentences. Each sentence flows from the one before. A paragraph usually has five or more sentences. All the sentences in a paragraph are related, and form a coherent, unified idea.
     After we have command of the paragraph, we will move to the page. Can you guess what comes after the page?
   

   

November Blog Writing Topics

DailyJournal Topics

Each night my ELA students MUST read at least 45 minutes AND log your reading. Also in your journal notebook, pick one topic each night to write about. I will pick one entry from each class, each week, and publish the writing on this blog. BE SURE TO CAPITALIZE AND PUNCTUATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. Tell about a time when you did something which you found difficult, but had to do it because it was the right and moral way to go.
2. Imagine if you were left to look after your baby brother and he accidentally locked you in a cupboard. Describe what might happen next.
3. Imagine you have been trapped in a lift with your favorite movie (or pop) star for four hours. Finally you are free and tell your best friend what it was like, what you talked about etc. Describe what you would say.
4. You have a choice of seeing a film at home on TV, or at the cinema. Which would you choose and why?
5. All the sea creatures and fish have come to complain about what humans have done to the sea. What might they threaten to do if we did not mend our ways?
6. Imagine that Alan is an incredibly short-tempered, red-faced man. Invent the worst job possible for such a person and then write about what happens.
7. Can internet friends be *real* friends?
8. What is the best invention of all time?
9. Imagine we did not need to sleep any more. What would you do with the extra time? Would not having to sleep be a good or bad thing? Why?
10. If you could meet a 12 month younger version of yourself, what piece of advice would you give them about the year you have just experienced?
11. Imagine an old lady who owns a fancy dress shop. It seems that everyone who hires a costume has an adventure based on it! Write about what happens.
12. What would you do if you found out your two best friends had arranged a party and had not invited you?
13. If there was one talent you wished you had, what would it be and why?
14. Picture someone called Mandy who was so, so forgetful. Write about what happened to her when she went on holiday to England.
15. Is ambition always a good thing? Can you think of when it might actually be harmful?
16. What is the strangest thing you have ever seen?
17. Imagine you are drifting on a life raft, the only survivor of a ship wreck. Storm clouds are gathering overhead, but at least the island is getting closer. Only there is something very odd about it... Write about what happens next.
18. Think of a huge news event that has happened during your lifetime. Describe how you learned of it, who you were with, what was said and how it made you feel.
19. What do your parents feel about the music you like? How do you feel about what they say?
20. Write a conversation between two people deciding on an afternoon out. One of them wants to go to the cinema, the other is trying to talk him/her out of it.
21. Write about a situation which involves a traffic warden and a very important high court judge.
22. Think about a very famous person you know and then using first-person narrative ('I') pretend to be them and write about ONE day in their (your) life.
23. When describing a location in a short story, it is good to use all your senses if you can. Try to do this by describing a really, really creepy old house.
24. Do you think you would like to be a teacher? Imagine what is would be like, think of the good and bad aspects.
25. Describe the inside of a house belonging to this person: A mysterious old lady, with a black cloak, ancient white dog, who lives right at the end of the village.
26. If you could control your own dreams, what would you choose for tonight and why?
27. In what ways are you like your parents and in what ways are you different?
28. Imagine you could design the perfect town for you. Describe what would be in it.
29. Why is it easy to walk along a school corridor without bumping into the walls, but it would seem really tricky walking along a cliff ledge, which was the same width?
30. Do you think animals feel pain like we do? How does that make you feel?
31. Write about why some people like to still buy newspapers when the information in on-line for free.
32. Think about all the different sounds you hear in your life. Now tell me about one you really like and one which drives you mad!
33. Tell me about one thing that children are not allowed to do, which they should be able to. Explain to me your reasoning.
34. Why is gold so valuable when really it is just a lump of metal you cannot do much with?
35. Do you think that new technology is always a good thing? Write about an example where it has maybe done more harm than good.
36. Imagine you go to print something off your computer. But instead of what you expect, out comes a message desperately asking you for help. Write about what happens next.
37. I know it is very unlikely, but if the US president telephoned you, what might he want?
38. The person writing this prompt lives in York, in the UK. Using the internet, find out about my city (it is a great place!) and write about why you might like to visit.
39. Travel writing is a fun hobby. Next time you go somewhere interesting, write about your day.
40. Do you think that only the best players should get picked for the school team, or not?
41. Describe to me a time when you succeeded at something and really amazed yourself.
42. Sit in a quiet room, relax for a few seconds. Close your eyes, count to ten and then write about the first thought you have.
43. Go and visit an old church near where you live and then write about something you discovered, which happened a long time ago.
44. Imagine you attend a school some time in the future and the History Department have a machine, which can send you back in time. Write about what might happen to you.
45. If the world were flat, describe what those people living at the outer parts could see when they looked over the edge.
46. Have you ever admired someone who really was not a very nice person? If so, why did you admire them and how did this make you feel?
47. I know you are quite grown up now, but just for fun, imagine you are a dollop of glue, which has escaped from a tube and got up to naughty tricks. Write about what you would do.
48. Imagine you had to survive for a week in an unfamiliar town, with nowhere to stay and without spending any money. What would you do?
49. Find out why most of us find it easier to use one hand rather than the other. Then write a short piece about the science involved.
50. How does teaching someone to do something you are really good at make you feel?                                                                      via Creative Commons 

Well the good news is that most of our students are ready and willing to work hard to improve what we already have. That's good. Remember it is grit that keeps us from being quitters. And so, remember that with reading, it's all about getting to know new words. It's like a party. You try to meet new people and remember their name. After you have seen them a couple of times, you recognize them. Same with words. Read and log at home. Use a dictionary.

In the next few weeks we will begin official intervention groups. Instead of staying in homeroom for Intervention period, we will form new groups and go to either Ms. McLucky's room, my own, or Mrs. Mumma's room. We'll teach and learn things we didn't get in the Benchmarks test.

Monday will be Halloween. We have a movie and popcorn event planned for students who have been doing the right thing. That's most of you. Can't wait! I remember watching movies on Caster Ave. in the Northeast when I was six! We hope you all enjoy the movie too!

Well that's all for now. Keep reading, stay organized. See you in the morning.

Friday the fourteenth of October. The early dismissals this week made our time together so brief. The sixth grade team enjoyed speaking with some of your parents today. What a joy to share stories about the children in our care. And we do.

This week's goal was to be able to understand a writer's implicit message in addition to the explicit message. Remember the prefix -ex means "out" so think of explicit as what the author comes out with, straight up, on the page. The implicit meaning, you must dig for and figure out. Know what I mean?

Today, an American poet, Bob Dylan, was awarded a prestigious international award, The Nobel Award for Literature. Here are some of his lines. Can you figure out the rhyme scheme. Write it down, hand it to me, and if you're right, I'll hand you something back in return.

May God keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
ou grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young

          Bob Dylan

The 2016-2017 school year has begun! The sixth grade teachers agree that our new boys and girls are wonderFUL and we look forward to getting to know you even more during our year-long journey of discovery and learning. 

Our embryonic beginning in English this year began by reviewing vowel letters, then the affixes, and now the word.

Stay tuned for updates.

Alright kiddos, now is the time. Now is the time to show what you know. I know what you're thinking. Just do it. Tough nerds don't get taken down. Don't be lazy. Work it and you'll get paid. Word by word...idea...trust.