ELA is on the Way!

The ELA Exam starts Wednesday, January 21! Make sure that you finish your ELA packet and that you keep reading over the break!

elapacket

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Homework Before and During Break

Students should keep reading--and keeping track of their reading--for the next Reading Reward Contest, which will be announced after break!

All classes will be given an ELA packet to complete during vacation. It will be due the first class back from break (January 5 for 6B, 6C, 6D; January 6 for 6A) and will count as two homework grades. (The packet will be graded for effort--if you try your best, you will get full credit!)

Have a happy and safe holiday!

Yo! ELA Raps!

Manuel performs a rap version of "Bad Poem" by Douglas Florian in the style of P. Diddy (or whatever he calls himself these days). Check out the tribute to Biggie Smalls at the end!

Take-Home Test!

The take-home test is due on Monday, December 22, for 6B, 6C, and 6D; it is due Tuesday, December 23, for 6A.

The test is posted below!

Take Home Test

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Homework assignments will be graded over break!

Homework Assignments for December

6B, 6C, 6D: These assignments will be collected on Monday, December 22.
6A: These assignments will be collected on Tuesday, December 23.

Assignments in Reader's and Writer's Notebook

* Re-write definitions from plot mountain.
* Pick a character from a book you are reading and make a stick figure character and physical trait chart. If your book does not have characters, please pick a person you know very well.
* Write a paragraph about the conflict in your book. Is it external or internal? How has it been foreshadowed by the author?
* Identify theme of independent reading book and give evidence for why you think it's the theme.

"Loose" assignments (please place in your Reader's and Writer's Notebook)

* Find a newspaper article (it can be short). Underline the main idea in each paragraph.
* Underline the main idea in every paragraph of the Barack Obama article.
* Complete the Context Clue Organizer with words from "The Manatee" article.

These are the ideas you'll need to know for the take-home test!

plot
setting
character
exposition
rising action
falling action
resolution
setting
foreshadowing
conflict
external conflict
internal conflict
major (main) characters
minor characters
character trait
physical trait
evidence
theme
poetry

prose
line
stanza
tone
metaphor
simile
symbol

main idea
fact and opinion
context clues
inferences

SQ4R

Take-home Test Coming Up!

Read for 30-6o minutes. (Keep track on your reading log sheets--these will count toward the next contest!)

Study your pages of literary terms, which should be written in your Reader's and Writer's Notebook.  I will give you a test to take home on Friday. It will NOT be a test of definitions. Instead, you will be asked to SHOW your knowledge of the literary terms and concepts we have covered in class over the past few weeks. The test is due on Monday, December 22, for 6B, 6C, and 6D; 6A will turn in the test on Tuesday, December 23. This test counts as a major project grade!

A list of the words will be posted soon!

"A Noise in the Night" and "Lucky Byrd" in Packet

Finish answering questions to "A  Noise in the Night" (in the packet). Then read "Lucky Byrd Instead of Lucky Lindy" in the packet and answer questions. 6B, 6D: due Wednesday, December 17; 6A, 6C: due Friday, December 19.

Keep reading for the contest! Last day to collect reading logs for party: Thursday, December 18!

Read!

Read for at least 15-30 minutes and mark your reading logs! (Last day to turn in sheets for the party is Thursday, December 18; invitations will be given out on December 19 during living group!)

Read (and maybe get to attend a nice breakfast)!

Read for 30-60 minutes. Keep filling out your reading logs! Last day to turn in reading logs to qualify for the Reading Breakfast with Ms. Megan and Ms. Xeni is Thursday, December 18!

Context Clue Homework

Read for 15-30 min. Find at least three words in your independent reading book. Using the context clue organizer format, use context clues to figure out the meanings. Then look up the meaning in the dictionary and compare with your own. (If you have internet access, try wordcentral.com, a great dictionary for middle school students!) 6B, 6D: due Thursday, December 11; 6A, 6C: due Friday, December 12.

If you prefer, you can define words from the manatee article. Here are some words you can pick:

• propel
• resembling
• navigation
• calf
• herding
• grazing
• surface
• envy

Context Clue PDF

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Keep Reading!

Read for 15-30 minutes. Keep track on your Reading Response Log!

Newspaper Article Main Idea Homework

Read for at least 15-30 minutes and mark your reading sheet (see below).

Also, find a newspaper article (it can be short). Underline the main idea in each paragraph or write it in if necessary. 6B, 6D: due Tuesday, December 9; 6A, 6C: due Wednesday, December 10.

Our NEW and IMPROVED Reading Program and Contest!

Ms. Megan and Ms. Xeni are delighted to introduce their NEW and IMPROVED Reading Program--which also happens to be a CONTEST!* Students will fill out a box on their reading log for every fifteen minutes they read. In each box, they must write at least a full sentence responding to the reading (for example, they can make text-to-self or text-to-text connections or jot down something the reading makes them think of or note a part that's confusing--among many options). Every student who fills 10 boxes by Friday, December 19, will be eligible to attend a congratulatory breakfast on Monday, December 22!

*This program takes the place of the old, not-so-easy-to-understand program. Extra credit will be given for any work completed for that program.

The Reading Response Log follows below. Hard copies are available in Room 103.

Reading Response Log

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Theme Homework

Read for 30 min. Identify the theme of your independent reading book. Give evidence for why you think this is the theme. For instance, write about the lesson you think the book tries to teach or the important ideas that keep coming up in the book. One paragraph in your Reader's and Writer's Notebook.

6B, 6C, 6D: due Monday, December 8; 6A: due Tuesday, December 9.

Conflict Homework

Read for 30 min. Write a paragraph about the conflict in your book. Is it external or internal? How has it been foreshadowed by the author? (This assignment should be written in your reader's and writer's notebook.)

6B, 6D: due Thursday, Dec. 4; 6A, 6C: due Friday, Dec. 5.

Evidence Chart for Character and Physical Traits

Read for 30 min. Pick a character from the book you are reading. Write down three character traits and give evidence from the book for each of the traits. Also, write down at least three physical traits and give evidence from the text. Use the chart format we used in class. (This assignment should be written in your reader's and writer's notebook.)

6B, 6D: due Wednesday, Dec. 3; 6A, 6C: due Thursday, Dec. 4.

Character and Physical Traits/Literary Terms Homework

In your Reader's and Writer's Notebook, re-write definitions for the following terms in the "Literary Terms" section of your notebook: plot, exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution, and setting. (Most of these definitions can be found on your plot mountain and/or notebook.)

Also, pick a character from a book you are reading and make a stick figure for that character out of his/her character and physical traits. If your book does not have characters, please pick a person you know very well. (The stick figure assignment will be explained in class.)

Finally, read for 30 minutes!

6B, 6D: due Tuesday, December 2; 6A, 6C: due Wednesday, December 3.

More Scary Comic Books to Come!

HUGE CHANGE TO READING PROJECT!

Ms. Megan and Ms. Xeni have decided that the Major Independent Reading Project needs to be revised a great deal. For now, students need to continue reading--at least 1 hour over the Thanksgiving break--and to bring in their independent reading book on Monday. HOWEVER, they DO NOT have to turn in any written work at this time. Any entries that have already been completed can be turned in for extra credit.

More information will follow after Thanksgiving break!

Galileo Goes to Breakfast!

Galileo House's seventh graders enjoyed breakfast at Jimmy's Diner on November 21, 2008. Later in the day, they bid a fond farewell to Ashley Tejeda, who is moving to another section of the Bronx.

Work on the Independent Reading Major Project!

Have a safe and restful Thanksgiving break!

Final Draft of Scary Story or Comic Book!

Final draft of scary story or comic book due! The requirements for the project appear on the rubric below! 6B, 6D: due Tuesday, November 25; 6A, 6C: due Wednesday, November 26.

Scary Story Comic Book Rubric

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Edit Rough Draft of Scary Story (Homework)

Students should edit their rough draft. They should focus on these three areas: paragraphing, spelling, and punctuation. 6B, 6C, 6D: due Monday, November 24; 6A: due Tuesday, November 25.

Synonyms (Homework)

Please work on your rough draft or comic book. Look for places to include synonyms. 6B, 6D: due Thursday, November 20; 6C: due Friday, November 21; 6A: due Monday, November 24.

Transitions (Homework)

Students will add transitions to their scary story drafts or comic books. 6B, 6D: due Wednesday, November 19; 6C: due Thursday, November 20; 6A: due Friday, November 21.

Rough Draft of Scary Story (Homework)

In class, students will cut and add to the writing they have completed on their :show, don't tell" charts. For homework, they will create a rough draft from their "show, don't tell" charts. The rough draft should be written on loose-leaf paper. Comic books should be started on comic book packets, which will be given out in class. 6B, 6D: due Tuesday, November 18; 6C: due Wednesday, November 19; 6A: due Thursday, November 20.

Complete "Show, Don't Tell" Chart for Scary Story (Major Project Preparation)

Please complete a "show, don't tell" chart for the all the "bubbles" on your Plot Mountain chart. You should take the notes from your exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution "bubbles" and expand them in the "show, don't tell" chart in your Reader's and Writer's Notebook. 6B, 6C, 6D: due on Monday, November 17; 6A: due on Wednesday, November 19.

Show, Don't Tell Chart for Your Exposition Bubble (Major Project Preparation)

Please complete a "show, don't tell" chart for the first bubble on your Plot Mountain chart. You should take the notes from your exposition bubble and expand them in the "show, don't tell" chart in your Reader's and Writer's Notebook. 6B, 6C, 6D: due on Thursday, November 13; 6A: due on Friday, November 14.

Plot Mountain (Major Project preparation)

Please choose one of the scary "What if . . ." situations from your homework and write out a plot mountain for it on the second page of the plot mountain packet. 6B, 6C, 6D: due Monday, November 10; 6A: due Wednesday, November 12.

Read at home for 30 minutes!

Plot Mountain Definitions

Copy definitions on the plot mountain packet sheet. (The definitions--of exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution--appear on the front of the packet!) 6B, 6C, 6D: due Thursday, November 6; 6A: due Friday, November 7.

"What if . . ." (Major Project preparation)

Please come up with 3 of your own scary "What if . . ." situations. (An example of a "What if . . . " situation would be "What if . . . Archimedes Academy were haunted.") This assignment should be written in the Reader's and Writer's Notebook. 6B, 6C, 6D: due on Wednesday, November 5; 6A: due Thursday, November 6.

Also, read at home for 30 minutes.

The Reading Never Stops!

Read at home for at least 60 minutes this weekend (November 1-2)!

The Reading Continues!

Read at home for 30 minutes. (6B, 6D: October 29; 6A, 6C: October 30)

More Reading!

Read for 30 minutes at home. Write at least 5 text-to-self, text-to-text, and/or text-to-world connections that you made while reading. Due Wednesday, October 29, for 6B and 6D; due Thursday, October 30, for 6A and 6C. [This assignment should be written in the Reader's and Writer's Notebook]

Reading and Missing Homework

All students should read for 30 minutes tonight (6B, 6C, 6D: October 27; 6A: October 28).

Late work should be turned in NO LATER than October 31!

Keep Reading!

Students should continue reading their independent reading books over the weekend (October 25 and 26)!

Two Great Tastes That Taste Great Together: Thriller and Legos!

Here's the long version of the Thriller video--made entirely with Legos!

Predictions (Homework)

Write a paragraph about what happened in the last chapter you read. Based on that, write down three things you predict will happen in the next chapter(s). Due Thursday, October 23, for 6B and 6D; due Friday, October 24, for 6A and 6C.

Probable Passages (Classwork)

Students will complete a Probable Passages chart as group work. 6B, 6D: due in class on Wednesday, October 22. 6A, 6C: due in class on Thursday, October 23.

Scary Story Conventions Chart (Classwork)

Students will work in groups to chart conventions in a scary story ("The Hook"). Due in class on Tuesday, October 21, for 6B and 6D; due Wednesday, October 22, for 6A and 6C.

Scary Story Characteristics Chart (Classwork)

Students will complete the Scary Story Characteristics chart in class as group work. 6A, 6B, 6D: due in class on Monday, October 22; 6A, 6C: due in class on Tuesday, October 21.

Bring Independent Reading Book!

Please bring your independent reading book (and bookmark) to the next class. 6B and 6D should bring the book on Tuesday, October 21, and every day after! 6A and 6C should bring the book on Wednesday, October 22, and every day after! (Every day!!!)

Assignment #24: Memoir Project Due!

The final draft of the memoir project is due on Thursday, October 16, for 6B and 6D; it is due on Friday, October 17, for 6A and 6C.

To get full credit, students should turn in:

• their final draft, written on loose-leaf paper, single-spaced
  
• their Reader's and Writer's Notebook (the one with the sticker!), which should include their memoir web, their "show, don't tell" chart, and their three leads

Here's the rubric for the Memoir Project!

Memoir Rubric - Upload a Document to Scribd

Extra Copies of Assignments

Extra copies of assignments are available in the Assignments bin at the front of the classroom. If you do not understand an assignment, please ask Ms. Xeni!

Friday, October 24 is the last day to turn in late assignments for the first quarter!

Revising Draft (Classwork/Homework)*

Students will cut from and add to their drafts. A second draft, written on loose-leaf paper and skipping every other line, is due on Wednesday, October 8, for 6B and 6D; due on Friday, October 10, for 6A and 6C.

*Counts as part of Memoir Major Project grade.

Writing Leads (Classwork)*

Students will write three leads for their memoirs and choose one for the final draft. Due in class on Monday, October 6, for 6B, 6C, and 6D; due in class on Tuesday, October 7, for 6A.

*Counts as part of Memoir Major Project grade.

Make a Voki!

If you want to make a Voki, you can go to voki.com. It's a great way to waste time while also having fun!



Get a Voki now!

More Galileo Greatness!

G-Squad: Better Than Awesome!

Hopper Girls Rule!

Here are the Hopper Girls, named after pioneering computer scientist and all-around cool lady Grace Hopper. Ms. Xeni is proud to be the Hopper Girls' living group advisor. (Thanks to Mr. C for making the t-shirts!)

Memoir Rough Draft (Homework/Classwork/Major Project)*

Students will work on the rough drafts of their memoirs in class and for homework. A rough draft should be completed by Thursday, October 2, for 6B, 6C, and 6D, and by Friday, October 3, for 6A.

*The rough draft will count as part of the Final Memoir Grade!

"Show, Don't Tell" Double Entries (Homework)

Students will work on their "Show, Don't Tell" double entries in class and for homework. They should complete at least 4 entries. Due Monday, October 6, for 6B, 6C, and 6D; due Tuesday, October 7, for 6A.

Memoir Map (Classwork/Major Project)*

Students will complete a memoir map to help them plan and/or organize their rough drafts. Due in class on Monday, September 29, for 6B, 6C, and 6D; due in class on October 2 for 6A.

*This assignment will count as part of the final memoir grade!

My Grandmother's Hair by Cynthia Rylant

rylantgrandma - Upload a Document to Scribd

Assignment #22: Expanded Entry (Homework Extra Credit*)

Expand the entry for the topic you have chosen into at least 2 pages. Due Monday, September 29, for 6B, 6C, and 6D; due Thursday, October 2, for 6A.

*Because some students needed additional guidance with this assignment, it will count as extra credit for those students who completed it.

Assignment #21: Life Map Paragraph, Part 2 (Homework)

Students will write half a page about another icon on the Life Map. Due Thursday, September 25, for 6B and 6D; due Wednesday, September 26, for 6A and 6C.

Assignment #20: Writing Based on Photograph (Classroom)

Students will use photographs to stimulate memories. Each line will begin with "I remember . . ." or "This photograph reminds me of . . ." Due in class on Wednesday, September 24, for 6B and 6D; due in class on Thursday, September 25, for 6A and 6C.

Assignment #19: Life Map Paragraph (Homework)

Write half a page about an icon on your Life Map. Due Wednesday, September 23, for 6B and 6D; due Thursday, September 24, for 6A and 6C.

Assignment #18: Life Map (Classwork)

Complete Life Map in class. Due Tuesday, September 23, for 6B and 6D; due Wednesday, Septemer 24, for 6A and 6C.

Assignment #17: Heart Paragraph (Homework)

Write a paragraph (3 to 5 sentences) about a topic in your heart. Due Tuesday, September 23, for 6B and 6D; due September 24 for 6A and 6C.

Also, please bring a photograph that is special to you to class. Due Wednesday, September 24, for 6B and 6D; due Thursday, September, for 6A and 6C.

Assignment #16: Heart (Classwork)

Fill out heart with people, places, and things that are dear to you. Due in class on Monday, September 22, for 6B, 6C, and 6D; due in class for 6A on September 23.

Assignment #15: Weekend Reading (Homework)

Read for at least 20 minutes over the weekend out of independent reading book. Monitor progress on bookmark. Due Monday, September 22, for 6B, 6C, and 6D. Due Tuesday, September 23, for 6A.

Assignment #14: Reading (Homework)

Continue reading in independent reading book. Read for at least 15 minutes. Monitor progress on bookmark. Due on Thursday, September 18, for 6B, 6C, and 6D. Due on Friday, September 19, for 6A.

Assignment #13: Calculating Reading Time (Claswork)

Students will complete worksheet calculating reading. Due in class on Wednesday, September 17, for 6B and 6D. Due Thursday, September 18, for 6A and 6C.

Assignment #12: Reading and Comments (Homework)

Students should read for at least 10 minutes at home out of their independent reading book and monitor their progress on their bookmarks. Students should write at least three sentences about what has happened in their book so far. Due on Wednesday, September 17, for 6B and 6D. Due Thursday, September 18, for 6A and 6C.

Assignment #11: Reading Record (Classwork)

Start Reading Record in class. Due Tuesday for 6B and 6D; due Wednesday for 6A and 6C.

Assignment #10: Reading (Homework)

Students should read for at least 10 minutes at home out of their independent reading book and monitor their progress on their bookmarks. Please bring book and bookmark to class every day. Due on Tuesday, September 16, for 6B and 6D. Due Wednesday, September 17, for 6A and 6C.

Assignment #9: Bookmark (Classwork)

In class, students will complete a bookmark to monitor their reading and set goals. Due in class on Monday, September 15, for 6B, 6C, and 6D.

Technology Can Be Cute!

Assignment #8: Bring a Book to Class (Homework)

Bring something to read to class. (If you picked out a book in a class, you don't have to bring one in!) You should choose a text that can hold your interest for a number of days. Due Monday, September 15, for 6B, 6C, and 6D. Due Tuesday, September 16, for 6A.

Assignment #7: Genre (Homework)

Complete genre worksheet for homework. Due Thursday, September 11, for 6B and 6D. Due Friday, September 12, for 6A and 6C.

Assignment #6: Genre (Classwork)

Students will work with their shoulder partner to complete worksheet on genre. Due in class Wednesday, September 10, for 6B. Due in class Thursday, September 11, for 6A and 6C. [6D did not complete this assignment; a make-up assignment will be provided at a future date.]

Assignment #5: Time Capsule Project (Classwork)

You and your shoulder partner will interview each other, measure each other's height, and trace your hands. You will place all your materials into a "time capsule" (an envelope that you will decorate). It will be opened at the end of the school year. Due in class on Tuesday, September 9, for 6B and 6D. Due in class on Wednesday, September 10, for 6A and 6C.

Assignment #4: Interview Questions (Homework)

Write two questions (on notebook paper) to ask your partner when you interview him or her at the next class. Due Tuesday, September 9, for 6B and 6D. Due Wednesday, September 10, for 6A and 6C.

Assignment #3: Marble Composition Book (Homework)

Students should bring one marble composition book to class next week. Due Monday, September 8, for 6B, 6C, and 6D; due Tuesday, September 9, for 6A.

Assignment #2: Name Folder (Classwork)

Personalized name folders were completed in class this week. If you were not in class this week, please speak to Ms. Xeni about making up this assignment.

Assignment #1: Information Sheet (Homework)

Your Information Sheet is due by Thursday, September 4.