Mrs. Mesker's Blog

Tier III Math

2012-02-01T05:49:00.000-08:00

This week in RtI Math class, the students are working on Decimal Operations. The students started with a review of estimating sums and differences. Estimating means to find an approximate answer or solution. We moved on to adding and subtracting review with whole numbers and decimals. The week with a focus on using decimals to find the product and quotient of an expression. During the week the students will not be using a calculator to solve the expression, but we do allow a multiplication square.

Buckle Down

2012-01-27T09:31:00.001-08:00

The sixth graders are getting ready for the upcoming ISATs in March. We are attacking the Buckle Down Reading workbook. This week we have been focusing on "Reading Critcally".

The lessons in the unit will help students practice finding and using information. They will learn abotu how and why authors choose to present their information the way they do. You will also learn about how things they read can be connected to their life.

The unit includes the following sections:
1. Making connections
2. Author's Purpose
3. Comparing Passages
4. Information You Can See (charts and graphs)
5. Following Directions

Adverb or Adjective

2012-01-18T07:29:00.000-08:00

The sixth graders are completed the Adverbs unit today. We ended with a lesson on choosing the correct form of a word in a sentence. The students had to chose the correct word and label it Adverb or Adjective.

Sometimes it is easy to confuse adjectives and adverbs. When an adjective and an adverb are similar, you can usually tell which is the adverb because it ends in -ly.

Remember that adjectives modify nouns and pronouns. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.

The words good and well are sometimes confused. "Good" is an adjective.

"Well" is usually used as an adverb. However, when "well" means healthy, it is an adjective and modifies a noun or pronoun.

Maniac Magee in Reading

2012-01-09T12:10:00.000-08:00

The sixth grade students started one of my favorite novels this week, Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli. Here is the "Before the Story" you can find on page one of the novel. While reading the novel, the students will continue to practice various comprehension strategies as well as vocabulary practice and application.

Before the Story
They say Maniac Magee was born in a dump. They say his stomach was a cereal box and his heart a sofa spring.
They say he kept an eight-inch cockroach on a leash and that rats stood guard over him while he slept.
They say if you knew he was coming and you sprinkled salt on the ground and he ran over it, within two or three blocks he would be as slow as everybody else.
What's true, what's myth? It's hard to know.
Finsterwald's gone now, yet even today you'll never find a kids sitting on the steps where he once lived. The Little League field is still there, and the band shell. Cobble's Corner still stands at the corner of Hector and Birch, and if you ask the man behind the counter, he'll take the clump of string out of a drawer and let you see it.
But that's okay, because the history of a kid is one part fact, two parts legend, and three parts snowball. And if you want to know what it was like back when Maniac Magee roamed these parts, well, just run your hand under you movie seat and be very, very careful not to let the facts get mixed up with the truth.

Persuasuve Writing- The Introduction

2012-01-04T12:20:00.000-08:00

The Introduction
Definition: The introduction is a CLEAR STATEMENT of the main point of the composition

WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE INTRO?
A “hook” or attention getter
3 Subtopics that will turn into your body paragraphs
Your THESIS STATEMENT – one clear sentence stating what your composition is about

WHAT IS A “HOOK”?An opening sentence that attracts or “hooks” the reader’s attention
INTERPRET your hook (put it into your own words)

Sample Introduction “hooks”:
A powerful statement
Snake bites kill hundreds of people each year!
A quotation
“The IPOD is the most popular gift this year.” – Al Bundy
A statistic or fact
Studies show that students who do their homework are more likely to do well in school than students who do not.
A question
Did you know that ....?

Persuasive Composition-5 Paragraph

2012-01-04T12:18:00.000-08:00

Persuasive Composition Outline

I.
Hook: An opening sentence that attracts or “hooks” the reader’s attention
INTERPRET your hook (powerful statement, quote, or fact)
Background Information: What you may already know about the topic in favor of your argument. Remind readers of the important information about your topic.
Argument: Your THESIS STATEMENT – one clear sentence stating what your composition is about

II.
Reason 1: a REASON, BENEFIT, or an ADVANTAGE to support your argument.
1.Evidence 1: may consist of facts, examples, statistics, or real life experiences that supports your reason
Interpretation: Explain and Extend
2.Evidence 2: “same”
Interpretation:
3.Evidence 3: “same”
Interpretation:

III.
Reason 2: a REASON, BENEFIT, or an ADVANTAGE to support your argument.
1.Evidence 1:may consist of facts, examples, statistics, or real life experiences that supports your reason
Interpretation: Explain and Extend
2.Evidence 2: “same”
Interpretation:
3.Evidence 3: “same”
Interpretation:

IV.
Reason 3: a REASON, BENEFIT, or an ADVANTAGE to support your argument.
1.Evidence 1:may consist of facts, examples, statistics, or real life experiences that supports your reason
Interpretation: Explain and Extend
2.Evidence 2: “same”
Interpretation:
3.Evidence 3: “same”
Interpretation:

V.
Argument: restatement of the argument
Summarize Reasons: restatement of the three reasons that support your argument
Exit Sentence: a prediction, question, recommendation, or quotation. Strongest sentence.

Persuasive Writing in 6th Grade

2011-12-13T12:40:00.000-08:00

The sixth graders have been working on a persuasive paragraph in Language Arts. Area are asking the student to respond to the following prompt:

Should students receive homework over winter break?

After completing an outline, the students will be writing a paragraph supporting there side of the prompt.

WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE PARAGRAPH?

1. A TOPIC SENTENCE, that will direct the idea of the paragraph

2. Three pieces of EVIDENCE/PROOF which support the topic of the paragraph

** Your EVIDENCE may consist of facts or other information that supports your thesis

3. Use TRANSITIONS to ensure flow and continuity

Today's Diamante

2011-12-05T07:19:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Crews
Quiet, calm
Helping, sharing, caring
Fun, Filipino-Intelligent, Irish
Running, yelling, talking
Outgoing, loud
Mrs. Mesker

6th Grade Clerihew Poems

2011-12-01T07:18:00.000-08:00

Today the students started the Poetry Unit. The unit begins with writing funny Clerihew poems. We practiced writing two in class. The Cherihew poems are made of four lines. The first line is always the name of the subject. The first two lines rhyme, and the last two lines rhyme.

Here are the examples from class:

Mrs. Mesker
Is an active listener
She's like a comedy
Creates a musical melody.

Lady Gaga
Goes rah, rah, rah
Her clothes are unique
One dress even had meat!

Poetry in Reading

2011-11-30T09:23:00.000-08:00

Poetry Unit
December 1st – January 9th

During the month of December, we will be focusing on reading and writing different styles of poetry. Everyday you will be introduced to a different type of poem. We will review the rules and definition of each type together and practice writing them as a class. Independently, you will write at least one poem for each type we study. Daily, you will be asked to share your poems. Everyone is expected to share at least one poem. At the end of the unit, you will type out each poem and construct a book of poetry. The guidelines are as follows.

Elements
Criteria
Total Possible
Total Earned
Form
Does it follow the form provided?
Each poem typed?
20

Sound
Rhythm, Rhyme, or Repetition?
10

Imagery
Sight, hear, smell, taste, or touch?
10

Figurative Language
Simile, Metaphor, or Personification
One example in each poem type?
10

Idea
Is topic something I want to read about?
5

Content
Correct use of words.
5

Design
Poems and Book layout.
5

Product
Final product of each poem and book.
Title Page and Table of Contents?
5

Total
70

Just a reminder
Remember to proofread your work. Use a parent, sibling, or peer to help make your poems the best that they can be. Make sure your work is your own. Practice reading your poem aloud. Does it make sense?
Can you add any adjectives or adverbs to make your poem even better?
Take the time to really make the most out of the Poetry Unit!

Verbs!

2011-11-17T12:51:00.000-08:00

Verb Study Guide

Action Verbs
An action verb tells what the subject of the sentence does.

Baron von Drais built one of the first bicycles in 1817. We enjoy his invention today.

The subject of each sentence is underlined. Write the action verb in the space provided.

1. Early bicycles moved slowly. _____________
2. Riders pushed the ground with their feet. _____________
3. Kirkpatrick Macmillan attached cranks to the
rear wheel. _____________
4. He connected the cranks to foot pedals. _____________

Main Verbs and Helping Verbs
The main verb expresses action or being.
A helping verb works with the main verb.
A verb phrase is made up of one or more helping verbs and a main verb.

Example: All spiders can spin silky threads. Can=helping verb
spin =verb

Write the verb phrase in each sentence.

1. Webs are seen best in the early morning _____________
2. Thousands of threads might be covered with
dew. _____________
3. Shall we look for webs at dawn tomorrow? _____________
4. Spiders can move rapidly after their prey. _____________

Direct Objects
A direct object receives the action of a verb.
Some direct objects are compound
Ex. Maroconi invented the wireless telegraph. (invented what)

This book describes him and his invention. (describes whom and what?)

Write the D.O. that receives the action of the underlined verb. The D.O. may be compound.
1. Mr. Wan described the first telegraph. _____________
2. At first, wires carried the signals. _____________
3. Marconi developed a wireless system. _____________
4. He had studied electricity on his own. _____________

Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
A verb is transitive when it is followed by a direct object that receives the action of the verb.
A verb is intransitive when it has no direct object.

Transitive – Earthquakes strike many parts of the world.
Intransitive – They usually strike without warning.

Label each underlined verb transitive or intransitive

1. Earthquakes can cause tremendous damage. _________
2. Many countries experience tremendous damage. _________
3. Japan suffers from earthquakes almost every year. _________
4. Many earthquakes occur in the United States. _________

Being and Linking Verbs
A being verb shows a state of being.
A being verb is called a linking verb when it links the subject with a word in the predicate.
A predicate noun renames or identifies the subject.
A predicate adjective describes the subject.

Linking verbs

A popular newspaper section is the comics.

Comic strips have become popular.

Write the linking verb in each sentence.

1. My aunt is the author of a comic strip. _________
2. Her office is a busy and colorful place. _________
3. Her special ink smells funny. _________
4. The characters in her strip are little animals. _________

Simple Verb Tenses
The present tense tells that something is happening now.
The past tense tells that something has already happened.
The future tense tells that something is going to happen.
Write present, past or future for each underlined verb.

1. Lighthouses long ago were low towers on the shore. _________
2. In those days, ships depended on lighthouses for safety. _____
3. Even today lighthouse beams guide sailors. _________
4. In the past, a lighthouse lens was glass. _________

Perfect Tenses
The perfect tense describes an action that was or will be completed before another action. It is formed by combining the helping verb have with the past participle of the main verb.
The present perfect tense combines has or have with the past participle.
The past perfect tense combines had with the past participle.
The future perfect tense combines will have with the past participle.

Rewrite the sentences, changing the underlined verb to the correct perfect tense. Use the verb tense in parentheses.

1.The Post Office try to read incomplete addresses, but it has had to give up. (Present).
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

2.If the sender include a return address, the letter would have been returned. (Past)
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

3.By the end of this year, our class send 800 letters to animal rights groups. (Future)
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

Regular and Irregular Verbs
Present Past Present Participle Past Participle
Regular study studied (is) studying (has) studied
help helped (is) helping (has) helped
Irregular do did (is) doing (has) done
eat ate (is) eating (has) eaten

Choose the correct form of the verb for each sentence. Then identify whether it is regular or irregular.
1.Kela, the pilot, (saw, seen) acres of blue ice.
_____________________________________________________

2.The view (proved, proven) to be a very exciting one.
_____________________________________________________

3.Many of the rivers had (froze, frozen).
_____________________________________________________

Subject – Verb Agreement

1.A reptile ________scales or bony plates in its body. (has, have)
2.These animals ______ all cold-blooded. (is, are)
3.They _______ on the environment for warmth. (depend, depends)
4.Alligators and turtles ______reptiles. (is, are)

Contractions
Write the contraction for the following words

She is ___________ She will __________ Has not __________
It is __________ Must not _________ did not ________________

Sit, set; lie, lay; rise, raise

Sit to rest in an upright position rise to get up or go up
Set to put or place an object raise to move something
Lie to rest or recline to grow something
Lay to put or place an object to increase

1.The gorilla _______ inside a rubber tire. (sits, sets)
2.A mountain goat ______ on a boulder. (lies, lays)
3.The owl sleeps while the sun _______. (rises, raises)

Lend, borrow; let, leave; teach, learn

Lend to give Leave to go away, to remain in one place
Borrow to take teach to give instruction
Let to permit learn to receive instruction

1.Suki _______ from Bev about Annie Sullivan. (learns, teaches)
2.Annie _______ the Perkins Institute for the Blind. (lets, leaves)
3.Helen ______ many books in Braille from her teacher. (lends, borrows)

History in Fiction

2011-11-07T05:43:00.000-08:00

"Historical fiction includes all the elements of fiction: character, setting, plot, and theme. Writers of historical fiction weave historical facts, actual events, and imaginary details into stories. Their purposes for writing are to entertain and to inform." Students in sixth grade will be reviewing these details from The Language of Literature book.

Historical fiction includes real characters from history as well as made up ones. The characters often face problems that real people faced at that time in history. the dialogue, thoughts, and feeling of the characters are usually made up.

Writers use their imaginations to describe settings, bey they try to be accurate in the way they show daily life, details about technology and transportation, and people's thoughts and feeling.

In historical fiction, plot is often strongly influenced by the setting. this i because characters are influenced buy the events of their time.

The Language of Literature, p. 698

Adjectives in LA

2011-11-03T10:47:00.000-07:00

The sixth grade students started learning and practicing awesome adjectives this week. We have reviewed identifying adjectives in a sentence and the noun it modifies. The students later worked on comparing nouns using er or est and more and most. At the end of the week, the students will create a Movei, Book, or Video Game poster. The students will need to incluse three adjectives and pictures or symbols to help promote the movie, book, or video game. They will need to create three sentences about possible reviews written about the movie, book, or video game. We will be going to the IMC on Friday to create the poster that is due on Monday.

Oral Traditions

2011-10-24T09:27:00.001-07:00

The sixth reading students began the Oral Traditions unit in our Literature book. The unit is also being introduced in Social Studies and will be carried over to Computers.

Oral Traditions
These types of stories all have some common elements:
keep the past alive
teach lessons about human behavior
reveal the values of the society.

The first tradition we will be reading is a folk tale. It was told primarily for entertainment and features humans or human-like animals.

Problem Solving

2011-10-20T12:54:00.001-07:00

This week in RtI Math, we finished the first unit of Strategies for Success; Math Problem Solving.

The worked with four problem solving strategies: Logical reasoning, Guess, Check, and Revise, Write an Equation, and Make a Table. They learned that they can use more than one strategy to solve a problem. So if a strategy does not seem to be working, try a different one.

We also have started using Math vocabulary in our problems of the day. Below are the problems for today.

1.What is the difference of 45 and 5.
2.Evaluate an equation to find the product of two numbers.
3.Write an expression for the sum of a number and a variable.
4.How much more is 32 than 6?

Elements of a Personal Narrative

2011-10-18T06:30:00.000-07:00

Introduction
Who, What, Where, When and Why of the story.
Introduce your main character.
Set the scene, time and place.
Create the world of your particular story.
Set up the initial incident. (transition)

Body/Climax
EVENTS: in order (at least five with details)
Outline the events that led to the problem.
Develop the conflict.
Develop the tension.
Climax: the height of the tension.
Climax: an exciting development that gets the reader stirred up.

Resolution/ Conclusion
Provide solution or an outcome to the problem.
Your lesson, moral, or wisdom learned about the event.
Bring a satisfactory ending to the story.

RtI Math

2011-10-04T12:49:00.000-07:00

We have been working on solving word problems and will continue throughout the next coming weeks. Here are some strategies from the workbook we are using, "Strategies for Success: Math Problem Solving".

How to solve word problems.
1. Read the problem
Read carefully to be sure you understand the problem and what it is asking. Try to get a picture in your mind of what is going on and what is being asked. Underline the question. Circle the important information.

2. Search for information
Look through all the words and all the numbers to see what information is given. Study any charts, graphs, and pictures. Anything that might help you solve the problem is important.

3. Decide what to do
Think about the problem. If you are not sure how to solve it right away, ask yourself if you have solved a problem like this before. Think about all the problem-solving strategies you know. Choose one that you think will work.

4. Use your ideas
Start to carry out your plan. Try your strategy. Think about what you are doing. Once in a while, ask yourself, "Am I on the right track?" If not, change what you are doing. there is always something else you can try.

5. Review your work
Keep thinking about the problem. Finding an answer does not mean you are done. You need to keep going until you are sure you solved the problem correctly.

REWARDS in RtI Reading

2011-09-29T08:41:00.000-07:00

This week the Tier 2 RtI reading class began a new program called REWARDS. Here is a quick overview of the program from the Teacher's Manual.

REWARDS is a specialized reading program designed to teach secondary students a flexible strategy for decoding long words and to increase their oral and silent reading fluency. the letters in teh acronym stand for:
R-reading
E-excellence
W-word
A-Attack and
R-Rate
D-Development
S-Strategies

Smiley Face Tricks in LA

2011-09-19T07:50:00.000-07:00

The following tricks will make your writing come alive with your personal VOICE...

Hyphenated Modifiers – describing a noun, pronoun, verb, or adjective with a series of words “glued” together with hyphens

Example: The teacher shot the class a I-know-this-test-is-going-to-stump-you-all look, as she passed out the quiz.

Magic Three – three groups of words, separated by commas. Each group has its own modifiers. Make sure ALL verbs are in the same tense!

Example: I was scared! My palms became sticky and wet, my back tingled with fear, and my body began to feel weak and cold.

Figurative Language – using comparisons can “spice up” our writing
1. Simile: a comparison using like or as
2. Metaphor: a comparison of two seemly unlike things (not using like or as)
3. Personification: giving human qualities to something inhuman
4. Hyperbole: using an exaggeration that is not totally true, but exaggerates the truth

Example: She was as embarrassed as a kid tripping on the first day of school. She nearly died when the the desk walked right in front of her.

Specific Details – instead of vague descriptions, use sensory details to help the reader visualize the topic

Example: The crowd chanted “Mary” loudly as she walked hesitantly towards the table of pies. She regretted buying a ticket to pie Mrs. Mixon, but it was too late now! She was surprised by how cold the pie tin felt on her trembling hands...

Repetition for Effect – repeat specifically chosen words or phrases to make a point, or to stress certain ideas for readers.

Example: I hate writer's block! I can't think of anything to write. I can't come up with words for this stupid assignment. I can't create anything new. I can't, and so I won't!

Humor – making your writing funny can turn a boring paper into something colorful.

Example: Talking to my kid brother is like talking to a wall. It's pointless! No matter how hard I try, he still looks like I'm speaking a foreign language. He sits there, picking his nose, as if I'm not even there.

Complex Sentences

2011-09-12T13:11:00.001-07:00

Complex Sentences
Rules:
1.Combine simple sentences with a subordinating conjunction.
2.When a conjunction is in front of sentence, use comma to separate the two sentences.
3.No comma is needed when the conjunction separates two sentences.

Subordinating Conjunctions
after
because
since
when
while
as
although
before
unless
whenever
if
until

Directions: Join each pair of simple sentences to form ONE complex sentence. Use the subordinating conjunction in parentheses.

EX. I spotted the snake. It slid away. (before, because)
I spotted the snake before it slid away
OR
After I spotted the snake, it slid away.

6th Grade Reading Project

2011-09-07T08:27:00.000-07:00

The sixth graders have started their first independent reading project. Last Friday, the students went to the IMC to check out a fiction novel. On Monday, we explained the project with some examples. The students will be completing a Plot and Response Journal while reading thier novel. The Journal is due on Friday, September 30th.

Directions: As you read your novel, write a one-two sentence summary and a response statement for each chapter/section you read. Make sure to include the date and page number for each entry.

Plot Summary: actual events from the book

Response:a prediction of what will happen next
a question about something you don't understand
a reaction to something a character did or said
an opinion about what you liked, disliked, or found interesting

7th Grade Math

2011-08-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

Welcome back 7th graders! Especially 6th period Math!

I am super excited to be co-teaching in the 7th grade Math classroom with Miss Enzbigilis this school year. Many of the students in this class were in my same Math class last year with Mrs. Snodgrass. Last year was one of my favorite Math years. The students that make up this class are ready to learn and try very hard to comprehend the material presented. Their determination makes my job very easy, and I can't wait to show Miss Enzbigilis how wonderful these students are!

Similar to last year, the students will be required to have pencils, a calculator, and their notebook everyday. Their textbook can be left at home and can also be accessed online.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. amesker@ccsd66.org

Welcome Back!

2011-08-29T09:45:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Lakeview 6th graders. I am luckty enough to work with Mrs. Crews again this year in the Language Arts and Reading class. This year the students will be asked to have a folder for each subject and one notebook to use in both classes. The sixth graders will also have an English workbook for LA and a Buckle Down ISAT workbook for Reading. The textbooks will remain in the class. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. amesker@ccsd66.org

The Phantom Tollbooth

2011-05-23T12:12:00.000-07:00

The sixth grade students will be reading the drama version of the novel The Phantom Tollbooth. The drama is a fantasy that contains one or more fantastic or unreal elements. It features fantastic characters and settings. For example, the main character, who is a boy, meets Tock, a talking "watchdog" with an alarm clock in his belly. Together thses characters travel through imaginary lands: the Land of Wisdom, Dictionopolis, Digitopolis, and the Land of Ignorance.

Percents %

2011-05-16T09:18:00.000-07:00

The 6th grade students will continue to work with percents as we finish Chapter 8 in the textbook.

On Monday, the students will write fractions and decimals as percents. A chart of the common percents, decimals, and fractions is on page 431 in the textbook.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the students will find the percent of a number by changing the percent to a fraction or a decimal before multiplying. The students will continue the lesson with some real-world applications. They will find the sale price of items using a given discount, and calculate simple interest when given the principal, rate, and time.

Thursday and Friday will be review days for the test next week.

Research Project in LA

2011-05-09T05:58:00.000-07:00

Over the next few weeks the sixth grade students will be selecting and researching a sport or hobby that you are interested in or want to learn more about! When your research is complete, you will be creating an outline and a demonstration speech that you will present to your classmates!

Research Requirements
1.Research Library Days – Monday, May 9 -111 (4 days total)
During this time you are expected to stay on task, work quietly (remember this is a library), and gather enough information about your sport/hobby.
2.When researching you will need to fill out a “Bibliography Sheet” for each source you find. (ex. , Internet, CD-ROM). You will need to use at least one print source ( Book, magazine, encyclopedia) and at least one scholarly data base (EBSCO, World Book Online). You must use at least three different sources.

Bibliography Sheets

Once you have decided a fact will be used from a source, you must complete a bibliography sheet. ONE sheet must be filled out for EACH source.

Note Card Requirements
1.You will be required to turn in a minimum of 30 note cards. Many of you will need to use more than 30 due to the abundance of information you will discover about your sport/hobby.

2.Your note cards should include the following themes from your sport or hobby.
a.History & Origin (where/how the sport originated)
b.How To... (this is what you will use for your demonstration speech! Use 10-15 cards for this section)
c.Interesting Facts

Ratios and Rates

2011-04-28T07:34:00.000-07:00

This week the sixth grade students have completed the Chapter 12 unit on solving equations are moving to Ratios and Rates.

A ratio can be written to compare two things. A ratio can be written 3 different ways: a to b, a:b, or as a fraction a over b.

Students will write ratios and equivalent ratios.

A rate is a ratio of two measures that have different units, such as 15 miles/3 seconds.

A unit rate has a denominator of 1 unit, such as 20 words/1 minute.

Lit Roles in Reading

2011-04-18T08:59:00.001-07:00

Your literature role will change for every meeting. There are six roles and you will complete each one only once. The roles will rotate so that each role is only completed once per meeting. The Illustrator and Investigator role will be completed at the same time.

Connector-find connections between the book and you, and between the book and the wider world.

Literary Luminary- locate a few special sections or quotations in the text for your group to talk over.

Summarizer-prepare a brief summary of the assigned readings.

Scene Setter-track where the action takes place during the assigned reading.

Illustrator-draw some kind of picture related to the reading. It can be a sketch, cartoon, diagram, flowchart, or stick-figure scene.

Investigator-dig up some background information on any topic related to your book

Solving Equation Test next week

2011-04-18T08:49:00.000-07:00

Addition Equation - add the opposite to both sides
EX: 2 + m = -3
+ -2 = +-2
m = -5

Subtraction Equations - Turn into an addition equations and add the opposite to both sides.

w - 2 = 5
w + -2 = 5
+ 2 = +2
w = 7

Multiplication and Division Equation- do the opposite operation to both sides.

Ex:
5w = 15
5w = 15
-- = --
5 = 5
w = 3

EX:
y = -25
--
5
5*y = -25 *5
--
5
y = -125

Subtraction Equations

2011-04-12T09:34:00.000-07:00

The sixth grade students started subtraction equation yesterday in Math class. There are a few simple rules they need to follow to be successful.

Turn all subtraction equations into addition equations:
1. Leave 1st number alone (usually the variable).
2. Change addition to subtraction.
3. Change the sign of the 2nd number (positive to negative, negative to positive)

Then follow addition equation rules:
1. Add the opposite to both sides.
2. Solve equation remember your integer rules (same sign=add and keep sign OR different sign=what you have more of? and Subtract to find out how much more.)

Literature Response for Lit Circles

2011-04-12T09:30:00.000-07:00

After reading your assigned chapters or pages, write a four paragraph reading response. Your response should include the following components.

Introduction Paragraph:Include an introduction that names the literary work (chapter/page #s) and the author.
Tell enough about the assigned section so that readers unfamiliar with it can understand your response.

Two body Paragraphs:Focus on one element to analyze (setting, characters, plot, theme)
Support your statements with quotations and details from the story.
Include specific/personal reactions to the evidence from the text.

Conclusion Paragraph:Summarize the response in the conclusion.

Literature Circles in Reading

2011-04-04T07:54:00.000-07:00

The sixth graders in Mrs. Crews classes will be starting Lit Circles on Wednesday, 4/6. The students will be assigned a book according to their Lexile number from the MAPS testing down during the fall and winter. The students will read the book as a group, complete assignments independently, and discuss the activities as a group. At the end, will have a Mosaic tile project they will construct and present as a group.

Products included in Literature Circles
1. Three Bookmarks-
bookmark #1 due 4/8
bookmark #2 due 5/11
bookmark #3 due 5/16
2. Two Literature Responses-
Lit Response #1 due 4/13
Lit Response #2 due 5/19
3. Six Literature Roles- Connector
Literary Luminary
Summarizer
Scene Setter
*Illustrator
*Investigator
4. One GROUP Mosaic Tile Poster- Due 5/20

What Makes a Great Compare-Contrast Essay?

2011-03-22T07:33:00.000-07:00

A compare-contrast essay compares similarities and contrasts the differences between two subjects.

Remember these guidelines when you write a compare-contrast essay.
1. Choose two subjects you can compare and contrast easily.
2. Write an engaging introduction that names your two subjects.
3. Compare and contrast corresponding details for each subject.
4. Select a method of organization, and stick to it from beginning to end.
5. Use topic sentences to state the main idea of paragraphs.
6. Use transitional words and phrases to compare and contrast.
7. Write a conclusion that sums up you main ideas in a satisfying way.

Adding and Subtracting Integers

2011-03-15T07:35:00.000-07:00

The sixth graders are deep into the integer unit. Below are the rules for adding and subtracting integers.

Adding Integers:
1. Same Sign- add numbers and keep the sign
2. Different Sign- find the difference (subtract) and keep the sign of what you have more of

Subtracting Integers:
1. 1st number stays the same
2. Change subtraction to addition
3. Change the sign of the 2nd number
4. Follow the rules of addition.

Pronouns

2011-03-09T08:58:00.000-08:00

Sixth grade students have entered the lovely world of PRONOUNS! This week we will be working with Subject, Object, and Possessive Pronouns. The students also took notes on the pronoun's antecedent. Here are some of the notes covered:

A PRONOUN is a word that takes the place of one or more nouns.
The ANTECEDENT is the noun that the pronoun refers to.

Subject Pronouns

Singular- I, you, he, she, it
Plural- we, you, they

Object Pronouns

Singular- me, you, him, her, it
Plural- us, you, them

Possessive Pronoun

Used Before Nouns- my, your, his, her, its, our, their
Used Alone- mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs

Tricky Contractions

its- belongs to it OR it's- it is
their- belongs to them OR they're- they are
your- belongs to you OR you're- you are

Integers in Math

2011-03-01T06:15:00.000-08:00

The sixth graders started INTEGERS this week.

Integers are whole numbers that can be less or more than zero. Zero is also an integer.

Negative integers are integers that are less than zero. (-2, -124, -12)
Positive integers are integers that are greater than zero. (3, 123, 13)

Words like profit, increase, and above are often used for positive integers.
Words like loss decrease, and below are used for negative integers.

Opposites are two numbers that are the same distance away from zero in opposite directions. (ex: -2 and 2 are opposite numbers)

Students can also compare integers using a number line.
for example:
1. -3 < 7
2. -6 < 0
3. 0 > -4
4. 5 > -7
6. -9 < 9
7. 1 > -5
8. -11> -12
9. -10 < 8
10. -15 > -16

Mesker, 2/24

2011-02-25T05:29:00.000-08:00

LA/Per1- Buckle Down p. 59-63
Reading/Per2- Handout p. 9 Follow Up Questions
Math/Per6- ISAT multiple choice questions

ISAT test prep

2011-02-23T07:56:00.000-08:00

During the last two weeks, the 6th graders have be working in and out of the Buckle Down ISAT test practice booklet. The students are learning test taking strategies and practicing timed testing.

Here are some helpful hints and test taking tips:
1. Eat breakfast. Come to school next week well rested and fed.
2. Read EVERY set of directions. The ISAT are filled with individual directions.
3. Read each question twice and ask yourself "What do they want?".
4. Read all the possible answer and eliminate 2 right away.
5. Chose the best choice out of the ones listed.

Good Luck 6th Graders!!!!!

Maniac Magee Movie

2011-02-18T07:56:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Crews's 6th grade class has finished the Maniac Magee novel. This week we are watching the movie. We have asked student to use a Venn Diagram to discuss the similarities and differences between the novel and the movie. On Tuesday, the students will answer one of the following questions. Students should follow the ERR format when answering the questions.

1. After reading the novel and viewing the movie, which do you believe creates the better experience? Would you recommend students read the book or watch the movie. Use evidence from both to support your answer, and be sure to interpret your evidence with your own ideas.

OR

2. Compare and contrast the Maniac Magee movie and the novel. Explain any similarities or differences. Be sure to interpret your evidence. Explain how it made the book or movie, better or worse. Use evidence from the movie and novel to support your answer, and be sure to interpret your evidence with your own ideas.

Here is a link to the video:
http://www.nick.com/videos/clip/NTV_Maniac_Magee_full.html

6th graders start ADVERBS!!

2011-02-07T11:01:00.000-08:00

Today the 6th graders started Adverbs. We will be taking notes using the students' LA/Reading spirals/notebooks and the English textbook. The students should use their notes to help with the nightly assignments.

Today we started with the definition of an adverb and some examples. Your child's spiral/notebook should look like this.

Adverbs!
An adverb will modify or describe a verb, adjective, or another adverb.

Adverbs can answer these questions. Find the verb and ask . . .
How: quirky, safely, calmly.
Where: there, here, north, south
When: always, now, usually, occasionally

Math Test Wednesday!

2011-01-31T11:12:00.000-08:00

The sixth graders will be taking a test on adding and subtracting fraction and mixed numbers on Wednesday this week.

There are just a few easy steps to remember.
1. Make everything a fractions first.
2. Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions.
3. Add or Subtract the numerators.
4. The denominators stay the same.
5. Put answer in simplest form and/or make a mixed number.

There will also be estimation problems on the tests.

Students will need note-cards for the rest of the week as we will be starting geometry.

Spirit Days on Friday

2011-01-18T08:02:00.000-08:00

Last Friday was a Super Hero spirit day. The sixth grade team was out keeping the halls at Lakeview safe. This Friday is "Wild Card" spirit day. Students are able to choose thier own spirit day can come dressed any way they like.

Steps to Multiplying and Dividing Fractions

2011-01-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

Multiplying Fractions
1. Make all whole numbers and mixed numbers fractions.
2. Cross cancel using common factors (only numerators with denominators)
3. Multiply straight across.
4. Simpify and/or make improper factions mixed numbers

Dividing Fractions.
1. Make all whole numbers and mixed numbers fractions.
2. find the reciprocal of the second fraction.
3. Cross cancel using common fractors (only numerators with denominators)
4. Multiply straight across.
5. Simpify and/or make improper fractions mixed numbers.

Persuasive Compostitions.

2011-01-07T08:56:00.000-08:00

The sixth graders are writing a persuasive composition on one of two topics. The students were able to choose between: "Cell phones being on during the school day.", or "Lakeview having student uniforms.". The following is a the outline format we are using with the students.

Persuasive Composition Outline
Hook: An opening sentence that attracts or “hooks” the reader’s attention
INTERPRET your hook (powerful statement, quote, or fact)
Background Information: What you may already know about the topic in favor of your argument. Remind readers of the important information about your topic.
Argument: Your THESIS STATEMENT – one clear sentence stating what your composition is about
II. Reason 1: a REASON, BENEFIT, or an ADVANTAGE to support your argument.
Evidence 1: may consist of facts, examples, statistics, or real life experiences that supports your reason
Interpretation: Explain and Extend
Evidence 2: “same”
Interpretation:
Evidence 3: “same”
Interpretation:
III. Reason 2: a REASON, BENEFIT, or an ADVANTAGE to support your argument.
Evidence 1:may consist of facts, examples, statistics, or real life experiences that supports your reason
Interpretation: Explain and Extend
Evidence 2: “same”
Interpretation:
Evidence 3: “same”
Interpretation:
IV. Reason 3: a REASON, BENEFIT, or an ADVANTAGE to support your argument.
Evidence 1:may consist of facts, examples, statistics, or real life experiences that supports your reason
Interpretation: Explain and Extend
Evidence 2: “same”
Interpretation:
Evidence 3: “same”
Interpretation:
V. Argument: restatement of the argument
Summarize Reasons: restatement of the three reasons that support your argument
Exit Sentence: a prediction, question, recommendation, or quotation. Strongest sentence.

Chapter 5 test in Math.

2010-12-14T08:53:00.001-08:00

The sixth graders will be taking a test in Math tomorrow.

This can be a difficult test for the students as it is all the pre-fraction skills. Students will be asked to use prime factorization to find all primes, the greatest common factor, and least common multiple. They will also need to find equivalent fractions, the simplest form, and compare fractions. Lastly, students will convert mixed numbers into improper fractions and the reverse.

We will be reviewing all these skills today and students will come home with a handout that is similiar to the test. We will also provide a handout with the answers and work shown to help the students.

Good Luck!

Definition Poem form 1st period LA

2010-12-14T08:51:00.000-08:00

What is Lakeview?
A chance to start new things
A place to make friends
A place to learn
Fun for all kids
A song that keeps on playing
School Spirit for all ages
Unbeatable teams
Awesome teachers
Home of the Spartans.
That is Lakeview!

Poetry Unit

2010-12-07T07:24:00.000-08:00

Today we started our Poetry Unit. As a class, we created two poems about us, Mrs. Crews and Mrs. Mesker. Here are the two Clerihew poems we created.

Mrs. Crews
Likes flat shoes
She doesn't lie
And she's sweet as pie!

Mrs. Mesker
Loves hot sauce with peppers
She's not shy
Like a snake she's sly!

Moving into FRACTIONS!!!

2010-12-02T08:07:00.000-08:00

It's every one's favorite time of year . . . FRACTIONS.

This week the students started some pre-fraction skills. The following sections are in Chapter 5.

1. Prime Fractorization
2. Greatest Common Factors
3. Equivalent Fractions
4. Least Common Multiples
5. Ordering Fractions
6. Mixed Numbers
7. Changing to Fractions
8. Changing to Decimals

Poetry in Reading

2010-12-02T07:59:00.000-08:00

The sixth grade students have begun our Poetry unit. Today they took a short quiz on the terms and different strategies used in Poetry. We practiced using and identifying the following terms:
Imagery
Metaphor/Simile
Tone
Alliteration
Assonance
Repetition
Mood
Figurative Language
Rhythm
Stanza
Onomatopoeia
Personification

Next week the students will be creating their own poems. We would like the students to stick to one general theme to create a poetry book. The students will create definition poems, Haiku's, Diamante, and many others.

Bullying Prevention Program

2010-11-18T11:29:00.000-08:00

The sixth grade LA and Reading students have been working through a "Bullying" cirriculum this week. Tonight's assignment has the students working on creating a "bully" out of different animals. Tomorrow the students will create their own "Bully" in cooperative groups using the ideas from their team members. Here is an example of one the activities we used.

Write the characteristics of a bully in the box:

As we will be discussing, the word “bully” separated, has the word “bull” in it. As we brainstorm other animals that resemble the bully, please write the animals in the box:

Now, think about what parts of the animal best represent a bully. Which parts, specifically, are like a bully. For example, a gorilla's feet best represent a bully's feet because...

Animal Part that is like a bully and the Explanation
head
arms
trunk
legs
hands
feet
eyes
Optional ears
Optional mouth
Optional teeth

Adjectives in LA

2010-11-10T09:46:00.000-08:00

The sixth graders have moved from nouns onto the words that modify them.

Adjecives modify nouns or pronouns.

We are concentrating on the adjectives that answer these questions: How many?, What kind?, and Which one?.

Here are some examples of adjectives that can answer each question. Try putting the noun "dog or dogs" after each of these adjectives.

How Many?: five, many, few, several, no

What kind?: purple, tall, wonderful, exciting, ugly, honest

Which one?: this, that, these, those, other

Elements to Fiction or Nonfiction

2010-11-03T13:29:00.000-07:00

The students have been working in the elements to fiction and nonfiction writing. Next week, we will ask the students to focus on one or more of these elements. The students practiced using these elements while writing their narratives.

Essential Ingredients:
Setting (time and place)
Characters (main and supporting)
Conflict (problem)
Plotline (actual rising action/events)
Climax (turning point that leads to the resolution)
Resolution (problem solved)
Impact (effect of the solution on characters)
Theme (moral lesson that can be applied to everyday life)

Decimals are coming to an end!

2010-11-03T13:23:00.000-07:00

The sixth grade students will be ending their decimal unit on Friday. There is a great review at the end of the chapter on pages. 157-161.

On pages 157-160, the students can see completed problems and use them to solve the questions that follow. The review is broken down in the sections of the chapter. The students were assigned the even questions tonight. The odds questions would be great practice and the answers are in the back of the text.

On page 161, there is a practice test. The practice test does not have the completed examples. I might help to take the practice test before taking the test on Friday.

Students also have the opportunity to take a practice test on the computer. By using the online textbook, students can access a practice test and use the tutoring service in they get stuck on a question.

Decimals!

2010-10-27T07:24:00.000-07:00

The sixth grade students are deep into our Decimals unit. So far, they have written out decimals in word form and numbers, and practiced using a cm ruler to write "how many hundredths of a meter" objects are. We will continue by ordering decimals by their amounts, least to greatest or greatest to least. Later in the week we will start rounding decimals. We will use the same techniques as originally taught. Students will be asked to underline the number in the place value they are told to round to, and arrow forward from the number that tells them to round up or stay the stay. They SHOULD NEVER round down, ONLY up or stay the same.

Parts of Speech project

2010-10-19T07:17:00.001-07:00

During their language arts class, the sixth graders are working on an in class project. The students will be "Taecher for a Day".

Directions: It’s your turn to lead the class! Together with your group, you will create a lesson to present to your peers. The lesson will focus on one of the following parts of speech: nouns, verbs, adjectives, or adverbs. Be creative and have fun!

The presentation will include:
1. Definition of your assigned part of speech
2. Examples of how to correctly use the part of speech
3. Activity for your classmates to complete
Activity Ideas:
*Mad Lib - Create a story for the class and have them fill-in-the-blanks with the part of speech
*Word Scavenger Hunt
*Game
*Your own idea?

Timeline:
Work days – Tue, 10/19 & Wed, 10/20
Presentations – Thurs, 10/21

RtI Reading

2010-10-12T08:11:00.000-07:00

The RtI reading classes will be focusing on narrative writing and reading a science article.

For narrative writing, the students will read and analyze a personal narrative. These activities are an extension of the lesson being taught in language arts and reading. The students will be making sure the personal narrative contains the following:
*a beginning, middle, and end to the event
*includes real events, people, and places
*uses specific details that let the reader "see and fee" what's happening
*expresses the writer's feelings

While reading the science article, the students will be focusing on cause and effect as well as interpreting the information available in a science article. Students will practice reading diagrams and explaining the information in the text. They will use the title and labels in the diagram to help them know what the article is about.

Find the Average!

2010-10-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Sixth grade students are working on finding different froms of the average of a set of numbers. Below is a list of the forms they have been working on. There is a quiz on averages this Friday.

Median- the middle number of an ordered set of numbers. If there are two numbers, add the numbers and divide by 2.

Mode- the number that happens the most

Range- the difference between the biggest and smallest number (biggest-smallest)

Mean- add all numbers and divide by how many numbers there are

Personal Narrative Elements

2010-10-04T09:19:00.000-07:00

The students will be writing a personal narrative this week. We are practicing the elements of a personal narrative with the story of the "Three Little Pigs". Listed below are the elements we are asked the students to find in the story, and what they need to include while writing their personal narrative.

Setting (time and place)
Situation (background)
Characters (main and supporting)
Initial incident (starts the conflict)
Conflict (problem)
Plotline (actual rising action/events)
Climax (resolution of the conflict)
Impact (effect of the solution on characters
or situation of the story)

Narrative Writing

2010-09-28T09:12:00.000-07:00

The sixth graders are working on writing a narrative paragraph that will lead to a narrative composition. There are five categories we are focusing on with the students.
1. Lead Sentence: introduces the narrative and states or hints at the main idea.
2. Support sentence 1: gives details that supports the main idea (tells what happens first) and EXPLAINS or ELABORATES.
3. Support sentence 2: gives details that supports the main idea (tells what happens second) and EXPLAINS or ELABORATES.
4. Support sentence 3: gives details that supports the main idea (tells what happens third) and EXPLAINS or ELABORATES.
5. Closing sentence: can tell the last event :(, OR exaplains what the writer thought/felt about the experience :), OR repeats the main idea in a new way.

New Math Unit

2010-09-22T07:04:00.000-07:00

Today the sixth graders are taking a test on the first unit in math class. We will start unit 2 tomorrow.

This unit includes the following skills:

1. Measuring length-students will use a ruler to draw straight lines, and measure length using customary and metric units.
2. Perimeter and area- use different fomulas to find perimeter (P= 2l x 2w) and area (A=lw)
3. Scale drawings- use rulers to find actual lengths of objects adn use scale drawings to find actual lengths
4. Tables and line plots- students will read data from a table and draw number lines, and create and interpret frequency tables and line plots.
5. Bar graphs- will organize and disply data using frequency tables, and display data using bar graphs.
6. Line graphs- students will plot points on number lines and make bar graphs, and plot points on coordinate grids and make line graphs.
7. Circle graphs- students will interpret circle graphs and make predictions
8. Averages- will describe mean, median, mode, and range.

Extended Reading Response

2010-09-20T09:08:00.000-07:00

Today the sixth grade students were re-introduced to the extended reading response. We will be continuing the format used at PV. The extended reading response can be found on the ISAT. The student will need to answer a prompt after reading a selection. The answer to the prompt is in an essay format. We will be continuing the format used at PV. The sixth graders will be practicing this format this week. The format is as follows:

1. Main idea
(Restate prompt)
2. Evidence
(Proof from text)
3. Interpretation
(explains hoe the evidence proves the main idea)
4. Evidence
(Proof from text)
5. Interpretation
(explains how the evidence proves the main idea)
6. Extension
(Restate Main Idea & What can you learn from the story?)

Magazine Drive

2010-09-14T08:11:00.000-07:00

On Monday, all the students were introduced to our magazine drive to raise money for our PTO. The students have the chance to win so many amazing prizes. It's very exciting for them. Thursday is the first turn in day. The students can simply turn in completed postcards to send to family or friends in other states. There is no purchase necessary so it's the easiest way to wind a prize.

This Friday is the first day to turn in any magazine sales.

I have some sales I would love to give to the first student who asks. :)

Please encourage your child to tell you about this wonderful fund raiser.

Order of Operations

2010-09-08T11:54:00.000-07:00

This week the sixth grade students reviewed the order of operations. We introduces the acronym PEMDAS (Please, Excuse, My, Dear, Aunt, Sally). It stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiply OR Divide, Add or Subtract. So far the student have only practiced problems with mixed up multiplication, division, addition, or subtraction (3 + 4 x 2) or 12 - 8 + 2). They are getting confused on problems that have division before multiplication. We are trying to tell the students to check for any multiplication or division first. If multiplication or division are in the problem, do which ever comes first. Be sure to finish up all multiplication and division problems before moving on to addition or subtraction. Again do which ever comes first.

In this problem for example:
24- 2 x 9 + 2
1. do 2 x 9 first =18
2. then 24 -18 = 6
3. lastly 6 + 2

The students should complete the problem working down and without equal signs. Please see math notes for clarification.

1st Reading Project

2010-08-31T09:25:00.000-07:00

The sixth grade students were introduced to their first reading project today. All students were asked to choose one fiction novel at their level by Friday, 9/3. We would like the students to complete a Plot Sequence and Response Writing Journal while reading at home and here at school.

Here are directions for what we expect.

Directions: As you read your novel, write a one-two sentence summary and a response statement for each chapter/section you read. Make sure to include the date and page number for each entry.

Plot Summary:
actual events from the book

Response: (Only one per summary but please differ your response. We expect at least two of each kind before the completion of the journal.)
a prediction of what will happen next
a question about something you don't understand
a reaction to something a character did or said
an opinion about what you liked, disliked, or found interesting

RtI at Lakeview

2010-08-26T07:57:00.000-07:00

The goal of the RTI Reading Program is to teach the student the skills he/she needs in order to be successful in reading. I will be working closely with the 6th grade team and teaching the students reading comprehension strategies that hopefully the student will be able to apply in all of his/her classes. Because the main focus is reading comprehension, we will be working on the skills the student is learning in the double period of language arts and reading. For example, if the student is learning about summarizing in the double period, we would work on that skill even further to ensure that the student understands how and when to use it. I like to think of the class as filling the student’s “tool boxes,” or brains with useful tools and then working with them to realize at what occasion they use each specific tool.

The students will be formally assessed twice a month using a program called AIMS Web. This will give us a closer picture as to whether or not the student is making progress. I will also be assessing the students on a daily basis, whether it’s listening to their comments during a group discussion, working with them one on one to check for understanding, or having them read aloud to make sure they’re reading fluently. This close monitoring will help to determine the progress so that at the end of the first trimester, both the parents and I can sit down and discuss what may be working and what we need to change. Whatever the result, the main goal is obviously for the student to achieve success in reading, whether it’s reading for school or reading for pleasure.

Ride Janie Ride Celebrations

2010-05-24T08:16:00.001-07:00

Because the 6th graders raised over one thousand dollars for the Ride Janie Ride Foundation, the students will have a pancake breakfast tomorrow. The students will go into the gym to eat when they get off the bus and will be done before the start of Homebase. Please be sure to be at school by 7:35.

On Friday the students will be having their field day in the morning. The students will rotate through different game stations with their Homebase. Hopefully the weather will keep up because it will be so much fun outside!

Congrats 6th graders!!!

Boat Trip Friday.

2010-05-18T12:47:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder to all sixth graders,

We will be going on the Boat field trip to Chicago this Friday. Please be sure to dress for the weather as all the activities are outside. Students are also asked to bring a SACK lunch where everything can be thrown away. It's a wonderful field trip! We look forward to it every year! Let's hope for some sunny comfortable weather!

Research Unit: Sports and Hobbies

2010-05-10T11:31:00.000-07:00

Over the next week you will be selecting and researching a sport or hobby that you are interested in or want to learn more about! When your research is complete, you will be creating an outline and a demonstration speech that you will present to your classmates!

Research Requirements
Research Library Days – Friday, May 7 -12 (4 days total)
Bibliography/Outline Typing Days – Monday, May 17-20 (4 days total)
During this time you are expected to stay on task, work quietly (remember this is a library), and gather enough information about your sport/hobby.
When researching you will need to fill out a “Bibliography Sheet” for each source you find. (ex. , Internet, CD-ROM). You will need to use at least one print source ( Book, magazine, encyclopedia) and at least one scholarly data base (EBSCO, World Book Online). You must use at least three different sources.

Bibliography Sheets
Once you have decided a fact will be used from a source, you must complete a bibliography sheet. ONE sheet must be filled out for EACH source.
Note Card Requirements
You will be required to turn in a minimum of 30 note cards. Many of you will need to use more than 30 due to the abundance of information you will discover about your sport/hobby.
Your note cards should include the following themes from your sport or hobby.

1. History & Origin (where/how the sport originated)
2. How To... (this is what you will use for your demonstration speech! Use 10-15 cards for this section)
3. Interesting Facts

When filling out a note card you are to write the following:
SAMPLE NOTE CARD
Source # Last Name, Period
Name of magazine, newspaper, book, etc.
Write only ONE FACT

Source #3 Coppoletta, Per. 1
World Book Online
Cartwheel Step 1: Find lead foot, and point it in the direction you want to move.

By only writing ONE fact/step per note card you will be able to meet the 30 note card requirement.

When you have completed researching your topic, organize your note cards according to each theme (history, how to, interesting facts). It is best to attach them together with paper clips so when you need to, you can pull them apart for writing your outline and speech. It is highly recommended that you bring plastic baggies to keep your materials organized! You are responsible for your note cards – if you lose them you will need to start all over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Speech/Outline Requirements
Once you complete your research in the library you will begin writing your outline in class. Writing days will be from Thursday, May 13 – Friday, May 14.
Complete an outline BEFORE you start practicing your speech (you will learn how to do a proper outline in class).
You will type your outline and bibliography in the IMC on Monday,
May 17- Thursday, May 20.
It is highly encouraged that you use a flash drive to transfer your documents between home and school. Some typing may have to be done at home to complete the assignments on time. All students are required to have a typed outline and bibliography (there will be NO exceptions). Outlines and bibliography are due on Monday, May 24 when you come to class. You will need to print 2 copies of your outline: one for you and one for your teacher. You will be given at least one day to rehearse your speech and receive feedback. All students must be prepared to present speeches on May 25. Papers should already be stapled and assembled in the correct order BEFORE entering class.

Presentation Requirements
You will be giving a demonstration speech on one part of your sport/hobby. For instance, you can show how to putt – not how to golf, or how to bake a cake – not how to bake. You may dress up according to the sport/hobby you selected, and you must use a visual aid. If you choose not to portray your sport/hobby, you must be properly attired. This is a formal speech!!! NO JEANS or T-SHIRTS!! Think of yourself being invited to speak to our class...what would a guest speaker wear?
Your speech must be a minimum of 4 minutes to a maximum of 6 minutes.
This is something to be taken seriously! Your presentation is worth 50 points. No laughing or goofing around. A real guest speaker would not behave this way!
Presentations will be given May 25-26.

Prepositional Phrases

2010-05-03T08:46:00.000-07:00

The 6th grade students will be finishing our Prepostion unit this week. Here are a list of Prepositions we are asking the students to familiarize themselves with. The students should be able to identify the phrase. They will need to label the prepostion and object.

about
around
beneath
during
of
to
above
as
beside
for
on
toward
across
at
between
from
over
under
after
before
beyond
in
past
until
against
behind
by
into
through
up
along
below
down
near
throughout
with

Compare and Contrast Essay

2010-04-21T08:52:00.000-07:00

This is a sample of a Compare and Contrast essay written by five students in my RtI class. The students read two true stories of success and compare the people involved. Here is their essay that was written together as a class.

Kings of the Water Road
Have you ever dreamed to be someone in the future? I know two people that had different conditions, but they both succeeded.

Kenny Roberts and Amy Van Dyken have some similarities. One similarity is they had conditions that made reaching their goal harder. Amy had problems with asthma. If you have asthma and you're in sports, it's harder to breath. Kenny Roberts had problems with being short and skinny. Kenny's problem was that he was too small for his motor bike, and his motor bike was to big for him. Another similarity is that both of them get teased or made fun of. Amy would get teased just because she was tall, skinny, and dorky until she made the NCAA National Swim Team. Kenny was teased about being small and not being tall enough for racing. Finally, the last similarity is they both won championships. Kenny was the first American to win the Grand Prix World Championship. Amy was the first American woman with asthma ever to win four gold medals in one Olympics.

Amy Dyken and Kenny Roberts have some differences too. One difference is, Kenny and Amy raced in different areas. Kenny raced on a race track all around Europe. Amy swam in a pool in the Olympics. A second difference is one listened to their doctor and the other did not. Amy listened to her doctor, and she joined swimming. Kenny Roberts doctor said, “You can not race any more because you broke your back.” He raced in a back brace and still one the championship. Lastly, Amy quit but, Kenny did not give up his dreams. Amy said that it was to hard for her with asthma condition but, she couldn't stay away from swimming so she went back to swimming. Kenny never gave up his sport. Lots of people thought he was to small for racing but he showed what he was made of.

These people never gave up there dream. They fought through their conditions, went through teasing, but still they knew success is what they wanted.

Written By: Alexa, Cormac, Jasmine, Samantha, Viridiana

Homebase FUN!

2010-04-16T08:34:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the new game show "Minute to Win It"? It's great!!!! We will be doing a version of it during our Homebase time. Homebases will be competing against another Homebase. The first Homebase to complete the task will be claimed the winner. The games are simple but difficult to complete. It should be pretty fun for our sixth graders. Here are the games we will be trying. Check out the website and view some of the funny videos!
http://www.nbc.com/minute-to-win-it/how-to/

1. Breakfast Scramble-
Contestant must assemble two (but one at a time) 20-piece puzzle. Cereal box covers will be cut into 20 even pieces. The pieces will be in a single stack.
2. Caddy Shack-
Contestants are given three golf balls. The balls must be stacked vertically and they must stay upright for three seconds without falling.
3. Egg Roll-
Contestants must move three eggs across the floor and into a target area only by "fanning" the eggs with a student white dry erase board. Can use masking tape to make a 12" x 12" square.
4. Keep It Up-
Contestants using only their breath must keep 3 feathers afloat. Can not touch any part of the body.
5. Paper Scraper-
Contestants has to build a tower of index cards that is 10 levels high. Each level consists of two pre-bent cards with a flat card on top. You should check out the video for this one!
6. Spin Doctor-
Contestants grabs a single dime and spins it. The dime must be stopped in the upright position with a single finger. The finger and the wood block must both be in contact with the thin edge of the dime while it is stopped in the upright position. A correctly stopped dime should be placed in the teacher's hand. This must be repeated five times.

Ride Janie Ride

2010-04-13T11:33:00.001-07:00

Lakeview Junior High together will raise money for a fundraiser called Ride Janie Ride. This program raises money for different blood cancers. For more information, go to www.ridejanieride.org and to see the three recipients this fundraiser will help! The object is to raise as MUCH money as possible within your homebase and try to build the BIGGEST motorcycle gang. For every $5.00 raised, your homebase will receive a motorcycle. When your homebase has raised $15.00, you get to invite another homebase over for games. At $50.00 your homebase receives an outside homebase. When $100.00 is raised, your homebase will be given a breakfast party! Any grade level that reaches $1,000 will have a field day outside for half a school day! This is SUCH a great cause since our district knows and is related to two of the recipients...lets pull together to make a DIFFERENCE!!!

Spring Fever!

2010-04-09T10:49:00.000-07:00

Wasn't Spring Break wonderful??? The weather was wonderful and I had so much fun!!

Now that we are back, we need the kids keep working as hard as they have in the past. Homework will keep coming home and we will still be having some quizzes as tests. This is the time of year where the kids may need a little reminder of the importance of school.

BUT!!!!! Please encourage your child to play outside. There is no replacement for the warmth the sun can provide! There are some wonderful parks in our area. You are never to old to go down the tube slide or jump of a swing! Enjoy!! :)

Homebase Success

2010-03-26T07:51:00.000-07:00

Here is a video of our Homebase working together to play A, B, C ping pong. The students had to work together to get through the alphabet by hitting a ping pong ball in the air. They need to shout out each letter with each hit. They were so proud of themselves for making to to Z. Congrats Mesker's Madhouse!!!

Interger Notes

2010-03-24T09:27:00.001-07:00

This week the students were introduced to intergers. Here are some of notes and example problems we have done this week.

Intergers- numbers often used to represent real-world quantities
Negative integers- integers that are less than zero
Positive integers- intergers that are greater than zero
Absolute Valie- number's distance from zero [-4] = 4 or [6] = -6

ADDING INTERGERS!
Same Signs- 1. add the numbers, 2. keep the sign (ex. -5 + -2 = -7 or 3+ 2 = 5)
Different Signs- 1. find the difference, 2. keep the sign of what you have more of (ex. -5 + 2 = -3 or 3 + -2 = 1)

Geometry! DONE!

2010-03-19T12:21:00.000-07:00

The sixth grade students finished the Geometry unit on Thursday this week. We have moved into INTEGERS! This is something new for the sixth graders and will be a lot of fun! Today we started by writing the opposite of a number, finding the largest or smallest number, and ordering numbers. Here are some examples:

1. The opposite of 8 is -8
2. -2 <> -10
3. Order from least to greatest- -11, -5, 0, 3, 7

Literary Graffiti

2010-03-08T07:35:00.000-08:00

Literary Graffiti
During the Reading classes, the sixth graders are created some graffiti. We are incorporating Dr. Seuss books to discuss the meaning of Theme. The students will be assigned a group and book. Here is an example of the guidelins the students will follow.

Please check in with your teacher after you complete each step!
Our Dr Seuss Book is __________________________________________________
The Theme of this book is _______________________________________________
Class Meeting 1:
_____ We read out Dr. Seuss book and wrote the title on the appropriate line
_____ We agreed on a general theme/lesson of our book and wrote it on the right line
Class Meeting 2:
_____ We picked a quote from our book that connects to our theme and wrote it in the quote box
_____ We summarized what the quote was about
_____ We created a DEEP visual representation (symbol) of the quote in color on a separate sheet of blank white paper
Class Meeting 3:
_____ We explained how our symbol relates to the quote
_____ We explained why this quote is significant (important) to the story
_____ We practiced, and we're ready to present our Literary Graffiti to the class TOMORROW!
Class Meeting 4: PRESENT TO THE CLASS

Quadrilaterals

2010-03-02T11:28:00.000-08:00

The 6th graders were introduced to quadrilaterals this week. The students will need to classify each quadrilateral as many ways as possible.

We covered parallelograms, rectangles, rhombuses, and squares.

Here are some of the activites the students will be thinking about.
1. (some/all) rectangles are squares
2. (some/all) rhombuses are parallelograms
3. (some/all) squares are rhombuses
4. (some/all) parallelograms are squares
5. (some/all) squares are rectangles

ISAT Week!!!

2010-03-02T11:25:00.000-08:00

It's finally here! We have been preparing all year for these tests. Here are some suggestions to help you get through the next four days.

1. Get a well rested sleep every night.
2. Eat a good breakfast with some proteins.
3. Take you time with the tests.
4. Read each question carefully.
5. Underline or highlight parts of the text that will help you answer the question.
6. Bring a book or something you can work on silently.

Finishing up Maniac!

2010-02-19T07:43:00.000-08:00

The 6th grade students are about to finish our Maniac Magee novel study. This is my favorite novel of the year. The students are excited to read about all the crazy things Maniac does. We will be taking an open book test on Friday, 2/26.

Here is a little information on the novel,
He wasn’t born with the name Maniac Magee. He came into this world named Jeffrey Lionel Magee, but when his parents died and his life changed, so did his name. And Maniac Magee became a legend. Even today kids talk about how fast he could run; about how he hit an inside-the-park “frog” homer; how no knot, no matter how snarled, would stay that way once he began to untie it. But the thing Maniac Magee is best known for is what he did for the kids from the East Side and those from the West Side.

Geometry!

2010-02-16T08:21:00.000-08:00

Yeah! Fractions are finished and the 6th graders have moved into Geometry. This chapter, the students will be asked to complete flashcards to the new terms will be studying. They will also be taking two mini-quizzes on the terms before the end of the chapter.

Here are the sections we will be covering:
1. Basic geometric figures
2. Measuring angles
3. Classifying angles
4. Classifying triangles
5. Classifying quadrilaterals
6. Classifying polygons
7. Congruence and similarity
8. Line symmetry

2010-02-03T08:18:00.000-08:00

Hats for Haiti
Special Spirit day on Friday
Feb 5th

All students and staff can wear a hat to show support for the people of Haiti.
Please bring in a dollar to purchase a ticket to wear a hat this Friday. All money raised will be added to Lakeview's donation to the American Red Cross.

2010-01-25T13:32:00.000-08:00

Pack the Place Spirit Week
2010
Thursday-Twin Day
Friday-Snuggie/PJ day
Monday-Ugly Shirt Day
Wednesday- Green Day
Thursday-Gold Day

Tickets for “Pie in the Face” will be sold during lunch. They are $1.00. Students can buy as much as they like. All money raised will be donated to the American Red Cross.

Wed Feb 3rd -Girls Game
1. There will be a pre-game show with games and contests.
2. The Pep Band and Choir will preform.
3. Teachers pied in the face
(Myers, Little, Enzbigilils, Payne, Cerney, Coppoletta)

Thur Feb 4th- Boys Game
1. There will be a pre-game show with games and contests.
2. The Pep Band and Choir will preform.
3. Teachers pied in the face
(Mesker, Mixon, Mastny, Safranski, Windsor)

Movie Suggestion

2010-01-13T06:37:00.000-08:00

I don't go to the movies often, can't stand waiting through previews and sitting still for a long time. Over break I went to the movies for the first time in years and had the best movie experience in my life.

I want to see Avatar!

My father, brother, and I went to the AMC/Lowes theater on Woodridge to see the movie in 3D. We were completely amazed at the concept, colors, effects, and story line. Avatar has it all! There is a great love story, war scene, internal struggle of self, and a fantasy world like nothing I have ever thought could be created!

I can't wait to see it again and again.!

http://www.avatarmovie.com/index.html

IOWAs this Week

2010-01-11T12:41:00.000-08:00

The sixth graders will be taking the IOWA test of basic skills on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week. The test will be during the morning classes but the schedule will rotate so that the students will miss only one class over the week.

The IOWA tests vocabulary, reading comprehension, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, usage expressions, math concepts, problems, and computation.

It is recommended that students get a restful sleep and eat breakfast so that they are fully ready for the testing.

Multiplying Fractions!

2010-01-08T11:03:00.000-08:00

The sixth grade students are multiplying fractions now. We have completed three lesson of Chapter 7: estimating fraction by whole #, multiplying fraction by fraction, and multiplying mixed numbers. There will be quiz over these three areas one Monday. If your child ever needs assistance, Mrs. Snodgrass or myself is available before school or during study hall.

Limericks

2009-12-16T07:40:00.000-08:00

Here is a Limerick we wrote today in Mrs. Crews's and Mrs. Mesker's 2nd period Reading class:

Lautner's Life
There once was a bad actor named Taylor
Who had slimy skin like alligators
He was in the movie Twilight
And always stole the limelight
When his career crashes he'll live in a trailer

I guess are students are not big fans of the Twilight series. We all laughed during the creation of this poem. I hope you did too! Can't wait to hear what they come up with on their own.

Rebecca Caudill Books!

2009-12-08T08:15:00.000-08:00

We introduced a new reading project right before Thanksgiving. The students will be choosing a book to read that is a Rebecca Caudill nominee. There are 20 books on the list. Students are asked to read three books by the end of the unit. The first book is due on December 17th. After completing a book, the students are asked to take and accelerated reader test for a grade in Reading class. Many students are enjoying the books to much they have completed three books already. The more books your child reads, the accelerated reader points he/she can earn. They will also be able to recommend the books to other students.

I have already read Shark Girl, Kimchi and Calamari, Home of the Brave, and A Crooked Kind of Perfect. I truly loved them all but Home of the Brave is my favorite so far! Enjoy the reading!!!

Poetry Unit

2009-12-08T08:14:00.000-08:00

During the month of December, we will be focusing on reading and writing different styles of poetry. Everyday your child will be introduced to a different type of poem. We will review the rules and definition of each type together and practice writing them as a class. Independently, your child will write at least one poem for each type we study. Daily, your child will be asked to share his/her poems. Everyone is expected to share at least one poem. At the end of the unit, your child will type out each poem and construct a book of poetry.

Verb Test Friday

2009-11-18T10:15:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Crews's and Mrs. Mesker's classes will have the second part of the Verbs' test on Friday. Below are the sections we are covering. Students should use their notes or workbook to help in studying. Students are also encouraged to use a notecard on the test that can be filled with anything helpful hints.

Simple Verb tenses- past, present, and future
Irregular Verbs
Subject Verb Agreement- Including the use of conjunctions
Contractions
Confusing Verbs- (sit, set, lie, lay, rise, raise, lend, borrow, let, leave, teach, learn)

Character Counts Field Trips

2009-11-12T06:45:00.001-08:00

This week and the week of Thanksgiving, the Character Counts Club and the Leadership Teams will be traveling to PV and IDE.

Our first trip will be to PV on 11/12. We will be traveling to all the classes to work with the students in small groups. While in their groups, the students will create and perform short skits about bullying in elementary schools. After each skit is complete, the Character Counts Club will have a short discussion about the appropriate steps to deal with the each situation.

At IDE, the students will again be working in small groups in each classroom. The IDE students will be playing an IDE Character Counts game. Similar to Candy Land, the IDE students will choose a card with a situation on it. If the card shows good choices, the student will move forward.

I am looking forward to traveling to the schools and seeing the Junior High students interact with the different grades. It should be loads of fun for all involved.

Ancient Times

2009-11-04T12:17:00.000-08:00

The week the sixth grade students read a nonfiction selection on Mt. Vesuvius and the city of Pompeii. Tomorrow we will be reading a historical nonfiction selection about a blind boy and his dog as they try to flee the city during the eruption.

The students will be focusing on the elements of the story that reinforce the nonfiction genre. Historical fiction includes all the elements of fiction: character, setting, plot, and theme. Writers of historical fiction include historical facts, actual events, and imaginary details into stories. Its purpose is to entertain and inform.

6th Grade Field Trip Thursday

2009-10-26T10:29:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, October 29, the 6th grade will be taking a field trip to a performance called MatheMagic! Here, a magician will use magic, comedy, and storytelling to engage us in problem solving and exploration of ancient civilizations.

After the performance, we will be eating lunch at a fast-food restaurant. Therefore, students will also need to bring their own money to cover the cost of their lunch.

6th Grade Odes

2009-10-23T07:04:00.000-07:00

The sixth grade students will be writing their very own odes this weekend. We are hoping they will be sharing them with us on Monday. Here is an example ode I wrote to get their minds thinking about fun topics.

Ode to Music in My Car
Hearing a song I know,
Makes me smile ear to ear.
I search the radio,
Just to find a song to sing.

Everything is better when,
I can belt out my favorite tune.
I imagine I am Brittany Spears,
Or Kanye West on KISS FM.

Singing in the car makes,
All the bad things go away.
I dance, I cheer, I hit all the high notes,
Every time the dial finds a ditty I recall.

I am the next American Idol,
With the windows up and the radio on high.
Oh songs, oh radio, oh music in my car,
You make me warm and fuzzy inside.

8th Grade Leadership Field Trip

2009-10-19T10:45:00.000-07:00

This year a small group of 8th grade students on the Leadership team will be traveling to Camp Algonquin this weekend for the annual MLI conference.

Basically, the Mid-Level Institute, or MLI, is an opportunity for middle school students with leadership potential, to gain new skills and knowledge to become a leader in their school and community, live a healthy lifestyle, and encourage others to stay drug free. Oh, and of course, it is sponsored by Family Service.

As participants, youth will take part in large and small group activities, which include attending presentations, participating in workshops and a teams course, having small group discussions, singing songs, playing games, and enjoying the Prevention Fun Fair. Some of the ideas that will be introduced during these activities will include challenging stereotypes, decision-making, being a leader, and healthy living.

MLI also provides a chance for students to make new friends from all over the county. Their weekend will be spent in an overnight camp setting, sleeping in a cabin and eating camp food. They will be very busy having fun and learning many new things. Even though participants are pretty tired at the end of the weekend from doing all of these great things, they find it to be very enjoyable!

New Reading Report Project

2009-10-07T12:37:00.000-07:00

Greeting Card Project
Directions:Think about the characters in your novel. Imagine that one character is sending a card to another character. What kind of card would they character send and why?
Choices of cards: Birthday, Sympathy, Thank You, Get Well, Friendship, Anniversary, Retirement, New Baby, Valentine's Day, Miss You
Task: There are TWO parts to this project.
1. Create a card to one character in your novel to another character.
2. On a separate sheet of paper, include the following:
The title and date of publication
In one paragraph, explain why you created the card you did.
In one paragraph, explain the importance of this choice and how the novel would be different if the card had actually been sent.

Narrative Writing in LA

2009-10-02T06:52:00.000-07:00

The sixth grade students have been working on writing narrative compositions. Here are the parts we are looking for:

Narrative Composition: Story Telling
Essential Ingredients:
Setting (time and place)
Situation (background)
Characters (main and supporting)
Initial incident (starts the conflict)
Conflict (problem)
Plotline (actual rising action/events)
Climax (resolution of the conflict)
Impact (effect of the solution on characters
or situation of the story)

Character Counts Club!

2009-09-24T08:20:00.001-07:00

This week Character Counts Club started at Lakeview. Here is some information on the club.

The Club is designed to allow the students to participate in character building activities, teach positive character traits, and help out the school and community. Any sixth, seventh, or eighth grade student is invited to join as long as they attend the Tuesday morning meeting (7:30). During that time we meet to discuss any upcoming events.

The main component of the Character Counts Club is our field trips to Prairie View and Elizabeth Ide. When the Club visits these schools, we enter the classroom or perform assemblies encouraging positive character traits. We will take these small field trips three times during the school year. Your son or daughter will miss part of the school day for the field trip and be responsible for the missed work.

New Novel in Reading

2009-09-17T12:38:00.000-07:00

The 6th Grade Reading students were introduced to a new novel this week. We will be reading this novel together in class over the next couple of weeks. The students will be focusing on different vocabulary techniques (using context clues, writing new words in compound/complex sentences, and stating synonyms or antonyms). We will also continue to discuss different comprehension activities and practice the reading extended response format.

This is a synopsis of the novel:

Taking Sides is about a teen that lived in the barrio and then moved to the tree-lined streets of the suburb. Since the move he still has many friends in his old neighborhood but he also has made some new ones in his new school. He is still very loyal to his old school basketball team but he plays on the team from the suburbs. When he looks at the game schedule for the year he notices that he will have to play against his old team for the league championship. Still being torn between to schools and teams he is worried about how he can play his best while he is still very loyal to the team he will be playing. To find out how he plays against his old team and who wins the game you will need to read Taking Sides by Gary Soto.

Reading Response Chart

2009-09-09T12:11:00.000-07:00

Well we are two weeks into your first book report project. All sixth graders have received their temporary library card and have checked out a book to read independently. While reading, the students should be completing a Reading Response Journal in place of a formal book report. We have practiced using the chart in Reading class while reading a short story together. After reading a section in their book, the students should record the pages read, write a short summary, and a response. Below is the explanation of what we are looking for in the students' responses.

Response: (choose one for each summary/section)
1. a prediction of what will happen next
2. a question about something you don't understand
3. a reaction to something a character did or said
4. an opinion about what you liked, disliked, or found interesting