The students in my Homebase created a video of different Bullying situations. Our goal was to empower the bystander and help the victim of the bullying situation.
Enjoy the video!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Pack the Place article!
There is an article in the Local Trib section about this year's Pack the Place. Check it out!
http://www.triblocal.com/Downers_Grove/Detail_View/view.html?type=stories&action=detail&sub_id=50199
http://www.triblocal.com/Downers_Grove/Detail_View/view.html?type=stories&action=detail&sub_id=50199
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
ISAT Writing
The ISAT test are coming up. The District will be testing the first week of March. During the next few weeks the sixth graders will be reviewing the format for Persuasive and Narrative writing. Below is the suggested format of each.
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.
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.
Plotting out A Narrative
Setting:
Time and place of the story
Situation:
The beginning of the story that introduces the time and the place and hints at or introduces the characters.
Main Character:
The person whose story the reader is following
Initial Incident:
The event that starts the conflict
Conflict:
The struggle or problem the main character is trying to overcome. It could be INTERNAL (within himself/herself) or EXTERNAL (with another person/force).
Rising Action:
The events of the plot line that build suspense and lead to the CLIMAX
Climax:
The event which leads to the resolution of the conflict
Impact:
Part of the falling action, shows how the resolution of the conflict affects the main character, other characters, or the situation of the story. The IMPACT shows how the resolution of the conflict is significant.
Theme:
The theme is the main idea of the story. The theme can be a moral, message, lesson, or wisdom learned by the main character and shared with the reader.
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.
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.
Plotting out A Narrative
Setting:
Time and place of the story
Situation:
The beginning of the story that introduces the time and the place and hints at or introduces the characters.
Main Character:
The person whose story the reader is following
Initial Incident:
The event that starts the conflict
Conflict:
The struggle or problem the main character is trying to overcome. It could be INTERNAL (within himself/herself) or EXTERNAL (with another person/force).
Rising Action:
The events of the plot line that build suspense and lead to the CLIMAX
Climax:
The event which leads to the resolution of the conflict
Impact:
Part of the falling action, shows how the resolution of the conflict affects the main character, other characters, or the situation of the story. The IMPACT shows how the resolution of the conflict is significant.
Theme:
The theme is the main idea of the story. The theme can be a moral, message, lesson, or wisdom learned by the main character and shared with the reader.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Smiley Face Tricks
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.
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.
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