Subtraction Equations

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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