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
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Smiley Face Tricks in LA
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.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Complex Sentences
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
6th Grade Reading Project
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
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
Monday, August 29, 2011
7th Grade Math
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
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!
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
Monday, May 23, 2011
The Phantom Tollbooth
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.
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