i dreamed i stood in a studio, - kyrene school district
TRANSCRIPT
THE TWO SCULPTORS
Author Unknown
I dreamed I stood in a studio, and watched two sculptors there; The clay they used was a young child’s mind and they fashioned it with care. One was a teacher; the tools she used were books, and music, and art; The other was a parent who worked with a guiding hand and gentle loving heart; Day after day the teacher toiled with a touch that was deft and sure, While the parent labored by her side and polished and smoothed it o’er. And when at last their task was done they were proud of what they had wrought; For the things they had molded into the child could neither be sold or bought; And each agreed they would have failed if they had worked alone, For behind the TEACHER stood the SCHOOL, and behind the PARENT, the HOME.
Welcome
Language Arts
Stephanie Leake
What is Language Arts?
Written Communication- grammar, spelling, genres of writing
Oral Communication- presentations, literature circles, debates, group discussions, feedback in writing
Literature- comprehension through vocabulary, questioning, discussion, written reflection
6th grade writing concepts
• Business and friendly letter
• Informative writing
• Expository writing
• Poetry
• Summary
• Personal narrative
• Research essays
• Creative writing (story, mystery,
folktales, myths, etc)
• Persuasion
• Book reports
• Journals
Grammar
Spelling
Research methods
Citation
Editing and revision techniques
Types of Writing Assignments
Informal- daily journal response,
“snapshots”.
Formal- uses all steps of the writing process
such as prewriting discussion, graphic
organizers, editing, revision and publishing.
(monthly)
Writing Grades
Informal grades- 1 Student barely
attempted prompt
2 Did not develop
ideas fully
3 Student just met
the requirement
4 Student exceeded
expectations
Writing Grades
Formal Assignments- Graded on one or
more of the six traits
Scores of 1-3: Student needs to develop
competency in this trait. Errors confuse the
reader
Scores of 4-6: Students are approaching
mastery or mastering this trait.
Philosophy on LA
Reading- ultimately, the purpose of reading
is gathering information and enjoyment.
While we will study skills for effective
comprehension, I believe that is important
for the students to learn how to analyze the
techniques of the author and respond to the
text. This results in a greater appreciation of
literature and improved comprehension.
6th grade reading concepts
Literary Elements
Character analysis
Decoding
Vocabulary
Reading comprehension
strategies
Analogies
Literature response
Figurative language
Fact and opinion
Compare and contrast
Cause and effect
Irony
Foreshadowing
Flashback
Narrative point of view
Prediction
Author’s purpose
Types of Reading Assignments
Whole group discussion, literature circles,
individual reading with dialectical journals
Use of district adopted materials such as the Holt
Elements of Literature and tradebook novels (
Watsons Go to Birmingham, The Egypt Game,
Holes, etc)
Book reports- Students are required to read two
book per quarter, choosing one to use for a book
report.
Homework
Homework will be assigned 2-3 times per week.
One Spelling and Vocabulary Unit or one
grammar concept per week with a quiz on Friday
Literature Book or Novel
Revision or planning of writing drafts
Independent Reading
Homework is usually assigned over a period of
two days to fit into busy schedules.
Independent Reading Program
Students are asked to read two books per quarter of no less than 150 pages.
Students log each book in the reading log and turn in at the end of each quarter with parent signatures.
Book project and report guidelines change for each book. Students will receive guidelines approximately five weeks prior to the end of the quarter and will align with skills and concepts currently being taught in class.
All books should be at or above grade level, unless approved.
Students can read extra books for extra credit.
Test and Quizzes
Mugshots Quizzes- Weekly (3-7 points)
Spelling OR Vocabulary- Weekly (10-20)
Literary Assessments- 4-5 X per Quarter
(15-50 points)
Writing- 4-5 X per quarter (15-30 points)
Student Achievement
Grades are based on a combination of the following:
35% writing- journals, “snapshots”, book reviews, grammar, revision sheets, and writing assignments
35% Reading- Literature circles, dialectical journals and readers notebooks, comprehension, independent reading, and application of literary elements.
20% spelling and vocabulary
10% Presentation
How do you know if a book is really too difficult for your child?
Ask your child to read a page out loud. If he/she makes more than five
mistakes on that page, the book is probably too difficult for him/her.
The Rule of Five
STOP! And use the 5 finger rule when
you choose a book!
Read a page in the middle of the
book.
Put up one finger for every
“clunk” you have.
0 fingers – too easy
1-3 fingers – just right
4-5 – quite hard – go slow!
5+ - too hard for now
It’s important to check the whiteboard everyday for classwork and assignments.
Printer Problems
If your child is unable to
print their homework,
etc., they can always
send it to us by email
and we can print it at
school.
Ways to support your child:
Find out what they are doing in school by checking their planners, the website and by looking at their writing and reading notebooks.
Ask them to show you what they are doing in school.
Encourage a reasonable bedtime.
Encourage a healthy breakfast and snack.
Know who their friends are.
Reading Strategies
Questioning
Predicting
Reviewing Evaluating
Connecting
6 Plus One!
Traits
“The Message”
Clear and focused
Shows more than tells
Sumptuous, vivid details
Makes Sense
Captivating
From Beginning to Middle to End
! Purpose and direction
! An interesting lead
! Clear Connections
! Sense of resolution
! Every part adds to the
whole
“Sentence Sense” Varied length
Purposeful, different beginnings
Graceful, natural
Smooth connection
Delightful to read aloud
Balanced, rhythmic flow
! Striking, yet natural ! Powerful verbs
! Specific, precise nouns &
adjectives
! Vivid pictures
! Original
“The person behind the Words”
Individual
Lively
Courageous
Written to be read
Confident
The reader feels what you feel.
Editing
! Evidence of editing and proofing
! Punctuation smoothly guides the reader
! Grammar contributes to clarity and style
! Correct Spelling
! Paragraphing complements organization
! Neat, clean copy
Heading in upper right hand corner
Title in the center
Margins around the edge
Typed or written legibly
Uniform lettering
Neat! Neat! Neat!
What is a Middle Schooler? Written by an eighth grade middle school student
What is a middle schooler? He wants parental guidance,
I was asked one day. But fights to be free.
I knew what he was,
But what should I say. He is aggressive and bossy.
He is timid and shy.
He is noise and confusion. He knows all the answers,
He is silence that is deep. But still will ask “why?”
He is sunshine and laughter,
Or a cloud that will weep. He is awkward and clumsy.
He is graceful and poised.
He is swift as an arrow. He is ever changing,
He is a waster of time. But do not be annoyed.
He wants to be rich,
But cannot save a dime. What is a middle schooler?
I was asked one day.
He is rude and nasty, He is the future unfolding,
He is polite as can be. So do not stand in the way.