December Reading Log

This log will be used as a TEST GRADE, so completion of both sides is very important!

Show, Don't Tell

Look at the following two paragraphs:

The weather is very nice today. The nice sky looks so pretty. Blue skies are high up. Trees look good. The air is clean. It is warm. I feel the sun. There is a good breeze.

AND

I can feel the sun’s rays dance across my skin, warming each cell with its long, dazzling fingers. A ceiling of azure, high, high above, invites me to gaze toward the heavens. Wispy puffs of milky-white moisture streak across the sky, reflecting the sunlight. The palm and oak stretch their arms into the light, swaying in the light springtime breeze. With each breath the fragrance of earth, clean and fresh, fills my head. The delicate heat of the atmosphere wraps around me, embracing me. What a delight!

While both paragraphs address the topic, the second one is SHOWING when the first was only TELLING.

Your assignment is to write a SHOW, DON’T TELL for each of the following topics. Your writing must be a minimum of one sheet of notebook paper (front only) and may be no longer than two. Please use your very neatest handwriting. You may type your assignment using Times or Arial font but you may not add clip art or other decorations. Use a 12 pin font. Whether typed or handwritten you must place your heading in the upper right corner.

This assignment will be graded for a completion grade, 100% for turned-in, on time, and on-topic writing, or a 0% for work that is missing or late. In the event of an EXCUSED absence, the assignment will be due on the next day of attendance.

On “Show Don’t Tell Day,” your papers will be collected and checked in. They will be assigned a number randomly, and the heading will be inked-out to protect the writer’s anonymity. Then teams will be given several papers to read, compare, and discuss detailed writing. We will then choose the paper that we think showed the most WITHOUT telling. The writer will receive a certificate (suitable for framing) and a sweet treat!

Due dates for these topics will be posted in class and on this website.

1. The party was fun.
2. That was quite a storm.
3. I was frightened.
4. What a great surprise.
5. The teacher was mean.
6. That meal was delicious.
7. What a rollercoaster ride!
8. The show was fantastic.
9. Boy, am I angry.
10. What a beautiful animal!
11. I was treated like royalty.
12.What a wonderful friend.
13. That was an interesting bus ride.
14. That was a great piece of writing.

Topic #1 is due 12/10 for A day and 12/11 for B day

FRIENDLY REMINDER....

Reading Logs will be collected right after Thanksgiving!

Explanation, Supporting Detail, Elaboration

Click on the image to enlarge...
We learned about the Four Square Grapic Organizer to plan our writing, and then we rewrote out District Timed Writing #1. In the Four Square we represent three levels of detail, and we explored detail by color-coding some sample essys in class. This page is homework, due 11/24 for B day and 11/30 for A day and 7th period students.

Vocabulary Cartoon Assignment

This week we're learning about mnemonics and vocabulary while tapping our artistic abilities. Look for your students work on their vocabulary cartoon. We will be revisiting this activity throughout the year. This activity encourages learning new vocabulary words along with the use mnemonic devices to commit them to long-term memory.
Click on the image to enlarge it.

After-school Make-up

Did you miss a test? Or an important lesson on the Extended Response or the Four Square Writing plan? Mrs. Amerson is available on Tuesday and Thursday after school. Please let her know that you will be staying. Let's get everyone caught up before the holiday crush starts!

Writing Week

We will be reviewing the District Writing Assessment #1 and making revisions to our drafts to place in our Language Arts portfolios. We will learn a powerful graphic organizer, The Four Square Writing Method, to help improve the focus, organization, and detail of our essay writing.

The rewrite of our District Writing #1 will begin in class on Monday and Tuesday, and should be finished for homework, to be collected Thursday and Friday.

Later this week we will use this strategy when we do the District Writing Assessment #2. We're looking to make great strides as writers this week!

Procedures Update

The student agenda/planner book is our "go to" tool for school to home communication. As such, we are implementing a new practice. If a student does not have an assignment when it is due they must fill out a gold slip. One copy comes to us, and one copy goes home for parent signature. We ask that parents sign the gold slip and return to class, indicating an awareness of the missing work. Now we will also stamped the agenda book"Missing assignment. Sign gold slip." This should help you to follow up with your student and get more of those papers turned in. Remember, unexcused late work is assessed a 1/2 grade penalty for each date past the due date.
When graded work is returned, this stamp is placed on the planner.

Thank you for your efforts to help our sixth graders practice responsible work habits and follow class procedures.