Made for October!

As our Cubbies get ready to head into the post season, we're gearing up to embark on a new chapter of sixth grade.  We've completed our first reading and social studies units of study, learned how we'll do current events and reading responses this year, and we've begun to dive into the wonderful world of sentence structure!  So much is going on!

Reading Unit #1: How do I take ownership of my reading life and commit myself to personal growth?

For this first unit, students have had the opportunity and time to read in class every day.  It has been such a gift to sit beside readers and hear them read, share strategies and problem solve struggles.  We will continue to get this in-class reading time in the library on Mondays, but as we transition into a writing unit, we will need to be vigilant about reading at home.

Students will also need to do a reading response one time a week as part of their homework.  Here are the details we've reviewed and practiced together in class:

Option #1:

If you haven't finished a book this week, upload the following information:

1. Title and author
2. Page you're on
3. An entry like we've practiced in class

Option #2:

If you finished a book (OR ABANDONED A BOOK), upload the following information:

1. Title and author
2. Number of pages
3. A paragraph explaining why you chose this book, whether or not you enjoyed it and WHY
4. Which book you're going to read next

Students have examples of reading responses in Schoology.

Communication 101: How do I make sure my writing conveys the meaning I intend?

Sentence structure matters!  Our school speech pathologist, Teresa Bozikis, and I launched our co-taught lessons on sentence structure this week.  Our first lesson focused on the "requirements" of a simple sentence.  Take a look at Asher, Wyatt and Sam's visual that will help us remember the "5 Finger Rule".

As we dig deeper into sentence structure, we'll solidify the meaning of subject and verb so our young writers can independently and confidently use the "5 Finger Rule" to check their own work.  As you write with your young author, please remind him/her to give sentences a quick "5 Finger Rule" check before they are finished.

Keep in mind: Our young writers' thinking is often much more complex than they're grammatical knowledge allows them to punctuate.  Mistakes will happen.  In fact, we encourage them!  These grammatical mistakes are our pathway to learning.

Some thoughts on grammar from NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) website:

Grammar is important because it is the language that makes it possible for us to talk about language. Grammar names the types of words and word groups that make up sentences not only in English but in any language. As human beings, we can put sentences together even as children -- we can all dogrammar. But to be able to talk about how sentences are built, about the types of words and word groups that make up sentences -- that is knowing about grammar. And knowing about grammar offers a window into the human mind and into our amazingly complex mental capacity.

People associate grammar with errors and correctness. But knowing about grammar also helps us understand what makes sentences and paragraphs clear and interesting and precise. Grammar can be part of literature discussions, when we and our students closely read the sentences in poetry and stories. And knowing about grammar means finding out that all languages and all dialects follow grammatical patterns.

Teaching grammar will not make writing errors go away. Students make errors in the process of learning, and as they learn about writing, they often make new errors, not necessarily fewer ones. But knowing basic grammatical terminology does provide students with a tool for thinking about and discussing sentences. And lots of discussion of language, along with lots of reading and lots of writing, are the three ingredients for helping students write in accordance with the conventions of standard English*. 

Table Talk: Some questions that might get your tween talking this week...

1. Mrs. Warner mentioned you're reading Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie.  What's that book all about?  What do you think of Steven?  There's a sequel to it.  Do you think you'll be interested in reading it?
2. Tell me about the simulation you did to learn about demographics.  What demographics surprised you?  What demographics got you thinking the most?  What did you think about the different foods that were eaten in each region?  What do you want to learn more about?

Book Orders Due October 9th

Class Code - GJZN4

Order Due Date -  10/09/16

Dear Families,

This month’s Scholastic Reading Club flyers are now available! Please take a few moments to explore the selection together and let your child help choose books he or she is excited to read.

You can order online at scholastic.com/readingclub, where you’ll find a wide selection of quality children’s books that are just right for your child’s reading level and interests. Or return your paper order form to me with a check made out to “Scholastic Reading Club.”

Remember, you help our class earn FREE Books and supplies with every order. Thank you for supporting your child’s reading both at home and in the classroom!

Ms. WARNER

PS: Please let me know if your order includes a gift for your child, and I will contact you when it arrives!

First Time Ordering Online?

• Go to scholastic.com/readingclub
• Enter our one-time Class Activation Code.
• Shop and submit your child's book order.
• Your books will be delivered directly to the classroom. 

Book Recommendation: Hungry Planet: What the World Eats by Faith D'Aluisio and Peter Menzel

As we begin our Trick-or-Treat for Canned Goods service project, we took a look at demographics and food trends around the world.  Students were very interested in the pictures and information we shared with them from the book Hungry Planet, but we were unable to view even half of the pictures. It's a great book to check out as a family, and there are many recipes included so that you can try the flavors of other regions of the world.  Enjoy!