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.