Students have been getting creative in 6C this month!

In English, we’ve been focusing on poetry.  Students have learned about several types of figurative language, poetic devices, and poetic forms.  Visit the hallway outside 6C to view our gallery of group-created odes!   In December, students will work together to plan and put on a poetry event: the annual Coffee Shop Poetry Reading.  Each Mod will determine a name for their coffee shop, use a simple graphic design program to create a logo and advertising for their coffee shop, make decorations, plan menus, and more as they prepare an unforgettable event.  Parents, friends, and family will be invited, so please watch your email for details.

In Guided Reading, students have been working with drama.  First, groups learned about elements of a script, parts of the theater, and different theater jobs.  Then, students read scripts and compared and contrasted them with other types of writing (poetry and prose).  After analyzing the plot of the plays, students then used a plot diagram to plan their own original plays.  Finally, students transformed their plans into the real thing: a real play, complete with script, props, backdrops, and costumes.  Students will perform their plays for each other next week.

This month, students will continue learning about parts of the sentence in English/Literature.  The wonderfully fun task of memorizing prepositions will come to a close — no more singing lists of little words!  I know everyone will miss it.  Students will also read the story “All Summer in a Day,” focusing on analyzing the literary element of setting and how it influences the story.  While reading this story, they will also learn about and answer text-dependent questions and identify the levels of questioning.

In Guided Reading, students will be reading stories that provide opportunities to explore perspective, inference, setting, and allegory.  We will also be identifying and using text evidence to make inferences and prove points in such activities as oral debate, character analysis, visual interpretation (art/mapmaking) and essay writing.

Next month, we will start our poetry unit, which is always a highlight of the year!

In February and March, all sixth graders are busy researching, writing, editing, and preparing to present their oral speeches for the annual Woodmen of the World speech contest.  This year, the topic is, “What is the invention that you think has most positively influenced our world?”  While participation in the contest itself is optional, all students will present their speeches in class the week of March 19-23.

If students would like to participate in the actual contest, the first round of competition will be held after school on Tuesday, March 27.  Permission forms will be sent home as soon as they become available.

Students have been working very hard on their speeches, both in class and at home.  Parents, please remember to provide time for your child to write, edit, and practice at home, too!

All sixth graders are also reading A Wrinkle in Time.  We will be going on a class field trip to see the new movie version of this classic book the first week in April.  Stay tuned for more details.

In Guided Reading, my groups are making great strides in using text evidence to prove points, making connections to their stories, making inferences, identifying types of questions, re-telling stories in a variety of ways, explaining symbols, exploring cause and effect, and much, much, more.  As always, we also reflect upon and apply our learning in some interesting ways.  Third quarter, students will write and perform original plays, write cause/effect stories, create personal symbols, and make visual representations of heaven using paper marbling.

REMINDER: I am here every morning before school at 7:30 am; if students need help, please feel free to come early to school.  Go through the office, and Mrs. Graney will let you come upstairs.