How About This Batik?

The White Mountains-Will seems to have fallen under the spell of luxury and ease. He appears to be willing to stay behind, enjoy the promised rich life of the castle, and allow Henry and Beanpole to proceed alone. Hmm...
Journal entry-we did our weekly 15 minute free write.
The Giver-Ms. Marrello's group began our study of Lois Lowery's award winning novel, The Giver. It doesn't seem so long ago Ms. Lowery was here in person discussing her writing with JIS sixth graders. It was very interesting to listen to her story of creating the piece, one we are oh so familiar with.

Homework-work on the ESP journal, getting it ready for submission on Friday.

Modern Day William Tell

The White Mountains-Will discovers more about those who are caring for him. He is slowly seduced by what appears their opulent lifestyle supplied by the Tripods. Will he escape this temptation?
Mystery stories-students chose which two pages to receive the highest level teacher editing. Sixers looked for the parts of their stories that seemed particularly well written.
The Giver-we began our last big English unit, the study of the giver. Not only will English skills be developed, but we will be contrasting the governmental styles evident in The Giver, Hunger Games, and The White Mountains.
Tech exploration-we've defined words by using pictures, but can you define words using sounds? That was our area of discovery today. Some successes claimed, some frustrations experienced. Let's see where this goes.

Homework-
1) finish letter to grade 5 buddy
2) read 20 minutes

Mystery Writer Tobin Z. Hard At Work

Change seats-always a highlight of the first school day of the month, students moved to a new seating arrangement, acquiring new table mates.
The White Mountains-the boys walked out of what must have been the ruins of Paris, only to fall ill and be captured/helped by others.
Elements of the mystery-students reviewed their mystery story, highlighting the elements that belong in all, or most, mystery stories.
Letters from buddies-homeroom Q2 received the long awaited letters from Mr. Martinez's class of fifth graders. They will be visiting us on Thursday, and this written introduction is a crucial part to that experience. It was obvious the Fivers spent much time and effort on their written work.

Homework-none today

Can the mystery story finish today?

The White Mountains-the discovery of an automatic wristwatch. "What craftsmen they were."
Punctuating dialogue-one of the great mysteries of grade 6...how to punctuate what's spoken. We spent time acquiring and practicing these skills.
The mystery story process-what about editing? This is a big part of good writing, so time must be left tomorrow for this part of the writing process.

Homework-
1) Finish the writing of the mystery?
2) Study vocabulary words

Mid Week of the Mystery

Writing time-we got in 30 big minutes creating our mystery stories. Wednesday today, so students should be evaluating where they are on their project. Closer to the end than the beginning is the sweet spot.

Journal time-yesterday we'd pushed back our weekly journal entry, so today we got it done. An advantage today was students were able to use the computer if they so wished.

Testing time-2 of our 5 lists of vocabulary words were tested. Results were ok, but I'd hoped for a little better than that. Some need to be studying.
White Mountains time-we took Will, Henry and Jean Paul into one of the great cities of the ancients. They explored an old Metro tunnel and discovered firearms and hand grenades. Firearms and hand grenades? What's with that?

Homework-
1) Move the mystery writing along if enough has not yet been done
2) Study vocabulary words if necessary, and it seems so for many of these sixers

Beginning The Mystery Story

Mystery writing-students began the task that may well last a week. They took their story plan to the lab and began their journey down mystery lane. Friday it will be finished.
The White Mountains-Will and Henry move on toward Romsey to cross the water. The crossing goes ok, but there is a rather serious encounter with multiple tripods moving along the water. Danger...
Vocabulary review-students took turns giving each other review quizzes of our 100 vocabulary words. Major, major final test on Friday.

Homework-
1) Bring journal for in class writing tomorrow.
2) Work more on mystery story if necessary.
3) Study vocabulary words.

After A Long Time...

The White Mountains-we tried to move Will to his runaway moment, but time just got away on us. We'll try this again tomorrow. Will the Tripods find him?
Mystery Story/Chart-each group read their next mystery story and marked the chart in their writer's notebook. By tomorrow we'll have 3 and can begin an analysis that crosses more stories.
Organize for SLC's-papers were put into the binders in an organized fashion. Wednesday will be conference day
Vocabulary Review-a quick review of a portion of the Hot 100. Too much fun.

Homework-
1) Bring journal
2) Write 4 comments, on two boys, two girls from the opposite homeroom
3) Write a comment on the 3 best pics posted for last night's homework
4) Bring a clever crime and motive to begin planning our own mystery story