Greetings 6th Grade ELA Families,

 

Please make time for your student to take a trip to their local library this week. In class we looked up books on library catalogs related to their topic of interest that they will be researching and presenting in class. They need to have at least one book selected by May 7th. 

 

For our last unit of the year, we are focusing on research skills and standards that focus on multiple perspectives related to a topic of passion. The product of this assignment can be a 5 paragraph essay, an oral presentation, a podcast, documentary, or an interactive game. 

 

This week students are focusing and adjusting their thesis to something specific and engaging that they are passionate about using sources from both books and online mediums using an MLA format to either inform, explain, or persuade their audiences to an inquiry or issue they find meaningful. 

 

Support material will be found on Microsoft Teams. Thank you for any additional support you can offer them in the research, writing, and presentation process. 

 

And thank you for taking them to the library this week! 

 

Best Regards,

 

Travis McGinnis

6th Grade ELA

Greetings Families,

 

We've been very busy in Language Arts the past month. Our key focus has been on Dystopian Literature and the key features that define the genre. Your student has been assigned to one of four books: The Giver, Hunger Games, Divergent, and Among the Hidden. 

 

Within these groups, they have been building their own vocabulary lists, and answering writing prompts based on their specific book. Each reading session is followed up with a student led discussion based on specific roles they take on for the day. The quality of their contribution to discussions will be their Oral Expression Grade. 

 

Also, to reinforce reading comprehension and written responses, students complete a daily skills practice that focus on skills in reading, writing, and grammar and they measure their progress weekly. It's the bulk of what you see coming home in Friday Folders. 

 

Currently we are finishing up their reading selections and moving into collaborative culminating projects to engage their peers on what they learned about Dystopian Literature from their book. One project in particular will be asking your student to dress in a color that matches the faction they're assigned for the Divergent Presentation on Tuesday, February 13th. Please remind them to set aside an outfit Monday night that matches the faction they're assigned.

 

Thanks for your support for all their particular group needs for their project. Some groups haven't begun the planning stage of their project but will this upcoming week. 

 

Best Regards,

 

Mr. McGinnis

6th Grade Language Arts Update!

 

For the next couple weeks, we are learning about the literary genre of Horror and the elements that make is so creepy. We're reading a short story, A Collapse of Horses, by Brian Evenson. 

 

Then, as we identify these elements, we're working them into our own creative writing to be shared at the end of the month. 

 

Students can access their work and you can see their progress in Microsoft Teams. Please let me know if your child is having trouble accessing their account using their school email address. 

Greetings 6th Grade Families,

 

In Language Arts we are reading the novel, Flush, by Carl Hiaasen. We're analyzing each chapter for character development by identifying the climax of each chapter, the details that help us understand the kind of person Noah is, and then using that to determine what the theme of the book might be. Some reading is done in class and some reading is asked to be done at home as we try to fit time in for writing for different purposes.

 

One way we are modeling writing is that we're asking students to Restate the question with an Answer while Citing text evidence that Explains why they know their answer is correct in Summary. We refer to this response format as RACES. 

 

Please ask them to share about the story we're reading and what they know about Noah and what they think theme is and why they think that.

 

Thanks for your support and let me know if you have and questions. 

Hello Parents and Guardians,

 

Students have been working hard to learn how to analyze a text utilizing an Action Analysis structure. So far, things are going quite well but please encourage your child to read at home.

 

Monday Night Homework; Read Aloud

Tuesday Night Homework; Read Aloud

Wednesday Night Homework; Read Aloud

Thursday Night Homework; Read Aloud

 

Thanks,

Mr. McGinnis

In 6th Grade Language Arts, we are looking at the nonfiction text, A World Without Fish, which will be paired with the text, Flush. Students will be learning about author's purpose and how to cite text evidence to support argumentative writing. 

 

Is your child reading at home? Please have them pick out a book to be reading at home. It can be their independent reading book they bring to school with them or a library book from the public library. Encouraging them to read will increase their background knowledge, vocabulary, and stamina. Thank you!