Ms. Calder, Language Arts, 6th

Posts

August 18-22

We had a successful week with the first lesson in Module 1.  The students were engaged and reading to learn. 
 
Reading:
Module 1, week 2, 
- Stories, "The Queen of Chess" and the "The Dawn Wall"
- focus on critical vocabulary
- reading skills the Central Idea
 
Writing:
- The students brainstormed last week a mistake that became a success. 
- Next, they will pick on mistake that became a success and begin writing their rough draft on Writable which is connect with the HMH curriculum.  They will have two weeks to write their rough draft, revise their writing and complete their final essay. 
- Continue discussing subject and predicates and what makes a complete sentence. 

August 11-15

HELLO, FAMILY!
Over the next three weeks, our class will build their knowledge about goal-setting and personal accomplishments, with a focus on the informational text genre. We will read texts and view videos about exceptional individuals who have achieved greatness and what it took for them to do that.
 
We will be working on Module 1, Eyes on the Prize, week 1. ELA class will be 90 minutes where we will spend half of the time on Reading and the other half on writing.  
 
 
BRING IT HOME! Learning fun for the whole family!
 
Discuss the Topic
Set aside time daily for your child to share with you what he or she is 
learning. Use these ideas to help build your child’s knowledge about the topic: 
• Talk about the ideas your child has added to the Knowledge Map each week.
• Ask about the texts your child is reading and what he or she has learned from them.
• Share with your child your own questions about the topic, and work together to find the answers
 
Discuss the Topic
Set aside time daily for your child to share with you what he or she is learning. Use these ideas to help build your child’s knowledge about the topic: 
• Talk about the ideas your child has added to the Knowledge Map each week.
• Ask about the texts your child is reading and what he or she has learned from them.
• Share with your child your own questions about the topic, and work together to find the answers.
 
Build Vocabulary
Use these ideas to help your child build a rich vocabulary. 
The Big Idea Reinforce the topic words eminent, dedication, attain, and initiatives in everyday conversations with your child. Use prompts like these: Explain what is special about an eminent person you admire. Tell about a goal you want to attain this school year. What Does It Mean? Have your child keep a growing list of the 
Critical Vocabulary words. Quiz each other on their meanings.
Word Hunt Look for words with the roots mis, chor, graph, tract, duc, trib; and prefixes ex–, sur–, semi– in books, magazines, online texts, and in environmental print such as signs and billboards.

 
- The students will be doing a baseline assessment for Writing on Tuesday and on Thursday the students will be taking the MAPS reading assessment. 

August 4 - 8

Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year!
 
I am so excited to have your child in my ELA class. This is the second year of using HMH curriculum.  There will be one change this year, and we will be completing the reading, reading skills, and writing all online!
 
Throughout the course of the year, we be completing 10 Modules in the curriculum.  
 
Each Module has three weeks lesson where we will have a given reading text, reading focus skill, vocabulary, grammar, and a writing component. This curriculum has a great number of resources, and I have learned some new differentiation strategies that I will be implementing this year in order to meet all students at their reading level. 
 
The students will have access to HMH at home if they are absent or want some extra writing time.  More information to come! 
 
If you have any questions, the best way to reach out to me is via email, [email protected]