Hopefully you are discussing topics with your parents. Parents, if you have not been to the NHD site please go to http://www.nhd.org/. On the 13th you will need:
1) A research topic-exactly what it is you intend to do your project on
2) 4x6 or 5x7 notecards-we will be learning how to write source cards in class
3) Four areas of interest concerning your topic, related to the "essential questions"
What are the essential questions?
1 What made this (debate, diplomacy) a success or a failure?
2 Was it a success in the beginning and later determined a failure? Why or why not?
3 Was an important group of people's voices silenced?
and the most important word - consequences.......
4 How does your topic have long-term impact?
5 How did it change history?
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
It's Time: History Fair is here!
Click here for everything you need. Remember, it is my job to help your child get going on this....but all work is done outside of class. Your child will be learning much more about this event this month. For now, concentrate on the topic. All projects must be approved by me. Be sure to understand the difference between primary and secondary sources. Your project needs both.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Progress....
Thanks to all the parents for attending Open House. Hopefully, you know a bit more about me. I have opened up some grades on OnCourse and just need a few more days to open the rest. If any grade is in question, please give me until progress report day to work with your child. Remember, progress reports are just that: a snapshot in time. Grades change; things appear out of nowhere (backpacks, lockers, etc.) and land in the Basket of Eternal Forgiveness. There are no final dates for anything at this time. History students read below (red.)
Language Arts: Your textbook is online; if you have online access you can leave it in your locker. Go to http://www.classzone.com, click Language Arts, Middle School, Florida and Go. Choose your book cover for 6th grade. The student activation code is 3767769-10. I haven't tried this because my access is different than yours. If you have any problems, please have your child let me know.
LA students took the District Writing Assessment #1 on September 1st. Grades are in. The essays were graded on a 6 point rubric based on 8th FCAT Writes requirements. The average score was 2, and of course, I know your child is in 6th grade, not 8th. So let's just consider this a starting place. Most students are still in the narrative mode of middle school and did not properly dissect the prompt. I could not help them with this during the evaluation, but I can now. This first writing activity was "marked up" first for conventions (grammar and punctuation) and then graded for content in terms of properly responding to the prompt. This grade is considered diagnostic (for me, other teachers may think otherwise, and that is their right) and will not count against their 9 week grade. The instructions did tell students to use a second sheet of paper for planning and I am counting this as a grade. Students must follow directions, and planning is essential for effective writing. I made a copy of each student's essay for them to take home. Ask your child for the copy. DO NOT redo the essay at home. That is my job and we will be doing that in the Writer's Workshop this week.
History: We are getting into the text. We've been learning about strategies for reading non-fiction. We have covered sections 1-1 and 1-2. We will begin 1-3 AND Cornell-notetaking this week. Students will see the samples of Cornell Notes that I had posted on my board at Open House. A test will be coming, possibly Friday. Check the planners.
Language Arts: Your textbook is online; if you have online access you can leave it in your locker. Go to http://www.classzone.com, click Language Arts, Middle School, Florida and Go. Choose your book cover for 6th grade. The student activation code is 3767769-10. I haven't tried this because my access is different than yours. If you have any problems, please have your child let me know.
LA students took the District Writing Assessment #1 on September 1st. Grades are in. The essays were graded on a 6 point rubric based on 8th FCAT Writes requirements. The average score was 2, and of course, I know your child is in 6th grade, not 8th. So let's just consider this a starting place. Most students are still in the narrative mode of middle school and did not properly dissect the prompt. I could not help them with this during the evaluation, but I can now. This first writing activity was "marked up" first for conventions (grammar and punctuation) and then graded for content in terms of properly responding to the prompt. This grade is considered diagnostic (for me, other teachers may think otherwise, and that is their right) and will not count against their 9 week grade. The instructions did tell students to use a second sheet of paper for planning and I am counting this as a grade. Students must follow directions, and planning is essential for effective writing. I made a copy of each student's essay for them to take home. Ask your child for the copy. DO NOT redo the essay at home. That is my job and we will be doing that in the Writer's Workshop this week.
History: We are getting into the text. We've been learning about strategies for reading non-fiction. We have covered sections 1-1 and 1-2. We will begin 1-3 AND Cornell-notetaking this week. Students will see the samples of Cornell Notes that I had posted on my board at Open House. A test will be coming, possibly Friday. Check the planners.
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