Grade 6: Subject and Predicate

Grades 9 and 10: Smart Mouth!

Grade 9 students have also had a number of tasks and projects due recently.  Writing, editing, and deciphering has been the focus in EAL lately.  However, we took a break from the sharing, reading, and writing, so we could have a few competitive laughs.

SMART MOUTH has become the newest fascination with grade 9 students--- one that challenges them to create, say, and spell English words (within certain parameters).  We have now banned 3 letter words and proper nouns... what other restrictions will be imposed??  :)

Some students are still reading The Giver, while others are finishing up the short story, The Monkey's Paw.  All of the students are responsible for teaching one another about what they have been reading and asking questions to clarify any misconceptions or misunderstandings.  The snippet below is one student sharing what she has learned, as a way of introducing the book to another student.

Grade 1: Carlos goes to school

Grade 1 students are starting another book that uses the word GOES!!  We are working on using go, get, getting, went, take, taking, and goes correctly.  The words from this book will be added to the list that was learned with Bird Goes Home.  Please continue to read these books (over and over again) with your child... the more confidence they have with the book, the easier it is to retell and share their knowledge with the small group. 
 
Some discussion questions you can work on at home with your child are:

1.  What would happen if Carlos forgot his backpack?
2.  What's the most important thing Carlos needs for school?  Why do you think that?
3.  What things did Carlos get before going to school?

Grade 4: Literature Focus

Grade 4 students have been really busy, as have I.  Unfortunately we have had an adjusted schedule because of testing (reassessing), but classes will be back on track next week. 

Some grade 4 students are now working with me in LIT groups, as an extension to their class LIT group.  We work on grammar, questioning, making connections, and extracting details from the text.  These students are expected to read nightly and then share at LIT group what they have been reading independently.

Other grade 4 students have been assigned new books (leveled readers) that they must complete independent contracts for-- the contracts are shared and discussed with groups in EAL. 

Grade 2: Assessments

Grade 2 students have been completing assessments and their stone soup papers.  We have had a few interruptions with the grade 2 sessions, but we will get back on track next week. 

Grade 8: Writing, writing, writing....

Grade 8 students have been asked to work diligently on English, Science, and Humanities writing assignments.  They should have been drafting, editing, typing, rereading, proofreading, and practicing speeches.  Life for the grade 8 students has definitely been busy-- and a bit stressful for those that have been procrastinating (waiting til the very last second to get started on all of the above mentioned assignments) or not completing the work for the assigned date. 

I have to congratulate SIWON for producing a fantastic speech for English!  She worked extremely hard on writing, editing, and practicing it in class.  The nerves kept her from sharing one day, but she didn't give up!  The entire English class applauded her efforts and the content she presented.  Great job Siwon!!

Grade 6: Among the Hidden

Grade 6 students are beginning two units-- grammar extensions and Among the Hidden.

Books have been passed out, predictions have been made, and vocabulary has been introduced.... now we just have to get to the reading portion!  It would be helpful if students read each night, even if it is rereading what we have already read together in class. 

The grammar extensions will focus on writing complete and properly structured compound and complex sentences.  Students will be learning to diagram their sentences and diagnosis sentence problems.



Assignment #1:
-Complete grammar exercise in grammar book-- subject/predicate
-Read pg. 4-11 in Among the Hidden-- finding highlighted vocabulary from packet

Grade 1: Bird Goes Home

Grade 1 students are reading Bird Goes Home.  Some grade 1 students made their books today in class, and have been asked to take the story home to practice reading with someone.  All students will have their books by the end of the day tomorrow.  

The introduced and reviewed words are:  the, goes, over, streets, farm, city, and bird.  Some questions that can be discussed at home are listed below.

1.   How did the bird feel about going home?  How do you know?
2.  Do you think the bird's trip was short or long?  How do you know?
3.  What are some other places the bird could go over?
4.  How are the mother bird and the baby birds alike?  How are they different?

The Monkey's Paw

Grade 9 students are working on building vocabulary, listening skills, comprehension strategies, and discussing thoughts and opinions about short stories and novels.  Below are links to the short story currently being worked on in EAL.

Listen to the short story-- The Monkey's Paw

Read the story by W.W. Jacobs

Grade 2-- Stone Soup!

Today the PYP 2 class made Stone Soup!  It was delicious!  Check out the fun they had sharing and creating a fantastic soup.



Now, the students will be working on their how to paragraphs and writing responses.  We will be sharing this work soon.

BIOPOEMS

MYP- BIOPOEMS were created for English class and EAL.  The grade 6 students are practicing posting to the blog, so they are sharing one of the biopoems they wrote. 

To read their work:
1.  Scroll down to the comments section at the bottom of this post
2. Click on comments
3. Enjoy!

Welcome Back!

Happy New Year!  2011 is going to be a eventful year-- I hope that your discoveries in 2011 prove useful in the building of  your knowledge of the world and level of success.  Welcome back to school!