March 7th, 2011
Class activities for Monday, March 7
Spelling: None today.
Cursive: Ten cursive sentences of seven or more words each are due on Fridays.
Reading: Literature Circles groups worked on projects to share their books with the class.
Writing: Students worked on prewriting for their novel project. Each student has a daily word goal of 150-300 words. The novel is due Monday, March 28. See below for more details.
Novel Writing Project
The final piece of the 3rd Marking Period will be our final fiction project of the year. Students will write and publish a novel. Each student will write their own novel, with a word goal minimum of 1,000-4,500 words, based on their reading level (each student’s minimum writing goal is equal to their reading level multiplied by 500). The novels will be written in Google Docs (docs.mrhowd.com) to make use of the word count feature. Final novels will be uploaded to lulu.com and published as paperback books, which can be purchased for reasonable prices. So yes, students will actually write and publish their own novels. This project is based on the National Novel Writing Month Young Writers program. Here are more details:
- We will start this project in class on March 7 and it will be due on March 28; however, students can begin early.
- This is our final fiction project; the novel can be any type of fiction story (mystery, science fiction, fantasy, realistic, historical, etc.)
- We will be working in the computer lab most days, using docs.mrhowd.com to type the novel. Students can also work on this from any internet-connected computer outside of school.
- Students might want to start thinking now about how they will use a computer afterschool if they need to, and if they will go to the library, use a home computer, or use a friend or family member’s computer.
- If friends and family would like to order a paperback version of the book, we will upload the final texts to lulu.com. Most books will cost between $5 and $10.
- A big portion of this grade will be if students complete their own, personal word count goal.
Math: We reviewed adding fractions and making equivalent fractions using fraction stick diagrams. Homework is to finish Journal pp. 136-138.
Science: Groups considered proposals for clinical trials and evaluated if the studies were worth being funded.
Social Studies: Students read about American Colonies and worked on Reading Notes 7.
- Yellow magnets: 0
- Orange magnets: 0
- Red magnets: 0
- STAR Awards: 0
- Magnets moved this week (goal: 10): 0
Check your student’s Personal and Social Growth grade at SnapGrades to see if your student moved their magnet. Need help with SnapGrades?
Notes:
- Our class is performing a play: The Legend of Lightning Larry! Practices are 4-5 pm on March 8, 9, 14, 17, 21, 29 and 30 (tentative right now). The performance is scheduled for March 31 at 10:00 am and 6:30 pm. Family members are invited to help!
- Sign up for Spring Parent Teacher Conferences at mrhowd.com/conferences
- View or edit the spring “Paper and Coffee” juice volunteer list.
- View our class calendar.
- Check grades, assignments, and attendance at SnapGrades.
Our Mission:
Every student in Room 130 leaves improved and prepared for 6th grade.
