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Spelling: We continued to review commonly confused words today.

Cursive: Ten cursive sentences of seven or more words each are due on Fridays.

Reading: We practiced reading our reader’s theatre play script with fluent speed, tone and volume.

Writing: Students worked on their novel project today. Each student has a daily word goal of 150-300 words. The novel is due Monday, March 28. See below for more details. Students should be drafting at this point.

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: None today due to STAR Friday.

Science: We started a new unit on force and motion today. We talked about what features might make a car safe to drive. Next week, students will think about how various features of a vehicle affect its safety.

Social Studies: We started to learn about the dilemmas that faced West Africans during the Slave Trade.

Lightning Larry Play:  We practiced reading and acting out our scripts today. The next practice is Monday, March 21, from 4-5 pm. There will also be set construction from 5-6 pm on Monday. Monday’s practice is a dress rehearsal! Students, wear your costume! Homework is to continue looking for a costume to wear in the play. The performance is March 31 at 6:30 pm.

Behavior Update:

• Yellow magnets: 0
• Orange magnets: 0
• Red magnets: 0
• STAR Awards: 0
• Magnets moved this week (goal: 10): 1

Check your student’s Personal and Social Growth grade at SnapGrades to see if your student moved their magnet. Need help with SnapGrades?

Notes:

• The Spring Book Fair is next week. Our time to browse and shop is Wednesday, March 23 at 9:50 am. You can also order online here!
• 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. 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 or check your time 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.