It's beginning to look a lot like......

We've got a new class mascot!  Check out the rest of the changes in class on Monday!

Thanksgiving

Reading Class

As we continue to work on our nonfiction reading abilities, let's take some time to learn more about Thanksgiving.  For this activity, we will be filling in a K-W-H-L chart.  I'll explain it to you in class.

When you're done, comment with the most interesting thing you learned about Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving K-W-H-L Activity

Food Chain Project

Science
As a wrap-up for our study of food chains and food webs, we are going to create our own food chain models using LucidPress.  This program will help us make a visual representation of a food chain.  We will be able to use photos, arrows, and words to connect our images.

Before you begin, check out the grading guide.  Then follow the project instructions to complete your food chain.  When you are done, comment on this blog, and put the link to your food chain here.
These will be due on Wednesday, November 27.

Project Instructions

Grading Rubric for Project

Tutorials from LucidPress

Hanukkah & Thanksgiving on the same day?

Reading Class
This year, Hanukkah and Thanksgiving will occur on the same day.  Why is that special?  Well, the last time it happened was 1888, and the next time it happens will be 79,811.  That event got your 6th grade teachers thinking it might be interesting to learn a little bit more about Hanukkah this year.
It seems like we know a lot about Christmas and it's traditions, but do we really know a lot about the holiday of  Hanukkah?  We will be doing some reading activities using the I-Chart link to learn more about Hanukkah.

News Report about Hanukkah and Thanksgiving

I-Chart Activity for Hanukkah

When you finish the I-Chart, you will need to write a comment on this blog.  I'd like you to comment about the most interesting fact that you learned in your research.

Why did Rodman Philbrick write The Last Book in the Universe?

In Language Arts, we are currently working on essays to answer the question:

• In an essay, please explain the purpose the author may have had in mind, cite specific passages to reinforce your thesis.  Discuss why this purpose is relevant to the modern reader.

We started out by figuring out what the question meant.  Then we looked at the lessons that we can all learn from the book.  Now it's time to pick why you think he wrote the book. 

Take some time to write a comment about your choice for the author's purpose.  Tell why you think he wrote the book and give a little bit of evidence as well.  I've got a sample done for you.

 Remember, there are lots of right answers.  However, not every single answer will be correct.  

Space Shuttle Challenger

Space Shuttle Challenger Glog Activity

Reading Class

Follow the directions on the above activity.  There's a spot right under the title that says, "Click Here for Directions".  You really need to do that because the directions for this activity are sort of intense.  In fact, you may need to read them a time or two.  I will also explain it in class using the SmartBoard.

When you've completed the activity, I want you to comment on this post.  You comment can either be a reaction to what you learned, or one of the most interesting facts you learned while completing the Glog activity.  When you are done, you can reply to other students' comments.  Remember "cool" is not actually a reply :)

Your blog comment will be a part of your grade, so keep in mind what makes a good blog entry.  If you've forgotten, check out the pages on the left.  One of them is called "Blog Post Rubric".

Science Vocabulary Activity

Today, we're going to look at 6 new vocabulary words that connect with food chains and food webs. Click on the link below to be connected with the activity. There are detailed directions at the top of the Glog.  Write all 6 of your captions on a piece of paper and hand them in to me.  Choose your best caption and post it to the blog.

Glogster Activity

Create Your Own Ecosystem...

We're going to work with an ecosystem simulator in class today.  The simulator has producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and tertiary consumers.  You can make connections between the trophic levels and then see what will happen to the population of the ecosystem.  We will begin by following the directions in the Food Web portion of the simulator.

When we're done with that, I want you to explore connections.  On the blog, I want you to choose one of the more interesting connections you made and describe it. When you share, tell:

1.  What you were curious about
2.  What you tried
3.  What happened/results
4.  What you think it means

I have a sample done for you as the first comment.

 Ecosystem Simulator

RSS Feeds

What's an RSS feed and why in the world am I talking about it?  Well, and RSS feed stands for Really Simple Syndication.  This means, I can simply find the headlines and top articles from different sources and look at them whenever I want without searching for them.

If you look on the left hand side, I've added two RSS feeds to the blog.  You'll find them right under my profile.  The first one is just a link to the Stevens Point Basketball team's feed.  I probably don't need to explain that one, right?

The second one is for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory or JPL.  These are the people responsible for the Mars Rovers.  We will be starting the book The Mighty Mars Rovers - The Incredible Adventures of Spirit and Opportunity soon.  This book will follow both the scientists at JPL and the first two Mars Rovers.  Take some time to check out the videos that JPL has put on it's RSS feed.

A Sequel to The Lonely Hearts Club!

Elizabeth Eulberg recently announced that she will be writing a sequel to The Lonely Hearts Club.  Why is she so special?  Well, she grew up in Portage, and she went to school in this very building.  She is also a really talented writer.  In fact, a lot of 6th graders have said that The Lonely Hearts Club is their favorite book!

To keep up with Elizabeth Eulberg, click on this link and be connected to her blog:  http://www.elizabetheulberg.com/blog/?p=1451

Last Book in the Universe Play

We're writing plays based on Last Book.  Each group is writing a play of something that we didn't see in the novel.  The play has to be based in the reality of the novel, meaning it COULD have happened, we just didn't find out about it.  For example, a group could write a play about Latch West, what happened when the Great Gorm took over the Monkey Boy Latch, etc.

Your job:  One person from each group please share the basic idea for your play.  Don't give away all of the details, but share the basic idea.

Preview of Food Chains and Food Webs Unit

Skim pages 198-202 in your science textbook.  Be sure to look at the headings, vocabulary words, visuals and diagrams.  What do you think will be the most interesting part of this unit?  What might be the toughest?  After you comment, reply to at least two other students' comments.  Use my comment as a guide for setting up your comment.

My Essay will be about.....

Take some time to share your essay topic.  Include your main topic as well as the body paragraph topics.  Once you are done, I'd like you to look at other students' topics and give some feedback.