MLK

Take a Break

For just a minute, let your mind go on a short vacation to this abandoned bridge in Germany.

 

Image from Abandoned ‏@TheSickDrawings

MAP Testing

 

GREAT NEWS! Nearly 75% of the sixth grade language arts students have already shown a year's growth in their reading ability. When students are doing this well, it really opens the door for an outstanding year. I am extremely excited about the potential for their continued growth as readers and writers.
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‌Three times each school year students take the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) Test in reading, math, and science. The first test is within the first two weeks of the school.  They then test again near the middle of the year and at the end of the school year. The last two test measure the amount of growth students make during the school year.
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‌Taking all of the tests that are required is no fun. Students don't like them. Teachers don't like them. At least though, we can celebrate when we see excellent growth. A lot of this is due to the hard work of the students in the hallway.
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‌For each subject that students meet their growth target, they earned a reward. Students get a movie party for one test, movie and pizza for two, and movie, pizza, and an hour of extra recess if they reach all their targets for reading, math, and science. This is our way of rewarding them for their hard work.
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‌GREAT JOB TO THE SALT CREEK SIXTH GRADE STUDENTS!

Comparison to the Main Character Letter

For this project you will be writing a Dear Mr. McGuire letter. The topic of the letter is "How would the book be different if I was the main character?" The letter should have an opening paragraph that states basic information like the title and the main character's name. It also should connect with the reader.

For the second paragraph, start with the main character and build from there. Tell about the main character in the book you are reading. Describe him/her. What makes him like he is? How does he act? Think? Respond? Feel?

The next paragraph should be a compare/contrast between you and the main character. You might tell how you are alike or how you are different. You need at least one example to make your point clear.

One of the main keys to doing well on this project comes next. This paragraph needs to describe in detail how the book would be different if you were the main character. Specific details of differences will strengthen your letter.

Please use details to support your writing. For example, if you state that the main character is brave, you should have a detailed scene from the book that proves your claim.

Whatever you do, DO NOT RETELL THE STORY! This assignment is to write a letter to me about how the main character compares to you and how the book would be different if you were the main character. If you summarize or retell the book, you are not following the directions! The best essays will be written by a writer than gets inside the book and the character.

I'm Thankful For . . .

A Little Help with Rhyming

So what do you do when you need to rhyme?  How about going to Rhymezone? When you are writing a poem and you need a word bank to help you, Rhymezone is a great resource.  All you do is type in the word and it gives you a bunch of choices.  Don't forget though, a poem still has to make sense and be meaningful.

Room For All

 

Image from @thebradmontague

Swear to Howdy Poems

In Reading Workshop I recently finished the read aloud of Wendelin Van Draanen's book, Swear to Howdy. Students had to write a poem based on something from the book. Here are a few examples.

   

From Karlie
              It really happened
Me and Joey
We really killed her
We killed Amanda Jane
We didn’t mean to
We just wanted to make “the lost ghost”

              At First we were all ok
Sissy cried all the time
Longing for her best friend
And I longed for mine too
No One was the same any more
Especially Joey
We just weren’t the same anymore
Our friendship was breaking apart

then one night I heard the secret knock …

From Blayton
        Tank
Tank the fat, dark green, frog
Sat on the huge, muddy, muggy bank
Spewed and gushed out
Bright green, slimy, soaked tomaters

From Tayla
       A Promise
Joey and Rusty go together
like PB & Jelly
they are such good friends
making promises
having the best times
like playing in the river
on hot summer days
never forgetting
the day that Joey got bit
but no one will know because
they made a promise

From Jersey
        A True Friend

A true friend will have your back until the end
A true friend will not listen and do what you say
But will go out of their way to do the best for you
You may hate what they do but still love them
And when you lose them you always regret it.

You know you’re a true friend when you accept them
You know you’re a true friend when you are not to judge them 
or talk behind their backs meanly
Not to judge them for what their family acts like
Or what your friend doesn’t have that you have

You know you’re a true friend when that does not matter.
You can’t be a true friend if you hold grudges more than memories
you can’t be a true friend if you look back instead of forward
And you can not stay mad at them for more than a minute
It is in the name friend end is the last part
so they will be with you until the end and will never leave you

A Best Moment

During the school day, everyone has some time when they like it best. When is that for you? What is your favorite moment at school? What puts a smile on your face?

Be Great!

MAKE IT A GREAT ONE!

Who Do You Admire?

Who do you look up to in your life?

Click on the picture below to see some amazing responses.

Rewrite a Poem

I was walking

across the lawn.

It was dark

and I was afraid.

I heard a noise.

You can see responses HERE or HERE

Make Your Poetry Zing

Is your poetry alive?  Or does it just lay there squashed and ragged, like a mushy apple smashed on the road?  Maybe it needs a little "ing" put into it.

Good poetry is alive, bringing the reader inside and making him think, or wonder, or laugh, or cry.  And to bring the reader in nothing works better than action verbs.  Thus the need for some "ing."

Screaming, shouting, racing, zinging, glistening, clinging, spinning, howling, catching, hooting, buzzing, violating, falling, sprinting, vaulting, pouncing, scaling, attacking, lunging, foraging, galloping, whipping, creating, gambling, whaling, slashing, wondering, listing, faking, destroying, escaping, dreaming, visualizing, imagining, bouncing, scraping, flailing, editing, revising, writing . . .

Celebrating the Success of Others

I just want to give a shout out to the students that can celebrate when someone else is selected Reading Workshop Student of the Day. You make their success your success when you can feel good about your classmates.

The Power of Poetry

Taken from the famous basketball movie, Coach Carter, this is an excellent example of Spoken Poetry and the power of poems.

Timo Cruz:

Our deepest fear
is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear
is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness
that most frightens us.
Your playing small
does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened
about shrinking
so that other people
won't feel insecure around you.
We were all meant to shine
as children do.
It's not just in some of us;
it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously
give other people permission
to do the same.
As we are liberated
from our own fear,
our presence automatically
liberates others.

Work, Work, Work!

Make it Yours

In Reading Workshop we have been studying figurative language this week. For today, take this starter poem and see what you can do. You can use idioms, similes, metaphors, repetition, action verbs, imagery, onomatopoeia, or anything else you can think of to make your poem great.

I walked down the hall
very slowly
because my name was called
to come to the office.

A World with Nice People

Reading Assignment

Students are required to read at home as homework. Students must read 20 minutes each night Monday – Thursday and one time over the weekend (Friday – Sunday) for 20 minutes. Students should have a time every night to do their reading homework. Students that do not complete this will have serve detention to make up for missed time.

Students' Weekly Reading Assignment rewards effort. Students choose a book that they want to read from home, the library, or the bookmobile. The only requirement is that they log the title, time read, and pages. 

Any time students read it counts towards their weekly minutes. They will read each day at school during SSR--Sustained Silent Reading time (10:55-11:10). In addition, they can read at home, on the bus, while they are eating breakfast, once they finish a test or assignment in another class. Any time they read it counts towards their grade.

Reading Assignment Grading Scale

A = 180 + Minutes
B =    120 - 179 Minutes
C =    60 - 119 Minutes
F =    Less than 60 minutes and/or less than 4 times a week.

Extra credit will be given for students that read more than 225 minutes in a week.

Be Like Mike

Opportunity v. Obligation or Don't Be Average

Energy?

Do you have energy?

It's All in What You Do

Never, Ever Give Up!

Image from @WeAreTeachers

Dear Students

Dear Students,

This has been a great start to the new school year. Students have been working hard with great attitudes. Also, it seems like this has been a record start for smiles. By now, everyone should know how I feel about smiles--they make our world a better place. Language arts class this year has been the best.

Our language arts class is built around books. Knowing this, when I see students making great choices, I know they will have a good year. Book selection is so important in determining how students feel about language arts and reading. I have seen students talking to each other, talking with Mrs. Blubaugh, and asking me about good books. 

As I am sure you have noticed already, students do a lot of writing in Reading Workshop. Some of the writing will be based on the book students are reading, but they will write on many topics throughout the year. In every assignment, quality is based on the details. Writing supported with evidence always means more, but like everything else, this takes work.

I hope all students have a fabulous sixth grade year. Please keep in mind, two factors control success--hard work and a great attitude. Make these a priority and choose good books and it will be a year to remember.

Take care,

Mr. McGuire

Kid President Says Get Along

The latest video from KP talks about how to disagree without being disagreeable.

Eleven Habits of a Successful . . .

I saw this today on Twitter.

And it made me think about students, so here goes:

What do you think? Reading Workshop students, does this sound like you?

Celebrate National Read a Book Day!

Today I am reading _________________ on National Read a Book Day, #ReadABookDay. 

Please share the title of the book you are reading in a comment below. I am reading Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix.

 

Be Tough!

Be the Best You Today!

A Different Thought on Being a Leader

You hear a lot of discussion on being a leader. What do you think of this view? Is being the first follower just as important?

Writer's Voice

When writing, there must be a consistent voice. The Point of View should not change throughout the essay. Most blog posts are written from a personal standpoint and should be in first person. This means using pronouns like I, me, she, we, and our.

Could This Be You?

If this looks like how you feel this morning, look at the bright side. There is a three day weekend coming up and you have already survived nine days of school this year. Keep working! Good things will come!

Is This Freedom of Speech?

San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kapernick sat during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner before a football game. Is this freedom of speech?

Here are the opinions of a few people from Twitter:

Dale Wilsey Jr. ‏@drwilseyjr

Veterans fought to protect the rights guaranteed in the Constitution, not the flag. #ColinKapernick

Kelly Reed ‏@thatsokellyreed

So no one read #ColinKapernick say it was "bigger than football" watch the news! Police brutality will not be swept under the rug anymore.

Bruce A. Brunger ‏@BrungerB

Shame on #ColinKapernick... Many Patriotic Americans & Vets are Not Pleased w/your refusal to stand for the Anthem 

 Shep Michaels ‏@ShepMichaels

Demanding #ColinKapernick stand during a song is against the very foundation of freedom those making the demand pretend to believe in.

marcINArcadia ‏@MarcRader68

@Espngreeny seems like it's ok to protest,as long as you do it the way other people want you too. #ColinKapernick

Ron Scroggins ‏@RonScrogginsJr

@Kaepernick7 you can protest anyway you want, as long as it is non violent and peaceful #ColinKapernick

WineCowboy (Eric) ‏@WINECOWBOY

@Kaepernick7 @foxandfriends "If you are ashamed to stand by your colors, & your country you had better seek another flag". #ColinKapernick

 

James Hogan ‏@galaxyalpha

Is the @NFL proud of #ColinKapernick? Proud of him disrespecting our flag, our Constitution, and our military, who protect his/our freedom?

Ernst Sports ‏@ErnstSports

Don't worry #ColinKaepernick, this hero will stand on your behalf during the national anthem.

What do you believe, Reading Workshop students?

Making the Best

Writing an Essay

Reading Workshop students are beginning the first writing project. All writing should use a format of introduction, body, and conclusion. Here is Mr. Heath's videos that explains the process.

I'm Sure This Never Happens Here

Maya DiRado, Gold Medals, and You

Your assignment, Reading Workshop students is to write a blog post describing your "gold medal" year? What will it look like? What steps will you take to make it happen? What goals do you have? What problems will you have to overcome to be successful? How will you persevere when it gets tough? In the end, how will you know that you have achieved at the highest level?

Maya DiRado, Gold Medalist Swimmer

What motivates you as you train and compete?

I’m motivated by seeing how good I can be. That applies not just at race time but during every practice: I prepare as well as I possibly can, even when we’re nine months out from the big meet. I set high goals for myself and then enjoy the process of working toward them. Maya DiRado, August 2016

Award Ceremony

DiRado Gold Medal Ceremony

And some more of the gold medal winners

USA Gold Medal Winners

Image from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/13/sports/olympics/maya-dirado-katinka-hosszu.html?_r=0

Take Control

Hey sixth grade Reading Workshop students, take control of your life. Make yourself great!

Don't Be Average

Give it all to be your best!

Have a Happy Day

Weekly Reading Assignment

Each week students have an assignment to read at home. Students choose a book that they want to read from home, the library, or the book room. The only requirement is that they log the date, title, time read, and pages. Students are responsible for filling out this bookmark/chart each week as they read. All minutes read outside of language arts class count towards their grade. Occasionally, students will have longer than a week when the school schedule is affected by holidays.

Students can choose to earn the grade they want. The more they read, the higher the score. A large part of their language arts grade is based on this weekly assignment.

This is the grade scale:

A = 180 + Minutes
B = 120 - 179 Minutes
C = 60 - 119 Minutes
F = 0-59 Minutes

Although students have no direct assignments associated with the Read at Home assignment and the Reading Log, many of the activities and projects in class are based on the book they are reading.

The best part of this system for monitoring reading, and increasing reading time is how students can control their grades. If they are willing to work hard, their grades will show it.

A Little Bit of a Stomach Ache

Do you have a little bit of a stomach ache this morning? I do. 

You see, my grandson, Carter aka Zoom starts kindergarten today. Now I really think he will be OK, but I'm just a little worried. Thoughts are running through my head: Will he like school? Will he work hard? Will he keep out of trouble? Will the teacher like him? Will the other kids like him? Does he know enough? Will he be successful?

Reading Workshop students, you might be wondering by now, what does that have to do with me? Well really, it has everything to do with you. There is someone feeling the same way about you. It might be your mom or dad. I might be a grandparent, aunt, or uncle. Hopefully for all of you there is someone whose stomach has a little knot hoping for the best for you.

To tell you the truth, I am a little nervous with a knot in my stomach, worrying about you on this first day of school. I want you to have an amazing year. I want you to love school. I want you to work harder than you have ever worked and learn more than you knew was possible. I want to be proud of you and I want you to be proud of yourself.

It's a lot harder for you than it is for Zoom though. School is new to him. You have a history. You know a lot about school. There are things you like and things you don't. You are better at some things than others. You have had some successes, but maybe a few failures along the way.

The thing is, only you can control your success. Others may worry, but you are the one in charge. You make decisions that determine if this is the best year of your life. So choose success this year. Make it an outstanding year. I believe in you. Let's work together to make this an amazing year and when it's over, we'll know there never was any reason to have a little stomach ache today!

Welcome to the 2016/2017 School Year!

School is starting soon and I am excited!

It's All in How You Treat People

Helping Anyone?

Blueprints?

Blueprints?

By Sara Holbrook
 

Will my ears grow long as Grandpa's?

What makes us look like kin?

Tell me where'd I get long eyelashes

and where'd I get my chin?

Where'd I get my ice cream sweet tooth

and this nose that wiggles when I talk?

Where's I get my dizzy daydreams

and my foot-rolling, side-step walk?

Did I inherit my sense of humor

and these crooked, ugly toes?

What if I balloon like Uncle Harry

and have to shave my nose?

How long after I start growing

until I start to shrink?

Am I going to lose my teeth,

some day?

My hair?

My mind?

Do you think

I'll be tall or short or thin

or bursting at the seams?

Am I naturally this crazy?

Is it something in my genes?

I'm more than

who I am,

I'm also

who I'm from.

It's a scary speculation--                    

Who will I become?

This poem is from the book, Am I Naturally This Crazy. You can buy it HERE.

Happy Monday!

Image from @VAeducatorRJW

Happy Friday the 13th!

Welcome Back From Camp

Today is the first day back in school after the trip to Camp Oty Okwa for three days of outdoor education. This video explains a little about the experience.

Three Rules

Do you have rules for life?

 

Share Your Thoughts

On the Mountain

Reading Workshop students, here is a free verse poem prompt. Let your imagination go!

Write a Poem

Write a free verse poems. No rhyming allowed.

Adventures Of Isabel

Adventures Of Isabel
By Ogden Nash

Isabel met an enormous bear,
Isabel, Isabel, didn't care;
The bear was hungry, the bear was ravenous,
The bear's big mouth was cruel and cavernous.
The bear said, Isabel, glad to meet you,
How do, Isabel, now I'll eat you!
Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry.
Isabel didn't scream or scurry.
She washed her hands and she straightened her hair up,
Then Isabel quietly ate the bear up.
Once in a night as black as pitch
Isabel met a wicked old witch.
the witch's face was cross and wrinkled,
The witch's gums with teeth were sprinkled.
Ho, ho, Isabel! the old witch crowed,
I'll turn you into an ugly toad!
Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry,
Isabel didn't scream or scurry,
She showed no rage and she showed no rancor,
But she turned the witch into milk and drank her.
Isabel met a hideous giant,
Isabel continued self reliant.
The giant was hairy, the giant was horrid,
He had one eye in the middle of his forhead.
Good morning, Isabel, the giant said,
I'll grind your bones to make my bread.
Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry,
Isabel didn't scream or scurry.
She nibled the zwieback that she always fed off,
And when it was gone, she cut the giant's head off.
Isabel met a troublesome doctor,
He punched and he poked till he really shocked her.
The doctor's talk was of coughs and chills
And the doctor's satchel bulged with pills.
The doctor said unto Isabel,
Swallow this, it will make you well.
Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry,
Isabel didn't scream or scurry.
She took those pills from the pill concocter,
And Isabel calmly cured the doctor.

You can buy the book HERE.

Spread Some Awesome!

Here They are in Poetry

One day in class, as we were working on poetry, I just had to write about Cade. And then I wrote another poem about another student, and this post just started to grow.

A Cade Kind of Guy

A funny little guy

that makes people laugh

Sometimes for no reason

other than weird little comments

that he slides in there

like a base runner

coming home

No cheers for him

but lots of smiling teammates

The Noise of Issac

blah, blah, blah

yack, yack, yack

hum, hum, hum

buzz, buzz, buzz

rrrr, rrrr, rrrr

ring, ding, ding

clack, clack, clack

Quiet Karly

So quiet in class,

almost never a sound

always with a smile

but never a frown

Working away

almost never at rest

a teacher's dream

giving her best

A mind always thinking

almost never shared

wonder what she'd say

if ever she dared

Who is Wylie?

Layer upon layer

so many people

in one young girl

Deep in ways

so uncommon so young

Understanding of others

seeing the good in all

Goodness of Garret

Soft-heated and kind

others first on his mind

Treats everyone with care

friendly everywhere

Following a role

of never hurting a soul

Always standing tall

as a leader to all

Ryan's and His Hair

Zoe

DRAMA

friendly smile

DRAMA

good reader

DRAMA

nice

DRAMA

always involved

DRAMA

likeable

Be Nice Like Bryce

Always friendly
Always says hello
Always smiles
Always laughs
Always nice
Always positive
Not always hard working


Corbin
Poem suspended for fighting
(it's a shame because he's really a nice guy)

Deanne
shy
quiet
inaudible
hushed 
noiseless

Hallie
A student came to school
with not much to say
but paying attention
Then the writing assignments began
and amazing ability
from an analytical mind
leapt out
and I realized sixth grade
was just a step
in an amazing future

Annie Climbed the Mountain
                                                                She was successful!
                                                         No more study table.
                                                Her grades improved drastically.
                                        She made up all of her missing work.
                                 She began working very hard.     
                          She chose to be successful.
                    Then she decided to change.
               She was in trouble every day.
          Her grades were awful.
     She didn't do her work.
She started at the bottom.

The Change of Matthew
So so quiet and very shy
Not even enough nerve to say hi
Scared of new teachers and his class
Feelings ready to shatter just like glass

Many months later, hand's always in the air
Laughing and talking with never a care
Joking around, smiles for all
A really great guy, standing tall.

Renasha

Helps everyone
Especially giving
Loves to make people happy
Puts others first
Full of kindness
Unusually quick to assist
Lots of good in Renasha

Camo Will
wearing his camo jacket
blending in with the crowd
not wanting to be noticed
with so much to show
but staying hidden

Always Kailey
Always working hard
Always smiling
Always friendly
Always caring
Always giving her best
Always trying
Always nice to everyone
She's always Kailey

Madison's New Home School
Came from a disaster
two years home schooled
No school building
No classmates
No friends
No work
No success
Just her and the computer

Came to Salt Creek
here in sixth grade
An old building
Lots of classmates
Lots of friends
Lots of work
Lots of success
And made it her new home school


Two Sides to Kaleigh?
She's so so quiet
with almost nothing to say
Never raises her hand
or volunteers in any way

Then I saw her that time
going crazy at the dance
all over the floor
I watched her prance

Sometimes conversation seems
like such a chore
but I can see inside
there's so much more

One day she jumping jacked
with hop after hop
while the whole class watched
until I made her stop.

I've been studying her
for this whole year
and somehow I know
the shyness will disappear.

The quiet side
will someday go
and the outgoing Kaleigh
will forever show.

Jonathon has Heart

When I         think of 

 Jonathon,     I think of  

heart. He is kind and he 

likes people. He smiles 

all the time, and he 

shows  people 

how much

he cares

about

them

Josie's Smile
the nicest smile
always on her face
the best kind
that comes from inside
showing she cares
and that you matter
causing people to smile
and feel so special
on the inside 
from the nicest smile

The Friendship of Ella and Brooke
Twins but not sisters

Making each other
Strong and successful 
Sharing laughs
Whispered conversations
Grins of understanding
That only happens 
with the best of friends

Sydney's Story
Like an iceberg
not the cold part
she's plenty warm
but the little seen part
just a small bit showing
but so much more
beneath the surface

Be Like Bryce
Hello Mr. McGuire,
he says with a smile
How are you, Mr. McGuire?
he says with a smile
whatever he says
he says with a smile
It seems real nice
to be like Bryce



Miss Mariah
Easing into life
Cautious and thoughtful
Caring and determined
Working hard
A young lady
that you could pass by
but so amazing when you don't

Wiggly Wyatt

Wiggly all over the place
Yanking himself to and for
Always on the go
Twisting this way and that
Trying so hard to sit through another class


Cheering Calla
Competition cheerleader
who goes through life every day
cheering on others
to have a great day

Enthusiastic and smiling
cheering one and all
being everyone's cheerleader
is definitely her life's call





 

Overcoming the Monster

Recently in Reading Workshop we have been discussing the meaning of the lyrics in the song The Monster by Eminem. In this song, he relates the struggles he has facing himself and his doubts. We studied the lyrics and looked at this from the standpoint of the poetic voice.

Students final assignment is to compare this to their own life and how they overcome.

Need a Pun?

Image from @thefunnyworld.

Monday

Image from @Fin_1stFootball

The Test

The Test

By David L. Harrison

It's not my fault
if I flunked the test.
This room's too cold
To do my best.
My foot's asleep,
I've lost my gum,
I've got a fever,
This pencil's dumb,
My collar's tight
There's pain in my head,
I couldn't hear
A thing you said,
My throat is sore,
I need a drink,
And . . .
What's that? You say I passed the test?
Well, if I do say so, I did my best.


The Test is from Somebody Catch My Homework available HERE.