Writers learn to show, not tell, in their writing

Tomorrow is Wacky Hair Day at Broadmoore

In writing we did a “Show, don’t tell” lesson.  We folded a piece of paper into 8 boxes and I gave a word or description and each child drew what they thought it could be.  I started out very general, until the end and I gave very specific descriptive words and we all ended up with a large, purple teddy bear with green polka-dots, a pink heart, a cute face, two arms, and two legs. 

In science we revisited yesterday’s lesson and discussed which rock was the “thirstiest” or was the most porous.  We then put the four samples in order of porosity.  We discussed how if sandstone could hold or store water, it could also store other liquids, such as oil.  We then wrote an acrostic that had to give me three facts about our lessons in the Fossils to Fuel curriculum.

Another busy day of learning for sixth graders

We took our spelling pre-test today.  We also wrote an acrostic, using “Broadmoore” and used that as our handwriting exercise.

In science we did an activity called thirsty rocks.  We labeled and drew each rock sample.  We then made predictions about what would happen to water when dropped onto rock.  After predictions were made and written in INK, we tested our predictions, and recorded our results.

This is week is red ribbon week.  Tomorrow is pajama day, but please keep in mind how the weather is and what shoes you need for recess and/or P. E.  Wednesday is crazy hair day, which is every day for the science teacher.  Thursday is the day we wear boots so we can “give the boot to drugs!”  Friday is elect to be drug free day and we will wear red, white, and blue.  The Red Ribbon Parade is Saturday at 10:00.  When we know when and where we will be meeting, I will let you know!

Have a marvelous Monday with your family!

The Jacobs' Jewels blog is on Fall Break, too.  See you back here next Monday for more sixth-grade news.  And until then, enjoy your time with your family ... if you can pry them away from the video games:



Students use scientific method, their senses, and writing to explore properties of rocks

Today in science we did a lesson that integrates language arts and the scientific method.  We began with the Byrd Baylor book Everybody Needs a Rock. It's a book that talks about rocks in beautiful poetic language.  Then we went on to write a want-ad for a lost rock -- that pulls on the skills of scientific observation and descriptive writing.  We also weighed and measured rocks and used our senses to find the properties of rocks.

I hope you and your family have a great fall break!

One more day ... then Fall Break!

Remember, there is no school for students this Wednesday through Friday.

But until then, we're keeping busy.  Today was a day of testing -- we took our nine weeks language arts test as well as our science test.

It's computer lab day in sixth grade

Today was our computer lab day in sixth grade -- and that means students are working individually on computers in lab instead of working in our classroom.  And it means there's not much to report on what we were doing because every student is working on an individualized improvement plan at his or her on pace on the computer.

We did take a spelling test today.  And for the really fun part of the day, in writing workshop they shared more about their stories.  We have studied how professional writers introduce a problem in books and stories to keep the reader interested -- you want to read on because you want to find out what happened and how the problem or conflict was resolved.  Your sixth grade writer is doing the same thing, and right now they are sharing their problems and how they are going to resolve them.

Have a great weekend.

Sixth grade has lots of writing talent

We are finishing our stories. It has been interesting to hear the problems, characters, and solutions. I have seen a lot of writing talent!

In science we checked some of our notes from yesterday. We also did an oil and water observation. Ask your child about this, as many of us were surprised. I love seeing the “AHA” moments!

Tomorrow is picture day. It is also our spelling test.

Have a great evening!