Today in 6A!

ENGLISH: Students wrote their Unit 7 vocabulary and Chapter 11 grammar test today.

SOCIAL STUDIES: Today was our review day for the upcoming chapter test on Ancient India. The test will cover what is listed as "Chapter 6" and "Chapter 9" in our textbook. This material covers the geography and initial development of civilizations in India and then advances to the early empires of the Mauryas and the Guptas. While the review is not required work, the list in the image below provides an strong road map to guide students in their studying. The test will have some multiple choice questions, some true/false, some vocabulary questions and an extended response (that by merely looking at the image below, one should be able to guess what this will be on). While the test is Tuesday, students should review their materials each day over the weekend in order to be fully prepared. Monday's class will be an opportunity to ask pointed questions and to shore up understanding of specific content.

Today in 6A!

ENGLISH: In our review session students were guided through the exercises that will best prepare them for their test tomorrow. The format of the test should be familiar to everyone. There will be antonyms and synonyms. There is a section where students will add punctuation to a written text. Students should know how to make abbreviations and contractions as well as how to make use of possessive features. This entire unit is largely review for all of our students.
Students should review the following exercises to best prepare for the test: 

-Chapter Review - Assign Sections A, B, C, D

-11.1 Ex 1, 3, 11.2 Ex 1-2, 11.3 Ex 1-2, 11.4 Ex 1-2, 11.5 Ex 1-2, 11.6 Ex 1-3, 11.7 Ex 1-2

SOCIAL STUDIES: Today's lesson was the last of new information that students need to review regarding our upcoming test on Tuesday. In class we reviewed our homework from Tuesday and I stressed the importance of being able to compare the rule of Chandragupta and his grandson, Asoka`

LITERATURE: We have advances through "March" with today's reading. Holling is an exceptional cross-country runner, the only 7th grader to make the varsity team. Additionally, we are getting to know Mrs. Baker much better as the book progresses. She is certainly not the person Holling described her to be in the beginning, and he is starting to recognize this himself as well.

**************Tomorrow will be a free-dress day!!*************

Today in 6A & 6B

ENGLISH: In class we finished off our lessons with a review of apostrophes and other punctuation marks. The most confusing of these was how to employ parentheses (or brackets) and dash marks. The major difference is that parentheses are used when adding a related list to the sentence, whereas the dash is used to separate a different thought from the sentence.

RECITAL PRACTICE: This took the place of our usual Social Studies time. In preparation for the Christmas concert tomorrow evening, students are reminded to wear their best regular uniform pieces tomorrow for school, and to dress in their "Sunday Best" for the concert. Students are expected to report to their classrooms for 6:00 PM to ensure a prompt start to our show. Out of respect for all classes that are performing, we ask that everyone stay for the whole performance.

MATH (8:00 class) pg 170 1-46  (9:00 class) pg 200 1-39

Today in 6A!

ENGLISH: Our lesson unpacked the rules that govern the usage of colons, semicolons and quotation marks. The trickiest part of the use of quotations is knowing when and where to place your punctuation. Students should practice their use of commas in conjunction with the use of quotation marks.

LITERATURE: In the section of "The Wednesday Wars" that we read today, Holling reads "Romeo and Juliet" and reflects on it's morals. His interpretation of the play changes as the events of his life begin to imitate it. His observations are acute and stand in stark contrast to the expressions of his father. Holling is beginning to show his true feelings toward his father's intentions for Holling's future.

SOCIAL STUDIES: After reviewing yesterday's home work, we dive directly into the rule of Asoka, Chandragupta's grandson and how his ideas of tolerance and peaceful living permeated throughout society. Unfortunately this was short-lived, as soon after he died, India fell into chaos and his ruling ideals were forgotten.

**We also spent some time at the end of our day, rehearsing for Thursday's recital**

Today in 6A!

ENGLISH: Starting our Grammar week, we looked at end marks and the many uses of commas for punctuation. This should be mostly review for these students so we moved swiftly through the first 3 sections of the chapter. Students should take note of the many ways in which commas are used. A friendly reminder that this Friday will be the combines Vocabulary/Grammar test for unit 7/chapter 11.

LITERATURE: In this segment of "The Wednesday Wars," we discussed how Holling's perceived impression of Mrs. Baker does not necessarily align with her described actions. He is convinced from the start of the novel that Mrs. Baker is out to get him, yet is surprised at every turn when she shows compassion, deference, and a keen sense of how best to reach this young man. This dichotomy seems to set us up for something big in their characters' development.

SOCIAL STUDIES: We advance our look at early Indus culture and civilization to examine the Mauryian Empire under Chandragupta. These three lessons will be completed at a faster pace than the previous three, a detail that will impact students' preparation for the Chapter test. Last week I had announced that our Social Studies test will be this upcoming Friday. Over the weekend I decided that since our Christmas concert is Thursday evening, and our rehearsal schedule all week will erode some of our instructional time, that this test should be bumped to next Tuesday, December 18.