Today in 6A & 6B

ENGLISH: The beginning of our grammar week asks us to change the way in which we read. Instead of reading to absorb, we are reading to analyze, that is, read to determine what the main point of a paragraph is. This is a skill that we have practiced in our Social Studies class and one that will serve us long into the future as we advance in academics. Students are asked in 4.2 to determine what a topic sentence of a given set of supporting sentences might be, and then the adverse; to determine the supporting details of a topic sentence. Exercise 1 and 2 of 4.2 are assigned homework pieces and students are encouraged to practice the latter for their test this coming Friday.

LITERATURE: As we near the end of our book the true climax of the story has hit us. Unfortunately this has resulted in some tragedy for our protagonist. Additionally, some of our students found this to be an emotionally charged piece of writing and were moved by it. To answer their question of "Why would you make us read this?" I can submit that this was a book that I read when I was 12. It affected me deeply. I still have a strong attachment to this story, having had dogs of my own and felt a similar attachment to them. The writing itself is a work of mastery. The emotional roller coaster is charged with feeling. In a way that only books can do, this one makes you feel and feel strongly. This is a powerful tool that one will only learn to use if they are exposed to it. Reading this work makes us stronger readers, writers, and people.

RELIGION: Our new unit in Family Life talks about the sacrament of marriage and bringing new members into our family, mostly by birth. In addressing marriage in the context of our faith it is important to recognize that society at large and the Catholic Church do not see eye to eye on this matter. I encourage all of my students to speak with their parents and family members about questions they may have regarding those in our community who do not follow traditional gender norms and how their place within our faith community is affected. In the brief address, the words "Gay," "Lesbian," and "Homosexual" were the focus of some minor giggling and I feel the need to nip that in the bud. These labels are only that; labels. They do not define who we are as people nor do they establish our value as people, particularly before God. We must be tolerant of those who may challenge our traditions and be willing to engage in civil discourse in order to gain common understanding. For anyone needing information about what our Holy Father says or is curious about his track record, please visit the following website:  https://www.newwaysministry.org/resources/pope-francis-lgbt-issues/
The conversations we are having in Family Life do require an element of social and emotional maturity.

MATH (8:00 class) pg 248-249 1-25  (9:00 class) pg 298 1-30

SOCIAL STUDIES: Students wrote their Chapter test on Ancient China today. No Homework. Ancient Egypt starts tomorrow.