Week of October 29...

Reading - 10 day self-selected novel is finished               - all students should have 10 reading response entries              - we are starting to plan/create a live, video, other media trailers              - viewings begin on or before Monday, Nov. 5     Writing - we will use personification, alliteration, hyperbole in our first story called Sound Effects.  - Lots of writing practice and editing in HCE. Word Work - test on Friday  - keep studying to improve your spelling and vocabulary skills                                Speaking - two formal presentations in the next two weeks = book trailer and The Virtues Project Math - expressions, equations, combined with INTEGERS Science - 'scientific procedure' - we experiment & write official labs about AIR PRESSURE Socials - declaration of human rights / rights of a child             - THE ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS              P.E. - volleyball skills  - BRING GYM CLOTHING :) Art - FALL INCHIES - finish-up MONDAY ONLY.      *******THANKS FOR YOUR HELP MRS. HULA!!!!!********* Drama - part of the book trailer (for some students) HCE - the 'Virtues Project' is going well          - bring a memory stick/flash drive ... it can help you work at school, save your work, bring it home if necessary and stay on track.           - the memory sticks are not mandatory, but they will be useful for the next several years to keep your word documents mobile  **** I found a few 8Gb sticks for $3 plus tax - they are affordable and a good educational investment.   .................................................................................. Other notes... ***Thanks to everyone who helped out a family in need in our class. ***Thanks to Phil, BJ, Jacqueline and students for picking potatoes and helping the Food Coalition. ***Thanks to all those who will help with chocolate sales.   *most parents have met with me... we can schedule conferences with students/parents at any time; for all those parents who are interested. *practice your word work list every week to push yourself to the high level you can *Babysitting course for grade 6 & 7 - Nov 5 to 9 - College of the Rockies. *work at your math facts with cards, dice, aplusmath.com, etc,... *Hallowe'en Day = wear your costumes, THE MORNING IS A REGULAR MORNING, remember we will have PE - the afternoon is art and outside game. IF WE CAN SAVE UP ENOUGH SMALL HALLOWE'EN CANDY BOXES AND BRING THEM ALL IN, THERE IS A NEAT ART PROJECT WE CAN DO. JUST A THOUGHT!  ...............................................................................................................  Video Book Trailer - Highest Standards / Goals...  CATEGORY
Presentation (Persuasion)	The trailer flows very smoothly and captivates the attention of the audience. It compels the viewer to read the book.
Content (Storyline or plot)	Key scenes or themes from the book have been creatively presented. These make the content of the book clear to the viewer
Images	Images create a distinct atmosphere or tone that matches the different parts of the story.
Voice (Soundtrack)	The voice track is clean and fully understandable. The pace fits the storyline. The viewer is always engaged.
Audio (Soundtrack)	The music stirs an emotional response that matches the storyline.
Video Editing	Editing demonstrates a full working knowledge of the software. Many effects were incorporated and used effectively.
Reflection (Awareness of Audience)	Strong awareness of the audience in the design. Can clearly explain why they chose the vocabulary, audio, and graphics to fit the target audience.
Presentation (Interest level)	A very exciting presentation. It grabbed the attention of the viewer with suspense, humour or intrigue from the beginning.
Presentation (Duration/length)	The presentation was the right length to keep/get the viewer involved.

The Virtues Project Information

Students have chosen their virtue on which they will be studying and reporting. Here's the list:

Alec - Determination
Rylen - Generosity
Dayna - Enthusiasm
Katelyn - Wisdom
Lauren - Appreciation
Skyla - Citizenship
Chase - Cheerfulness
Leif - Integrity
Sebastian - Humility
Reid - Optimism
Nolan - Loyalty
Seth - Work ethic
Jillian - Courtesy
Kylee - Health
Malcolm - Fairness
Nova - Patience
Taylor - Peacefulness
Gabby - Leadership
Christel - Kindness
Carter - Strength
MacKenzie - Obedience
Kodie - Dignity
Kaydon - Cooperation
Frankie - Honesty
Jordan - Courage
Natasha - Self-discipline
Denver - Compassion
Olivia - Forgiveness
Kailey - Trustworthiness
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Please look carefully at the assignment and the corresponding criteria below. Parents can expect to help guide their children with this assignment at home.
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 Due Date = Wednesday, November 7.

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“The Virtues” Presentation

You will be making a presentation to the class about one of the virtues that you think is particularly important.  The goals for this assignment are:

1.  for us to review most of the virtues.

2.  for individuals to get to know one of the virtues very well.

3.  to focus on one virtue at a time in order for us to strengthen it within ourselves.

4.  to practice the speaking and listening skills required to have a proper presentation and discussion.

Begin your presentation to the class by naming the virtue and reading some highlights from the handout that you were given and any other information you added from your research.  

Using your virtue as the title for the written part of this assignment, and numbering each item, complete (with plenty of details, descriptions, and examples) the following steps:

 

1.      Explain your particular virtue/ what does it mean / definition ... and why this virtue is important to you . 

2.      How does this virtue affect your:     a.   school life?

b.      home and family life?

c.       other activities?  (E.g. after school sports, clubs, babysitting, other jobs or chores, etc.)

d.      future?

3.      Describe a time when this virtue was quite strong for you.

4.      Describe a time when this virtue was not as strong as it should have been for you.

5.      Explain what you could do to strengthen this virtue in yourself.

6.      Explain what you could do to model the virtue to other people.  (Give examples.)

7.      Think of a character in a book that you’ve read that demonstrated the virtue that you chose. Tell us if the character displayed that virtue all along in the story, or did he / she develop it as a result of the conflict in the story.  (You could use a different virtue if you’re not able to find an example of the one that you chose.)

8.  Name two other virtues that are related to the one that you chose, and explain how they are connected to each other.

9.      Name a job/career that requires a great deal of this virtue, and explain why it does.

10.  Find something to read to the class (E.g. poem, newspaper article, short story, or essay) that would help us to better understand your virtue.  The “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books are good sources of articles.

Your presentation will end when you have answered questions from the class about your virtue.  Be sure to give detailed explanations, not just, “Yes” or “No” answers. 

                                    Name:  ___________________

Evaluation

            The mark for this presentation will go toward your letter grade for Health and Career Education for the first term report card.  Here are the criteria for how your presentation will be graded:

Speaking ability:  (clearly, loudly, slowly, and with variation of tone) = 15points

Content of the spoken and written presentation: (details, explanations and examples) = 50points

Poem, newspaper / internet article, story, or essay to read to the class = 15points

Following the correct format and instructions for the assignment = 5points

Answering questions = 15points

                                                  

 TOTAL = 100points

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Updates for the week

Reading - 10 day self-selected novel to read
             - reading responses daily
             - create a live or video trailer when complete - SHARE / PRESENT!


Writing - 6 to 8 full sentences after reading your chunk
            - working at personification, alliteration, hyperbole in writing
            - lots of writing in socials... and science... every subject!


Word Work - test on Thursday this week
                    ****many students are not completing the weekly work that goes with the spelling lists (like the vocabulary or the word searches) - this is the 'working with words' part so that students will become more familiar with the words. Also, it's about task completion - an on-going tracking system of keeping up with the workload at the grade 6 level.
                    ****parents please help your child to see if he/she is on track


Speaking - just finished out partner debates - many good results


Math - number patterns - recursive patterns - know what it means - check the textbook
         - equations and expressions are next


Science - 2 hour test tomorrow - graded & returned by Wednesday
             - next is how to follow the 'scientific procedure' - we experiment & write labs


Socials - great double-lesson on global citizens - students very curious and engaged about our links around the world as it relates to manufacturing of goods
           - declaration of human rights / rights of a child


P.E. - Speedball was a hit and new co-operative / inventive games this week


Art - the 'line effects' project will be due on Thursday


Drama - short human rights skits coming up


HCE - the 'virtues project' will commence ASAP!

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Other notes...

*conferences with students/parents/teacher in the next 2 weeks

*practice your word work list every week to push yourself to the high level you can

*work at your math facts with cards, dice, aplusmath.com, etc,...

*10 house team points for finding countries of the world which begin with the letter "D" - spelling counts, of course. Respond in writing!

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Start Studying for the Electricity Test

... takes place on Monday, October 15th!

Read over all your science notes and this will help...

http://education.gm.com/5-8/fuels-energy/power-of-the-plug-how-electricity-will-change-our-lives-again

Try your best!

Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences

Over the next 2 weeks we can arrange times and dates that work best in order to meet. I will contact all those who have indicated interest.

Mr. Bartraw :)

PS - Happy Thanksgiving! 

The Case of the Missing Dentures!

Where we are now...

FYI - parents should have received a paper notice of intent for conferences That looks like this...

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Dear Parents,                                                              October 1, 2012

The school year is in full motion and we are making solid progress. This is one key time of year to talk about your child’s overall development thus far, in grade six.

If you would like to discuss your child’s progress and ways to support your child’s academic development, please sign below and indicate a preference. We can discuss/meet in person or on the phone (whichever is most convenient).

I, ________________________, would like to discuss ________________’s progress… a)      in person    b)  on the phone               (Circle your preference) ……………………………………………………………………………………………. OR… I, ________________________, do not wish to discuss my child’s progress at this time.

      
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What's going on in class?

Reading - we finished A.T.H. today! Great ending or new beginning to the next book in the series.
             - students will begin a follow-up project and have a comprehension test.

Writing - all essays that were handed-in were returned - many were convincing!
            - we just studied that there are really only 4 main types of sentences... by
               writing all 4 types in his or her agenda, any student can earn 20 HTP's.

Speaking / Listening - practising up for our huge PRO /  CON DEBATES starting next week.

Drama - prepare yourselves for "The Case of the missing Dentures!" which debuts on Thursday morning!
           - look carefully at the criteria sheet ...

Drama:  The Case of the Missing Dentures!

Group _______________  ________________ ________________  ________________

Assessment

Criteria   Rating Scale                              Comments Character portrayal (Acting) -          sense of audience -          appropriate voice -          proper volume 0  1  2  3  4  5  6  Lines are memorized - no paper needed 0  1  2  3 Full costumes and props 0  1  2  3 Other effects: -          music -          sound effects -          special effects 0  1  2  3 Total             / 15

 
Science - Where Does Electricity Come From? booklets extended to Tuesday.

HCE - Guest speaker tomorrow to kick off the character education component
         - upcoming related projects.
         - DPA Team Test to be finished in class tomorrow.

PE - Flag Football skills are now assessed, written test is coming - know your rules.
      - ARES 6/7 players and Mr. Bartraw are off to Canyon/Lister Elem. for a tourney
        on Thursday from 12:00 to 2:00pm

Art - cool "Name Tangles" art on Thursday.  http://www.teachkidsart.net/name-tangles/

      - other neat, upcoming projects...

http://www.thatartistwoman.org/2011/09/how-to-make-fall-inchies.html

http://artwithmre.blogspot.ca/2011/12/line-design-explained-deluxe-edition.html



Happy Thanksgiving!
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