OHHMS Sixth Grade Language Arts

ALL Classes:

Progress Reports have been passed out today. Please sign and return.

thank you,
Connie Ratliff

Well, we are into week two of a new year. We have many things to learn.

All Classes are writing in Journals every day. Sometimes I will give students a topic to write about, but more often I let each student choose what he or she wants to write about.

All Classes are also learning Grammar, Punctuation, Capitalization, and Spelling Skills though a program called "Caught'ya!" This is an on-going story about Harold Weird and his troubles in his new school. Two daily grades will come from the "Caught'ya!" each week.

All Classes will be discussing commonly misspelled words on our "Spelling Word Wall." This week's words are:
because = be + cause
friends = ends in 'ends'
have = used to rhyme with save and wave; the pronunciation changed, but the spelling did not
laugh = spelled in a funny, "laughable" way
off = totally illogical spelling so must just memorize
people = the only word with the long 'e' sound spelled eo
said = used to rhyme with paid and braid; the pronunciation changed, but the spelling did not
they = probably should be spelled t-h-a-y, but it is not
until = only has one l at the end; rhyming words have two
want = many w-a words have funny pronunciations and follow their own strange spelling patterns

All Classes: our first Literary term = Alliteration; ask your student for a definition.

All Classes: Tuesday will be our Library Day each week. Students will check out books to read. Please have your child read at least 10 minutes every evening.

LA 1-2

This group is reading the novel, Holes by Louis Sachar. We are discussing and practicing strategies that students need on the TAKS Reading Test as we read this novel in class. This will assist students when taking the TAKS Reading Test. We will be doing some TAKS practice passages, but I would rather teach students to apply practices of good readers in something enjoyable to read.

Tonight's Homework is to read Chapters 15 & 16.

LA 3-4

This group is reading the novel, A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck. We are discussing and practicing strategies that students need on the TAKS Reading Test as we read this novel in class. This will assist students when taking the TAKS Reading Test. We will be doing some TAKS practice passages, but I would rather teach students to apply practices of good readers in something enjoyable to read.

Tonight's homework is to read through page 74 in A Year Down Yonder.

PRE-AP LA 7-8

Dialectical Journal Assignment for Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

Dialectical Journal should be completed and AR test taken no later than February 18.
Please choose quotations from the story that REALLY capture your interest or imagination. Connect each quote to something you have experienced, heard, saw, etc.

Choose one quote from each of the following chapters / pages:
1. Chapters 1 – 5 / pages 1-28
2. Chapters 6-10 / pages 29-58
3. Chapters 11-14 / pages 59-90
4. Chapters 15-19 / pages 91-120
5. Chapters 20-23 / pages 121-151
6. Chapters 24-28 / pages 152-180
7. Chapters 29-31 / pages 181-204
8. Chapters 32-35 / pages 205-232
9. Chapters 36-40 / pages 233-255
10. Chapters 41-44 / pages 256-280


End of Book Assignment for Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Your Assignment is to be completed OUTSIDE of class and is due Friday, Feb. 18

Your state governor has appointed you as head of your state’s Tourists’ Bureau. You are responsible for increasing the number of tourists visiting your state. You are to create a presentation that includes information visitors to your state might find helpful when planning a vacation to your area. The presentation should contain pictures and information on climate, points of interest, activities, etc. You may include geographical, historical, and cultural information. A bibliography should be included with your project.

Projects may be any of the following: PowerPoint Presentation, pamphlet, brochure, poster—other ideas MUST be cleared with Ms. Ratliff.

Grading Criteria:
10 points = title with your name
10 points = at least five (5) interesting facts about your state
10 points = Climate information tourists might use
40 points = at least four (4) Points of Interest (things to see or do)
10 points = Bibliography—where did you obtain your information?
20 points = Overall Design –project should be entertaining and informative without being too cluttered. Should not contain distracting elements.

LA 1-2

This group is reading the novel, Holes by Louis Sachar. We are discussing and practicing strategies that students need on the TAKS Reading Test as we read this novel in class. This will assist students when taking the TAKS Reading Test. We will be doing some TAKS practice passages, but I would rather teach students to apply practices of good readers in something enjoyable to read.

Tonight's Homework is to read Chapters 15 & 16.

LA 3-4

This group is reading the novel, A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck. We are discussing and practicing strategies that students need on the TAKS Reading Test as we read this novel in class. This will assist students when taking the TAKS Reading Test. We will be doing some TAKS practice passages, but I would rather teach students to apply practices of good readers in something enjoyable to read.

PRE-AP LA 7-8

Dialectical Journal Assignment for Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

Dialectical Journal should be completed and AR test taken no later than February 18.
Please choose quotations from the story that REALLY capture your interest or imagination. Connect each quote to something you have experienced, heard, saw, etc.

Choose one quote from each of the following chapters / pages:
1. Chapters 1 – 5 / pages 1-28
2. Chapters 6-10 / pages 29-58
3. Chapters 11-14 / pages 59-90
4. Chapters 15-19 / pages 91-120
5. Chapters 20-23 / pages 121-151
6. Chapters 24-28 / pages 152-180
7. Chapters 29-31 / pages 181-204
8. Chapters 32-35 / pages 205-232
9. Chapters 36-40 / pages 233-255
10. Chapters 41-44 / pages 256-280


End of Book Assignment for Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Your Assignment is to be completed OUTSIDE of class and is due Friday, Feb. 18

Your state governor has appointed you as head of your state’s Tourists’ Bureau. You are responsible for increasing the number of tourists visiting your state. You are to create a presentation that includes information visitors to your state might find helpful when planning a vacation to your area. The presentation should contain pictures and information on climate, points of interest, activities, etc. You may include geographical, historical, and cultural information. A bibliography should be included with your project.

Projects may be any of the following: PowerPoint Presentation, pamphlet, brochure, poster—other ideas MUST be cleared with Ms. Ratliff.

Grading Criteria:
10 points = title with your name
10 points = at least five (5) interesting facts about your state
10 points = Climate information tourists might use
40 points = at least four (4) Points of Interest (things to see or do)
10 points = Bibliography—where did you obtain your information?
20 points = Overall Design –project should be entertaining and informative without being too cluttered. Should not contain distracting elements.

All Parents/Guardians of Sixth Graders in Ms. Ratliff's classes:

Updated Progress Reports will go home today.

Students bringing back a signed progress report by Friday will receive a bonus 100 for a Daily Grade.

Thank you for your patience.
Connie Ratliff

I am sorry to report that Mama has passed on to a better world. Michelle and Beverly were holding her hands as she closed her mouth, swallowed three times, and took her last breath at 12:08 PM on January 6, 2005.

Her last few days were not pleasant for her. She was experiencing a great deal of pain--we knew because she had a frown on her face-- and had trouble breathing. After her passing, she had a peaceful expression and a small smile on her face. That made it a whole lot easier to accept!

She will be dressed in red with white beads. We are sending the toys she clung to those last few days with her, too. Viewing at Bay City Funeral Home will be Sunday, January 9, from 9:00 to 9:00. Some of us will be there from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.

Funeral Services will be at The First Methodist Church in Van Vleck, Texas, on Monday, January 10 at 11:00 AM. I will take time later to write more.

hugs from, Connie

PROGRESS REPORTS WILL GO OUT NEXT WEEK ON DECEMBER 8.

LA 1-2 and LA 3-4
We are completing the novel, Dragon of the Lost Sea by Laurence Yep.

LA 7-8 Pre-AP
We began the novel, The Cay. Tonight's assignment is to finish reading Chapter 2.

ALL CLASSES
Students took a Practice TAKS Reading test at the beginning of this week. Tests were returned yesterday or today (depending on the class).

We will be discussing specific strategies for the questions students had trouble answering correctly.

The criteria to determine a passing score has been raised this year. Please encourage your child or children to read every day.

Have a Safe and Terrific Thanksgiving.
Connie Ratliff