Ms. Wilson     6th Grade Reading

Suggested Supplies:
*pencils (hand held sharpener is recommended, yet optional)
*highlighters (at least 2 colors)
*Pens (red, black, blue)
*Loose leaf notebook paper
*2 folders - one with pockets and clips--"Duo-Tang" style.  (This folder is carried to and from school.)  One folder with pockets only (This one will stay at school.)
*Novel to read (the novel that is being read for the reading log)

OPTIONAL for personal student use:  colored pencils, scissors, erasers, lead for any mechanical pencils

OPTIONAL for CLASS use:  1 box of tissues, 1 bottle of hand sanitizer, one box of sandwich sized re-sealable plastic bags (Thanks for donating to the class!  We appreciate it! )

Grading:

PLEASE NOTE:  Any grade marked with an "X" in Pinnacle means that the student is EXCUSED for that grade.  Either the student turned in the work (and it is waiting to be graded and entered in Pinnacle) or the student was absent when we did the work (due to the nature of the assignment will not be able to make up the work).

If an assignment is MISSING in Pinnacle and was NOT turned in, a 0 will be entered.

A note about the delay of entering grades in Pinnacle:    Please know that I am working diligently to grade student papers and enter those grades into the system.   My priority is to be an exemplary teacher and present the content enthusiastically.  The means that sometimes I am back logged on grading papers.  I apologize for any inconveniece  this delay causes any of you.  Please know I am working arduously for you and your child.   Thank you.

Periods 1 and 2
Classwork 60%
Assessments 30%
Home Work 10%

Period 3
Classwork 40%
Assessments 30%
Projects 20%   **We will not be attending computer lab for the remainder of the year**
Home Work 10%

Quarter 4 Clean Out!

FCAT EXPLORER INFORMATION:

Students are are more than welcome to use the FCAT Explorer program at home. 
Students log in as follows:
Username: last name and first initial (mine would be wilsonm)
Password: 06+first 4 digits of last name+ 2 digits birthday month + 2 digits birthday day
(06wils####) (number signs replaced by birthday numbers).
Feel free to take advantage of this great opportunity to get prepared for FCAT! 

Also, be sure to keep READING---building up time at least one night a week at home! (There are two
70 minute reading tests---and some students get extra time! Be prepared for this kind of
reading endurance!! :-))

 
Homework:
Vocabulary test June 1st.
Words:
Tedious (adj)- boring, tiresome
syn: monotonous, humdrum, vapic

Unscathed (adj)- not harmed
syn: unhurt, unharmed

Skeptic (n) - one who questions or doubts
syn: cynic, doubter

Subtle (adj)- not obvious
syn: slight, indirect

Duplicity (n) - treachery, dishonesty
syn: deceit

Unkempt (adj)- disheveled, untidy
syn: shabby, sloppy

Read at least 30 minutes a night.  Build reading to at least 60 minutes at least one night a week.  

Log R due May 24.  See calendar for specific details about the log (click on log R on May 24 and the details will pop up). :-)

This is the last log of the year! :-)

* Fill the log for the remainder of the year!

                                    *****~~~~~*****~~~~~*****

If students are in the middle of a book, they can continue to use that book.  They do NOT have to begin a NEW book, though they should have finished reading at least ONE book during first quarter.  Once they finish reading a book, they should choose a new book and begin reading.  Books should be on their INSTRUCTIONAL level (a little challenging---not too easy---not too difficult).  Please see below for a quick way to figure out if a book is "just right" for your child. 

* students are to read a MINIMUM of 20-30 minutes per night.  Silent sustained reading can be one of the BEST ways to improve reading comprehension, reading rate and vocabulary.  It is important for students to be engaged in text that is (ideally) on his/her instructional level (one that is "just right"; not too easy, not too difficult).

*Try to build up to 60 minutes of reading at least one night a week.  This helps students to be able to concentrate for the FCAT (which will be AT LEAST an hour in length twice on FCAT day).  Start building up time NOW so that by the time FCAT is here, it will be easy to focus on the test! :-)

* Fill in the entire top portion of the reading log.  The sections to fill in each line are:  Week 1 and 2 dates and Minutes.  All others can use arrows or "big" letters to fill in (we will discuss this in class). 

* Fill in the bottom of the log.  Write ONE response on the bottom of the log.  The response should address the element code assigned for the two weeks of reading.  Students should begin the year by attempting to write a MINIMUM of 6 sentences to address the element code.  Make sure you stay on topic.  Make sure to write in complete sentences.  Be sure to use proper  capitalization and punctuation.  Write your log in your best writing (it needs to be legible for me to read it).


** to find instructional level of a book informally, read 3 different pages randomly in the book (choose different parts of the book).  As you read each page, count how many words are unfamiliar.  0-1 unfamiliar words per page---too easy.  5 or more unfamiliar words per page---too difficult.  2-4 unfamiliar words per page---instructional level. 

***to find good books to read, talk to your friends and see what THEY liked reading (and why).  Look at displays in bookstores that promote young readers (you don't have to BUY the book at the store; you are just getting ideas! ).  Ask your teachers.  Ask Ms. Alexander in the media center.  Search the online media center at www.falconcove.net (do a subject search to get suggested titles on a particular subject).  Search Broward County library online - http://www.broward.org/library/Pages/Default.aspx -.   Search the book list links on this page.  Finally, did I mention to talk to your friends?  I did?  

Extra Credit:

When you finish a book, grab a book review sheet off the back shelf and write a book review!   Turn in by the due date to receive up to 25 extra credit points.  Please know I will be posting your book reports on the back bulletin board so everyone can get ideas for new books to read!  You can complete two book reports a quarter (maximum) only for books that you read during the quarter you are seeking extra credit for. 

Extra credit is due May 31 for quarter four!! :-)