The UM Teacher Positioning Research Project began today with the 6th grade LA class. The researchers will return on March 4 to document the 5th grade LA class. Ask your 6th grader about the experience, and check out Mr. J's high tech $20,000 glasses-cam in the photo. It captures video of the students from my perspective, and the movement of my eyeball. It was so cool! There were also three separate video cameras on tripods recording the lesson from the students' perspective.

What we did in class today...

Reading -

Writing - We started the Growing-Up Narrative with an exercise on perspective and slant, the "heart of the story." See letter below under "Documents."

Word Study (Grammar, Vocabulary, Spelling) -

Social studies

We watched a film on the Road to Revolution and isolated three key components of the Boston Massacre, focusing on the power of propaganda with Mrs. Cook's class.

Homework…

Language Arts:

1. Read a book of your choosing for at least 20 minutes.

2. R&E #5 due February 26, 2008.

Social Studies

Character Education

Business

Scholastic Book Orders March are due February 13, 2008. Please make checks payable to Scholastic Books.

Goal Setting

Documents

Dear Parents,

Our students have been busy reading stories depicting children in situations where they have shown growth, wisdom, and maturity. We are preparing to begin writing our own “Growing-Up” stories.

Below is a timeline of events and due dates throughout the course of this writing piece.

5/6 Growing-Up Narrative

Timeline of Due Dates

• Parent Letter Signed and returned February 8, 2008

• Begin drafting in class February 11, 2008

• Mini-lessons/review February/March
• Grabber
• Explode-A-Moment
• Characterization
• Story Endings
• Snapshot Descriptions
• Thoughtshot Description

• 1^st Typed Draft Due March 7, 2008

• Peer/Teacher Revisions March 10-12

• Final typed draft due March 14, 2008

Any questions or comments, please contact us.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Fitzgerald, Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Burns, Mr. Wallington, Mr. Joseph