Writer's Workshop:
This week the students finished their Christmas Around the World projects. They started presenting yesterday and will continue through next week. They have done a great job on these! I have also enjoyed the food they have brought from their countries to share with the class.
I sent home their corrected memoirs with them yesterday and today. Ask your child to see them. I enjoyed reading all of them. They were very insightful.
Book Orders:
Book orders are due on Monday December 18th.
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Holiday Parties are next Friday. I sent home a note explaining who is signed up for treats. My class (6M) is also having a $5.00 gift exchange. Ask your child about it.
I hope you have a great weekend:)
Friday, December 15, 2017
Friday, December 8, 2017
December4-8
Writer's Workshop:
This week worked on our Christmas Around the World packets. The students will start their Google slides on Monday using the information from their packets. They also learned how to write a website bibliography. The students will start sharing their slide presentations on Thursday. Each student will be assigned a day to present. Some of the students will be bringing food to share with the students that people eat during Christmas in the country they researched.
Wonder:
The PTO sent all of the students to the movie "Wonder" today. Everyone also had popcorn and a water or 7-up. It was a great time to spend with all of the students and staff. The movie was wonderful. I want to give a big thanks to the PTO for paying for all of this. It was a great experience.
I hope you all have a great weekend:)
This week worked on our Christmas Around the World packets. The students will start their Google slides on Monday using the information from their packets. They also learned how to write a website bibliography. The students will start sharing their slide presentations on Thursday. Each student will be assigned a day to present. Some of the students will be bringing food to share with the students that people eat during Christmas in the country they researched.
Wonder:
The PTO sent all of the students to the movie "Wonder" today. Everyone also had popcorn and a water or 7-up. It was a great time to spend with all of the students and staff. The movie was wonderful. I want to give a big thanks to the PTO for paying for all of this. It was a great experience.
I hope you all have a great weekend:)
Friday, December 1, 2017
Writer's Workshop:
This week in "Writer's Workshop" the students presented their memoirs to the class. They were very good. I learned a lot about what is important to them after hearing their memoirs. We also started Christmas Around the World. The students each picked a country to research. They researched their country's traditions and foods this week. They have a packet that they are keeping all of their research and sites used for their research in. They will take the packet when it is finished and turn it into a google slide presentation with pictures and videos.
Next week they will research their country's celebrations, beliefs, and compare their own traditions with the country's traditions they are researching.
Bobcat Time/Intervention:
We have been practicing two plays for the past four or five weeks. On Thursday my group performed the plays in front of the whole school during our PBIS assembly. The 6th grade was in charge of this assembly which focused on organization. The plays were called "Accepting Responsibility" and "Organization" they did an amazing job!
I would like to give a special thanks to Mr. Duball for bringing in our backdrop for our set. He brought it in and put it together for us. He even gave me some pointers on how to put sheets up for the background. These backdrops helped us separate the scenes in the play.
This week in "Writer's Workshop" the students presented their memoirs to the class. They were very good. I learned a lot about what is important to them after hearing their memoirs. We also started Christmas Around the World. The students each picked a country to research. They researched their country's traditions and foods this week. They have a packet that they are keeping all of their research and sites used for their research in. They will take the packet when it is finished and turn it into a google slide presentation with pictures and videos.
Next week they will research their country's celebrations, beliefs, and compare their own traditions with the country's traditions they are researching.
Bobcat Time/Intervention:
We have been practicing two plays for the past four or five weeks. On Thursday my group performed the plays in front of the whole school during our PBIS assembly. The 6th grade was in charge of this assembly which focused on organization. The plays were called "Accepting Responsibility" and "Organization" they did an amazing job!
I would like to give a special thanks to Mr. Duball for bringing in our backdrop for our set. He brought it in and put it together for us. He even gave me some pointers on how to put sheets up for the background. These backdrops helped us separate the scenes in the play.
Thursday, November 16, 2017
11/13-11/17
Writer's Workshop:
This week I taught the students different ways to write dialogue. They also wrote their rough drafts for their memoirs. Next week they will finish revising and editing their rough drafts on Monday and type their final drafts on Tuesday. They need to be finished by the time they return from break on November 27th. The rough drafts I have read so far are amazing.
The students will be presenting their memoirs to the class on November 27th and 28th. We will begin Christmas Around the World on November 29th.
Book Orders are due on November 29th
Upcoming Events:
November 15th: 1:00 dismiss (Conferences)
November 20th: 1:00 dismiss (Conferences)
November 22nd-24th-No School (Thanksgiving Break)
This week I taught the students different ways to write dialogue. They also wrote their rough drafts for their memoirs. Next week they will finish revising and editing their rough drafts on Monday and type their final drafts on Tuesday. They need to be finished by the time they return from break on November 27th. The rough drafts I have read so far are amazing.
The students will be presenting their memoirs to the class on November 27th and 28th. We will begin Christmas Around the World on November 29th.
Book Orders are due on November 29th
Upcoming Events:
November 15th: 1:00 dismiss (Conferences)
November 20th: 1:00 dismiss (Conferences)
November 22nd-24th-No School (Thanksgiving Break)
Friday, November 10, 2017
Writer's Workshop:
This week we worked on making timelines for our memoirs. We also started our outlines for our memoirs. Next week the students will learn different ways to write dialogue. They will be using dialogue in their memoirs. They will also be writing their rough drafts. When they are finished they will revise and edit them. They will be working on their final drafts the week of Thanksgiving. They are due when we get back from Thanksgiving break. I am excited to read them.
Student Moving:
Hillary is moving to Cedar Rapids. We will miss her a lot!!
Veteran's Day Program:
This is one of the most amazing events! Thank-you to all of the Veterans for all you have done. Here are some pictures from the program that brings tears to my eyes every year. I can not believe the talent in this district!
Upcoming Events:
November 15th: 1:00 dismiss (Conferences)
November 20th: 1:00 dismiss (Conferences)
November 22nd-24th-No School (Thanksgiving Break)
This week we worked on making timelines for our memoirs. We also started our outlines for our memoirs. Next week the students will learn different ways to write dialogue. They will be using dialogue in their memoirs. They will also be writing their rough drafts. When they are finished they will revise and edit them. They will be working on their final drafts the week of Thanksgiving. They are due when we get back from Thanksgiving break. I am excited to read them.
Student Moving:
Hillary is moving to Cedar Rapids. We will miss her a lot!!
This is one of the most amazing events! Thank-you to all of the Veterans for all you have done. Here are some pictures from the program that brings tears to my eyes every year. I can not believe the talent in this district!
November 15th: 1:00 dismiss (Conferences)
November 20th: 1:00 dismiss (Conferences)
November 22nd-24th-No School (Thanksgiving Break)
Friday, November 3, 2017
October 30-November 3
Writer's Workshop:
This week during writing we continued to talk about memoirs. The students shared stories about mementos that brought back special memories. In addition, they talked about people that have influenced them in their lives.
Next week we will continue to discuss different ways to write memoirs. They will organize their ideas and start planning their memoirs.
Iowa Assessments:
Next week the students will be taking the Iowa Assessments. They will be taking these tests in the morning. Please make sure your child gets a good night sleep and has a good breakfast.
Special Events:
November 10th: 1:00 dismiss (End of 1st Trimester)
November 15th: 1:00 dismiss (Conferences)
November 20th: 1:00 dismiss (Conferences)
November 22nd-24th-No School (Thanksgiving Break)
This week during writing we continued to talk about memoirs. The students shared stories about mementos that brought back special memories. In addition, they talked about people that have influenced them in their lives.
Next week we will continue to discuss different ways to write memoirs. They will organize their ideas and start planning their memoirs.
Iowa Assessments:
Next week the students will be taking the Iowa Assessments. They will be taking these tests in the morning. Please make sure your child gets a good night sleep and has a good breakfast.
Special Events:
November 10th: 1:00 dismiss (End of 1st Trimester)
November 15th: 1:00 dismiss (Conferences)
November 20th: 1:00 dismiss (Conferences)
November 22nd-24th-No School (Thanksgiving Break)
Friday, October 27, 2017
Writer's Workshop:
This week we started working on memoirs. The students brought a memento from a special time in their lives and shared why it was so important to them. They also shared how it has changed them or made an impact on their lives. We also discussed the difference between a personal narrative and a memoir.
Next week we will continue to work on memoirs. We will be focusing on people that have made an impact on their lives and why they are so important to them.
Special Events:
October 31st: 6th grade choir will perform at Linn-Mar. They sound wonderful.
October 31st: PBIS assembly
November 1st: 12:00 dismiss
November 10th: 1:00 dismiss (End of 1st Trimester)
November 15th: 1:00 dismiss (Conferences)
November 20th: 1:00 dismiss (Conferences)
November 22nd-24th-No School (Thanksgiving Break)
I want to thank all of the students and parents that brought treats, drinks and supplies for making our Halloween party a success! Everything was delicious. I can't believe how creative you are!
Have a great weekend:
Mrs. Mattison
This week we started working on memoirs. The students brought a memento from a special time in their lives and shared why it was so important to them. They also shared how it has changed them or made an impact on their lives. We also discussed the difference between a personal narrative and a memoir.
Next week we will continue to work on memoirs. We will be focusing on people that have made an impact on their lives and why they are so important to them.
Special Events:
October 31st: 6th grade choir will perform at Linn-Mar. They sound wonderful.
October 31st: PBIS assembly
November 1st: 12:00 dismiss
November 10th: 1:00 dismiss (End of 1st Trimester)
November 15th: 1:00 dismiss (Conferences)
November 20th: 1:00 dismiss (Conferences)
November 22nd-24th-No School (Thanksgiving Break)
I want to thank all of the students and parents that brought treats, drinks and supplies for making our Halloween party a success! Everything was delicious. I can't believe how creative you are!
Have a great weekend:
Mrs. Mattison
Thursday, October 19, 2017
October 16th-20th
Writer's Workshop:
This week the students finished their Honey West stories and presented them to the class. We have used the EETCHY tool which is part of the Expanding Expression program to write their stories. There are 7 parts to the EETCHY tool they are:
Green Group: What group is involved?
Blue Do: What do they do? Or, what did you do? (A brief overview, save details for pink parts)
What does it look like? Describe visual details. Paint a picture in your reader's mind. (add an illustration, describe the setting.)
What Was It Made Of? How would they/you feel?
Pink Parts: Describe and sequence important parts and events in the story. (The bulk of the details/story goes here.
White Where? Where do you need to make changes? Look back at your writing. Does it flow in a logical order? Edit your text. (Improve word choice)
What Else Do I Know? Is there anything else you need to add? Provide a summary or closing.
Higher level thinking: (i.e., How would you have felt if that happened to you?)/Lesson learned/Moral of the story.
We worked together on the beginning of the story and the students completed it by adding their pink parts. They also had to complete the white where and what else do I know.
Next week we will begin working on Memoirs.
Special Video:
Three students decided to make a video of a candy bar they designed in Writer's Workshop. Jonah Thompson, Caden Wallace, and Keylen Bigley. Check it out, it is adorable.
______________________________________________________________________________
Assembly:
We also had NTC come in and act out plays about money. The students learned about interest, taxes and savings. The students were even involved in some of the plays. I have included some of pictures of the event.
October 18th: 1:00 Dismiss
October 27th: Halloween Parties
October 27th: 1:00 Dismiss (See Friday folder for Halloween party note.)
October 31st: PBIS Assembly, and 6th grade choir will perform at Linn-Mar
This week the students finished their Honey West stories and presented them to the class. We have used the EETCHY tool which is part of the Expanding Expression program to write their stories. There are 7 parts to the EETCHY tool they are:
Green Group: What group is involved?
Blue Do: What do they do? Or, what did you do? (A brief overview, save details for pink parts)
What does it look like? Describe visual details. Paint a picture in your reader's mind. (add an illustration, describe the setting.)
What Was It Made Of? How would they/you feel?
Pink Parts: Describe and sequence important parts and events in the story. (The bulk of the details/story goes here.
White Where? Where do you need to make changes? Look back at your writing. Does it flow in a logical order? Edit your text. (Improve word choice)
What Else Do I Know? Is there anything else you need to add? Provide a summary or closing.
Higher level thinking: (i.e., How would you have felt if that happened to you?)/Lesson learned/Moral of the story.
We worked together on the beginning of the story and the students completed it by adding their pink parts. They also had to complete the white where and what else do I know.
Next week we will begin working on Memoirs.
Special Video:
Three students decided to make a video of a candy bar they designed in Writer's Workshop. Jonah Thompson, Caden Wallace, and Keylen Bigley. Check it out, it is adorable.
______________________________________________________________________________
Assembly:
We also had NTC come in and act out plays about money. The students learned about interest, taxes and savings. The students were even involved in some of the plays. I have included some of pictures of the event.
Upcoming Events:
October 18th: 1:00 Dismiss
October 27th: Halloween Parties
October 27th: 1:00 Dismiss (See Friday folder for Halloween party note.)
October 31st: PBIS Assembly, and 6th grade choir will perform at Linn-Mar
Friday, October 13, 2017
Writer's Workshop:
This week the students finished their rough drafts of their "Honey West" story. Next week we will write our final drafts and present them to the class. In the weeks to come, the students will be learning how to write memoirs.
Pictures: Working of Revising and Editing
Upcoming Events:
October 18th: 1:00 Dismiss
October 27th: 1:00 Dismiss (Fall/Halloween Party)
October 31st: Halloween, PBIS Assembly, and 6th grade choir will perform at Linn-Mar
Book Orders due 10/20/17
This week the students finished their rough drafts of their "Honey West" story. Next week we will write our final drafts and present them to the class. In the weeks to come, the students will be learning how to write memoirs.
Pictures: Working of Revising and Editing
Upcoming Events:
October 18th: 1:00 Dismiss
October 27th: 1:00 Dismiss (Fall/Halloween Party)
October 31st: Halloween, PBIS Assembly, and 6th grade choir will perform at Linn-Mar
Book Orders due 10/20/17
Friday, September 29, 2017
Homecoming Week:)
Writer's Workshop:
This week we used the "Eetchy" to write a summary of the "Honey West" television show. We filled in an outline sheet together. The sheet had all of the categories covered using the Eetchy.
Next week, we will discuss how to revise and edit our papers. I will also be conferencing with the students individually. I will be looking at their work on DOLs and their Honey West summary.
Homecoming:
This has been a fun and exciting week! The students had a blast dressing up and so did the teachers! I love the way they all pull together. This is a great group of students to work with! I have included some pictures of the students this week.
Bobcat Dash: Is tomorrow:)
Upcoming Events:
September 30th: Bobcat Dash
October 4th: 1:00 Dismiss
October 9th: No School
October 18th: 1:00 Dismiss
October 27th: 1:00 Dismiss
Have a great weekend:)
This week we used the "Eetchy" to write a summary of the "Honey West" television show. We filled in an outline sheet together. The sheet had all of the categories covered using the Eetchy.
Next week, we will discuss how to revise and edit our papers. I will also be conferencing with the students individually. I will be looking at their work on DOLs and their Honey West summary.
Homecoming:
This has been a fun and exciting week! The students had a blast dressing up and so did the teachers! I love the way they all pull together. This is a great group of students to work with! I have included some pictures of the students this week.
Bobcat Dash: Is tomorrow:)
Upcoming Events:
September 30th: Bobcat Dash
October 4th: 1:00 Dismiss
October 9th: No School
October 18th: 1:00 Dismiss
October 27th: 1:00 Dismiss
Have a great weekend:)
Thursday, September 21, 2017
September 18th-22nd
Writer's Workshop:
This week we continued to work with the EET tool we call "Eetchy." The second page of each student's assignment book also has a "Parent or EET Home-Helper Information Sheet." It explains how to use the tool.
Last week the students wrote what they knew about a banana, guitar, chair and clock. This week they wrote about them again using the Eetchy. They analyzed the difference between the two sets of writing and saw how much they improved just by using the Eetchy. This tool helps them to organize their thoughts while they put them on paper. In addition, it helps them create a more descriptive paragraph.
We also worked on story webs and wrote fun stories using story starters. I can't wait to read their stories.
Upcoming Events:
September 29th: Homecoming
September 30th: Bobcat Dash
October 4th: 1:00 Dismiss
October 9th: No School
October 18th: 1:00 Dismiss
October 27th: 1:00 Dismiss
Have a great weekend:)
This week we continued to work with the EET tool we call "Eetchy." The second page of each student's assignment book also has a "Parent or EET Home-Helper Information Sheet." It explains how to use the tool.
Last week the students wrote what they knew about a banana, guitar, chair and clock. This week they wrote about them again using the Eetchy. They analyzed the difference between the two sets of writing and saw how much they improved just by using the Eetchy. This tool helps them to organize their thoughts while they put them on paper. In addition, it helps them create a more descriptive paragraph.
We also worked on story webs and wrote fun stories using story starters. I can't wait to read their stories.
Upcoming Events:
September 29th: Homecoming
September 30th: Bobcat Dash
October 4th: 1:00 Dismiss
October 9th: No School
October 18th: 1:00 Dismiss
October 27th: 1:00 Dismiss
Have a great weekend:)
Friday, September 15, 2017
Writer's Workshop:
This week during "Writer's Workshop" we continued to learn about classroom procedures. In addition, we created the rules for the class. The students were also introduced to the "Expanding Expression Tool" which is a writing tool that helps them become more descriptive in their writing. This tool is great for students who have difficulty organizing their thoughts and knowing what information is pertinent to their audience. The EET provides visual and tactile cues to facilitate learning. This tool also helps those students who suffer from writers block. Next week we will continue to work with this tool.
Upcoming Events:
September 20th: 1:00 Dismiss
September 29th: Homecoming
September 30th: Bobcat Dash
This week during "Writer's Workshop" we continued to learn about classroom procedures. In addition, we created the rules for the class. The students were also introduced to the "Expanding Expression Tool" which is a writing tool that helps them become more descriptive in their writing. This tool is great for students who have difficulty organizing their thoughts and knowing what information is pertinent to their audience. The EET provides visual and tactile cues to facilitate learning. This tool also helps those students who suffer from writers block. Next week we will continue to work with this tool.
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| Students using the EET tool |
Upcoming Events:
September 20th: 1:00 Dismiss
September 29th: Homecoming
September 30th: Bobcat Dash
Thursday, September 7, 2017
September 11-September 15
Writer's Workshop:
This week the students continued to learn my expectations for Writer's Workshop. They practiced coming to and going from group. In addition, we talked about the importance of being a good listener. The students shared the ideas they had written down in the ideas section of their writing notebooks. They also chose an item from this section and started writing about it.
In addition, they learned about how to use their writing folders and where to store them. I look forward to reading their stories because they were excited about what they were writing.
Students hard at work writing.
Book Orders:
If you want to order books just mark the books you want on the form and send a check payable to Scholastic. If you send cash, I will write a check to Scholastic. Parents ordering online can use my class code is LK63Z. The book orders are due on Friday, September 15th.
Upcoming Events This Week:
September 20th: 1:00 Dismiss
September 29th: Homecoming
September 30th: Bobcat Dash
This week the students continued to learn my expectations for Writer's Workshop. They practiced coming to and going from group. In addition, we talked about the importance of being a good listener. The students shared the ideas they had written down in the ideas section of their writing notebooks. They also chose an item from this section and started writing about it.
In addition, they learned about how to use their writing folders and where to store them. I look forward to reading their stories because they were excited about what they were writing.
Students hard at work writing.
Book Orders:
If you want to order books just mark the books you want on the form and send a check payable to Scholastic. If you send cash, I will write a check to Scholastic. Parents ordering online can use my class code is LK63Z. The book orders are due on Friday, September 15th.
Upcoming Events This Week:
September 20th: 1:00 Dismiss
September 29th: Homecoming
September 30th: Bobcat Dash
Friday, September 1, 2017
August 28-September 1
Writer's Workshop:
This week we learned different strategies to help with "Writer's Block." The students shared memorable events in their lives and logged them in the idea section of their writer's workshop notebooks. We also talked about characters, plot and setting and discussed the importance of them. In addition, we talked about why it is important to be a good listener in class. I look forward to reading some of their stories because they have some great ideas!
Book Orders:
Book orders will be going home today. If you want to order books just mark the books you want on the form and send a check payable to Scholastic. If you send cash, I will write a check to Scholastic. Parents ordering online can use my class code is LK63Z. The book orders are due on Friday, September 15th.
Upcoming Events This Week:
Sept. 4th - No School
Sept, 6th - 12:00 Dismiss
Sept. 7th - School Pictures (Norway)
Pictures: Recess
This week we learned different strategies to help with "Writer's Block." The students shared memorable events in their lives and logged them in the idea section of their writer's workshop notebooks. We also talked about characters, plot and setting and discussed the importance of them. In addition, we talked about why it is important to be a good listener in class. I look forward to reading some of their stories because they have some great ideas!
Book Orders:
Book orders will be going home today. If you want to order books just mark the books you want on the form and send a check payable to Scholastic. If you send cash, I will write a check to Scholastic. Parents ordering online can use my class code is LK63Z. The book orders are due on Friday, September 15th.
Upcoming Events This Week:
Sept. 4th - No School
Sept, 6th - 12:00 Dismiss
Sept. 7th - School Pictures (Norway)
Pictures: Recess
Friday, August 25, 2017
New School Year
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| Cup Group Activity |
I am looking forward to the new school year and getting to know all of my students! I am going to use this blog to keep parents aware of things that are happening in Writer's Workshop. Here are a few things that happened this week.
What's Happening:
On Wednesday we had a "Welcome Back" assembly along with the flag raising ceremony to begin the year. On Wednesday and Thursday the students learned the PBIS expectations. In the 6th grade classrooms we also taught the students what we expect from them as students. We feel as a sixth grade team that filling in assignments in their assignment books helps to keep them organized. It also lets parents see assignments they have been assigned.
I will also be sending home information to parents that couldn't make it to open house in their child's Friday Folder. Would you please fill in the white sheet and send it back with your child on Monday.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact me at school 319-227-7142 or email me at bmattison@benton.k12.ia.us. I am looking forward to a great year!!
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