Day #65 - 12/12/14 - Unit 2: End of Unit Assessment Preview and The NYS Writing Rubric

Good Morning 6th Graders,

     I’d like to wish you all a very happy Friday! It is an ‘A’ day so please make sure you have your music folder.  We are running low on pencils so I need you to return extra pencils to the cup. Remember you need only 2 pencils each day. Last, pick up an Ipad and work on the Point to Ponder. Let’s make today a _____________________ day!

                       Thanks,

                       Mrs. Sargent & Mr. T.

P2P: What did you read last night? What was the gist? Do you see any themes in your book? When you are done check out the picture of the day.

This Tree Is 3200 Years Old. But It’s So Huge It’s Never Been Captured In One Photo… Until Now.

 This gigantic sequoia tree is so special that it has a nickname. It’s called “The President”, and it stands at 247 feet tall, measures at 45,000 cubic feet in volume, and is an estimated 3,200 years old.

The trunk is 27 feet wide and the branches hold 2 billion needles – which is more than any other tree on the planet.

If that wasn’t enough, the tree grows at such a rapid rate that it adds roughly one cubic meter of wood per year. This makes it the fastest growing tree in the world.

The tree had never been photographed in its entirety before… until now.

“The President” is located in the Sierra Nevadas of California, alongside its smaller cousins, nicknamed the “House” and “Senate”.

After 32 days and 126 separate photos made in a joint effort by National Geographic and scientists from the park, we can present to you this breathtaking photo of The President.

For Unit 2: End of Unit Assessment Preview

• I can identify the criteria for strong analytical writing based on the NYS writing rubric.

Activity #1

Preview 

End of Unit Writing Prompt 

&

 Rubric

(Writing Prompt - Lesson 12 Pg13)

(NY State Writing Rubric Lesson 12 pgs 22 - 24)

Activity #2

Critique Writing sample according the the NY State Writing Rubric

Activity #3

What does the scene in the throne room tell you about each of the three friends: Annabeth, Grover, and Percy?

Homework:

Do a first Draft read of Chapter 1 of your Guided Reading Book.

Learning Stations

Block 1                             Block 2

Rotation 1

10:40 - 11:00                     1:20 - 1:40

Rotation 2

11:05 - 11:25                     1:40 - 2:00

Stations  

Guided Reading

or

Computers/NewsELA.com (Non-Fiction/Expository)

or 

Independent Reading (Fiction)

Guided Reading

• Book Preview

Computers/NewsELA.com (Non-Fiction/Expository)

• Select an article and choose the level that is just the Right Level for you!
• Complete the 5 W’s Graphic Organizer
• Be Prepared to share what you read “IN THE NEWS"

Independent Reading (Fiction/Narrative)

• Remember to fill in your “Book Notes” at the end of each reading session. (Notebook checks)
• See the Criteria for your letter below

Criteria for Independent Reading Letter

Paragraph 1

1. Tell me the title and author 

2. Write the Gist

3. Write a brief summary

Paragraph 2

4. Describe the main character (What type of person is the main character?)

5. Make an Inference about the main character. Use evidence from the text to support your inference. 

Paragraph 3

6. Write a prediction about what you think might happen in the rest of the book.

7. Finish with a question or something that you wonder.