Today we will discuss public speaking! We will review the different types of speeches (informative, entertaining, and persuasive). Students will receive more information about public speaking (due dates, check-in dates, etc.) after Passover.

Click the links below to access our first public speaking sources:

Intro to Public Speaking Slideshow

PS Topic Brainstorming Graphic Organizer

Task: Students will complete their Brainstorming Graphic Organizer by 4/20 

• • • • The students must brainstorm 2-5 topics and decide the purpose of their speech for each topic. 

As we continue to work on our Exhilarating Reading Adventure Project, our class is focusing on diving deeper into various literary elements that appear in novels. Last week we discussed characterization (direct & indirect), mood, and theme.

Today we are going to continue to explore theme identification. We will complete the first example together as a class. Then students will have time to complete the last two examples independently.

Click here to access the assignment: Identifying the Theme Practice

When trying to identify the theme of a story or novel think about the following:

• What life lesson/idea is the author trying to teach the reader?
• How can this lesson/idea from the “small world of the story” be applied to the “real world”?
  • • • • Think about the big picture
• The theme is not going to be stated directly
  • • • • You will need to make an inference (read between the lines)

Welcome to all wizards, muggles, trolls, and goblins! The Triwizard Tournament might be over, but today competition awaits middle school students at OJCS. A muggle librarian named Sydney Krawiec from McMurray, PA (Pennsylvania) created this adventure. You may keep your wand at the ready, but wait for Professor Washerstein to send you own your way. Which student will emerge victorious from each house (grade) at OJCS? Even Professor Trelawney can’t predict that!

Please do not access the link to this activity prior to receiving the official “Go” in class. 

Click the link below to access a unique journey:

Hogwarts Digital Escape Room

When you have escaped, please report back to the Google Meet to log your time with Professor Washerstein. He will be timing each student as they complete their journey. 

Objective: Learning from a distance is great, but reading is exhilarating! The goal of this project is to foster and nurture a passion for reading. You will read a book you’ve never read before, and then create an artifact that connects to that book to show what you’ve learned and understood from the book you read.

Students will be required to spend at least 30 minutes a day reading. 

Choosing a book: Students will have the opportunity to choose their own book for this assignment. Please note that the book you pick should be a book that you have never read before, and that is appropriate for your reading level. Additionally, you want to make sure that you will be able to complete the book by the assigned deadline. 

If you do not have a book at home, you can read an e-book for this assignment (e-books are available to borrow from the Ottawa Public Library). Additionally, students can access audiobooks for additional support while reading. However, I ask that any student who chooses to use an audiobook also follows along with the text while reading. 

Schedule

As you read your book, you will:

• Create personal and real-world connections
• Analyze the following literary components:
  • Theme
  • Plot development
  • Conflict
  • Literary devices
    • Simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole

Click here to access all of the important information: 

Exhilarating Reading Adventure Project Google Slideshow

Exhilarating Reading Adventure Project Instructions and Rubric

Exhilarating Reading Adventure Planner

Good morning middle school students! As many of you know, we are moving to a new learning platform via the internet. We will continue to develop our reading, writing, oral communication, and media literacy skills.

The vocabulary homework practice packet that is due tomorrow can be submitted digitally. I will ask you to take pictures of your completed pages and email them to me (in one email). You will still receive points for completing this assignment. 

As for the vocabulary test, at this point I am unsure how and when we will proceed with these assessments. I am researching different ways to administer tests online. I will update you when I have come to a viable conclusion. For now, we will be putting a pause on the vocabulary tests.

I look forward to meeting with you next week in a digital context. Please keep an open and positive mindset as you begin a new learning adventure.

Attached you will find the terms to study for the next vocabulary unit. As discussed in class, some students will be studying the Grade 6 Wordly Wise Vocabulary terms while others are studying an enriched set of terms. We talked about the importance of understanding individualized learning.  As we progress, a variety of students will have the opportunity to take try the enriched set of terms. Both units include a homework practice packet that will be due on Monday (3/16).

The vocabulary assessment will take place on the following Friday (3/20).

Click this link to access the enriched vocabulary set: Grade 6 Enriched Terms

Wordly Wise can be found here:

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On Monday, we had our book pitch reveal! Brigette and I searched through the stacks of the OJCS Library to find the perfect picture book for each student in the grade 6 class. We will spend time in class learning about persuasive writing techniques and advertising strategies. Additionally, we will practice our public speaking skills focusing on

Task: Persuade kindergarten students to read your picture book by creating a one minute sales pitch. You will present the pitch to the kindergarten class.  You will create a visual aid to accompany your pitch.

Organizational Planner

Click the link below to read through the instructions, tips, and rubric:

1 Minute Book Pitch

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This week the grade 6 students got to spend time with two-time Governor General Award winning author Caroline Pignat. She discussed the writing process with our class and focused on how she develops a character within a story. Additionally, we learned about the rigorous editing process that authors endure. After reading her novel Egghead, this experience provided students with an opportunity to ask any and all questions to the author herself.

Check out the questions the students brainstormed for Caroline Pignat:

Burning Questions for Caroline Pignat

Today students were provided with their exam packets for the English exam. Mr. Kom graciously created a fantastic exam study plan! This plan provides students with a variety of strategies that can be used to study. In addition, this document provides students with a dedicated place to log the amount of time spent studying. Remember that organization and time management skills are just as important as the concepts themselves.

Click the link to make a personal copy of your study plan: Exam Study Plan