Parents, check in with your kids to see how their poem is coming.  They are due this Friday and I'd like to make sure no one forgets!

For the next two weeks, we will be doing the Anything Project in Language Arts.  The idea is that each student will set a goal for what they would like to create, create a schedule of the small steps it will take to accomplish the goal by the deadline, and then carry out those steps each day.

The Anything Project is a chance for students to have complete autonomy to create something that matters to them.  There are literally no expectations other than students work hard every day.

Some students might decide to create something familiar to them, like a short story.  Other students will take this opportunity to experiment with something they've never tried before, like a stop motion movie or a research project on a topic that is important to them.  It is an opportunity to risk, experiment and grow.  I'm excited to see what the next couple weeks bring.

Here are some potential topics we brainstormed in class:

• Song and music video
  
• Craft book
  
• Autobiography
  
• Photography Book
  
• Story
  
• Comic Book
  
• Picture Book
  
• Dictionary
  
• Cook Book
  
• Playbook
  
• Invention
  
• Stop Motion Video
  
• Play
  
• Movie
  
• Artwork
  
• Invent a game
  
• Diorama
  
• Board game
  
• Videogames
  
• Choreograph a Dance
  
• Make a commercial
  
• Website
  
• PowerPoint presentations
  
• Research Report
  
• Design a Language
  
• Sketch Comedy
  
• Standup Comedy Act
  

Look at the following topic sentences.  Which ones are effective?  Which are not?  Why?

1. Roger Williams against the Puritans.
2. Roger Williams separated from the Puritan Church.
3. Roger Williams was important in American history.
4. Roger Williams was a man who wanted to give people religious freedom.
5. Roger Williams big part in history.
6. Roger Williams great interesting story.

Which of these are complete sentences?  Which contain the actual main point of the paragraph?

1.  Type out your poem.
2.  Write about what you were trying to do in your poem.  Show that you made thoughtful choices.

Here is a copy of the Poetry Reflection Guide

Here is an example of what I expect you to do for your final poetry assignment.

1.  I want to write a new poem today.

2.  I want to revise an old poem today.

3.  With ONE partner I will get feedback on my poem using the Poetry Reflection Sheet.

4.  With TWO or THREE partners I will do a writer’s workshop with my poem.

Check it out!

Hopefully, next Wednesday you'll be more than half-way through with your independent reading goal for the second trimester.  Keep in mind, we had Christmas Break as part of this trimester, and it doesn't "count" toward your time, so it was like two weeks of extra reading time this trimester.  Did you use it?

The PTF allowed the Pacific Science Center to come to BCS today.  The in-class lesson for the 6th graders was all about electrical circuits.  Students made cars go forward and in reverse as well as turning on the lights.

Parents, can you let me know one way or the other if you will be able to make it to the 6th grade coronation ceremony this Friday?  It is the culmination of not only the 6th grade Relationships with Integrity curriculum, but really the entire K-6 curriculum.  

The purpose is to serve as a symbolic rite of passage for young men and women in their quest for holiness and purity.  Parents and guardians will be an important part of the ceremony when their children "give their hearts to them for protection".

We did it last year for the first time and it was a really great experience.  Can you email me and let me know if your child will have an adult at the ceremony for them?  It's okay if nobody can make it.  I'll be able to accept their "heart" on behalf of their parents.  Thank you!