Hello Writers!

2nd Quarter update:

Students should now be using their “Seed Journals” on a regular basis. This is a small journal I provided for each student in which they should write simple, short ideas to help them think about what to write when they are to start a new piece. This should include quick memories, quotes, funny moments, and any other idea that they may want to later write about. Stories should be written in their writing notebook NOT in their seed journals.

Students are to write at least 15 minutes each night and half an hour on the weekend. This can be adding ideas to their seed journals, beginning a new piece or working on a piece.

All parents should see a student sheet called “What’s my grade” in their students binder. Each time we start a graded assignment students will be directed to record the assignment and grade when it is returned to help give them an idea of how they are progressing in class. There is a signature section on this sheet - I encourage you to use this. Keeping the sheet up to date and until the end of the unit is also a 20 point grade.

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Thanks!

Ms. Peterson

Our 6th grade writing workshop focuses on using mentor texts from published authors as a model for our student writing. We focus on how the authors have written, and what works; then we try to translate those skills into our own writing. Students in room 205 are beginning to work on their own pieces now and have written some wonderful things. I’ll begin posting some examples soon.

Students have all recieved small spiral notebooks, or “seed journals.” These journals should be used to plant the seeds that will become the larger writing pieces at a later time. Students should begin thinking of themselves as writers in and out of school. They should also be constantly thinking of and noticing the world around them and placing those thoughts, wonderings and observations into their seed journals. Students receive writing homework every night.