November 17, 2008

Students did good work in completing their research reports. Topics chosen were both interesting and well presented in class. The following is a picture of Taylor giving his Ronald Reagan report.

The spring play,"Three Wishing Bags" is underway. Classmates are learning their lines. Please aid them by listening to their parts, helping them with clarity and expression. All lines must be memorized by the end of December. We all look forward to a successful play.

Language Arts classes recently submitted their fall poetry. The anthology selections will be chosen and announced in late spring 2009. Grades 5,6 received Creative Communication's Poetic Achievement Award-spring 2008. This award is given to schools whose students' entries to the Poetry Contest were of exceptionally high merit. With the recently submitted poems, we are hoping to repeat this merit.

Please continue to review daily classwork each evening. It is invaluable to the students.

Grade 6 Language Arts is busy working on their book entitled, The ABC's of Akiva. Proceeds will go toward their Washington, D.C. class trip. The book will go on sale in late winter. Purchase forms will be sent home in January. Thank you for your support of their project.

Presidential Election Process

Grade 6, along with grade 5 students, have been learning about our Presidential election process.





Here the four "candidates" present their overview of the issues to a classroom.






After visiting the classrooms, the candidates worked on posters for the school building. A voter registration process will take place later in the month.

September - October Activities

September was both a busy and exciting month..Our class, along with my Gr. 6 Language Arts class, began our Presidential election preparation. Zack, Unyime, Tyler, and Lyndsay went to each classroom representing the candidates and delivering their "platforms." Our next step was to "register" every student's "eligibility" in voting next month. Committees were formed to create and design posters to be displayed throughout our halls for classmates to view. Two adult speakers will address the 5th and 6th graders on the election process as well as each student closely learning about the election process itself. On election day, November 4, each "registered" voter will make their choice. We look forward to these coming weeks with much anticipation. Grade 5 will begin their research paper in a few weeks. They are currently choosing their topic. Thank you for reviewing their daily papers. The extra reinforcement of the day's work is very beneficial especially in social studies. Many of 6th grade Language Arts students were selected as published poets in one of Ohio's past spring anthologies. Grades 5 and 6 are currently submitting their fall selections due November14 . I am very proud of their hard work in poetry. Several have currently been chosen for publication in the Youngstown Vindicator Mini-page as well.

A book report of different genres is due the 15th of each month. Due Sept. 15th is the student's own choice. A specific book report form is given to your child and your signature is required upon its completion.

Weekly spelling tests of 20-25 words are on Fridays.

One of my Language Arts projects is a research paper. Your child will choose a theme and its criteria will be taught and developed in steps in the classroom. More information will soon follow.

Good tips for students from great sources:
Before turning in a written assignment, proofread your final draft well. Read it over several times. Always cover the lines above and below the line you are reading making certain you are reading only one line at a time. This will help you concentrate on each word and punctuation mark.
Designate a place for your notebooks, textbooks, and correspondence at all times, so when you need them, you will know where they can be found.


I look forward to meeting you on Sept. 9th at which time I will review our textbooks and classroom schedule.