Thank You!!

Parents and Students,

I just wanted to express my thanks for the teaching supplies and the sweet letters the students wrote to me. I was completed blown away by your thoughtfulness and generosity! Also, I cannot believe over 100 6th graders were able to keep a secret!! That alone is amazing! I had absolutely no idea and I was so touched when the surprise was revealed. I feel so incredibly blessed to have completed my student teaching while being their long term substitute. I have loved getting to know these students and they will forever be my first group of "kids" ever. I enjoyed reading their sweet letters, good wishes, and congratulations. I want to wish them well with their next adventure in 7th grade! Thank you again for the supplies and most of all your consideration!!

 

Sincerely,

Mrs. Oliveira

 

This is my reading class after the surprise Graduation/Popsicle Party. Only 1/4 of my 6th grade students!

The students donated so many school supplies for my future classroom. When I organized them at home they filled two large boxes!!

The most precious book of letters from my students. I will always treasure it!

 

 

One of my favorite dedications was written to "Super Ollie" the superhero turned teacher!

 

We had to do a silly face picture!

 Those school supplies will be put to good use next year because I graduated Saturday!

I now hold a Master of Education in Secondary English degree and I am alumni of

Samford University!

 



Figurative Language

Jabberwocky

Lewis Carroll, 1832 - 1898

 

‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves 
   Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
   And the mome raths outgrabe.

“Beware the Jabberwock, my son 
   The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun 
   The frumious Bandersnatch!”

He took his vorpal sword in hand; 
   Long time the manxome foe he sought—
So rested he by the Tumtum tree, 
   And stood awhile in thought.

And, as in uffish thought he stood, 
   The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, 
   And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! And through and through 
   The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head 
   He went galumphing back.

“And hast thou slain the Jabberwock? 
   Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!” 
   He chortled in his joy.

‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves 
   Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
   And the mome raths outgrabe.

Retrieved from: http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/jabberwocky

Discussion

 How does Lewis Carroll use specific (even though nonsense) language to convey the story?

Do you think the story would be the same if he had used “regular” words?

How do you think the story changed when someone read it with inflection?
How can a speaker influence the listener’s understanding?

Lewis Carroll-JABBERWOCKY

I Am Somebody Presentations

There were so many great essays and presentations for the "I Am Somebody" Project! I was really blown away at the student's work and their commitment to the cause. Several groups have already put their plan into action. I am so proud of the work they have done for this project!

Students presenting on the Oasisiah organization which helps orphanages in Haiti. 

Students presented on the dangers that Narwhals face. They gave information on how to adopt a whale and save the Narwhals from extinction.

 

End of year Writing Portfolio

DUE DATE:   Friday, May 16

Directions: Students will pick 4 different genres of writing and write 4 well-developed stories, poems, or essays. REMEMBER the plot must be well thought-through for stories that require it! You will also need to color code your assignments based on the colors listed below (just put a check mark at the top right corner in that color).

Genre Options: you can only choose two poems to write

Personal Narrative (blue) ·         a story about something that happened to you ·         teaches some sort of lesson ·         must have a very good plot-anything a page or less is not considered a good plot	Narrative (red) ·         a story that teaches some sort of lesson ·         must have a very good plot-anything a page or less is not considered a good plot
Limerick Poem (yellow) ·         a 5-line poem written with the AABBA rhyme ·         meant to be funny	Ode Poem (green) ·         a celebration of something ·         must be at least 15 lines long
Narrative Poem (orange) ·         a poem that tells a story about something ·         must be at least 20 lines and have a good plot	Epic Poem (brown) ·         a poem that tells a story of a hero ·         must be at least 20 lines and have a good plot
Expository (purple) ·         a non-fiction (true and real) essay about a science or social studies topic ·         at least a page in length	Persuasive (pink) ·         at least a page in length ·         it should have (at least) 3 valid reasons to support your opinion

 

Once you have completed four writing assignments, you will need to make a portfolio of your writing. Requirements for the portfolio:

·         Cover page with creative title, name, and period. ·         Each piece of writing must have an illustration that demonstrates a part of the story/poem. ·         Portfolio should be bound together (tape, staples, holes/ribbon, etc.)

·         Every piece of writing in the portfolio must be free of all errors (capitalization, punctuation, and spelling), neatly written, and organized. ·         Each piece of writing needs a creative title. ·         You will need to pick one piece of writing to present to the class.

I Am Somebody Final Research

Final Research Chart

ONE person in your group should go to the Final Research Chart Google Doc from the link above.

Once you are looking at the document, click on "File" in the upper left corner.
Then click on "Make a Copy" from the drop down menu.
This will allow you to work on your own copy of the chart in your Google Drive account.

After you have made your own copy, hit the blue "share" button in the upper right corner. Share the Google Doc with the other members of your group by typing in their Google Drive email address. This will allow all of the members of your group to work on the same document at the same time.


When your entire group is on the document, one person needs to type your topic and approved thesis statement into the Google Doc. This will allow your group to stay focused on the thesis you are trying to prove. Now you can complete your research.  You can use information you found during pre-research or search for new information. You will need to consider the reasons you developed yesterday and find facts to support these reasons. Also, consider the organization/plan you are trying to support. What research or information will you need to prove your point? You will need at least three websites to support your position. Make sure you save the websites on the Google Doc so you can find them when we do MLA citations. This is your last chance to do research on this topic before we start the actual writing process. Use your time wisely.

Research Topic Chart

Research Chart


Go to the Research Chart Google Doc from the link above.

Once you are looking at the document, click on "File" in the upper left corner.
Then click on "Make a Copy" from the drop down menu.
This will allow you to work on your own copy of the chart in your Google Drive account.

To begin your research consider the different organizations that help people around the world. Part of your research will be finding valid organizations to support. On the Google Doc above you will find several valid organizations to support as well as a link to "Global Giving" which contains thousands of organizations with different causes. Look through the causes and find three you want to research further. These are suggestions, but you can support any valid organization you choose. Use the chart on the Google Doc to keep up with your research. You will need to find at least four web sites for each topic. Remember to look for CARS when searching for good sources. When you find a good source: copy and paste the web address and a direct quote from the site to your research chart. Finally, paraphrase the quote in your own words.