Mrs. Kovash's Blog

May 16-20

2011-05-19T07:40:00.002-06:00

Our school year is winding down............

Reading/Language:
We have been enjoying reading The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963. We have been working on a variety of reading skills while reading, making connections and responding, and learning about history.

Spanish:
We have finished family project presentations. I really enjoyed them!!
We will play Spanish games for the rest of the week.

May 9-13

2011-05-10T11:52:00.002-06:00

**Anything Goes is on Thursday, May 12.**

Reading/Language:
The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963
Students will have a TEST on Chapters 1-4 (comprehension and vocabulary) on Friday.
They have vocabulary sheets and a study guide.

Spanish:
Students will present their family project this week!

May 2-6

2011-05-03T07:23:00.004-06:00

**6th grade is collecting money for those affected by the storms**
**Progress Reports will be sent home this Friday**

Reading:
We will begin reading The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963.
Students will have daily assignments related to the novel as well as quizes (vocabulary and content) after every 4 chapters. QUIZ on Chapt. 1, 2 next Tuesday.
Students will not be able to take the novel out of the classroom, but they may check out a copy (limited) from the library or purchase their own.

Language:
We will continue with daily DLRs next week.
During the month of May, we will focus on propaganda techniques in advertising.
If you have old magazines appropriate for 6th graders, please send them to school with your child.

Spanish:
Students will finish and present their family projects beginning next week.
We will have some fun this week learning about Cinco de Mayo!!

April 18-22

2011-04-15T18:57:00.002-06:00

**Students should have read and tested on their 2nd book by Thursday, April 21.** Reading: Main Text: "A Single Shard" (pgs. 454-469) Strategy: Evaluate Skill: Author's Purpose Vocabulary: derision, ceramics, furrowed, eaves, arid, deftly, symmetry, benefit TEST ON FRIDAY, APRIL 22 **Students will have a study guide along with pgs. 140, 141, 142, 145 from their "O" book Language: Daily DLR will be completed and reviewed each day. TEST ON FRIDAY, APRIL 22 Writing: Magazine article about a type of art-example on pg. 474 (textbook). Spanish: Students will work on their family books (describing family members). Students are encouraged to bring in scanned pictures of immediate family members ( if available).

April 4-8

2011-04-04T05:58:00.004-06:00

**Academic Pep Rally on Friday (1:10-2:30)** Reading: Main Text: "Major Taylor" (pgs. 432-443) Skill: Determining Fact and Opinion Vocabulary: demonstration, spectators, prominent, prevail, luxury, maneuvered, adept, collective TEST ON THURSDAY, APRIL 7. Students will have a study guide. Language: Focus: Subject, Object, and Possessive pronouns TEST ON THURSDAY, APRIL 7. Students should study grammar pgs. 103, 104, 109, 110. Spanish: We will be learning terms that relate to families.

March 28-April 1

2011-03-28T11:22:00.002-06:00

**OLSAT and SAT-10 testing this week** Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and comes to school prepared and on time! Reading: **Students were given new Genre Bingo Sheets. For this grading period, the goal is: 1 book by 4/6, 2 books by 4/21, 3 books by 5/6, 4 books by 5/20. Bingo sheets need to be signed by a parent by Wednesday, March 30. Main Text: "Saving Grace" pgs. 418-421. Skill: Compare and Contrast Vocabulary: bewildering, moderate, hamper, prohibit, accessible TEST on vocabulary and compare/contrast skills this FRIDAY, April 1. Language: Focus: Possessive pronouns Spanish: We will be learning how to ask and answer how much something costs.

March 21-25

2011-03-20T14:17:00.003-06:00

**ARMT TESTING ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY** Make sure your students are on time, eat breakfast, and get plenty of rest the night before testing!

This week we will be reviewing test-taking strategies and the Unit 3 test. We will also be watching "Ghosts of the Abyss" (about exploring the Titanic) to determine fact/opinion statements.

Spanish: Students will use what they already know about articles of clothing for this week's focus on cost of items (buying and selling).

March 14-18

2011-03-13T12:07:00.003-06:00

**Reading goal (4 books) due March 14.** Movie day for those who reached the goal will be on Wednesday, March 16. WAY TO GO READERS!!

Reading:
Main Text: "Exploring the Titanic" (pgs. 392-405)
Strategy: Analyze
Skill: Fact and Opinion
Vocabulary Words: edgy, clockwise, hovering, interior, formations, intact, severed, wreckage

TEST on vocabulary words and fact/opinion (not "Exploring the Titanic") on THURSDAY, MARCH 17.

Language:
Focus: Subject and Object Pronouns

Spanish:
We are finishing learning vocabulary for articles of clothing.

March 7-11

2011-03-06T15:17:00.001-06:00

**Reminder: 4 book goal due by March 14.**

Reading:
Main Text: "Seeing Things His Own Way" pgs. 368-379
Strategy: Evaluate
Skill: Author's Purpose
Vocabulary: typical, specialists, peripheral, guidance, deteriorated, maturity, summit, awesome
TEST ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9
Language:
Focus: Pronouns and Antecedents
QUIZ ON THURSDAY, MARCH 10

Spanish:
We will begin learning articles of clothing.

February 28-March 4

2011-02-27T15:05:00.003-06:00

**Reminder: 4 book goal due by March 14.**

Reading:
Main Text: "Seeing Things His Own Way" pgs. 368-379
Strategy: Evaluate
Skill: Author's Purpose
Vocabulary: typical, specialists, peripheral, guidance, deteriorated, maturity, summit, awesome
TEST NEXT WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9

Language:
Focus: Pronouns and Antecedents
QUIZ NEXT THURSDAY, MARCH 10

Spanish:
We will finish learning body parts and begin working on articles of clothing.

February 21-25

2011-02-21T13:21:00.002-06:00

**Reminder: 4 book goal deadline is March 14

Reading:
TEST on "The Case of the Phantom Poet" today (Monday)
During the rest of the week, students will review for, and then take, the Unit 3 assessment. Students will be tested on skills and strategies learned from the past 5 stories (not the story events themselves).

Language:
TEST on verbs Tuesday, Feb. 22. **Students were given a study guide on Friday**

Spanish:
We will finish up learning about body parts, and move on to articles of clothing.

February 14-18

2011-02-13T15:34:00.003-06:00

Reading:
Main Text: "The Case of the Phantom Poet" pgs. 340-353
Strategy: Monitor Comprehension
Skill: Draw Conclusions
Vocabulary: charismatic, sleuthing, mimics, array, significance, despondently, sponsoring, anonymous
**TEST ON MONDAY, FEB. 21 *Students will have a study guide

Language:
We will focus on tenses of irregular verbs
**TEST ON VERBS (action verbs, direct/indirect objects, past and future tenses, main and helping verbs, linking verbs, and irregular verbs) ON TUESDAY, FEB. 22
*Students will have a study guide
DLR #18 test on Friday, Feb. 18

Spanish:
We will be learning body parts in Spanish.

Feb. 7-11

2011-01-31T10:17:00.005-06:00

**1/2 way book goal: Feb. 8**

Reading:
Main Text: "The Emperor's Silent Army" pgs. pgs. 319-329
Stragegy: Monitor Comprehension
Skill: Summarize
Vocabulary Words: utensils, superstitious, civilized, excavate, trenches, steadfastly, precede, prolong
Word focus: prefixes
TEST ON WEDNESDAY, FEB. 9
*Students will have a study guide.*
We will also review test-taking skills.

Language:
Focus: linking verbs
meter in lyrical poetry
*Homework: work not completed in class
DLR Test on Friday, Feb. 11

Spanish:
We will finish videotaping the Spanish dialogues!
We will continue learning colors and begin parts of the body (if time permits).

January 24-28

2011-01-23T16:41:00.002-06:00

**Reading Goal: 2 books by Feb. 4, 4 books by March 7. Student will be completing their Genre Bingo sheet.

Reading:
TEST on "Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street" Tuesday, Jan. 25
Students will have a study guide.
Beginning Wednesday:
Main Text: "Building Green" pgs. 306-309
Skill: Cause and Effect
Vocabulary: nonrenewable, renewable, adverse, generate, apparatus
Students will complete a one-pager to assess knowledge of vocabulary words and cause-effect relationships. This will take the place of a written test.

Language:
Focus: verb tenses and helping verbs
Homework: work not completed in class (pgs. 71, 72, 77, 78)
DLR test on FRIDAY, Jan. 28

Spanish:
Dialogue presentations

Jan. 17-21

2011-01-17T20:34:00.002-06:00

*Reading Goal: 2 books by Feb. 4, 4 books by March 7. Students will complete their Genre Bingo sheet again.

Reading:
Main Text: "Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street" pgs. 278-293.
Strategy: Monitor Comprehension
Skill: Draw Conclusions
Vocabulary: limousine, sensational, precarious, extravagant, unimaginable, lamented, promenade, embarked
Homework: Work not finished in class.
TEST ON TUESDAY, JAN. 25. Students will have a study guide.

Language:
Focus: Action verbs, direct and indirect objects
Homework: Work not finished in class.

Writing:
Students will write the final draft of their persuasive essay for homework. Due on Wednesday.
Students are required to have their rough draft signed by Wednesday.

Spanish:
Students are working with a partner on a dialogue presentation based on everything we have learned so far this year. They will present their dialogues next week.

January 4-7

2011-01-03T13:11:00.003-06:00

Welcome Back!!

I hope students had a wonderful break and are ready to get started on the second half of our school year!!! **Parents: Please make sure your students have all of the supplies they need for school (pencils, paper, etc.).**

On Tuesday we will finish up on Unit 2 testing and Haiku poetry.

Our main focus the rest of the week will be planning, writing, revising, and editing a persuasive essay.

Students who met their reading goal of 4 books during the 2nd grading period will be going to the library for MOVIE TIME on Thursday!!! Way to go readers!!!

Spanish: We will learn about the verb IR and how it is used.

December 13-17

2010-12-12T19:22:00.002-06:00

**Reminder: Dec. 16 is the last day for students to test on books for their reading goal (4 books) for the 2nd grading period.**

Reading: We will review the strategies and skills learned in Unit 2. The Unit 2 test will be on Wednesday and Thursday.

Language: We will review grammar from Unit 2. The Unit 2 test will be on Wednesday and Thursday.
We will also focus on imagery and metaphors in Haiku.
DLR #14 TEST ON WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15.

Spanish: We will learn Christmas songs in Spanish and focus on hispanic holiday customs.

Dec. 6-10

2010-12-06T08:44:00.002-06:00

**Reminder: Dec. 16 is the last day for students to test on books for their reading goal (4 books) for the 2nd grading period.**

Reading:
TEST ON TUESDAY, DEC. 7: sequence of events, vocabulary, and "The Great Serum Race."
*Students have a study guide
We will compare "The Great Serum Race" to the movie Balto this week.
The students will also have Dibels testing.

Language:
TEST ON TUESDAY, DEC. 7: types of nouns and appositives
*Students have a study guide
DLR #14 test will be next Wednesday, Dec. 15 (NOT this Friday).
Focus: Symbolism and Metaphor in Haiku

Spanish:
We will continue working with the word gustar. We may "tackle" another art project since the "Ojos de Dios" were such a big success.

November 29-December 3

2010-11-28T16:23:00.004-06:00

**Reminder: Dec. 16 is the last day for students to test on books for their reading goal (4 books) for the 2nd grading period.**

Reading:
Main Text: "The Great Serum Race" (pgs. 222-235)
Strategy: Summarize
Skill: Sequence of events
Vocabulary: pedestrians, outskirts, unbearable, rendezvous, intercept, quarantine, epidemic, plight
Next week: TEST ON TUESDAY, DEC. 7. Students will have a study guide.

Language:
Focus: Possessive nouns and appositives
Writing Focus: Haiku
DLR TEST ON FRIDAY, NOV. 19
Next week: TEST ON TUESDAY, DEC. 7 on noun unit (singular, plural, common, proper, possessives).

Spanish:
We will finish our art project, "Ojos de Dios" and then begin learning about the verb gustar.

November 22-23

2010-11-21T16:44:00.003-06:00

**The Book Fair will be continuing through Tuesday.**

Reading:
Main Text: "Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter" (pgs. 194-209)
Strategy: Summarize
Skill: Problem and Solution
Vocabulary: sheepishly, sweeten, coincidences, sumptuous, phase, mufflers, hobbled, prospered
TEST ON TUESDAY, NOV. 22
*Students will work on a study guide during class on Monday.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

November 15-19

2010-11-14T15:51:00.002-06:00

Reading:
Monday skill--making generalizations
Main Text: "Rumplestiltskin's Daughter" (pgs. 194-209)
Tuesday-Friday strategy--summarize
skill--problem and solution
vocabulary words: sheepishly, sweeten, coincidences, sumptuous, phase, mufflers, hobbled, prospered
TEST ON TUESDAY, NOV. 23

Language:
Focus: possessive nouns
Homework: Any work not completed in class
DLR TEST ON FRIDAY, NOV. 19

Spanish:
We will finish presentations on Spanish-speaking countries. We will spend some time researching important aspects of the hispanic culture.

November 8-10

2010-11-07T18:44:00.004-06:00

We will be working on test-taking skills this week as we review the Unit 1 test results with students. This will include: multiple-choice questions, short answer responses, and essay writing.

Due to the short school week, students will not have a DLR test.

Reminder: **Reading goal: 2 books by Nov. 8, 4 books by Dec. 16**

Spanish--We will finish up on the Spanish-speaking country presentations this week. We have all learned quite a bit from these presentations!

November 1-5

2010-10-31T17:03:00.003-06:00

**Reading goal: 2 books by Nov. 8, 4 books by Dec. 16**

Reading:
Main Text: "The Night of the Pomegranate"
Reading Strategy: generate questions
Reading Skill: make inferences
Text Features: graphs
Vocabulary words: spicy, undone, vigil, ravaged, marveled, broadcast, unsatisfactory, calculations
TEST ON WEDNESDAY, NOV. 3--students will have a study guide

Language:
Focus: persuasive business letter
Homework: Students will have an adult read the first draft of the letter, make comments, and sign it on Wednesday or Thursday. We will be writing the final copy on Friday.
DLR TEST ON FRIDAY, NOV. 5

Spanish:
Presentations on Spanish-speaking countries all week.

October 25-29

2010-10-24T20:52:00.002-06:00

**Reading goal: 2 books by Nov. 8, 4 books by Dec. 16.**
**Academic Pep Rally on Friday, Oct. 29**

Reading:
Main Text: "The Night of the Pomegranate"
Reading Strategy: generate questions
Reading Skill: make inferences
Text Features: graphs
Vocabulary Words: spicy, undone, vigil, ravaged, marveled, broadcast, unsatisfactory, calculations

Language:
Focus: singular and plural nouns
persuasive business letter
Homework: work not finished in class
DLR TEST ON FRIDAY, OCT. 29

Spanish: Presentations Tuesday and Wednesday

Oct. 18-22

2010-10-17T15:21:00.003-06:00

**Fall Pictures--Oct. 20**
**Reading goal: 2 books by Nov. 8, 4 books by Dec. 16. Students will be bringing their Genre Bingo sheets home for parents to sign by Oct. 20.**

Reading:
Main Text: "How Tia Lola Came to Stay" (pgs. 132-145).
Reading Strategy: generate questions
Reading Skill: make inferences
Text Features: almanacs and charts
Vocabulary Words: inscribed, grouchy, resemblance, postmarked, enthralled, regulation, embarrassment, pennant
Homework: work not finished in class, study for test
READING TEST: FRIDAY, OCT. 22

Language:
Focus: common and proper nouns
persuasive business letter
Homework: work not finished in class
DLR TEST ON FRIDAY, OCT. 22

Spanish: Presentations on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
We will finish with telling time on Thursday and Friday.

October 11-15

2010-10-11T09:07:00.006-06:00

**No School on Monday, Oct. 11 due to Statewide Parenting Day**

This week we will review Unit I reading and language skills (Tuesday) and then take the test on Thursday and Friday.
**Students will complete study guides on Tuesday during class. Any work not finished in class will be homework.

Students who completed the reading goal for this grading period (4 books) will be watching a movie in the library during class on Wednesday. Way to go!! Keep on reading!!

There will not be a daily DLR test this week.

Spanish: Students will begin presenting their Spanish-speaking country projects on Tuesday and Wednesday. I am really looking forward to the presentations!!
On Thursday and Friday, we will continue working on telling time in Spanish.

October 4-8

2010-10-03T16:31:00.004-06:00

**Parenting Day on Monday, October 11 (No School).
Students will review for the Unit 1 reading/language test on Tuesday,
Oct. 12. They will take the Unit 1 test on Wednesday and Thursday,
Oct. 13, 14.
**There will be no daily DLR test next Friday, Oct. 15.

Reading:
Main Text: "Interrupted Journey" (pgs. 107-117)
Reading Strategy: Make inferences and analyze
Reading Skill: Main Idea and details
Vocabulary Words: speculated, conserve, analyzing, vital, propelled, sedated, dehydrated, embedded
TEST on Friday, Oct. 8

Language:
Focus: Run-on sentences and comma splice errors
Personal narrative
DLR TEST on Friday, Oct 8
Homework:
**Study for reading and DLR tests for Friday
Any work missed due to absences will be homework.
Spanish: TEST on Tuesday, Oct. 5 (days of the week, months of the year, seasons)
We will begin learning how to tell time in Spanish.
Students will sign up for presentation days to begin next week.

September 27-Oct. 1

2010-09-19T13:13:00.011-06:00

Reading:
Main Text: "The Magic Gourd" (pgs. 82-92)
Reading Strategy: Make inferences and analyze
Reading Skill: Cause and Effect in a folktale
Vocabulary Words: rummaged, undetected, chameleon, generosity, pathetic, ricocheting, famine, scrounging
TEST on Wednesday, Sept. 29

Language:
Focus: independent and dependent clauses in complex sentences
TEST on Wednesday, Sept. 29
Daily DLR TEST on Friday, Oct 1

Homework:

**Study for reading/language tests
**Study for DLR test
**Any work missed due to absences will be homework.

Spanish:
Students will work on their Spanish-speaking country presentations on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
This week's focus (on Monday and Wednesday): months of the year, and days of the week.

TEST on Tuesday, Oct. 4.

September 13-17

2010-09-11T12:48:00.007-06:00

**Progress Reports will be sent home on Wednesday, Sept. 15. In addition, my students will be required to have their Genre Bingo Sheet signed by a parent. **

**Just a reminder: All individual and test grades will be posted on STI for you to view. If you have questions about your child's grades, please let me know.**

Reading:
Main Text: "Gecko Glue, Cockroach Scouts, and Spider Silk Bridges" (pgs. 70-73)
Reading Strategy: make inferences and analyze
Reading Skill: identify main idea and details
Vocabulary Words: altered, erode, absorb, concentrated, innovations
TEST ON Friday, Sept. 17

Language:
Focus: sentence combining with conjunctions, and compound sentences
Daily DLR: TEST on Friday, Sept. 17
**Students who did not pass the subject/predicate test will be given additional practice and the opportunity to take a second test (I will average the two for a grade). TEST ON Friday, Sept. 17.

Homework:
Study for reading and DLR tests (Students will have a study guide for reading).
Students should be reading at home to complete their Genre Bingo sheet (4 books required by Oct. 8). They may take an A.R. test or complete an alternate assignment to receive credit for reading a book.

Spanish:
Students have begun research on Spanish-speaking countries. They will have research guidelines, but will be given choices for presenting. Due date: tentatively mid-October.

September 7-10

2010-09-06T07:38:00.004-06:00

Reading:
Main Text: Lost City: The Discovery of Machu Picchu (pgs. 45-57)
Reading Strategy: analyze story structure
Reading Skill: character, setting, plot
Vocabulary Words: remote, escort, interpreter, vegetation, undergrowth, venomous, withstood
TEST ON WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 8

Language:
Daily DLR: No DLR test this week. Students will turn in their daily DLR sheets on Friday for a grade.
Focus: Subjects and predicates
QUIZ ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 10

HOMEWORK:
Study for reading test on Wednesday (Students will have a study guide).
Study for subject/predicate quiz on Friday.
Students should be reading at home to complete their Genre Bingo sheet (4 books required by Oct. 8).

Spanish: We will take a short break from conversation skills to begin research on Spanish-speaking countries. Students will be given research guidelines.

August 30-Sept. 3

2010-08-29T19:26:00.005-06:00

Reading:
Main Text: Lost City: The Discovery of Machu Picchu (pgs. 45-57)
Reading Strategy: analyze story structure
Reading Skill: character, setting, plot
Vocabulary Words: remote, escort, interpreter, vegetation, undergrowth, venomous, withstood
TEST ON WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 8
Language:
Daily DLR: TEST ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 3
Subjects and predicates

HOMEWORK: Study for DLR test
Students should be reading at home to complete their Genre Bingo sheet.
Students who did not complete their personal narrative in class on Friday will turn it in by Tuesday, Aug. 31.

Spanish: Students will be presenting their conversations with a partner. We will learn numbers. We will begin learning Days of the Week and Months of the Year.

August 23-27

2010-08-22T14:47:00.003-06:00

**We will have library orientation on Tuesday and students will be checking out books. **

Reading:
Main Text: Summer of the Swans (pgs. 20-33)
Reading Strategy: analyze story structure
Reading Skill: character, setting, plot
Vocabulary Words: abruptly, anxiety, conscious, intersection, engulf, procedure, souvenir, cascade
TEST ON THURSDAY, AUG. 26. Students should read over the story and study pgs. 1-3, 6 from their Practice "O" book. They will also have a study guide.

Language:
Daily DLR: TEST ON FRIDAY, AUG. 27
Sentence Types and Fragments
Writing a Personal Narrative
TEST ON SENTENCE TYPES AND FRAGMENTS ON THURSDAY, AUG. 26. Students should study pgs. 1-3 in their Grammar practice book.

HOMEWORK: Study for Thursday and Friday tests.

Spanish: TEST ON TUESDAY, AUG. 24 on the alphabet.
We will work on greetings this week.

August 16-20

2010-08-15T12:54:00.005-06:00

Advisory:
Students should be bringing home their advisory folders on Monday with their calendar and any important papers. Please remind your student to show you their folder. As mentioned in the advisory letter I sent home last week, please send $1 to help cover the cost of folders/calendars. Students who have all paperwork turned in along with the $7.00 locker fee will be assigned lockers on Wednesday, Aug. 18.

Reading:
Main Text: Summer of the Swans (pgs. 20-33)
Reading Strategy: Analyze story structure
Reading Skill: Character, Setting, Plot
Vocabulary: Multiple-meaning words
Vocabulary words: abruptly, anxiety, conscious, intersection, engulf, procedure, souvenir, cascade

Language:
Daily DLR
Sentence Types and Fragments

Homework:
*Make sure your child has a composition notebook and binder (or folders) for class.
*Daily DLR test on Friday, Aug. 20. DLR tests will be made up of questions pulled from the daily DLRs that students complete and we go over during the week. Students should study for the test at home.

August 12-13

2010-08-11T20:04:00.002-06:00

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!!!!!

The first two days of school will be filled with getting to know you activities, reviewing rules and procedures, and getting back into the swing of things! Students will be bringing home lots of information on Thursday. Please make sure to read, sign, and return all of the appropriate papers.

Additional supplies for my reading/language classes:

one composition notebook
a binder with tabs for both reading and language (it can be a binder used for all classes as long as it has tabs) OR two three-prong pocket folders (one for reading, one for language).

Additional supplies for Spanish class:

one 1" binder

I will be sending home letters explaining class expectations and grading policies on Monday, August 16. Look for these letters in your child's advisory folder.