Maker Space and a Reflection!

Check out these pics from our time at the Melrose Maker Space! Then, complete this quick reflection on the work we've been doing in LA.

Sixth Grade Journalists

Journalists - your new assignment is in! Your task is to research America's response to the Paris bombings. Here is the link to the Google Doc that contains some of the sources you have found over the last few days (there are links to the videos and some of the articles within this document itself).

If you are in 6-1 or 6-2, be sure to complete your Journalist's Notes and Reflection Questions by Thursday 11/19.

If you are in 6-3, be sure to complete them by Friday 11/20.

Over the next few days you will work on your memo to your editor explaining your findings. Check Google Classroom for further instructions and materials!

Great American Smokeout

This Thursday, November 19th is the Great American Smokeout. Ms. Davis, our school's Student Assistance Counselor, will be joining us for Language Arts class tomorrow to share important information about the effects of smoking and the financial cost as well.

Though cigarette smoking has decreased since 1970 as you can see in the Washington Post infographic below, there is still lots of quitting to be done.

In addition to the health problems that smoking causes, there are economic factors that should make people think twice about lighting up. Here is a graph from the CDC that shows the trends in cigarette prices over the years.  And here is an article/chart from The Motley Fool that shows the cost of a pack a day in each state.

Many of you were upset and concerned about Papa's smoking habit in The Circuit, so this will be your chance to address Papa and let him know your worries and some startling facts. Hopefully we'll be able to share some of your letters here on the blog!

"Desperation at Sea"

Since we have been focusing primarily on the literary text The Circuit, we are now incorporating more informational texts to our understanding of immigration and migration. This week for homework, the students will be looking at the article "Desperation at Sea." It details the journey of migrants and refugees from the Mid East and Africa to Europe. They will practice map analysis (as they have learned in Social Studies) and also use their close reading skills. 

At the end of the week, the students will be completing their Quarterly Literacy Assessment, in which they'll review two a video and article about the challenge of educating migrant and refugee children. 

STEAM Trip to the Estuary!

On Wednesday morning, the students returned from the water with smiles on their faces, dirt on their boots, and new knowledge of oyster restoration. They noticed some patterns between the phases of the moon and the tides. And they shared creative writing pieces in which they looked at the world through the perspective of the natural objects around.

Here's a selection of writing prompts inspired by Keri Smith's book How to Be an Explorer of the World.

Here's a quick video of their writing/sharing in action!

Q1 Reading Logs Due Soon!

All Quarter 1 Reading Logs are due by Monday November 11. If you turn in a Reading Log after that date, it will count toward your Quarter 2 total. When you are working on them, be sure to really focus on the Theme question. Remember that a topic = 1 word, while a theme = the author's message about that topic. Then, include evidence and analysis to support your claim about the theme. Prove it!!