English Language Arts in Action!
STEAM Career Awareness 2016! 1st period was treated to a visit from Marissa Williams. She is a Natural Resource Officer for the city of Casselberry’s Public Works department. The students enjoyed learning about storm water and drains, and how what we put down the storm drain will eventually end up in our lakes! She empowered us all on ways to keep our lakes beautiful and clean!
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Elaboration Rotations! Students strengthen their writing skills particularly in the domain of evidence and elaboration. After unpacking a prompt, close reading and annotating the accompanying texts, and planning thesis statements, students practice elaborating (giving commentary/explaining) on evidence (quotes) from their Text Based Writing packet through rotations.
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For STEAM Career Awareness, 1st period was treated to a visit by Ms. Jaycox and Ms. Ruiz from FINFROCK Construction! Students learned about the various types of engineers, architecture, and participated in several demonstrations and activities.
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For STEAM Career Awareness, 2nd period was treated to a visit from Mr. Dave Cocchiarella, a Climate, Weather, and Communication Expert! Students learned about climate, weather, and the importance that good communication skills play in being successful. Students even learned whether it was going to rain today (2/25/2015) using NOAA.
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Students recently met author Bryan Davis all the way from Tennessee! We heard tales of teens with a dragon past in Dragons in Our Midst and the Reapers who collect souls in a dystopian trilogy. From his daughter Amanda Davis, the award-winning teen author of the Cantral Chronicles, we heard the tale of a dystopian society where the world is oppressed by a ruling class that controls everyone with implanted computer chips in their brains. All except one that is!
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CHANGE is the thematic focus in SpringBoard for 6th grade. Students explored the concept of change using a Word Map. They came up with great synonyms and use of the words in context.
Adapt– The monkey had to adapt to a new environment in the zoo. (Grace)
Modify – People modify the environment they live in by building new things. (Marlee)
Shift– The image shifted in his mind. (Student)
Varied– The colors varied in the art piece from a bright red to a deep purple. (Alicia)
Vary – My favorite foods vary depending on what I’m in the mood for. (Student)
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In this SpringBoard activity, students identify elements of a narrative by recording evidence of setting, characterization, dialogue, and conflict.
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