Welcome to the Jungle!

New Vocabulary for January 30-February 3, 2012

2012-01-30T03:51:00.000-08:00

Ject-Throw

Dejected (adj) to feel sad; to feel thrown down in spirit

Eject (v) to throw out

Injection (n) a shot; the "throwing" of medicine into the body by a needle

Interjection (n) a word thrown into a sentence or conversation

Jettison (v) to throw goods overboard to lighten the load on a boat or an airplane

Projectile (n) an object thrown into the air with great force

Projector (n) a machine that throws an image onto a wall

Reject (v) to throw something out because it is defective and cannot be used

Subject (v) to throw oneself under someone else's rule

Trajectory (n) the curved path of an object thrown into space

The Road Not Taken/The Hobbit

2012-01-16T15:10:00.000-08:00

In Robert Frost's poem,"The Road Not Taken", the traveler comes to a fork in the road. He must make a decision about the path he must take. At the end of the poem, the traveler chooses the road less traveled and that has made all the difference.

In the play, "The Hobbit", Bilbo Baggins, Thorin and the dwarves are reminded repeatedly to stay on the path in Mirkwood Forest. Why would Gandalf warn Bilbo and the dwarves about remaining on the path?

While comparing and contrasting Frost's poem and The Hobbit, look for specific examples of what might happen when characters strayed from the path...

A) Sometimes words are symbols. The word 'path' is a symbol for something else. Describe the path each character chooses and why it defines who 'the traveler' and Bilbo Baggins are.
B) Think of a time when you were faced with a choice or decision to make in your life. Several people may have given you advice about the path you should take. How does the path/decision compare to"The Road Not Taken" and The Hobbit.

Test on Friday, January 13, 2012

2012-01-11T09:31:00.000-08:00

The test will be over the words that include (ped) or ones that are foot related and man, man/ hand.....study hard! You can do it!

Word List: Man, Manu=Hand

2012-01-05T16:17:00.000-08:00

1) emancipate (v) to set free; to lend a hand in freeing someone; to release from someone's hands
2) manacles (n) handcuffs
3) manager (n) a person who has the upper hand; a person who is in charge of someone or something
4) mandate (n) an order or command placed in one's hands
5) maneuver (v) to handily or skillfully go around something
6) manicure (n) a treatment for the hands and nails
7) manipulate (v) to skillfully operate by hand
8) manual (n) a handbook; a book of directions
9) manufacture (v) to make by hand or by machine; to change raw material into a new product
10) manuscript (n) a handwritten or typed piece of writing, such as a book

Test on January 13, 2012! You have been given advanced notice! Bazinga

Word List.....PED=FOOT

2012-01-05T16:08:00.000-08:00

1) biped (n) a creature with two feet
2) centipede (n) a creature with 100 feet
3) impediment (n) something that stands in one's way; an obstacle
4) millipede (n) a creature with 1000 feet
5) pedal (n) a lever that is moved with one's feet
6) peddler (n) a person who goes from door to door on foot
7) pedestrian (n) a person who walks across the street on foot
8) pedicure (n) a foot treatment that could include soaking the feet and polishing the toenails
9) quadruped (n) a four-footed creature
10) tripod (n) a three-footed stand often used to balance a camera

Greek and Latin Root Words--Test Friday, December 16

2011-12-12T11:36:00.000-08:00

Root-----Meaning-------Example
zo-------- animal--------- zoology, zoomorphism, zodiac
vor------- eat greedily---- voracious, carnivore
volvo----- turn about, roll--- voluminous, revolve
volcan---- fire------------- Vulcan, vulcanize, volcano
vol-------- will-------------- malevolent, benevolent
voc------- call-------------- provoke, evoke, revoke, advocate
viv, vita, vivi----- alive, life-------- revive, survive, vivid, vivacious
vid, vis----- see------------- video, provide, vista, revise
vict, vinc---- conquer------ victor, evict, convict
vic, vicis----- change, substitute------ vicarious, vicar, vicissitude
vert, vers---- turn-----------avert, divert, introvert
ver, veri----- true------------ very, verdict, verify
ven, vent---- come------------ convene, intervene
vale, vali, valu---- strength, worth---------- equivalent, valor, value
vac------------- empty------------- vacate, evacuate, vacuum
uni------------- one---------------- unify, unicorn, unanimous
umber, umbration------- shadow----------- umbra, penumbra, umbrage
ultima----------- last-------------- ultimate, ultimatum
typ---------- print------------------ prototype, typography, typify
turbo-------- disturb--------------- turbulent, turmoil, turbid

The Secret Garden

2011-11-28T16:56:00.000-08:00

Mary experiences a rebirth/metamorphosis when she has to move from her native India to Uncle Archibald's manor in England. At first, she is a caterpillar ....sour, grumpy, hateful vixen!

Mary (protagonist) encounters Martha Sowerby who sees fit to speak to her freely ...encouraging her to dress herself and eat her breakfast! Mary used to strike her ayah when she lived in India...especially when she did not agree with her. However, she will not strike Martha nor will she cross Mrs. Medlock.

Mary, a new butterfly, reaches out tentatively to Mr. Ben Weatherstaff, the gardener. First, because he knows about soil, the robin and the secret garden.

Then she begins to explore the house which is said to have a hundred rooms...she hears a cry in corridor...she follows this sound until she comes face-to-face with her cousin, Master Colin Cravens.

Colin antagonizes Mary by proving to be stubborn as she is...they form an alliance. A secret alliance that leads to improved health for them both. Colin has been bedfast and unable to walk for quite some time. However, Mary changes his mindset by choosing to visit Dickon instead of Colin. He becomes enraged but it works to his advantage...Colin begins to think of others and not focus on himself.

I would like to compare Mary with current sixth grade class. Mary came from a foreign place...India. Our sixth graders came from all different parts of our county. Mary begins to thrive in her new surroundings...just as you are beginning to make progress here at HCMS. It is difficult for Mary to not be cantankerous because she has many expectations regarding her behavior... The current sixth grade also has high expectations concerning their academic performance ( doing quality work and completing it ON TIME)...It has not been easy for some of you to grow used to your new teachers/surroundings.

As Winston Churchill once said, "Never give up!" I would encourage you to do the same. Mary's goal was to become fitter and find the key unlocking the 'secret garden'. Your challenge is to decide that you will work HARD and improve your grammar,writing and overall reading comprehension. Just as Mary succeeded, so can you!

Book Chat: The Secret Garden

2011-11-28T16:36:00.000-08:00

An excerpt from The Secret Garden....
"If you scream another scream," she said, "I'll scream too---and I can scream louder than you can and I'll frighten you, I'll frighten you!"

"I can't stop!" he gasped and sobbed. "I can't---I can't!"

"You can!" shouted Mary. "Half of what ails is hysterics and temper----just hysterics----hysterics----hysterics!" and she stamped each time she said it.

"I felt the lump---I felt it," choked out Colin. "I knew I should.I shall have a hunch on my back and then I shall die," and he began to writhe again and turned on his face and sobbed and wailed but he didn't scream.
"You didn't feel a lump!" contradicted Mary fiercely. "If you did it was only a hysterical lump. Hysterics make lumps. There's nothing the matter with your horrid back---nothing but hysterics! Turn over and let me look at it!"

The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides

2011-11-27T17:53:00.000-08:00

Why do we even bother choosing books? The answer is easy...it allows you to immerse yourself in a world much like a swimmer immerses him herself underwater.

Madeleine Hanna has a brilliant mind in which the wheels are constantly turning. An avid reader who enrolls in a class (Semiotics). She is about to enter the real world....her parents are hovering over her...which she detests. She is quite tight-lipped about a charismatic young man, Leonard, who is a Darwinist....a lost loner. This relationship is complicated by some disturbing facts surfacing from his childhood. Both parents are alcoholics who rarely have been there to support him. At the same time, her old "friend" Mitchell Grammaticus who's been reading Christian mysticism and generally acting strange----resurfaces, obsessed with idea that Madeleine is to be his mate.

Over the next year, as the members of the triangle in this amazing, spellbinding novel graduate from college and enter the real world, events force them to reevaluate everything they learned in school. Leonard and Madeleine move to a biology laboratory on Cape Cod, but can't escape the secret responsible for Leonard's seemingly inexhaustible energy and plunging moods. Mitchell, while traveling around the world, trying to get Madeleine out of his mind, find himself face-to-face with the ultimate questions about the meaning of life, the existence of God and the true nature of love.

One of my favorite quotes in this book: "The problem is, no matter how much we try to be good, we cannot be good enough.

Madeleine-protagonist who is constantly challenged by her husband, Leonard who antagonizes her with his manic depression. She is a very giving person who tries to be levelheaded but becomes incredibly frustrated by her unpredictable husband. Leonard is hospitalized several times...erratic and angry...makes it very difficult to maintain a home and feelings of goodwill.

The setting for this book is mainly in the northeastern part of the United States...New York and Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Leonard is working in cancer research but loses his position because he is unable to complete trials because of hand tremors and the fogginess of prescribed cluttering his brain.

The major problem stems from Leonard having an incurable disease where he keeps a diary of daily dosage and the side effects...his moods resemble a pendulum in a grandfather clock...some days everything is fine and other days...you must walk on eggshells....

The climax of the book comes when Leonard and Madeleine verbally challenge one another..deciding whether their relationship as a couple or better being apart.

Leonard simply states in the middle east...you say, "I divorce thee, I divorce thee, I divorce thee!" The marriage dissolves...

New Vocabulary for Test on September 2, 2011

2011-08-30T06:50:00.000-07:00

Revoke-reject, take away or cancel
Advocate-supporter, encourage or champion
Eloquent-skilled, articulate, fluent
Persuasive-having someone adopt your point of view.....sway or conviction
Audible-hearing, acoustic..capable of being heard
Response-answer, reaction, reply, retort
Refrain-chorus of a song (Happy Birthday to YOU!)
Volume-loudness or softness of a sound
Resound-bless, praise, glorify,celebrate
Oration-speech, get on your soapbox

Simile-comparing two unlike things using like or as
Metaphor-compare two unlike things; the first becomes the other
Allusion-a reference to statement, person, place or event
Alliteration-repetition of a consonant sound in a poem or phrase
Imagery-the author paints a picture using descriptive words that are vivid in your mind
Mood-the overall emtion created by a work of literature
Tone-the attitude a wtiter takes toward an audience, subject or character
Onomatopoeia-(buzz, crack, pop)the use of words whose sound suggests the meaning
Symbol-a person, place or thing that stands for something other than itself
Voice-writing that shows an author's characteristics: humor, sarcasm, mood, tone or attitude
Idiom-the choice and way they are combined that is unique to that language

Vocabulary For August 11-19, 2011

2011-08-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

Prefixes: fore pre post

Fore and pre mean before and forward, while post means afterward and/or behind.

forecast (v) - to predict or estimate in advance
forethought (n) - a thought that comes beforehand, a prediction
forewarn (v) - to warn beforehand
posterior (n) - the back side
posthumous (adj) - happening after someone's death
postpone (v) - put off until a later time
preamble (n) - an introduction or introductory explanation
precaution (n) - care being taken beforehand
premature (adj) - happening or ripening before the natural or proper time
premier (n) - the first performance or showing

Are you reading this summer?

2011-06-28T09:02:00.000-07:00

Dear Future Sixth Graders,
I hope you have been reading this summer. It is important that you prepare yourself for Sixth Grade Reading. I am looking forward to seeing you in August. I have been reading several books myself.
This school year, I will be creating book blogs and asking you to do one as well. You need to be thinking about favorite books that you have read in the past. I will require you to read several books this school year. We will be doing projects based on the books read in class.
Have a wonderful summer...school will be starting before you know it! I will be doing a little traveling before I see you in August...Miss Sidebottom and I will have some stories to share...we are off to Brazil on a mission trip.
Mrs. Basham

More States of Being/New Vocabulary

2011-05-03T05:20:00.000-07:00

Suffixes to Learn:
ance, ancy........... state of.......... hesitancy, brilliance
ence, ency........... state of.......... resilience
ity......................... state of.......... ability
ship...................... state of.......... hardship

Absurdity (n)- the state of being ridiculously unreasonable or nonsensical

Acuity (n)- sharpness, especially referring to vision

Competence (n)- the state of being capable or fit

Fatality (n)- a fixed, unalterable course of events; an event resulting in death

Fellowship (n)- an association with friends or other people with common interests

Relevancy (n)- the state of being suitable or relating to the case at hand

Reluctance (n)- unwillingness; not wanting to do something or agree with something

Sanctity (n)- the state of being sacred; holiness

Scholarship (n)- the quality of work done by a student; academic achievement

Suffixes----Adding Word Parts to the End

2011-04-21T06:58:00.000-07:00

1) Arbitrary (adj)- depending on someone's preference or whim; unreasonable
2) Bribery (n)- giving or taking rewards for acting or deciding in a certain way
3) Cautionary (adj)- urging caution or care; related to a warning
4) Conciliatory (adj)- tending to make peace between people or gain good will
5) Culinary (adj)- related to cooking of the kitchen
6) Drudgery (n)- hard, menial, unpleasant and boring work
7) Heredity (adj)- passed down from an ancestor; transmitted from parent to child
8) Laudatory (adj)- espressing praise
9) Migratory (adj)- related to moving from one location to another
10) Promissory (adj)- related to a promise
11) Ancestor (n)- a person from whom one has descended
12) Astronomer (n)-one who is trained in the science dealing with stars and planets
13) Chauvinist (n)-one who has a blind devotion to a certain cause
14) Chronicler (n)-someone who records events and when they happen
15) Conspirator (n)-one who secretly plans with other people to perfrom an unlawful act
16) Linguist (n)- a person who is skilled in thet study of language
17) Narcissist (n)- one who exhibits abnormal interest in his or her own appearance and importance
18) Conqueror (n)-one who gains control by force
19) Pessimist (n) one who believes tht world is bad or who looks on the dark side of life
20) Proprietor (n)- someone who owns a business or property

Suffixes:
ar, er, or means one who
ist means one who
ary - related to, quality
ery- related to, quality
ory-related to , quality

Today is our Thesauri Party!

2011-04-12T06:55:00.000-07:00

Students are using their thesauri to broaden their vocabularies and become better writers. Our on-demand writing has improved this year. However, student writing can continually improve when new vocabulary words are incorporated into their writing! Students have been faithfully using their dictionaries all year and occasionally used the thesaurus to give their writing a little 'spice'.

Some of the words we investigated today are: get-gave, take, receive, obtain, gain (examples from one thesauri we used...)

good great stuff myth real ready quick tease tempt go joy loud mad loose look move narrate open opinion realize imagine improve fable cooperate

Word challenges: meager mediocrity renown honor humanity final fop fiendish exonerate blame

Spare words: boast baffle pretend prefer discipline ready hint color cheer angry announce ample

Writing Prompt: Formal Letter

2011-04-01T12:07:00.000-07:00

Situation: During the upcoming (2001-2012) school year, Wellness will not be an option as part of the school day. Write a letter to Mrs.Biever concerning your position about wellness.

Situation: Dur to a decrease in funding, field trips will no longer be funded. Write a letter to the Hancock County Board of Edcation stating why field trips should continue to be funded.

Propaganda Techniques:

2011-03-31T07:02:00.000-07:00

Bandwagon-suggests that you need something or you should believe something because everyone else is already has it or believes it. "Joining the crowd, climbing on the bandwagon and joining the parade" are examples of 'bandwagon' lingo.
Testimonial-uses a famous person, such as an actor or an athlete, to promote an idea or a product. People who use snob appeal associate the product or idea they're promoting with power, wealth, or membership in a special group.
Stereotypes-refer to members of a group as they were all the same. For instance, an article stating that all professional wrestlers have limited intelligence is unfair.
Stereotypes often lead to prejudice or forming unfavorable opinions with complete disregard for the facts.
Name-calling-offers no reasons or evidence to support their position. Instead, they attack opponents by calling them names, such as "busybodies," "nitpickers," or "rumormongers."
Emotional appeals-get the reader's feelings involved in the argument. Some writers use vivid language and give reasons, examples and anecdotes.
Logical appeals-makes sense because they're based on correct reasoning. They appeal to your brain with reasons and evidence. Make sure the writer has good reasons to support each opinion or conclusion. (Facts, personal experiences, examples, statistics and statements by experts on the issue should back up each reason.)
Hasty generalization-valid generalizations are based on solid evidence. Not all generalizations are valid.

Combination Test on April 15 (Literary Terms/Propaganda Techniques)

2011-03-31T06:47:00.028-07:00

Literary Terms:
Alliteration-The repetition of the same or very similar consonant sounds in words that are close together.
Allusion-A reference to a statement, a person, a place, or an event from literature
Autobiography-The story of a person's life, written or told by that person.
Biobraphy-The story of a real person's life, written or told by another person.
Character-A person or an animal in a story, play or other literary work.
Conflict-A struggle or clash between opposing characters or opposing forces.
Connotations-The feelings and associations that have come to be attached to a word.
Description-The kind of writing that creates a clear image of something, usually by using details that appeal to one or more of the senses: Sight, Hearing, Smell, Taste, and Touch.
Dialect-A way of speaking that is characteristic of a particular region or of a particular group of people.
Dialogue-Conversation between two or more characters.
Drama-A story written to be acted in front of an audience.
Essay-A short piece of nonfiction prose.
Fable-A very brief story in prose or verse that teaches a moral, a practical lesson about how to succeed in life.
Fantasy-Imaginative writing that carries the reader into an invented world where the laws of nature as we know them do not operate.
Fiction-A prose account that is made up rather than true.
Figurative Language-Language that describes one thing in terms of something else and is NOT literally true.

Vocabulary (Continued) For Friday's Test!

2011-03-21T20:13:00.000-07:00

25) Rhyme-The repetition of accented vowel sounds and all sounds following them.
26) Rhythm-A musical quality produced by the repetition of stressed and unstressed syllables or by the repetition of other sound patterns.
27) Setting-The time and place of a story, a poem, or a play.
28) Short Story-A fictional prose narrative that is about five to twenty book pages long.
29) Simile-A comparison between two unlike things using a word such as like, as, than or resembles.
30) Speaker- The voice talking to us in a poem.
31) Stanza-In a poem, a group of lines that form a unit.
32) Suspense-The anxious curiosity the reader feels about which will happen next in the story.
33) Symbol-A person, a place, a thing, or an event that has its own meaning and stands for something beyond itself as well.
34) Tall Tale-An exaggerated, fanciful story that gets "taller and taller," or more and more far-fetched, the more it is told and retold.
35)Theme-A truth about life revealed in a work of literature.
36)Tone-The attitude a writer takes toward an audience, a subject, or a character.

Huge Vocabulary Test on Friday! Are you ready?

2011-03-21T19:52:00.000-07:00

1) Flashback-A scene that breaks the normal time order of the plot to show a past event.
2) Folk Tale-A story with no known author, originally passed on from one generation to another by word of mouth.
3) Foreshadowing-The use of clues or hints to suggest events that will occur later in the plot.
4) Free Verse-Poetry that is "free" of a regular meter and rhyme scheme.
5) Imagery-Language that appeals to the senses--sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell.
6) Irony-A contrast between what is expected and what really happens.
7) Legend-A story, usually based on some historical fact, that has been handed down from one generation to the next.
8) Limerick-A humorous five-line verse that has a regular meter and the rhyme scheme (aabba).
9) Main Idea-The most important idea expressed in a piece of writing.
10) Metaphor-A comparison between two unlike things in which one thing becomes another thing.
11) Mood-The overall emotion created by a work of literature.
12) Myth-A story that usually explains something about the world and involves gods/superheroes.
13) Narration-The kind of writing that relates a series of connected events to tell "what happened."
14) Nonfiction-Prose writing that deals with real people, events, and places without changing any facts.
15) Novel-A long, fictional story that is usually more than one hundred pages in length.
16) Onomatopoeia- The use of a word whose sound imitates or suggests its meaning.
17) Oral Tradition- A collection of folk tales, songs, and poems that have been passed on orally from generation to generation.
18) Paraphrase-A restatement of a written work in which the meaning is expressed in other words.
19) Personification-A special kind of metaphor in which a nonhuman or nonliving thing or quality
is talked about as if it were human or alive.
20) Plot-The series of related events that make up a story.
21) Poetry-A kind of rhythmic, compressed language that uses figures or speech and imagery to appeal to emotion and imagination.
22) Point-of-View-The vantage point from which the story is told.
23) Prose-Any writing that is not poetry.
24) Refrain- A repeated word, phrase, line or group of lines in a poem or song or even in a speech.
*Continued on the next post!!!

Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog

2011-02-24T12:24:00.000-08:00

Somtimes love just wants to go for a nice long walk.
It runs you around the block and leaves you panting.
It pulls you in several different directions at once,
or winds you around and around you
until you're all wound up and can't move.

But love makes you meet people wherever you go.
People dwho have nothing in common but love
stop and talk to each other on the street.

Throw things away and love will bring them back,
again and again, and again.
But most of all, love needs love, lots of it. And in return, love loves you and never stops.

By: Taylor Mali

"Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog" An Epithalamion

2011-02-24T12:16:00.000-08:00

First of all, it's a big responsibility,
especially in a city like New York.
So think long and hard before deciding on love.
On the other hand, love gives you a sense of security:
when you 're walking down the street late at night
and you have a leash of love
ain't no one going to mess with you.

Love doesn't like being left alone for long.
But come home and love is always happy to see you.
It may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life,
but you can never be mad at love for long.

Is love good all the time? No! No!
Love can be bad. Bad, love, bad! Very bad love. To be continued......

Busy! Busy! Busy! That is what we are.....

2011-02-24T12:08:00.000-08:00

New Vocabulary: *Received February 24, 2011
abandon (v) - to leave or give p completely; to discontinue
abdicate (v) - give up power, authority or the throne
abduct (v) - to take away by force, kidnap
abnormal (adj) - not typical, average or normal
aboriginal (n) - the original inhabitants of a country
absolute (adj) - without restraint, not dependent on anything
absolve (v) - to free from blame, debt or responsibility
abstain (v) - to voluntarily refrain from
abstract (adj) - not concrete or related to specific things; no easy to understand
apogee (n) - the point in the moon's or a satellite's orbit when it farthest from the earth or the body it orbits

New Vocabulary!!!!

2011-02-03T06:18:00.001-08:00

Prefixes to Learn: co, col---with, together cooperate, collect
com, con----with, together combine, connect
syn, sym---with, together synonym, sympathy

1) coexist (v) to exist at the same time or in the same place
2) coherent (adj) sticking together; connected, related in some way
3) collaborate (v) to labor together
4) collide (v) to come together with great force; to clash
5) composite (adj) made of separate parts or elements
6) compund (v) bring together; (n) a mixture
7) concordance (n) an agreement or harmony
8) congregate (v) to gather together
9) symmetry (n) elements on both sides of a line that have the same shape, size and arrangement
10) synthesize (v) to form a new thing by combining parts from other things; to unite or merge

Upcoming Field Trip

2011-02-01T08:05:00.000-08:00

Yippee! The sixth grade has an upcoming field trip to Louisville, Kentucky. We are going to see Tuck Everlasting at the Kentucky Center for the Arts. The students are currently reading or have read this book. We will be using this performance to compare and contrast the book/novel and the 'live' performance. We were fortunate to participating in the 'Play It Forward' program which students to make donations toward ticket prices to lower the cost for each individual.

On-Demand Writing is ongoing! Students are reading and responding to these prompts. They are working to write the best introductions, body paragraphs complete with details and closings that will inspire their peers and community to reach out to each other.

Good luck to the Cougars! The sixth grade teams are playing hard! Go Cougars!

Rules, Freak the Mighty, Lawn Boy, The Outsiders and Across Five Aprils

2011-01-11T12:45:00.000-08:00

Skills- Currently this class is reading Rules by Cynthia Lord. The plan is to finish this book by January 12...we have had some interruptions from the weather unfortunately. This book is priceless because it deals with sibling rivalry, puberty and learning to accept who we are as individuals.

Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen is a book that deals with economics and the changes that can happen in a twelve year-old's life when he is presented with a riding lawn mower. Unexpected opportunities fall into this young man's lap...he becomes an entrepreneur overnight. He learns how to become a capitalist who must diversify labor and distribute wealth.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton proves to be a timeless book with lessons to be learned concerning relationships, social class and the importance of connections within our families/communities.

Freak the Mighty pairs two uncommon young men who depend on each other for survival.

Welcome Back to School! Hope your vacation was fabulous!

2011-01-01T15:59:00.000-08:00

Dear Students,
I hope you have had plenty of time to rest your mind during Christmas break. I have been sledding, watching ESPN/movies/TV and reading a very good book. I am excited about seeing your faces again.
We have plenty of reading and writing to do before we finish this school year. I have traveled to central Kentucky to watch my son play basketball. I visited a cool dairy farm while I was there as well. I also traveled to two college campuses: Lindsey Wilson and Campbellsville University. My husband and I hiked one very cold winter day to Green River Lake.
At home, I have been playing games with my family. One of the games I especially like is Catch Phrase. Many of you have played this game. I am going to try and modify this game so we play it in class. Scrabble is another one of my favorites...using the dictionary and laptop seems to slow this game down at my house. We have to time some members of my family because they take FOREVER!
I have enjoyed walking around Vastwood Park. Today, I was walking along and was greeted by a dog that had two different colored eyes! At first, I was startled but after the dog did not growl...I realized that it was simply a playful pup.
See you soon at school!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Basham

January Vocabulary (January 3-7, 2011)

2011-01-01T15:49:00.000-08:00

Prefixes: dia-through, across diameter, dialogue
per-through, across perceive

1) diagram (n)- a picture drawn to explain an idea
2)diagnose (v)-to identify a disease through symptoms
3)diagonal (n)-a straight line through a figure from one corner to another corner
4)diaphanous (adj) -transparent, capable of being seen through
5)diaphragm (n) - a membrane that separates one thing from another, such as the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity
6)perambulate (v) -to walk through, over or around
7)percolate (v) - to drip through a small opening to filter a liquid
8)perforate (v) - to make holes in something
9)persistence (n) - continuing stubbornly without giving up; determination
10)pervasive (adj) - having the power to be spread or to pass through

Vocabulary (Friday, November 19th---Quiz)

2010-11-15T15:03:00.000-08:00

Here's a list of vocabulary words that will be on the upcoming test...

1) adapt-(verb) to change to be suitable or fit
2) adhere-(verb) to stick to something; conform to; obey
3) adjacent-(adjective) close to, bordering on
4) recurrent-(adjective) happening again and again, returning periodically
5) reimburse-(verb) pay back, refund
6) reiterate-(verb) repeat many times
7) secession-(noun) the act of withdrawing from an alliance or association
8) seclude-(verb) to withdraw or set apart from social contact
9) segregate-(verb) to separate from the rest of the group
10) sequester-(verb) to separate or withdraw; to choose solitude or retirement

Extra! Extra! New Vocabulary----Read all about it!!!

2010-10-27T06:17:00.000-07:00

Prefixes:
Cir, Circum- around circumference
Peri- around, surrounding near perimeter

Circuit-(n) a revolving; a journey around; a route

The delivery man's circuit took him to all parts of the city.

Circulatory-(adj) going in a circuit, circular

The circulatory system includes the heart, veins, arteries and capillaries.

Circumnavigate-(v) to sail around

His attempt to circumnavigate the world in his small boat was ended by the large storm.

Circumstance-(n) the condition surrounding or related to an event

He asked for a careful explanation of the circumstances of the accident.

Circumvent-(v) to go around or bypass

It is better to face your problem straight on than try to circumvent it be blaming other people.

Period-(n) the interval between certain happenings

The period between lunch and wellness is two hours.

Periodic-(adj) happening at regular intervals; happening from time to time

Her periodic trips to the dentist kept their teeth healthy and clean.

Perigee-(n) the point in the moon's or a satellite's orbit that is closest to the earth or body it is orbiting

When the moon is at its perigee, does it appear longer than usual?

Periphery-(n) the outer boundary of something

The perphery of a the garden is surrounded by a fence.

Periscope-(n) an instrument for seeing around things

Using a periscope, he was able to spy on the animals on the other side of the fence.

On Demand Writing/Vocabulary

2010-10-27T05:54:00.000-07:00

Purposes of On Demand Writing:

To Persuade*, Inform** or Narrate***
*Persuading an audience requires students to establish a viewpoint and support that viewpoint with details convincing the audience to adopt your position (Speech or Editorial)
**Informing (telling) an audience requires the student to write an article about a situation or a topic
***Narrative pieces include a story or account in order to support an idea, opinion, conclusion, interpretation or a request...the storyline is a way of developing the writing to accomplish a realistic, transactive purpose

Organization of an On Demand Piece of Writing
To WHOM are you writing ?( In other words, who is your audience? Who is going to be reading your piece of writing? What type of TONE are you using? Vocabulary?

Why am I writing this piece? PURPOSE...what is the focus of your writing?

Which Format will you be using? You will see a number of different types of prompts. You may be writing an article, editorial, letter or speech.

Book Blogs (New Way to Earn Extra Credit)

2010-10-05T18:50:00.000-07:00

If you write a book blog about a new book you have read...please talk to Mrs. Basham about posting your blog on this website so other students can chime in as well. This will allow us to share information about books and what your preferences are.

I can't wait to hear the speeches on Thursday and Friday about your Greek god or goddess. You have worked hard to prepare for this moment. Don't forget to practice in front of a mirror or a live audience at home. Also please try to time yourself...so that your speech is not longer than five minutes. Eliminate any pauses, uhs or using the word like excessively.

You may speak loud enough for your audience to hear everything you say. Speaking slowly is also important so we can understand you properly. Smile and remember that you have worked hard for this speech. You can do it...I am looking forward to hearing you share!

Great looking posters! I like the graphics used and demonstration of creativity....

What do Fish have to do with anything? (pp.557-565)

2010-10-03T19:25:00.000-07:00

Symbolism, the use of symbols, adds another layer of meaning to all kinds of texts,
from poetry to fiction and nonfiction. In this story the writer uses things, like cave-dwelling fish and a poundcake, to mean what they are-----and much more.

Reading Skill: Inferences....writers rarely come right out and explain what their symbols mean. You have to find the symbols and figure out their meaning on your own. You do this by making inferences. You use details to infer, or guess at, the larger ideas the writer is trying to convey.

Vocabulary:
vaguely-not clearly or definitely
urgency-pressure;insistence
contemplated-studied carefully
intently-with close attention

Notecards (10/4), Posters (10/5), Speeches (10/7-8)

2010-10-03T19:17:00.000-07:00

STUDENTS : Looking forward to hearing about your mythological gods and goddesses. You have been working extremely hard to prepare for these upcoming due dates.

Notecards are due Monday, October 4th.
Posters are due on Tuesday, October 5th.

Vocabulary test on Wednesday, October 6th......study hard for these last ten words before fall break! :)

Speeches are being shared with the classes on Thursday and Friday, October 7th and 8th...Remember to practice in front of a mirror before giving your speech...it helps with nervousness and you can see your own expressions as you give your speech. You are going to do a great job...you can do it!

Before and After

2010-09-09T09:50:00.000-07:00

Prefixes: fore-before, toward
pre--before, toward
post-after, behind

New Vocabulary:
forecast (v)- to predict or estimate in advance
forethought (n)- a thought that comes beforehand, a prediction
forewarn (v)- to warn beforehand

posterior (n)- the back side
posthumous (adj)- happening after someone's death
postpone (v)- put off until a later time

preamble (n)- an introduction or introductory explanation
precaution (n)- care taken beforehand
premature (adj)-happending or ripening before the natural or proper time
premier (n)- the first performance or showing

Reminder: Vocabulary Quiz on Friday!!!

2010-09-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

Hyperbole-an intentional statement of exaggeration
Hypercritical-excessively critical
Hypertension-extreme tension; high blood pressure
Hyperthermia-high temperature
Superimpose-lay one item on top of another
Superlative-of the highest order; best; greatest
Supernatural-beyond the laws of nature
Supervise-oversee
Surcharge-additional tax or charge
Surplus-more than what is needed

Also you need to know: Alliteration, Simile and Metaphor
Have your notecards been graded and are you studying them?

Choice #3 Awful Ogre's Breakfast by Jack Prelutsky

2010-08-30T10:50:00.000-07:00

Oh breakfast, lovely breakfast,
You're the meal I savor most.
I sip a bit of gargoyle bile
and chew on some ghoul toast.

I linger over scrambled legs,
Complete with pickled feet,
Then finish with piping bowl
of steamy SCREAM OF WHEAT.

Choice #2 The Vulture by Hilaire Belloc

2010-08-30T10:48:00.000-07:00

The Vulture eats between his meals,
And that's the reason why
He very, very rarely feels
As well as you and I.

His eye is dull, his head is bald,
His neck is growing thinner.
Oh! What a lesson for us all
To only eat at dinner!

Choices for Poems

2010-08-30T10:44:00.000-07:00

The Rose Family
by Robert Frost
The rose is a rose,
And was always a rose.
But the theory now goes
That the apple's a rose,
And the pear is, and so's
The plum, I suppose.
The dear only knows
What will next prove a rose.
You, of course, are a rose--
But were always a rose.

Advanced Reading Class-----Your Poem!

2010-08-30T10:36:00.000-07:00

Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.
Fillet of a fenn snake,
In the cauldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg and howlet's wing;
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.

The poem is an excerpt from William Shakespeare's MACBETH.......

More, More, More

2010-08-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

New Vocabulary Words:
hyperbole (n) - an intentional statement of exaggeration
hypercritical (adj) - excessively critical
hypertension (n) - extreme tension; high blood pressure
hypothermia (n) - high temperature
superimpose (v) - lay one item atop of another
superlative (adj) - of the highest order; best; greatest
supernatural (adj) - beyond the laws of nature
supervise (v) - oversee
surcharge (n) - additional charge or tax
surplus (n) - more that what is needed

hyper-above, over, more super, supr, sur-above, over, more
These are your new words....please study them carefully each day...Vocabulary Quiz on September 2, 2010!

The sixth grade is superb!

POEMS POEMS POEMS POEMS POEMS POEMS POEMS POEMS

2010-08-16T10:36:00.000-07:00

I am totally excited about students reciting their poems tomorrow! Many of them have told me that they know them NOW...Bravo!
Write your assignments in your planner each day...
This week's assignments include: poems, notecards, pretest for context clues, word meaning, prefixes and suffixes plus comprehension....hooray!!

Words to Know: Alliteration, Metaphor, Personification and Simile

Personification

2010-08-12T09:23:00.000-07:00

We are studying personification. Personification is a special kind of metaphor in which a nonhuman or nonliving thing or quality is talked about as if it were human or alive.

The Toaster by William Jay Smith
A silver-scaled Dragon with jaws flaming red
Sits at my elbow and toasts my bread
I hand him fat slices, and then, one by one,
He hands them back when he sees they are done.

Hooray! You made it through the first day!

2010-08-11T12:46:00.000-07:00

The new sixth graders had absolutely terrific behavior today....we as teachers are so proud of them....

Students received forms and a syllabus from each class....these forms need to be turned by August 16, 2010.

Reminder: Every student is reciting a poem on August 17, 2010.
Each student has a poetry booklet that contains their poem. Please show your parents your planner and explain about your day:)

Upcoming Events: The Hancock County Fair begins tonight with a community service at 7 PM. Then on Thursday, August 12....rides begin at 5:00...the cost is $10 and you can ride as many times as you want.

2010-08-10T19:37:00.000-07:00

Who Has Seen the Wind?
by Christina Georgina Rossetti

Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you:
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.
Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I:
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by.

Discussion points:Rhyming, patterns --do you see any rhyming words or patterns?

Poetry in Motion

2010-08-10T19:30:00.000-07:00

Poetry in Motion begins TODAY!

Below are two types of poems....the first one is entitled,

Fog
by Carl Sandburg

The fog comes
on little cat feet.

It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.

Discussion points: personification, comparison/contrast, free verse
How is fog like a cat?

How to Prepare for Sixth Grade Reading

2010-07-20T07:24:00.000-07:00

I have had several students and parents ask how to prepare for my class....

Below are several suggestions to help students succeed throughout the year:

First, bring a great attitude and be respectful of others.

You might ask, "What is a great attitude?" Every day, be willing to work hard on any activity that is discussed, explained and offered to you. Every time we meet as a class, it is an opportunity for you to shine. Take advantage and come with a smile on your face:)

Also being respectful of your peers (classmates), me ( your teacher) and your surroundings. We have a great school and it is even greater since YOU have joined us at Hancock County Middle School.

Second, come prepared to work with ALL essential materials.

What are essential materials? Paper, sharpened pencils, folders, notecards and highlighters are needed on most days....I will post the assignment on the board for each period.
One of the most important things you can bring to class....your planner (agenda). It is your ticket to the bathroom and to your locker......don't leave it in your locker....bring it with you to help keep you organized.

Third, remember that being quiet and calm in the hall is necessary and for your safety.

I know that you are excited about school starting but remember to be calm in the halls. We do not allow anyone to RUN from one class to the next. We line up outside in the halls and wait for teacher instructions. When you enter the room, seats will usually be assigned so find yours quickly and remain there....so it is not distracting to others and class can begin on time!

See you soon,
Mrs. Basham

Despicable Me is a FUNNY show.....

2010-07-11T20:48:00.000-07:00

Mrs. Basham watched this movie with her family the other night. It was hilarious...those minions were my overall favorite....they are expressive and their interactions with each other made me laugh out loud....

The message of the movie was also a good one....someone who was hard-hearted and cold....their disposition can be changed when they are loved....it was powerful and anyone would enjoy it

Reading needs to be included in your summer activities...I am reading a book right now...Has anyone read Sorcerer's Apprentice? It is a quick read that is entertaining.....the movie is released on Wednesday, July 14th.

Another tidbit of information......several students have expressed their concern that they will not be able to open their lockers quickly....I want everyone to know that we will have a lot of practice and you will learn this in the blink of an eye......Relax.....you can do it!

Hot! Hot! Hot!

2010-07-07T19:12:00.000-07:00

Wow! It has been extremely warm...the grass in my yard is getting kinda crunchy! I am getting into the school mode because I have started thinking about books we will be reading and activities that we will be adding this year....

I have planted an unusual tree and have really been watering it faithfully so it will continue to grow....make sure you are reading something everyday...whether it is the newspaper, magazines or a favorite series of books....

Next week, I will be posting a list of my favorite new books that have been released....see 'ya then:)

Happy Fourth of July! Celebrate our Nation's Independence!

2010-07-02T14:04:00.000-07:00

Today as I was sailing, I saw Mimi Hughes, a Tennessee resident and teacher, who is trying to swim the length of the Ohio River by July 17. My husband and I were sailing near Cloverport's boat ramp....we noticed a swimmer and a blue kayak that accompanies her as she swims...she is supposed to stop in Cannelton, Indiana at 6:30 PM. She must swim twenty miles each day to reach her goal....people on the banks in Cloverport were cheering her onward....I think it is an amazing goal...I hope she reaches it and is successful.

I will see many of you at Vastwood if you choose to celebrate the fourth of July there. My brother and his wife are bringing my niece and nephew to Hancock County. They will be there with us.
I am excited.

Have a magical summer....it will pass quickly....I have a goal of my own for this year....this class will be one of the best ever....looking forward to meeting you and getting to know you better...
Mrs. Basham

Summer Activities

2010-06-24T20:26:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone is having a relaxing summer....complete with lots of exercise, fun and plain 'ole doing nothing.......

Just one question: Have you read anything this summer? Newspaper, Magazine, Books?

Wellllllll....let me encourage you to GO TO THE LIBRARY....I have been there several times myself. They have plenty of books on many topics...I know....what you are thinking...it is summer....how can she expect me to read when I am on vacation? Simple....you will have something to discuss the first week of school.....it is right around the corner....

Let me know what your favorite book is.....waiting to hear from you.....

Mrs. Basham
Reading Teacher/HCMS Sixth Grade Have a great day!

Summer Time and the Living is Easy!

2010-05-27T10:57:00.000-07:00

Are you ready for the summer? Mrs. Basham is already thinking about the fall.....hope you incoming sixth graders are ready to rock and roll.......

Have a wonderful restful summer with lots of swimming, good food and fun times.....

I am looking forward to getting to know you......

HCMS is a great place to learn!

Yippee! Testing is finished.....Students worked hard!

2010-05-05T09:02:00.000-07:00

Here is a poem that students will be reciting on Friday, May 7, 2010.

The Ballad of East and West

by Rudyard Kipling

Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet,

Till Earth and Sky stand presently at God's great Judgment seat;

But there is neither East nor West, Border, nor Breed, nor Birth,

When two strong men stand face to face, though they come from the ends of the earth!

twain-set of two

breed-ethnic group

birth-class status

Excited about Testing!

2010-04-16T07:47:00.000-07:00

Testing begins next week for the sixth grade.....make sure you get plenty of sleep, a good breakfast and bring a great attitude with you...

Remember to stay focused during the test...You can do it...

Your AR book needs to come with you to school and go home with you at night....you need AR points....

I know that you are going to do very well...I am counting on it!

Midterms are coming home April 30th. You need to continue to work hard and give your best effort in the future.

BEREA-where is it? (In the state of Kentucky)

2010-03-23T10:01:00.000-07:00

Name the region of Kentucky where BEREA is found.

What types of arts and crafts are made in Berea?

Define Appalachia.....what is different about the topography there and where we live?

What is a liberal arts college?

Define interracial-

Boone Tavern is located in Berea, KY. What is one of its most famous dishes?

Vocabulary for the Test!

2010-03-23T09:51:00.001-07:00

The following vocabulary came from the story, "A Child's Labor of Love" on page 265.
1)immature
2)impulsive
3)impressed
4)befriended
5)passionate
6)adequate
7)intolerance
8)mediator
9)diagram
10)quotation
11)justice
12)unnecessary

Suffixes:
magnify-make larger/enlarge
petrify-turn to stone
beautify-make more beautiful
luminary-a famous person that inpsires or motivates us to become better individuals
honorary-given to a person as a sign of honor
avaricious-stingy, greedy...like Scrooge
cardiac-having to do with the heart
dramatic-threatrical expression
audacious-daring....bold
aquatic-growing, living or found in water
exasperation-extreme annoyance
irritation-impatient anger, annoyed

Propaganda Techniques

2010-03-23T09:31:00.000-07:00

Vocabulary Test on Thursday, March 25, 2010!!!!! STUDY>>>STUDY>>>>STUDY

Bandwagon-you need something or do something because everybody else is doing it or has it
Testimonial-a famous person (actor or athlete) promotes an idea or a product
Snob Appeal-$, IMAC, some type of cool car, mansion, vacation/trips, talents-art/music....athletic prowess ****product/idea to associate membership in a special group
Stereotyping-Lumping people into a category
Name-calling-For no reason or evidence people label (discredit/rubber stamp)
Hasty Generalization-statement based on incomplete evidence
Circular Reasoning-Reasoning that goes nowhere but in a circle
Only-Cause Fallacy-situation seen as a result of one cause

Vocabulary for Upcoming Quiz

2010-03-03T07:22:00.000-08:00

Omnipotent-all-powerful; having great or unlimited power
Fortitude-courage; endurance of pain and misfortune
Dynamic-full of energy and forcefulness; related to energy or power
Valor-bravery; courage; fearlessness
Valid-sound or just because it is based on legal principles or sound evidence
Potent-mighty; powerful; having great authority
Fortify-to make stronger
Dynasty-a succession of rulers
Dynamo-an energetic, hard-working person
Valorous-brave; courageous

We are currently taking the PAS test in Reading.....the students are working hard! Way to go!

February 17 Vocabulary Test plus Definitions

2010-02-12T09:19:00.000-08:00

Propaganda-is an organized attempt to persuade people to accept certain ideas or take certain actions.
Bandwagon, testimonial and snob appeal are all examples of propaganda...

Retelling-From time to time in your reading, after something important has happened...stop for a few moments....review what has just taken place, focus on the major events...think about them and retell them briefly in you own words.....

Summarizing-You restate the author's main points in your own words. You include only the important ideas and details...

Study and review these words each night until you know them...there could be some application on the test...You could be applying these strategies using newspaper articles or excerpts from books. Good luck...you are a great group of students!

February 17 Vocabulary Quiz Words Continued....

2010-02-12T08:05:00.000-08:00

Outlining-Outlining informational text helps you identify important ideas and understand how they are related or connected to each other.

Paraphrasing-When you paraphrase a text, you put it in own words.

Persuasion-When you as a writer use language or visual images to get your audience to believe or do something....

Emotional Appeals, Logical appeals and Logical fallacies are examples of persuasion...

Predicting-To make predictions, look for clues that the writer gives you. Connect those clues with other things you have read, as well as your own experiences. You will adjust your predictions as you read...

Prior Knowledge-Prior means previous or before.....this knowledge is what you know about a subject----before you read a selection...You may recall experiences you have had...

February 17---Upcoming Vocabulary Quiz

2010-02-12T07:30:00.000-08:00

These are the words that will be on the test on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 for all classes.

Second Period's Vocabulary Words:
Author's Purpose-The author writes for several reasons:

1)To inform-tell the audience something they did not know previously.
2)To persuade-convince the audience to do something or embrace an idea.
3)To express feelings-opinions contain feelings ---anger, loneliness, joy...
4)To entertain-engage someone's attention by making them laugh .....

Cause/Effect-a cause is the reason something happens. An effect is what happens as a result of the cause....the cause happens first in time. The later event is the effect.

Chronological Order-Most narratives are written in time order...you will see words like NEXT,
THEN, FOLLOWING and other signal words that help you understand sequence/time passing.

FLASHBACK-looking back on events in the past....

Comparison/Contrast-When you compare, you look for similarities was in which things are alike.
When you contrast, you look for differences.

Context Clues-If you don't understand the meaning of a word, you can look at the words surrounding the word or sentences that are before and following the word you do not know..

Evaluating evidence-In persuasive or informational texts, you need to weigh the evidence that writers use to support their ideas....is it adequate, appropriate and accurate?

Fact/Opinion-A fact is something that can be proved true......an opinion expresses a personal belief or feeling. An opinion cannot be proved true or false.

Generalization-A generalization is a broad statement based on several particular situations.....you combine evidence in a text with what you already know to make a broad, universal statement about some topic.

Graphic Features-Headings, design features, maps, charts, tables, diagrams, and illiustrations are all graphic features....they present information visually.

Inference-An inference is an educated guess.....readers make inferences on the basis of clues writers give them and experiences from their own lives. You read between the lines to figure what the writer suggests but does not state directly.

Main Idea-The most important idea in a piece of nonfiction writing...a main idea can be stated directly or implied (suggested).....the reader must infer or guess what it is.....

Notetaking-Notetaking is important if readers want to remember ideas and facts.
Write phrases or notes in your own words to help you recall the events in the story....

Almost Time to Get Back in the Swing of Things!

2010-01-01T12:53:00.000-08:00

Happy 2010! Can you believe that we are starting a new decade? Hope you are well rested and ready to go back to school! I have seen several students during the break at ballgames, movies...glad to see you are enjoying your break like I am.

Pretty cold this morning as 2010 was welcomed. Wow! If it is going to be this cold, I would like to have some snow on the ground. Just a personal request, no ice please....I would like to go outside and not fall down. Ha!

I have seen several good movies. I have also read several books. I have not played as many board games as I hoped to play....What are your favorite games? You need to share them with me when you return.

It was disappointing to see the Kentucky Wildcats lose to the Clemson Tigers on December 27th.
However, I am enjoying Kentucky basketball immensely. I also have been able to see the Hancock County Hornets. They have been playing hard and are winning. Come see them on Saturday night against Cloverport beginning at 6:00 p.m. The boys play first and afterward the girls are playing too!

Savor the last few days of vacation.....it sure has been nice and rejuvenating!

Christmas Jokes and Scores on Constructed Responses

2009-12-11T08:12:00.000-08:00

What Christmas song did the monkey sing? Jungle Bells, Jungle Bells...Jungle all the way...
I know it is a lame one but I will be publishing better ones later......

Students are rewriting "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and making it "The Twelve Days of Reading Class".....it was hilarious! There were some questionable verses about their teacher (me)
giving a lot of hard work....sorry, students...Ha!

The scores on the constructed responses were very good....I am proud of their efforts. They incorporated vocabulary, sequenced events, and compared emotions that Brian, the main character, felt during the whole ordeal. I was very pleased with this first effort. I can tell they have been listening.

Only FIVE days to go before Christmas break! Two days before their projects are due! I am excited about seeing them....Have a wonderful Christmas..if I have not already shared this with you.

Brian's Winter (Constructed Responses)

2009-12-07T10:45:00.000-08:00

Students will begin working on an excerpt from BRIAN'S WINTER. This book is written by Gary Paulsen. Students will be reading the excerpt and underlining key vocabulary. The next step is to answer the multiple choice questions that follow the story.

Students need to know the difference between context clues, inference, cause and effect and summarizing. We have been reading articles in the newspaper and writing summaries about those articles. These summaries include the most important details from the articles. The context clues are words that surround a key vocabulary word and help students decipher the meaning. Causes and effects are tricky....one might that it snowed this morning (cause-the weather was below freezing/precipitation was falling to the ground in the form of snow) and the effect was the slippery roads this morning. An inference is what Mrs. Basham calls "reading between the lines"....when you read a passage..what clues and information does the author present but not come out directly and state....Reading can be like a secret code and you as a student must be a detective....

Finally, we will be dissecting the question, preparing to write the answer, identifying vocabulary and writing the best answer possible.....students often how much they have to write..my answer is that writing is like wearing a skirt..you must make sure it covers everything! Students usually get a kick of this! Ha!

PAS testing/Constructed Writing Responses!

2009-12-07T10:37:00.000-08:00

We are testing in the media center on Monday and Tuesday of this week. The students are taking the PAS test for the second time this year. They are tested in the areas of math and reading....this test usually indicates how the student will be performing at the end of the year. They will be taking the MAP test next week. I appreciate their hard work and focused attention.

On a personal note, the snow was beautiful but slippery this morning. As I came to school, I noticed several cars had a difficult time with the highways. Students need to wear warm coats and layered clothing.

AR Points can be earned until December 16th...that is next Wednesday...I think...Students have done so much better this nine weeks. They have really been reading..I am proud of them. Keep up the good work...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and is gearing up for a fabulous Christmas!

Ghosts of Christmas Past

2009-12-01T13:48:00.000-08:00

The Ghosts of Christmas Past want to warn Miss Sidebottom and Mrs. Bowlds about trying to wear shirts instead of sweaters....chains will be shackled to wrists and ankles if your efforts do not improve in the Christmas Sweater Extravaganza!

C'mon, girls....you can do better!

The Ghost of Christmas Present is disappinted by the lack of creativity found on the first day...
I see REDEMPTION on the horizon....can they turn it around in time?.....That remains to be seen........

On the First Day of December, My Teacher Gave to Me!

2009-12-01T13:41:00.001-08:00

PROJECTS are being assigned....the students will receive the paperwork on Wednesday, December 2. Their projects are due on December 15, 2009.

They have their choice of three products: Origami mobile, Puppets/Stage and Game!

Each of these is based on a book they have read in class. Yippee! Get your creative groove on and get ready to knock your classmates' socks off......Please feel free to ask questions concerning the project! You can do it...they will be awesome!

By the way, the classes read articles in the paper entitled, "Alaska". They are perfecting their note-taking skills and then summarizing their notes cohesively in a wonderfully written paragraph........

Have a terrific Christmas and I am looking forward to a fabulous new year....

We will be taking the PAS test and MAP test again soon...keep focusing and working hard.....

HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GREAT THANKSGIVING!

2009-11-30T09:27:00.000-08:00

IN FIRST PERIOD, WE ARE READING "MARTIAN CHRONICLES" BY RAY BRADBURY AND DISCUSSING SETTINGS WITH EMPHASIS ON COMPREHENSION AND VOCABULARY!

Second Period: We read the story,"Ta-Na-E-Ka" dealing with rites of passage and how a young girl creatively uses to her wits to survive five days in the wilderness.

Third Period: The focus is Making Predictions! "The Bracelet" is a story about Japanese interrment during World War II. We also address the United States' response when the country apologized in 1989 after the Japanese Americans were imprisoned in 1942 for a period of several months to years.

Fifth Period: Japanese Folktales are read with emphasis on details. The two stories are " The Spider Weaver" and "The Grateful Statues". We are character diagramming and focusing on comprehension:)

Sixth and Eighth Periods: We are reading "Ta-Na-E-Ka". These stories are dealing with girls and boys being treated equally. The Kaw Indians (subtribe of the Sioux) were the first Indians that allowed women and men to be treated as equals.

Suffixes/Root Words/Synonyms/Multi-meaning Words/Words in Context/Comprehension

2009-11-03T12:17:00.000-08:00

Students have been working on Suffixes (word parts added at the end of words), root words (base words), Synonyms (words that are not exactly spelled the same but have similar meanings), Context Clues (Looking at words in the sentence to provide clues for the correct word) and reading passages that are followed by comprehensive questions---plot events, conclusions and detailed character sketches!

AR Points Update

2009-11-03T06:49:00.000-08:00

Students have their current total for AR points today (for current points during the second nine weeks). It is a form that needs to be signed and returned tomorrow. Students need to have points by November 13. Please encourage your child to read thirty minutes every night. They have a reading log that they are keeping and needs to be signed every night.

Students are practicing taking comprehension tests to identify chronological order (sequencing) and details plus multiple choice (synonyms/antonyms) questions to hone their skills when taking different assessments.

Vocabulary (New and Wonderful)

2009-10-27T12:52:00.000-07:00

Irony Legend Myth Mood Limerick Main Idea Metaphor Mood

Narration Nonfiction Prose Refrain Rhyme Rhythm Setting Short Story

Simile Suspense Symbol Tall Tale Theme Tone

These are words are the newest vocabulary words! We will be grouping them according to their meanings......

Remember to get those AR points! You have a Reading Log to be signed every night for the next thirty days.....Remember to kindly ask your parents for their assistance...half of your AR points are due November 13, 2009!

New Vocabulary

2009-10-14T08:06:00.000-07:00

1) Irony-a contrast between what is expected and what really happens (An example would be the field trip---we expected to go on our field trip but what really happened!? The weather made that impossible so now it is rescheduled for May!....WAH!)

2) Legend-a story usually based on some historical fact, that has been handed down from one generation to the next (stories about King Arthur and his knights)

3)Myth-a story usually explaining something about the world and involves gods and superheroes.

4)Mood-the overall emotion created by a work of literature

An example would be on page 795 --"Since Hanna Moved Away"

The tires on my bike are flat,
The sky is grouchy gray.
At least it sure feels like that
Since Hanna moved away.

Chocolate ice cream tastes like prunes.
December's come to stay.
They've taken back the Mays and Junes
Since Hanna moved away.

Flowers smell like halibut.
Velvet feels like hay.
Every handsome dog's a mutt
Since Hanna moved away.

Nothing's fun to laugh about.
Nothing's fun to play.
They call me, but I won't come out
Since Hanna moved away.
----Judith Viorst

To be continued....

Victory for the Hornets!!!

2009-10-10T05:38:00.000-07:00

My family was in the stands last night when the Hancock County Hornets defeated Owensboro Catholic! It was a tremendous game....the players just would not be denied....the game was truly exciting with the score teetering back and forth several times. It was definitely worth it since the Bashams were wearing the high performance raingear. Woo hoo! Go Big Red!

Vocabulary QUIZ next Tuesday, October 13...the words are posted on the blog complete with definitions. So scroll down and you will find them. Notecards will be turned that day so they can be graded for the new nine weeks.

Field Trip on October 16! Don't forget you need to dress appropriately. Long pants, maybe more than one shirt especially if the weather is cooler and no flip flops are allowed. You will enjoy it and there is an opportunity to do some writing and earn some cold cash! Also bring along a great attitude because the following week (October 19-23) is our FALL BREAK!! YES!!

Why is storytelling an important part of any culture?

2009-10-09T04:05:00.000-07:00

Fables-very brief story in prose of verse that teaches a moral, a practical lesson about how to succeed in life.

Folk Tale-a story with no known author, originally passed on from one generation to another by word of mouth.

p.371 "The Fox and the Crow" by Aesop

p.372 "The Wolf and the House Dog"by Aesop

Read "Meet the Writer" p. 373

ZORA NEALE HURSTON: Author's Study

(1891-1960) "I Kept on Probing to Know" p.387 - Text

Most famous for her lively retellings of African American FOLKTALES! The stories she collected were published in Mules and Men. (book on black culture/folklore)

Drawing Conclusions: How many of you have several books by the same author? Do you notice similarities/same conclusions about the writer's work? (similar plots-characters are underdogs)

Excerpt from Their Eyes Were Watching God/ Conclusions?

DIALECT:what is it?

"How the Snake got Poison" p.379

"How the Possum Lost the Hair on Its Tail" p.382

"Why the Gator is Black" p.384

Comparing an Author's Work (conclusions) p.386/Essay

She also wrote novels and her autobiography.

New Vocabulary for October 5-9, 2009

2009-10-05T18:00:00.000-07:00

Vocabulary:
1) Alliteration-the repetition of the same or very similar consonant sounds in words that are close together. (She sells seashells by the seashore.)
2) Allusion-a reference to a statement, a person, a place or an event from literature. (cartoon from the book about Goldilocks/Three Bears)
3) Autobiography-The story of a person's life written or told by that person.
4) Biography-The story of a real person's life, written or told by another person.
5) Character-a person or an animal in a story, play or other literary work. (Aslan from Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe)
6) Conflict-a struggle/clash between opposing characters or opposing forces. (Hercules/Hydra)
7) Connotations-the feelings and associations that have come to be attached to a word. (Love-hearts and flowers)
8) Description-the kind of writing that creates a clear image of something, usually details that appeal to one or more senses: sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch.
9) Dialect-a way of speaking that characteristic of a particular region or group of people.
10) Dialogue-conversation between two or more characters. (Monologue-one character speaks)
11) Drama-a story written to be acted in front of an audience.
12) Essay-a short piece of nonfiction prose. (Remember nonfiction is true and prose is anything but poetry)
13) Fable-a very brief story in prose or verse that teaches a moral, a practical lesson about how to succeed in life.
14) Fantasy-imaginative writing that carries the reader into an invented world where the laws of nature as we know them do not exist. (The Emperor's New Clothes is an example of fantasy called a fairy tale)
15) Fiction-a prose account that is made up rather than true. (Prose is not poetry)
16) Figurative Language-language that describes on thing in terms of something else and is not literally true. (The road was a ribbon of moonlight)
17) Flashback-a scene that breaks the normal time order of the plot to show a past event. (Most of the play The Diary of Anne Frank is a flashback)
18) Folk Tale- a story with no known author passed from one generation to another by word of mouth.
19) Foreshadowing-the use of clues or hints to suggest events that will occur later in the plot.
20) Imagery-language that appeals to the senses--sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell.

Hat Days in October!

2009-10-04T18:24:00.000-07:00

Remember that every Friday is Hat Day in October. It costs fifty cents to wear a hat. We are supporting cancer awareness. You can also start bringing in those pink YOPLAIT lids to support cancer research.

By the way, Miss Sidebottom's birthday is this week....why don't you ask her when it is?!?

Hope everyone was able to do a little yard sale shopping this weekend......the high school band received second place with top honors for drumline and color guard! Keep the great work!

Don't forget your poems...."Double, Double...Toil and Trouble".
Also you have some dance, songs and skits coming up on Friday, October 9th!!

AR Deadline is NOW! Needed NINE POINTS!!!

2009-10-04T18:14:00.000-07:00

Just remember that this week is the last week to get those AR points. They will count on your Reading grade. We have read several books during the first nine weeks! Take those tests...remember that each student's goal will be individualized according to their score on the STAR test.

Personal Book Story: I recently finished reading The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. In this book, there was a thought-provoking quote that I want to share with you. At the beginning, the first statement is a metaphor. Read the quote and share your thoughts......

Time is a river...and books are boats. Many volumes start down that stream, only to be wrecked and lost beyond recall in its sands. Only a few, a very few, endure the testings of time and live to bless the ages following.

"There is a reason these volumes survived, while others vanished. The ancient spiritual texts-- the most studied books on earth--were, in fact, the least understood."

Magazine Articles

2009-09-20T17:48:00.000-07:00

I read a great article in the USA Weekend magazine that describes ten national parks that every American should see. This article is written by Ken Burns who is responsible for doing several documentaries. This documentary will be on PBS starting September 27.

The national parks are listed below:

Yosemite Yellowstone Grand Canyon Denali Glacier Acadia

Great Smoky Mountains Everglades Zion Shenandoah

Students-We will be studying these national parks to see if you know their locations and type of terrain each park possesses. Some of them are quite popular.

We will be reviewing the amount of AR points each student has this week. They should have NINE POINTS this first grading period.

Correction about Alice and Wonderland Movie

2009-09-14T19:37:00.000-07:00

In the blog about the movie, I put the wrong date for release....it is March 5, 2010! Sorry...

Parent/Teacher Conferences were TONIGHT!

2009-09-14T19:16:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all those parents who scheduled a conference and came to school this evening! The evening started with some goodies...soups and cookies from Paragon. These were samples from the company that will be handling our fundraiser in October.

A little update about each period:

First Period: We have finished the book, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. The students are in the process of taking AR tests to get their points. Each student needs NINE AR points for the first nine weeks.

Second Period: This class has finished the book, Freak the Mighty. Most of the students have taken the test for this book. Soon we will be beginning the book, Alice and Wonderland. We are excited about the movie starring Johnny Depp on March 5, 2009.

Third Period: We have been doing plays, "The Fog" and "The Hitchhiker" and then are comparing the two plays. These students are doing a great job showing emotion and getting into their parts.

Fifth Period: We read "The Bridegroom" which is a narrative poem that tells the story of a young woman who witnesses a horrible crime and then uses her wily ways to bring justice to the man who is responsible.

Sixth Period: We read "The Bridegroom" as well and repeated the lesson.....This class is reading
Maniac Magee. We will be taking the AR test soon.

Seventh Period: Wellness-we walked, played frisbee, four-square, football and other assorted games outside in the beautiful weather!

Eighth Period: We read Voyage of the Frog. Only twenty pages to go and we will be finishing this novel. We are pumped about being so close to finishing. The AR test for this book is on the horizon.

On a personal note, Mr. Basham, Ben and I took a little sailing expedition on the Ohio River this weekend. Just like the book, Voyage of the Frog...we almost ran aground when the unusual winds of the Ohio River pushed us to the Kentucky shoreline. The keel was almost stuck in the muddy sand. Luckily, we freed the boat due to the brute strength of Mr. Basham and Ben. Ha!
Winds were unpredictable that day and at times, were terrific.....however, at other times were
nonexistent....

Outlining Microscope Article

2009-09-09T13:43:00.000-07:00

Every week, we are using the newspaper in our classroom. This week, we read an article about tools (hand tools) and the discovery of microscopes. The students in third period read the book entitled, The Starry Messenger. They enjoyed the facts about Galileo and his popularity with the telescope.

Picture Day is September 18th. Don't forget to look your best on that day.

Planners are checked on Fridays. Each student needs to fill out each subject area to help the communication between school and home. We at HCMS, are trying to help your child do their best. We need your assistance.

On a personal note, in the woods below our house, two fawns with spots have started grazing. They are gorgeous! Our dog, Champ, doesn't see very well and gets startled easily.
He barks to let them know that he is in charge! HA!

Midterms tomorrow! (9/10/09)

2009-09-09T13:36:00.000-07:00

Students need to make sure they have all work turned in to me. They are missing notecards and this is very easily corrected. However, each student must do the work....some students are having trouble keeping up with their belongings--planner, paper, pencils.....use those lovely trapper keepers and folders please....

Some students need to wear tennis shoes or at least bring them to wear during wellness. I don't want anyone injuring themselves when we play any games outside. We walked on the track today.

Speeches are almost completely wrapped up....the students did well but relied heavily on their notecards. Their voices suddenly became softer when it was their moment to shine. Don't worry! We will be doing some impromptu speeches during the coming month.

Poems are to be recited on September 18th. Don't forget to study!!!!! It is worth fifteen points.

September 8th (2009) Tuesday after Labor Day Weekend

2009-09-08T09:17:00.000-07:00

The students took a vocabulary test. They used their notecards with words and definitions to write sentences with detailed explanations of the word.

Several classes are reading Maniac Magee, Freak the Mighty and Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. Students need NINE AR points for the first nine weeks. This goal will be individualized during the second, third and fourth nine weeks.
Has your child taken any tests?

On September 18th, students will be having their pictures made and also be reciting their second poem of the year. They were given a copy of their poems last week. (August 31-September 4)

Also I hope everyone was able to have time to rest and relax. It was a wonderful weekend....

Good morning, September!

2009-09-01T05:23:00.000-07:00

Worksheets with ant, anti, contra, counter and ob are missing in action from some students. Need to get those into me as quickly as possible..thanks for your help!

Read the story, "The White Umbrella" on pages 34-41 and answered questions relating to the story. The students started learning how to use PEER FACILITATION CIRCLES when they are reading a selection, in this case--a short story.

Discussion centered on the differences in families and their cultural expectations. Also the main character lied or embellished the truth to appear more confident.

On another note, it is important for students to have the proper tennis shoes during wellness. It is tough to run in some flip flops or sandals. In my wellness, we have been playing freeze tag and it gives them great joy to tag their teacher repeatedly because she is old and slow......

Speeches on Greek Gods and Goddesses

2009-08-31T12:01:00.000-07:00

Make sure you have your notecards ready and your speech is practiced with plenty of eye contact!
You need an extra shot of confidence......fifth period's speeches were awesome!!! I can tell that they were prepared....Yippee!

Students are taking the MAP test today...well, really all this week! Math and Reading are the areas of testing.

Glad students are feeling better from being absent...remember to wash hands often...get a good night's sleep and eat properly. Also students need to drink fluids so they will stay hydrated....

On a personal note, Mrs. Basham paddled a kayak from the Hawesville boat dock to the bend ...I could see the dam and watched my boys as they rode the jet ski.....my arms were rubbery when I paddled back to the boat ramp.....

First Period Reading

2009-08-31T09:28:00.000-07:00

I am so proud of Jenny Head who gave her speech. She did very well and knew many additional facts about her Greek god.
Mrs. Basham

Accelerated Reading Points will be set soon. The first nine weeks' goal for all students will be nine.
That is correct! Only nine points .....however, the second nine weeks will be individualized for each student.

Vocabulary Quiz #2

2009-08-31T09:23:00.000-07:00

The following words will be on the second test of the nine weeks....

1)Anemia
2)Ambiguous
3)Ambivalent
4)Ambidextrous
5)Anarchy
6)Antecede
7)Antiseptic
8)Antislavery
9)Archeology
10)Archenemy
11)Catastrophe
12)Catapult
13)Polyglot
14)Multifarious

Prefixes:
an-without
ante-before
arch-chief; against
cata-down
ambi-both

The quiz is September 8th. We are currently doing speeches in class and reading novels during Monday and Tuesday. Study these words listed above because I want you to do well.