Next week, all classes will begin working in a new format. We will kick off centers and small group literature circles. Classes will read two book. The first, in which I will lead a guided reading group, is titled “Out of the Dust” by Karen Hesse. It is about the Oklahoma dust storms in the 1930s. It is a novel written in blank verse and is an extension of our poetry unit. The other novel is “Tuck Everlasting” by Natalie Babbitt. Students will listen to Tuck on tape and read along in small student-led literature circles. I selected this novel because many students have read it already and will be able to read and discuss the novel with little supervision. Literature circles should be student led. Please send in headphone or earbuds with your student, if they have them. I will also institute a writing center and an art center, where students will create artistic representations of their work. In addition, we will enjoy a “game” center. Students will quiz each others vocabulary words, literary terms, and other language arts knowledge. I expect a few bugs and will adjust groups and timing as we proceed, but I think this will enhance most student's learning experience exponentially. Please e-mail any questions.

Bookmobile comes on Tuesday! If your student does not have his or her theme book yet, this is a great opportunity.

Social Studies: we are moving into the colonial era and will begin the Revolutionary War this week. Students will be writing an essay about Paul Revere for a Daughter's of the American Revolution contest. The essay is due Dec. 1, so we need to get cracking!

This weeks spelling/vocabulary words:
Spelling /Vocab Week of Nov. 15
From Tuck Everlasting and Out of the Dust
5A
prologue
connection
smeared
everlasting
tangent
tranquil
contemplation
dissolved
oppressive
accessible
isolation
melancholy
bounty
pestering
ratcheted
riled
spindly
pledged
dazzled
wisp

Spelling /Vocab Week of Nov. 15
From Tuck Everlasting and Out of the Dust
5B
arduous
everlasting
prologue
tangent
contemplation
tolerantly
fringe
forlorn
accessible
isolation
tarnished
intrusion
grimace
slant
riled
distraction
whittled
ratcheted
fidgeting
bounty
smeared

Spelling /Vocab Week of Nov. 15
From Tuck Everlasting and Out of the Dust
6A
prologue
connection
smeared
everlasting
tangent
tranquil
contemplation
dissolved
oppressive
accessible
isolation
melancholy
bounty
pestering
ratcheted
riled
spindly
pledged
dazzled
wisp