GRAFIAT

How to Create a Word Cloud - GRAFIAT

Follow the directions in the Google Doc (see link below) to create a Word Cloud from your Character Map. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fAx9DJ-JQso1fqA3OYf5-R-Oo9NKjA-D5NcMYAzm25A/edit?usp=sharing


http://www.abcya.com/word_clouds.htm

Google Docs

Open the link below and MAKE a copy.

Share it with me at awicklund@sps.org


https://docs.google.com/document/d/11GYdnRmeQSa1c6k6805OUupDtUJO8CPaQfCOCdcL-iA/edit?usp=sharing

#GRAFIAT

The following is excerpt from the front flap of the book.

"Everybody is smart in different ways. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its life believing it is stupid."

Ally has been smart enough to foll a lot of smart people. Every time she lands in a new school, she is able to hide her inability to read by creating clever yet disruptive distractions. She's tired to being called "slow" and "loser," but she's afraid to ask for help; after all, she thinks, how can you cure dumb?

However, Ally's newest teacher see the bright, creative kid beneath the troublemaker and helps to shine a light on her gifts. Meanwhile, Ally gets to know tell-it-like-it-is Keisha and science- and facts-obsessed Albert, who also break the mold. The three stand together against others who are not so kind.

As the outsiders begin to fit in, surprising things begin to happen in Ally's classroom that show her there's a lot more to her-and-to everyone-than a label, and that great minds don't always think alike.

The author of the beloved One for the Murphys gives readers an emotionally charged, uplifting novel that will speak to anyone who's ever though there was something wrong with them because the didn't fit in.

Banned Book Week

Artwork courtesy of the American Library Association

Our theme for the week is Celebrate Your Freedom to Read! The last week in September marks the American Library Association's annual Banned Book Week.

The purpose of Banned Book Week is to make those aware of the books that have been challenged/banned and encourage all to understand the value of having our own CHOICE to read any book we want.

To celebrate Banned Book Week, Mrs. Y., the librarian has created a school-wide Spirit Week honoring our freedom to read!

Monday: What? Books in Jail? Look for the Titles of banned books on library doors!

Tuesday: Have you read a Banned Book? Wear a Minion Band Aid on your arm or leg because Banned Books are "One in a Minion"!

Wednesday: Do you like to read? Wear "Black and White" like a book page.

Thursday: Are you glad to have the freedom to read what you want to read? Sign the poster in the library by the jail.

Friday: Westport celebrates books. Wear school colors. Check out a list of titles at 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books: 1990-1999 or 100 Top Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009.

Watch this video to give you another perspective about censorship.


Think of your all time favorite book! Imagine not having the opportunity to read that book because an individual believed it to be inappropriate for ALL to read.
Describe how you would feel if you were the guy in the video above.
What is the one book that you couldn't imagine not having the chance to read? Why? Describe your reaction if someone told you that you could NOT read that book. How would it compare to the guy's reaction the video above?

Please answer these questions in COMPLETE sentences when you make a NEW Blog Post at Wildcat Readers. NEVER include your full name or another person's full name in your comment. (for example: a student named Sally Smith should sign her name as only Sally S.)

Happy Tuesday and Happy Blogging!

General Interest Survey

Your Thoughts About Reading

Reading Interest Survey

How to Choose a Book!

It is that time to choose a book for Independent Reading!

1. Recommended by a friend, teacher, librarian, etc.
2.  Book reviews from peers, critics, etc.
3. Websites offering advice
1. http://readalikes.blogspot.com/2010/03/if-you-like-author-try.html
2. http://www.literature-map.com/
3. http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Good-Book
4. http://417blogit.blogspot.com/p/helpful-links.html
4. Know the author/series
5. Interesting title
6. “Must Read” or “Hot Picks” rack in the room/library
7. New/popular book
8. To learn something (need it for homework)
9. Read a page from book.  Apply 5-finger rule.
10. Front cover/inside jacket
11. Read the back cover (summary) and it sounds interesting.
12. Great illustrations
13. Saw the movie and want to compare it to the book or vice versa
14. Read it before and enjoyed it
15. Heard it read aloud
16. by subject area/genre
17. Award Nominee for the current/past year 
1. Truman Award
2. Mark Twain Award
3. Newberry Award
4. Caldecott Award
5. Show Me Award
18. An Award Winner!
1. Truman Award
2. Mark Twain Award
3. Newberry Award
4. Caldecott Award
5. Show Me Reader Award
19. The length

Welcome 6th graders!

This is our class website. You will use this website to access several websites you will use regularly in our classroom. Canvas, our school website and your student blog accounts are all links found on the right. It is my hope that you can easily remember the link to this site: 417blogit.blogspot.com so that you can access it at home too.

I am looking forward to an exciting year of learning. In Reading, I hope to help you find books that you enjoy and ultimately encourage that life-longer reader to appear. In Math, my wish is to push you farther into becoming a better problem solver and mathematical thinker.

Your teacher, 

Mrs. W.

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Userpage_decoration_for_Redvers_-_Welcome.png#filelinks The Image was not changed in any way. 8-19-15

Mrs. Wicklund needs your help! Grant Survey!

EXPLORATORY Grant Survey

Student Survey

Click this link to take the survey: Career Exploratory Classes.

When you are finished with the survey you may go to the library.

Exploratory Book Groups

Read and Respond:
Respond to a question from the link, BEFORE, DURING and AFTER reading today's book club books.


Questions for Reading Non-fiction


Book Club Books: 

• Predator Showdown

• World of Plants

• An Extraordinary Life: The Story of a Monarch Butterfly

• Monster Plants: Meat Eaters, Real Stinkers and Other Leafy Oddities

Class Set: Sharks

InTech Student Survey

I need your help!  I have been asked to give this SHORT survey to all of my students.  Please answer honestly.  

Thanks, Mrs. W.

Directions for the Survey: 
·        Select your school name and click submit.
              You will need to select Westport MS Elementary School.

·        Select the teacher’s name from the drop down menu.

·        Click on the circle that best answers each of the FOUR questions.

·        Click Submit Survey.

Click this link to begin: InTech Survey

Volcanoes

Click the link below to create your mind map for volcanoes. Put YOUR name in the box.

Read Write Think WEBBING TOOL

Create a Plot Diagram

Find the Link on the right for the interactive Plot Diagram. Create a plot outline for an Independent Book you have finished. Choose the Exposition, Climax and Resolution for your triangle labels. You need to have at least 5 events with DESCRIPTIONS on your diagram. Note: The descriptions will not show when you move the event to the diagram. They will appear when you print. You will need to PRINT AS A PDF which will create a file to save on your computer. Choose Desktop. Click eMINTS Shared Drive. Click Class Period Folder. Open the Plot Diagrams Folder. Change the name of the file to First Last_Plot Diagrams

Reading Response

Write a post about the book you have been reading for Independent Reading. Please choose an idea from this website: Reading Response Journals

Survey for Mrs. W. - This Year's Truman Nominees

Help! Your Input is Needed!

Please take your time and be honest as you complete the survey.

InTech Student Survey

"Give Up My Phone for Two Days?"

Read the Magazine.

Survey for Mrs. Young's Grant Report - Part 1: Cancer Research