Language Arts Newsletter 
Week of December 12th 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Instructional Cycle 2C Continues..

Cycle 2C Instruction:

6th-grade focus standards:

6.RV.3.1

6.RV.2.1


The Big Ideas: 

* Figurative Language

* Context Clues

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7th-grade focus standards:

7.RL.2.2

7.W.6.2b


The Big Ideas:

*Punctuation - commas

*Theme

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8th-grade focus standards:

8.RL.2.2

8.W.6.2b


The Big Ideas:

*Theme

*Punctuation



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"Collaboration allows teachers to capture each other's fund of collective intelligence." --Mike Schmoker

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Don’t forget to check the Instructional Calendar for information on standards, “I can statements", and resources. It's just one click away.

Click here to be on your merry way to our ELA Portal!
 

  "It takes two flints to make a fire."  --Louisa May Alcott
 
 
 
 
A smile is the light in your window that tells others that there is a caring, sharing person inside.    - Denis Waitley 
 

6th Grade: 

Cycle 2C Mini-Assessment: 

1. Analyze your data and identify students who need additional instruction. 

2. Look at resources/strategies for context clues. 


7th/8th Grades: 


Cycle 2C Mini-Assessment:

1. Analyze your data and identify students who need additional instruction. 


2. Share resources/strategies for teaching theme.
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Cycle 2C mini-assessments have been linked to our instructional calendar and Weekly Focus Page in our LA Portal. Please feel free to contribute your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions. 
  • SRI assessment window for Highland is open. The goal is to assess all students before winter break.  
 
 
 
   Solve the puzzle in the picture for a prize. Email me the answer. 
 
 
 
 

Teaching Main Idea Vs. Theme
 

Students often have an incredibly difficult time telling the difference between main idea and theme. Most kids are familiar with main idea when they get to middle school, but it is still tricky for them. When we add theme, things can get pretty confusing. Highlighting the differences between theme and main idea is very helpful for students to reinforce their understanding of main idea while learning and deepening their understanding of theme.

A sample lesson:

1. Make an anchor chart with your students to brainstorm themes and then some main ideas that could go along with the themes. 

 <— (See the example on the left) 

(Remember, the students should already have background knowledge about theme and main idea. )
 
 
2. Practice: Have students sort main ideas and themes using The Main Idea-Theme Sort activity found here.
 
3. Formative Assessment: Have students reflect on the lesson by answering questions on the slide found here. 
 
 
 
 
Click here to visit the Language Arts Portal