Parts of Speech Fun

More Parts of Speech Fun!

This year I decided I needed to do another Parts of Speech activity that included differentiated instruction. As usual, I had students create a Mind Map on the 8 parts of speech. Here are the mind maps from this year that I used on the bulletin board:

Here are some students making the mind maps. They could use any resource: textbook, notes, iPad. We also watched the Schoolhouse Rocks videos as they worked, and students sang along!

To reinforce what they learned, students played MADLIBS. Many students have an iPad, so we used the MadLib App (free) or I made paper copies. They had a lot of fun and learned at the same time.

Next, I put students into a group and had them create a group poster and presentation for one part of speech. Students had to include the following:

1. Definition
2. Rules/Ways of using the part of speech/types
3. 10 examples
4. Slogan
5. Song or Poem

Preparing a poster

A final video to show ho my students WOWed me!

http://diaryofawimpyeducator.blogspot.com/

Students were ENGAGED. What better way to learn?

Fun Parts of Speech Resources

Parts of Speech Rap

Schoolhouse Rocks: Grammar

NOUNS

ADJECTIVES

VERBS

Literature Circle Beginnings

We are at it again this year! Here is a breakdown of how we begin our literature circle units:

1. Students have a book pass. I use a whole class period to let students review each book. For each book they have ONE minute to review the back and start reading the first pages. After the time, students must rate the books on a scale of 1 - 5 on BOOK DIFFICULTY and INTEREST LEVEL.

2. After students see each book, they use the selection sheet to choose the books of their choice. They also have the option of listing three people they work well with and ONE person they cannot work with. I try to honor these, but it does not always happen.

3. For student's first meeting, they create a group folder and a reading schedule. After that is completed, they read together.

4. The group folder is our "text" for the unit (besides the novel itself). Here are examples of what the folders look like

Inside the folder, students keep track of their reading, write book numbers, write down group rules and consequences for not following rules. After each meeting, the discussion leader feels out a DAILY REPORT and staples it to the right.

5. Student spend class time reading together after holding discussions.

Discussions

Reading together

Introducing Greek Myths

Introduction to Greek Myths

Greek and roman myths

View more presentations from mindyhildebrand.

Students complete a Greek God Chart as they watch the videos in the Powerpoint. Some great videos are provided:

Next, students create a Greek Mythology Folder to add all their work from the unit.

Students keep their work in a folder like this.

Extra Credit - Draw a Greek god or goddess or creature

The inside of the folder - a Greek god chart, Story, student drawing of scenes

End of Trimester

Yesterday I turned 40! Yep, 40! One of the best reasons I love to be a middle school teacher is because I get to feel young around pre-teens/teenagers. Life is never boring around these kiddos. They made my day super special. Although, the day landed on final exams, students had happy faces and hugs to give.

On the last day of this trimester, we had an awards ceremony, intertwined with a music program provided by our music teacher and students. It was a great reminder of how awesome my students are and how much I love being a sixth grade teacher.

Students singing the Guatemalan National Anthem

"Be The Best" students. Our most outstanding sixth graders for the trimester.
(See my neice M. on the left? So proud of her!)

Section 6-4 boys shyly singing.

N. getting ready to play the drums.

Section 6-1

Drum Patrol! Section 6-5

Section 6-5 girls

Section 6-3 singing. My son, J., is in there!

Study Centers: Final Exam

What better way to study for Final Exams than through learning centers? Here is a rundown of some of the centers I used as review.

1) Mural - Students created a mural about the novel The Breadwinner. They had to draw a scene, character or event from the book.

2) Mad Libs - Reviewing Parts of Speech, students played Mad Libs on the board.

3) Vocabulary Foldable - Students created a foldable to review their 25 vocabulary words.

4) World Spelling Day - It happened to be World Spelling Day on review day. So, students spent time at the classroom computer playing other children around the world. It's a great way to motivate students with spelling!

5) The Breadwinner Questions review - Students were given game cards and made a human board game outside on the pavement. In this picture, students are reading the directions.

Overall, students were active, motivated and having fun. A nice way to review!

Parts of Speech

Well, it's that time where I have to teach BORING GRAMMAR!

What should I do? I dislike teaching grammar, and with that in mind, I'm sure the students will hate to learn grammar. So, I thought...."Hey, let them teach themselves!"

Students were shown a brainpop video on the Parts of Speech. Then, we read through the Parts of Speech in their textbook (boring!). Then the fun stuff! Students created a Mind Map about the Parts of Speech. Again, they amazed me with their creativity. Here are examples of student work: