Writing Graphic Organizers

All sixth grade students are working diligently on their first five paragraph essay.  In class yesterday, we talked about how to compose an introduction.  We brought up the following points:

• The introduction is the hardest part of the paper to write.  We talked about several strategies for writing an introduction. 
• In a history paper, you must transport the reader from their own lives into your topic.  You must provide background and do not assume that the reader is familiar with the topic you are covering. 
• You have to "hook" the reader and then provide the evidence. 
• You must convey a tremendous amount of information in a short space including; your topic, why it is important, and you thesis statement. (A thesis statement is your answer to a debatable statement.) 
• Suggestions for an "attention grabber" opening sentence
• an intriguing example 
• a provocative quote 
• a puzzling scenario 
• a vivid or unexpected anecdote 
• a thought-provoking question 

THE FIRST DRAFT OF THE ESSAY IS DUE THURSDAY!  

Unit 6 - Was George Washington really a hero? You decide.

Unit 5 Review Guide

Unit 5 Test - Tuesday/Wednesday! 

Its a Comic Life in 6th Grade History Class

We've started unit 5 in 6th Grade history and will spend the next three weeks studying the Pilgrims and the Puritans.  Using a new App on the iPads called Comic Life, the students worked on comic strips portraying the migration of the Pilgrims from England, to Holland, back to England, and then on to Massachusetts.  More posts with comic strips to come so stay tuned to the blog.

Below you will find the schedule for the unit:


Homework: 

• Due Thursday, 1/12: Assignment #6 
• Due Friday, 1/13: Assignment #7 
• Due Tuesday/Wednesday, 1/17 or 1/18: Assignment #8 and MAP QUIZ 
• Due Monday, 1/23: Mayflower webquest.  This is the project where you will track a passenger on the Mayflower.  You need to work on this for homework Wednesday night, Thursday night, and over the weekend and turn in the completed project on Monday. 
• Due Tuesday/Wednesday, 1/24 or 1/25: Read entire play on Anne Hutchinson at least twice.  Review the part you have been assigned. 
• Due Thursday, 1/26: Assignment #11 

Tuesday/Wednesday, 1/31 or 2/1: UNIT 5 TEST

Happy New Year and Semester!

Unit 4 - Jamestown

We are beginning in a new unit in 6th grade history.  We will study the Lost Colony of Roanoke and the Jamestown colony in unit 4. The unit is posted in the pages section a the top of the blog. 

Homework: 

Due Tuesday/Wednesday, 11/15-11/16: Study vocabulary words for quiz on Friday 

Due Thursday, 11/17: Assignment #2 

Due Friday, 11/18:Assignment #5 - MAP AND VOCABULARY QUIZ 

Due Monday, 11/21: Assignment #6 

Unit 3 Test Complete - Sir Francis Drake

Sir Francis Drake - Villain or Hero - You Decide!

Our next task in 6th grade history is to research and write three paragraphs where you will decide if Sir Francis Drake 

is a hero or a villain.  If you need an extra copy of the chart and the directions for the research, please see assignment #6 in Unit 3.  Unit 3 is saved in the pages section at the top of the blog.  

Homework: Due Monday 

Complete the 3 paragraphs on Sir Francis Drake.