Mrs. Meeks' TAG Language Arts

 

 

This site was last updated on Thursday, August 28, 2008

Information titled in blue will be updated frequently.   indicates brand new information.

To contact Mrs. Meeks:

 

E-Mail:  rmeeks@alexanderschools.org

Home Phone:  740-696-1132

School Phone:  (before 8:45 a.m.):  698-8831 - Extension 13 - Ask for Extension 262

Cell phone:  (before 9:00 p.m.):  740 - 590-7705

 

Mrs. Meeks

 

Beginning of the Year Letter

Letter_to_Parents_About_TAG_Language_Arts.doc

Lesson Plan 

September_1_-_5.xls

Homework

Students should spend no more than 30 minutes on homework each evening.  If you find that homework is requiring more than 30 minutes, please let me know. 

A September calendar was sent home with each student.  Parents should post this on the refrigerator and initial for each day that the student reads for 10 minutes and writes for 5 minutes.   It is required that students read and write for 5 days a week.  At the end of the month, return the calendar to Mrs. Meeks.  I want this to be a casual type of reading and writing.  Students can read whatever they want:  picture books, chapter books, cereal box, a letter from Grandma, internet sites, etc.  It is the same with writing.  They can write whatever they want:  journal, letters, lists, poetry, stories, etc. It is not mandatory that the students bring the writing for me to check.  However, I enjoy reading what the students have written and would love to see what they are doing. 

Spelling	Vocabulary	Reading	Reading Activities	Writing
The first Spelling Activity Packet will be due on Thursday, September 4.  The first Spelling test will be Thursday, September 4.	Practice Vocabulary words.  There will be a test at the end of each unit.	Read each evening for 10 minutes.	Complete any activities not completed in class.	Write each evening for 5 minutes.

Vocabulary

3rd Grade - Charlotte's Web

Blunder            – a mistake made by ignorance or confusion

 

Endure             – tolerate

 

Frolicked          – kicked up your heels, skip, play

 

Commotion      – disorder

 

Loft                  – balcony, platform

 

Injustice            – unfairness

 

Decency           – politeness

 

Envious            – jealousy

 

Conspiracy       – plan, plot

 

Sedentary         – sits a lot, little exercise

 

Gullible             – innocent, naïve

 

Versatile           – flexible

 

Monotonous     – dull, boring

 

Adjourned        – held off until a later time

 

Idiosyncrasy     – peculiarity

 

Solemn             – sad

 

Revived            – recharged, re-energized

 

Pompous          – arrogant, snobbish

 

Languishing       – becoming weak

 

Loot – rob

 

Smudge – smear, stain

4th Grade  - Mr. Popper's Penguins

Unsympathetic – lacking in sympathy and kindness

 

Solemnly – seriously

 

Pompously – characterized by a showy display of importance

 

Inquisitive – eager for knowledge

 

Bungalow – a one story cottage  

 

Tripod – a stool, table, pedestal, etc., with three legs; a three-legged stand or support, as for a camera or telescope.

 

Indignantly – angry, resentful, mad

 

Reluctantly – unwillingly

 

Dignity – The quality or state of being worthy of respect

 

Rookery – a breeding place or colony of companionable birds or animals, such as penguins and seals.

 

Gangplank –bridge-like plank used for boarding or leaving a ship

 

Hoarse – harsh, throaty, rough voice

 

Burly – strapping, stocky, brawny, thickset, beefy, hefty

 

Drowsy – dull; sluggish; sleepy

 

Irritable – easily irritated or annoyed

 

Testimonial – A statement in support of a particular truth, fact, or claim

 

Broadening – the act of making something wider 

 

5th Grade - The Call of the Wild 

 

Word	Chapter	Definition
progeny	1	a descendant or offspring -  a child, plant, or animal.
aristocrat	1	a member of a class of people holding high rank, especially nobility
latent	1	present but not visible, apparent, or actualized; existing as potential: latent ability.
demesne	1	possession of land as one's own: land held in demesne.
egotistical	1	given to talking about oneself; vain; boastful
pervaded	1	became spread throughout all parts of: Spring pervaded the air.
cunning	2	crafty; sly
belligerent	2	combative, quarrelsome, antagonistic
inexorable	3	unable to be persuaded, unable to move
wrath	3	fierce anger
obdurate	4	hard, callous, stubborn
deluged	4	flooded; overwhelmed: She was deluged with congratulatory letters.
slovenly	5	carelessly, disorderly
importuned	5	demanded with urgency
feigned	5	pretended, counterfeit: feigned enthusiasm; disguised: a feigned voice.
shrewdly	6	quick, keen, intelligent:  a shrewd politician
obliterated	7	destroyed completely
impelled	7	drove or caused to move onward; propel
pertinacity	7	persistence, determination

Monthly Themes

Each unit will include a vocabulary list, comprehension activities based around the Language Arts curriculum and standardized testing, non fiction reading with related activities, reading in picture books and/or chapter books, listening activities, writing activities, oral activities, and an end of the unit test which follows OAT format.

August/September - Animals

October - Author Study

November - Native and Colonial Americans

December - Fairy Tales/Fantasy

January - Science Fair/Lessons to Be Learned (Fables, Folk Tales, and Tall Tales)

February - Science Fair/Discrimination

March - A New Home

April/May - Explorers 

 

Animal Unit

• 3rd Grade students will read Charlotte's Web.
• 4th Grade students will read Mr. Popper's Penguins.
• 5th Grade students will read The Call of the Wild.
• Students will read in small groups.
• A variety of independent activities will be used for comprehension.
• Students will read non fiction books, internet sites, and magazine articles to research spiders/farm animas (3rd grade), penguins, Antarctica (4th grade), Husky dogs, various breeds of dogs (5th grade).
• Vocabulary will be related to each of the books. A test will be given over the vocabulary words at the end of the unit. 
• If time, students will create an individualized book based on If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. 3rd - If You Give Charlotte a Bug, 4th - If You Give a Penguin a Fish, 5th - If You Give a Dog a Steak
• Students will orally present their individualized book.
• An end of the unit test will be given based on OAT format.

 

Schedule

 

Mrs. Meeks - Language Arts - Schedule 2008 - 2009
7:45 - 8:15	Duty
8:20 - 9:12	Planning
9:17 - 10:40	4th Grade Reading, Vocabulary, Read aloud, Spelling
10:45 - 11:18	Lunch
11:18 - 12:15	3rd Grade Read aloud, Vocabulary, Reading, Spelling
12:15 - 2:00	5th Grade Reading, Vocabulary, Read aloud, Spelling, Writing
2:10 - 2:40	4rd Grade Writing

Writing Benchmarks

Writing_Benchmarks.doc

Reading Benchmarks

Reading_Benchmarks.doc

Individualized Approach to Spelling

We will be using the Individualized Approach to Spelling.  Each students' Spelling words will come from words they have misspelled within their writing.  New Spelling lists will come home on Friday with Spelling tests being given the following Thursday.  Self chosen Spelling activities will be a part of the weekly program.  A detailed explanation is included below in the attachment. 

Spelling_Contract_Ideas.doc

Late Work Policy

Late_Work_Policy.doc

Independent Reading

Students will choose and read a variety of genres independently.  Students will keep accurate records of their reading:  including title, author, pages read, and vocabulary.  The teacher will conference with students to check accuracy of records, go over vocabulary, and analyze comprehension and fluency.  A variety of benchmarks will be covered, according to personal need.  Upon completion of a book, students will do oral book shares. 

Book Share

 

An important part of reading a book is being able to share it with others.  This not only demonstrates students’ appreciation for the literature that they are reading, but it also gives students the opportunity to practice important oral presentation skills.   In addition, it encourages others to read good books that their classmates have read.  Students will be required to do one Book Share on an independent reading book that they have read in TAG Language Arts class by the end of May.   Students will sign up for a Book Share day, prepare the book share presentation at home (following the enclosed criteria), and present on their chosen day.   We look forward to all of the creative ideas and presentations!

Book_Share_Presentation_Information_2007.doc

Book_Share_Ideas.xls

Writing

Students will be exposed to a variety of writing opportunties.  Teacher modeling and exploration of writing skills will be used to introduce students to new concepts.  Students will apply this skills by composing narratives, expositories, letters, poetry, news reports, factual reports and directions.  There will be a combination of assigned writing and independent writing.

Creative_Writing_Ideas_2007.doc