Science Fiction

Today, we completed our Historical Fiction/Sequence of Events unit with the test. We will begin our Science Fiction/Questioning unit next week. I'm really excited for the students to get into these novels. Mrs. Romero and Mrs. Spencer's classes have already completed the unit and really enjoyed the novels. We will be reading:

The Graveyard Book

The House of the Scorpion

Airman

We will also be continuing the research papers again next week, beginning with the rough draft.

Class Update and Research Passwords

We have been in the computer lab working on a research paper for several days now.  All students were instructed by our MS librarian, Mrs. Natalie Romero, on the research process and how to use Noodle Tools?software where students can record, organize and synthesize information using online note cards and bibliography cards. 

The research paper is a step-by-step process through which I will carefully guide your child; however, I would like for you also to get involved.  I encourage you to ask your child questions about his or her topic and monitor the progress being made.  Research topics were given to each student Monday based on the historical fiction novel (Milkweed, Fever 1793, or The River Between Us) they have been covering in F-Learn.  Please begin speaking with your child about this person or event.  The research process your child learns will prove useful throughout his or her life?far beyond the walls of our classroom.

 I'm attaching a handout that covers all of the research paper requirements for your convenience.  As always, I'm available if you have any questions or concerns.  The first section of our research process, the notecards and outline, will be due this Friday, March 4th. Students are strongly encouraged to work on their paraphrases outside of the computer lab time we have in class. Here are a list of passwords for the databases from the PBS MS Library website or the library blog (pbsmslibrary.wordpress.com):

SIRS

User: prkvubap

Pass: eagles

World Book Online

User: pbseagles

Pass: eagles09

Gale Pass: lak12

Facts On File 

User:  prkvubap

Pass: eagles

 

On another note, independent novels must be completely read by March 14^th, the Monday after Winter Break.  We will begin working on the independent novel project that day.  The students will be working to create Farcebook posters about a character from their individual novels. 

Thank you for your support and encouragement.