Mrs. Lazarou's Homework Page Language Arts updated 6/4/08 ____________________________________________________________________                                                         LANGUAGE ARTS NEWS Dear Team & Families,                  Spring is almost here!  This year our expedition is Human’s Interaction With Nature and the longer days and warmer weather are great for getting outdoors. In Language Arts, we have finished our class novel, Out of The Dust by Karen Hesse and writing Expository & Persuasive Essays.   As soon as CMT's end, we will start reading a retold version of the classic, Moby Dick.  We will attend a play of Moby Dick in May.  This fits perfectly with our expedition, since the main character really interacts with the challenges of nature throughout the novel.         In April, we will start an integrated team project.  Students will write and illustrate their own informational picture book about Latin America.  They will use social studies knowledge to create and describe the geography of Latin America.  Science skills will be used to accurately depict the environment and animal life.  They will use math skills to include graphs, maps and charts.  Finally in LA, we will create the main character and plot of the story.  Students will revise, edit, and illustrate their picture book.  We can't wait to see all the wonderful authors and illustrators in action!    Guiding Questions Throughout The Year Reading 1.  How does a character's physical environment shape the experiences and challenges they may face? 2.  How do these experiences, challenges and the physical environment impact the character and cause them to change? ~ Writing 1.  How do authors use their~physical environment to write an engaging, descriptive story? 2.  How can you use the environment around you to strengthen your descriptive writing, inform others for change, or tell a vivid story? Units April    Picture Book Project May More editing & grammar Picture Books continue June Reading & Writing Reflection & Portfolio Work Short Stories-Making Connections and Answering Open Ended Questions Homework         All Classes Bring All Supplies everyday!         Agenda book         Composition Notebook         Reading Book         Notebook Week of June 2-June 6 Class A 1.  Read 30 minutes & have sheet signed nightly 2.  Bring DIRT book to class everyday! 3.  2 final RRC due by June 13 4. Color all drawings by Thur. 5.  Summer Dreams poems in wnb for Friday Class B 1.  Read 30 minutes & have sheet signed nightly tonight 2.  Bring DIRT book to class everyday! 3.  2 Final RRC due by June 13 4.   4.  Color all drawings by Thur. Class  C 1.  Read 30 minutes & have sheet signed nightly 2.  Bring DIRT book to class everyday! 3.  2 final RRC due by June 13 4.  Color all drawings 5.  Summer Dreams poems in wnb for Friday Class D 1.  Read 30 minutes & have sheet signed nightly 2.  Bring DIRT book to class everyday! 3.  2 Final RRC due by June 13 4.  Color all drawings for Thur. 5.  Summer Dreams poems finished in wnb for Friday NEWS Project Days 1 & 2 This week we will work on writing the text & storyboards Project Due Dates for all classes May 23-         Setting Drawing                 Storyboard                 Text                 1/4 page character drawing May 30-         typed text                 all 6 full page drawings June 6- Color drawings                 Scan drawings