Vocabulary Has Begun!!!

The much anticipated (and often feared) Vocabulary Workshop began today for 6th graders. This book can be daunting, but never fear - it gets easier with time! 6th grade has two vocab classes each week during which they will work with their teacher (Mrs. Schulze on Tuesdays and Mr. Plucknett on Wednesdays) to guide them through the book and help them learn how to do the activities and become comfortable with the book. The book focuses on 20 words every two weeks. Our goal is three-fold:

1. To know how to spell the words
2. To know what the words mean
3. To know how to use the words

The activities in the book are designed to help each student accomplish all three goals with each of the 20 words. Look through their book with them this week to see what the different activities are. The activities are the same for each chapter, with only the word list changing.

The rule of thumb I shared with the 6th graders is if you complete one activity each day, it shouldn't be too overwhelming to complete the chapter.

Here's the general schedule for vocabulary:

• Week One: Work on a unit
• Tuesday Night: Choosing the Right Word
• Wednesday Night: Synonyms
• Thursday Night: Antonyms
• Weekend: Completing the Sentence
• Monday Night: Vocabulary in Context
• Week Two: Review the unit for spelling and vocabulary quizzes

Unit 1 was assigned today. It is due next Tuesday, September 8. The quizzes for Unit 1 will be on September 15. Unit 2 will be assigned that day after we've completed the quizzes.

Units will nearly always be due on Tuesdays, and quizzes will nearly always be the following Tuesday (unless the school schedule prevents it).

Students can access vocabularyworkshop.com for learning activities and games related to the words.