"Ta-Na-E-Ka" by Mary Whitebird (6th graders)

Our text that we are reading this week is "Ta-Na-E-Ka" (pg. 16-23 of blue literature book). 

Vocabulary words: 
loftiest, shrewdest, grimaced, gorging, and audacity

The vocabulary Choice Board is due Friday. Monday's homework - Write the definition of each of the vocabulary words and use each one in a sentence. Choose one activity to complete for homework Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights. You will turn in the four completed activities Friday. 

Tuesday is Assignment Make-up Day!

If you have an assignment that you did not turn in, you may stay after school Tuesday, 9/23/14, to complete it and turn it in. Meet Mrs. Saxon in her room when you are dismissed. Please have your parent pick you in the front of the school BY 4:45P.M. 

Tell about a time that you failed at something, but didn't give up and eventually became successful at it. 

7th Graders - Quiz Tomorrow

Tomorrow you will take a quiz on "Three Skeleton Key" and the vocabulary words (hordes, suffice, receding, edible, and derisive). Use your vocabulary notes, illustrations, and book to study, as well as the post which contains some helpful links.  

6th graders - Quiz Tomorrow

Friday, 9/19/14, the 6th grade classes will take a quiz on Personification, Similes, and Metaphors. Use the study guide (worksheet we completed in class today) and the links in the post below to prepare for the quiz and to check your understanding. 

Due Today, Thursday, 9/18/14 - The graphic organizer we started Tuesday which contains an example and illustration of each type of figurative language listed above. If you did not turn it in today, finish it for homework and turn it in Friday for a late grade. 

Next Week - Monday, 9/22/14, we will take a quiz on "Field Work" (short story in your literature book that we have been working on this week). 

Practicing Figurative Language

Personification is when you assign the qualities of a person to something that isn't human or, in some cases, to something that isn't even alive. There are many reasons for using personification. It can be used as a method of describing something so that others can understand. It can be used to emphasize a point. It is a commonly favored literary tool, and you may in fact use personification without even knowing it. Example: The stars danced playfully in the moonlit sky.

A simile compares two things by using the words like or as. Example: I was so embarrassed; my face was as red as a beet! How can the author compare a person's face to a vegetable? They're so different! True, but they are alike in one way: Both are red. Picturing this can help you visualize the character and understand his or her motives in a story.

A metaphor compares two things without using like or as. The text states that one thing is, or has the characteristics of, another. Example: The dog's eyes were searchlights, looking for any sign of kindness. Is the author tying to get you to picture a dog with huge searchlights for eyes? No, the author wants you to visualize a poor dog staring intently, looking for kindness from a stranger.

Click on the words below to play games as practice on these elements of figurative language.

Personification        Personification - Bouncing Balls      Personification - Wild Wild Taxi

Similes - Matching Games       Similes - Simile Frame

Metaphors       Simile or Metaphor Jeopardy         Simile or Metaphor Battleship

Here is a quiz to test your knowledge of similies and metaphors.

To do: Leave us a comment of a sentence using an example of personification, a simile, or a metaphor. Wampum maybe in your future!

"Three Skeleton Key" by George G. Toudouze

Here is a link to the story, vocabulary words and definitions, etc.

Here is the audio verson of the story on YouTube. This is the one that we listened to in class. For homework, you are to compare this to the story we read in our book.

Click here to learn about the author. 

Introduce Yourself

Take a minute to leave a comment and tell us three interesting facts about yourself. Ideas to include are your favorite: places to eat, things to do during your free time, movies, subjects in school, books to read, or types of music. We can't wait to learn more about you!

Week of September 15th

In the 6th grade ELA classes, we are reading "Field Work" pg. 57-61.
Vocabulary Words: uncanny, despondent, stamina, shrouded, sauntered, and insidious.
We are also focusing on figurative language (similies, metaphors, and personification).
Quiz on Friday.

In the 7th grade ELA classes, we are reading "Three Skeleton Key" pg. 64-79 in the literature book.
Vocabulary Words: hordes, suffice, receding, edible, and derisive.
We are also focusing on strategies to understanding text, compare and contrast a written story to its multimedia version.
Quiz on Friday.

Welcome to Mrs. Saxon and Mrs. Russell's ELA blog! We will be posting helpful information, assignment details and due dates, and links to websites that will be great for practicing the skills learned in class. Please enter your email into the box to subscribe to this blog, as it will send an update when new posts are added. You are welcomed to comment (Wampum will be rewarded for comments!) and ask questions under the posts. You may also send us an email at Russell.Suzann.B@muscogee.k12.ga.us and Saxon.Jamye.M@muscogee.k12.ga.us.