Sixth Grade! by Lana K.

Lanabrain

To wrap up the school year, I’d like to write this blog post on my sixth grade year. It has been a blast! There would be too much I would have to write to tell you about the entire school year, but I’ll tell you about the major events and highlights.

It started off with Cheerio, the camp that everyone was ecstatic about going to. I had an amazing time getting to know my classmates and participating in cool things, like zip lining. Another thing I remember around that time was getting elected as a 6th grade representative for student council. I had been elected for the same position in 5th grade, but I was still very excited to be chosen by my peers. Then came Christmas break…yes! I was so looking forward to this well deserved break since the beginning of winter. I was very happy and grateful for all of the gifts I received, but was ready to see my friends again. The next major event was my 12th birthday. I threw a party at my Gigi’s lake house with some close friends and had an amazing time. After that, my soccer team won the Julian Brown Memorial Cup and the Seaside Classic Tournament. Next, the event I had been looking forward to the whole year. The end of the year school dance!! I had been planning it in student council and was very excited. That Friday came around and I had the best time. Ever. I danced the whole night with my friends to my favorite songs! That dance ended the 6th grade school year on an amazing note!

Sixth grade has probably been my most enjoyable and I will never forget it!

iPad Experience by Lana K.

lanaipadblog

 

 

 

 

 

As we have progressed through the iPad experience, I have a new mindset about the iPads. I have realized that they are a privilege and we are lucky to have them. Although sometimes they have glitches, they have allowed us to discover new ways of learning. For example, the iPads have allowed us to access new apps and websites in a jiffy. Especially in Language Arts class. We have used so many apps and websites that have helped us through this experience a bunch. I think that the iPads have benefitted my sixth grade year way more than it didn’t and I’m so lucky to have had the chance to participate in this program.

Membean by Lana K.

 from membean.com
This year in Language Arts, we have started using Membean. Membean is a website designed for you to learn more vocabulary.

The learning process starts off with you learning a new word and its definition. On the same page there are many different things for you to learn or to help the word stick in your head. For example, there is a picture that helps depict (a word I learned on Membean) the word. Also, there is a memory hook such as a riddle or something else that helps you remember the word and the roots of the word.

Although, you don’t just see the word one time, there will be questions for you to answer about the word or about what it means. Also, word maps show up with synonyms of the word or words that describe it and you choose, out of four choices, which word the adjectives describe. You will see the pictures again, as well, and have to write which word it illustrates.

Overall, I think Membean is a great website. My vocabulary has expanded ten times since I began it and I’m pretty happy with it. If you are interested in extending your vocabulary skills, go to Membean!

 

My First Memory To Go by Lana K.

Photo from FlickStorm

If I was in the position of the Giver in the book by Louis Lowry, I know what memory I would give up first. I would give the memory of a beach.

The beginning of the memory would start with the Receiver’s toes in the sand. Then, she would slowly, walk to the water because she would not be in any rush. Next, she would let the the tide roll over her feet. The scenery would be serene with no havoc being raised. For the rest of the memory, the Receiver would swim and relax in the ocean air.

I would choose this memory to give to the new Receiver because I would want them to experience serenity and happiness. P.S. I love the beach!!

 

My Ideal Teacher by Lana K.

lana ideal

 

 

 

 

If I were to give advice to a teacher this would be it: be the teacher that everyone hopes they get. For example, in my opinion, teachers should be firm, fun, and flattering.

For the firm part, teachers shouldn’t be so submissive that they would let someone get away with murder, but not so strict that a student would get in trouble for going to the bathroom without permission.

For the fun part, teachers should surprise their students once in a while. For example, my second grade teacher, every month or so after assembly, would have “the magic unicorn” visit our classroom. It would sprinkle glitter everywhere and leave a note. It would let us use our imaginations to become more creative people and allow us to have a great time in the midst of our school day.

For the flattering part, teachers should give credit to their students for doing something un-ordinarily good. That’s a reason why I like the ODA Service Awards given to students at DA Middle School that went up and beyond with their service to classmates and the community in general, nominated by teachers. In my opinion, the awards show the good side of people that you wouldn’t expect to help out.

 

Second Community Service by Lana K.

At Durham Academy Middle School every advisory is required to participate in two community service activities per school year. Each advisory either stays on campus or goes off to better the community.

Earlier this school year, my advisory visited the Ronald McDonald House and made luminaries. The second time around, we did something a little different. We stayed on campus and helped work on the improvement of our environment. The girls planted flowers and the boys worked with the maintenance crew to mulch.

I wasn’t very excited about the idea of planting flowers at first because I thought it would be boring. Although, once we were done, I realized how much more colorful and vibrant the campus was with the new begonias we planted. I also noticed how much neater and fresh my surroundings looked with new mulch.

Overall, I am glad that I got to be part of the community service experience.

 

The Giver Assignment by Lana K.

In Language Arts we just started reading The Giver by Lois Lowry. In The Giver, at the age of 12, each child is given an Assignment. Their Assignment is their job for the rest of their lives. Their Assignment is selected very carefully by the Council of the Elders.

If I were to select my own Assignment, as if I was in The Giver, I would choose to be a Teacher for the Fours. I love children and it’s excited for me when they get the hang of something new! I would be very pleased if the Council of Elders chose that Assignment for me.

What Assignment would you select for yourself?

 

The Westing Game by Lana K.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Language Arts class we just finished reading The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. I love this book because of how Ellen Raskin incorporates every little detail that leads to a deduction. Even though sometimes I found myself confused, it was a good challenge for my mind.

There are many characters in The Westing Game, and our class had to illustrate each personality and fill out a Tradin Card for each one. My favorite character is Sandy McSouthers because of his upbeat personality and attitude. My least favorite is James Hoo because he is always negative and grumpy and doesn’t look on the bright side of things. Who is your favorite character?

Posted with BlogsyPosted with Blogsy

The Lady or the Tiger? by Lana K.

He glared at the doors, heart racing, sweat trickling down his forehead. Cogitating deeply, he thinks of what Princess Ava gestured, was it true that what was behind the door on the right would let him live? “Will she be at peace, knowing that I will leave happily? Or does she seek vengeance of what might become?” he thought. The doors angered him, knowing that what was behind them would determine his fate.

They were dark brown, the doors, to match the suave, brick amphitheater. The king delighted to see the youth in the arena was in a purple velvet robe and had a untamed look in his eyes. He looked over at his daughter. She was focused completely on the youth she was once courting with mourning in her eyes. The amphitheater smelled of leather and lime.

His saw agitation around the room and stepped an inch closer to the doors. About to grip the doorknob of the left door, he thought of how the Princess looked at him, nervous, but her face filled with love. He moved over and opened the right door.

Out came the celebration, along with one of the fairest maidens he had ever seen. Princess Ava was genuine. And so, the youth was married happily with a blessing from the Princess. As they left the amphitheater in joy, the crowd went wild in excitement.

Hero Books by Lana K.

Photos by Mrs. Donnelly

This semester in Language Arts we created books about a hero that we have. There was a literary and an artistic concept to this project. For the literary part, we wrote about our hero. We had to write an introduction to the project, a paragraph about their childhood, three different paragraphs about three different characteristics your hero obtains, and a paragraph about how your hero has impacted your life. For the artistic aspect, we created a scene that is important to us with our hero by stamping patterns, cutting, and layering paper.

For my hero, I chose my dad. The hardest part of this project was probably going through the editing process of my writing. The easiest (and most fun, in my opinion) was creating my scene. In my scene, my dad and I were walking through New York City, enjoying the city scenery, for my 10th birthday. Overall, I really loved creating my hero books and I’m sure all of the heroes enjoyed them, too.

Posted with BlogsyPosted with Blogsy