Word Study Activity - January 31

Plurals - To Add an "s" or Not?  You be the Judge!

When making a plural (meaning more than one), usually all you need to do is add an "s" to the end of the word.  For example:

singular form: book         plural form: books  (ends in a consonant)
singular form: cake          plural form: cakes  (ends in a vowel)

However, this is not the case for all nouns.  Here are some simple rules you can follow for irregular plurals and regular plurals.

                                                                           
REGULAR PLURALS

Words that end with -y:        Change -y to -ies                     berry becomes berries

Words that end with -ey:      Add -s                                      survey becomes surveys

Words that end with     
-ch, -s, -sh, -x, or -z:             Add -es                                    witch becomes witches
                                                                                              kiss becomes kisses
                                                                                              dish becomes dishes
                                                                                              box becomes boxes
                                                                                              fizz becomes fizzes

IRREGULAR PLURALS
                                                 
Words that end with -fe:      Change f to v then add -s         life becomes lives

Words that end with -f:        Change f to v then add -es       calf becomes calves
                                                                                              leaf becomes leaves

Words that end with -o:       Add -es                                    hero becomes heroes

Words that end with -us:     Change -us to -i                       cactus becomes cacti

Words that end with -is:      Change -is to -es            analysis becomes analyses

Words that end with -on:     Change -on to -a  phenomenon becomes phenonmena

As always with the English language, there will be some exceptions. 

For example, some words ending in f do not change to v  (roof becomes roofs)   OR
words ending in ch with a 'k' sound only need an 's' at the end (stomach becomes stomachs). 
Some words that end in o will only require an 's' (zoo becomes zoos)

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/words/plurals-of-nouns

This week's WORD LIST and ACTIVITIES - DUE DATE: February 6

For this week you have 10 list words, plus 4 bonus words for an extra challenge.
Next to each word you will also find the subject area from which it was taken.

1.   battery (Science)
2.   cheif (Social Studies)
3.   switch (Science)
4.   vertex (Math)
5.   journey (Social Studies)
6.   buffalo (Social Studies)
7.   half (Math)
8.   bison (Social Studies)
9.   die (Math)
10. knife (Social Studies)

datum            criterion            nucleus            axis
(Math)          (All subjects)    (Science)         (Math)

WORD ACTIVITY 2:  WORD SEARCH FUN

In this activity you need to create a word search for a friend that includes the plural form of each list word.

Step 1- Get your Word Study Notebook and a peice of grid paper!

Step 2- Change your singular nouns into their plural forms.

Step 3 - Use each plural in a sentence related to its subject area.  Do this in your notebook.
(e.g. SURVEY (Math) - Using surveys is a great way to collect data.)

Step 4 - On your grid paper, create a word search for that includes the plural form for each list word.  That's 10 words or 14 if you want the extra challenge. 

Step 5 - Bring in your word search to school for other students to enjoy!  We might even make a few copies.

WORD STUDY FEEDBACK!!!

Here's some feedback about your last word study on affixes:

WHAT WE NOTICED:

You were able to identify words with the same "word endings" or "word beginnings", but not necessarily a suffix or prefix.  For example: conductor and major have the same ending (or), but is it a suffix??

WHAT YOU MISSED:

You forgot that a prefix and suffix MUST have a Root Word (also known as a base word).  Let's look at the words "conductor" and "major". 

CON - DUCT - OR  (the prefix is "con", the root word is "duct" and the suffix is "or")

MAJ - OR (Is "maj" a word? - NO!  Therefore, 'or' in this case is NOT a suffix)

WHAT TO DO NEXT:

Review your work, make any necessary corrections and we will revisit affixes very soon!!

** POST ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE **  WE'RE HERE TO HELP!

3-D Figures, Surface Area and Volume Math Test - Wednesday February 5th

Study Guide

• Can you build a 3D structure from a top, front or side view?
• Can you draw an isometric drawing given the structure?
• Can you find surface area of a rectangular or triangular prism?
• Can you find the volume of a rectangular or triangular prism?
• Can you find the least surface area and the most surface area?

To study for your math test use the Mid-Chapter, and Chapter Review as practise questions. Studying ahead of time is a great way to retain more information then studying at the last minute.

Multiplying by 9s

Tricks and Tips for Multiplying by nine:

 

 

Here is a tool that you always have handy that can help you with multiplying by 9. Watch the video and practise your 9 times tables usin your fingers.

 

 

Try This:

 

List all the products of the 9 times tables (products is the answer to a multiplication question)

What can you see that will help you with the 9 times table. Share what you saw on the blog. I will post the answers on the blog next week.

 

Here are a few games you can play to practice your times tables. By the time we get to the unit on multiplication you should be really good with your multiplication.

 

http://www.mathplayground.com/ASB_TugTeamMultiplication.html

 

http://www.coolmath-games.com/Timernator/multiplication/Timernator-multiplication.html

 

Word Study Activity - January 24

AFFIXES!!!  WHAT ARE THESE??

Many of you have probably heard of the words PREFIX AND SUFFIX.  What do they mean?

A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word (known as a root word) that changes the meaning of the word.

A suffix is also a group of letters that changes the meaning of the word, only they're added at the end of the word.

Eg.  ROOT WORD: -like-
       Add a PREFIX: un- and you have           un + like = unlike
       Add a SUFFIX: -able and you have       like + able = likeable
  
       Add both PREFIX and SUFFIX and you would have:

                      un + like + able = unlikeable

In all three cases the word meaning has changed.

Every prefix and suffix has a meaning.  The suffix -able means "the ability to do something".  In the example above, it means "the ability to like".

Can you find the meaning for un-??

This week's WORD LIST and ACTIVITIES - DUE DATE: January 30th

1.   insulator                                 
2.   symmetrical
3.   accountable                        
4.   represent                        
5.   classify
6.   geometry                           
7.   negatively                                             
8.   aboriginal                            
9.   visitation                                           
10. electrical                                              
                                                
 WORD ACTIVITY 1: SCAVENGER HUNT

In this activity you need to "hunt" words around the house with the various prefixes and suffixes in the list words.

Step 1- Get your Word Study Notebook!

Step 2- Identify the prefixes and suffixes in these list words.

Step 3 - Look all over the house for objects, materials, books and anything else you can think of to find words with the same prefix and/or suffix. Find at least 5 words for each prefix and suffix. 

Step 4 - Find out the meaning of at least one prefix and one suffix (-able is already taken!!).

HAPPY WORD HUNTING!!!

Word Study Activities

Every Friday students will begin to receive a word list with 10 words used to complete word skill activities at home.  These activities will help to reinforce word study concepts taught in the classroom.

Word study differs from spelling in that it looks at "how" words work, instead of relying soley on rote memorization of words.  The words selected for the list are based on various subjects currently under study in the class.  These could include content areas such as Social Studies or Science, core subjects such as Math and Language, and any other words students are repeatedly exposed to, such as those found in Anchor Charts or reading materials.

Students are required to complete the weekly activity in their Word Skills Notebook.  The first few activities will run from January 24 until January 30.  All activities are due on the following Thursday and a new set of words will be posted on the Friday.  However, there may be times in which students may need further work with the same word list to help consolidate their understanding of the word patterns.  In this case, further activities will be assigned for students to complete with the same set of words.

Happy Word Working!!

http://mschain.pbworks.com/

Electricity Science Test Review

Electricity Review- THINGS TO KNOW!!!

ü What is static electricity? Can you explain it and give an example?

ü  What is current electricity? Can you explain it and give an example?

ü What is an insulator? Can you give examples?

ü What is a conductor? Can you give examples?

ü What are protons and electrons and what is their role in static electricity?

ü What are the two types of circuits? How are they different?
 

ü Also, what is the difference between an openand closed circuit?

 

üWhat parts make up a circuit (make sure you can identify symbols on a circuit as well)

 

Week of January 20th - Numeracy activity

Multiplication

It is important that you have a good handle on your basic multiplication facts, so now is the time to start practising. No homework? Now you do try these activities to practise your skills. Create a 11 x 11 grid. Put all your multiplication facts from 1 to 10 on he grid. What ones are easy for you? What ones doe you find more challenging? What strategies could you use to help you with the ones that are more challenging?

Here is an example of a the chart.

x	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
1	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
2	2	4	6	8	10	12	14
3
4
5
6
7

Here are some great online game to practice multiplication skills.

http://www.multiplication.com/games/play/snowboard-challenge-multiplication

http://www.multiplication.com/games/play/granny-prix

Keep coming back to the Blog for some great multiplication tips.

Welcome

Welcome to the Grade 6 Blog. Here you will find activities for literacy and numeracy each week that students can complete. These activities will reinforce concepts being taught in class. Information for assignments will also be posted here like rubrics and assignment criteria. We will also post upcoming events, assignment due dates and tests. Please visit this blog regularly.

Electricity Science Test - Friday January 24th