HMS Speech-Language Newsletter
September 2016
Welcome to the 2016-17 school year! As I type, we are wrapping up summer and heading toward the first day of fall. I hope all your students had a smooth transition to their new grade and are getting into the swing of things. This is the first monthly newsletter for the year, and more will follow to keep you up to date on our units and activities.
Sixth Grade
Sixth grade students are reviewing and practicing their parts of speech. Adjectives are the latest topic, and we are listing, describing, writing, finding, and creating adjectives each class. A "parts of speech field trip" around the building is coming soon. Ultimately, once the review is done and the "Schoolhouse Rock" videos are over, we will write our own "Mad Libs" using our knowledge of parts of speech. Pragmatics group is getting to know each other through a variety of activities.
Seventh Grade
Seventh graders are beginning the non-fiction book My Life in Dog Years by Gary Paulsen. They have read about Cookie, the dog that saved the author's life while dog sledding in Alaska. Next, we'll read about his childhood protector Dirk, and compare the two. We will also focus on literary devices in writing, such as metaphor/simile and personification. Pragmatics group continues to work on expected/unexpected behaviors. They themselves cited "making friends" as a topic they'd like to address.
Eighth Grade
Eighth grade students are diving into the Civil War era with the non-fiction book Behind Rebel Lines by Seymour Reit. This is the story of Emma Edmonds, a Canadian who came to America as a teen. She felt so strongly about joining the war effort that she dressed as a man in order to enlist and fight (and spy!) for the Federal army. We're using many multimedia tools, including music, online charts and photos, and other means to understand the timeframe and the war itself. Pragmatics group is learning about learning styles and multiple intelligences. We've already learned a bit, and will continue to delve further.
Even for students who are in 7th or 8th grade, the change of grade means many differences. It's not only 6th graders who have a transition to make! Read the article to see what you can do to help.
Contact info
Feel free to call or email with questions about your student!
Email: millert@seekonkschools.org
Location: 650 Newman Avenue, Seekonk, MA, 02771
Phone: 508-761-7570
Twitter: @1tlcslp