The Sixth Sense

Reading

We are working on Lesson 2.  Like Lesson 1, Lesson 2 also focuses on plot and setting, and the comprehension strategy involves using story structure to analyze text.  Our whole group reading selection is a historical fiction.  Students will be tested on the information presented in each lesson.  Reviewing vocabulary and discussing the whole group reading story are excellent ways to help your child study.

Math

In Mrs. Mitchell’s class, we have completed Chapter 1.  Chapter 2 begins on Monday.  This chapter involves multiplying whole numbers and decimals.  Most nights students will have math homework.  Please take the time to check your child’s assignment to make sure they have it done.

In Mrs. Johnson’s class, students learned to write and solve algebraic addition and subtraction equations and expressions.  (Algebra in sixth grade?!  Yes, it’s awesome!)  We also finished Chapter 1 and will begin Chapter 2 on Monday.  This chapter involves multiplying whole numbers and decimals.  Most nights students will have math homework.  Please take the time to check your child’s assignment to make sure they have it done.

Science

The students worked on completing an in-class test that required them to demonstrate their understanding of the five steps of the scientific process.  They were investigating the question, “How many drops of water can fit on a penny?”  Each student had to generate a hypothesis with a supporting explanation, generate a list of materials and procedures that would be needed to conduct an experiment to find an answer to the question, analysis the data that was collected, and then draw a conclusion based on the collected data.  Ask your child what they discovered/learned from this activity.

Social Studies

Students used “Choose Your Own Adventure” stories to discuss what it was like before and after the Civil War.  Next, we will be learning about the Freedmen’s Bureau and how they helped during Reconstruction.  For a project, students will be creating a pamphlet on the computer explaining the Freedmen’s Bureau.  This will be a partner activity that will be graded.

Writing/English

This week in Mrs. Mitchell’s class, students will be taking their first English quiz.  Students will need to know the four different types of sentences and their end punctuation.  They will also need to be able to recognize the complete subject and complete predicate in a sentence, as well as what the simple subject and simple predicate are in the sentence.

In Mrs. Johnson’s class, students finished their autobiographies.  They were displayed in the hall for Meet-The-Teacher night.  Our next writing unit will be a personal narrative.  We have also been working on Daily Language Review to practice grammar skills.

Thank you so much for your contributions to the classroom.  We have a ton of tissues, hand sanitizer, and Lysol wipes.  Cleanliness is very important!  Thank you for helping us stay healthy.

Reading

This week we started our first theme, Personal Triumphs.  Lesson 1 focuses on plot and setting, and the comprehension strategy involves using story structure to analyze text.  Our whole group reading selection is a realistic fiction story about a boy on his way to an audition; unfortunately, he experiences some troubles on his way to the audition.

Math

In Mrs. Mitchell’s class, we worked on find a pattern in word problems, identifying the value of digits in numbers, and we rounded whole numbers.  Students should have some math homework each night.  If students use their class time wisely, they may finish some assignments in class.  Please check with your child to see if their math homework complete.

In Mrs. Johnson’s class, students worked on solving word problems that involved finding patterns and determining whether or not an answer was reasonable.  We also discussed place value of whole numbers; as an enrichment activity, we learned about the base 2 number system and discussed how it connects to our base 10 number system.  We also did a mini-study on the famous mathematician and “father of calculus”, Sir Isaac Newton.  During this mini-study, students learned about the powers of two and how 2 to the 50th power quickly turns into a very, very large number.  We will have our first math quiz some time next week.

Science

Our first unit in science focuses on the five steps of the Scientific Process.  To better understand these steps, students were actively engaged in trying to determine whether or not you can figure out a “mystery object” simply by using your senses (excluding sight).  Our next activity will involve M&M candies.  Students will use M&Ms to develop a question and then use the steps of the scientific process to find an answer.

Social Studies

We have started our first unit, Reconstruction.  Students will learn about the 12 years following the Civil War.  Through plays, primary documents, texts, quotes, etc., students will learn about this time period.  Students should be looking over vocabulary for the beginning of this unit.  A quiz will be given soon on these terms.

Writing/English

In Mrs. Mitchell’s class, we have started brainstorming ideas for our personal narratives.  We will begin developing these ideas next week.  In English, students reviewed the four different types of sentences and used their acting skills to present them to the class.

In Mrs. Johnson’s class, students have been writing an autobiography.  The rough draft is finished, so we are ready to begin editing.  We have also been working on Daily Language Review to practice grammar skills.

We survived our first week of school.  The students were awesome, especially during some of the grueling testing today!  Keep working hard, students!