The Sixth Sense

Reading
In Lesson 14, students read a short story, Brian’s Winter.  While reading, students worked on filling out a story map where they had to identify the characters, setting, conflict, plot events, and resolution of the story.   We also spent time identifying and analyzing the features of theme conveyed through characters, actions, and images.  In our paired selection, students read an article on using a wristwatch to find your way, and we discussed the ideas presented in the text.

Math
In both classes, we completed the Chapter 8 test.  We then moved on to Chapter 9 which involves ratios, proportions, and probability.  Our first lesson explored the concept of a ratio and how to write them three different ways.  Then students learned to write equal ratios using multiplication or division.  Finally, students learned to use cross products to find the missing terms in proportions.

Science
We continued the physics unit on gravity and motion.  Students learned about the three categories of motion: linear, circular, and vibrational.  We also discussed the terms used to describe the movement of objects (speed, velocity, acceleration, and displacement).  Lots of vocabulary terms to learn, many of then new to the students.  Students now have all the background information needed to understand Newton’s three laws of motion.  We will begin learning about these next week!

Social Studies
Students completed the civil rights quiz using Moodle.  This was an interesting experience which the students enjoyed since it was different than our normal paper and pencil quizzes and tests.  We will continue to read about civil rights using our resource Free at Last.  Because this is a short unit, students should be studying their notes each night.  A test is on the horizon, as long as we don’t have any more snow

Writing/English
In Mrs. Mitchell’s class, students worked on their speeches.  We will begin speeches on Tuesday.  This is always a really fun part of the year.  To see the sixth graders turn their writing into an informative speech is interesting.  They are extremely enjoyable to listen to.  Our next writing pieces will be a variety of poems.

In Mrs. Johnson’s class, we continued the unit on verbs.  Students learned about transitive and intransitive verbs and how to identify the direct object in a sentence. We also learned about being and linking verbs and how to identify the predicate noun or predicate adjective in the sentence.  We just finished talking about verb tenses; students learned how to form the past, present and future tense of a verb.  We also continue to work on Daily Language Review each day to practice grammar skills.

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Important reminder:  With the recent school cancellations, school will now be in session on March 19 and April 1.

Reading
In Lesson 13, students read a short story, Escaping the Giant Wave.  While reading, students worked on filling out a story map where they had to identify the characters, setting, conflict, plot events, and resolution of the story.  Students then used the story map to write a summary.  We also spent time identifying and analyzing the features of theme conveyed through characters, actions, and images.  In our paired selection, students read an expository nonfiction, and we discussed the ideas presented in the text.

Math
In both classes, we continued to work chapter 8.  We worked on dividing fractions and mixed numbers, solved word problems using the strategy of guess and check, as well as converted fractions into decimals and decimals into fractions.

Science
We continued the physics unit on gravity and motion.  Students learned about the three categories of motion: linear, circular, and vibrational.  We also discussed the terms used to describe the movement of objects (speed, velocity, acceleration, and displacement).  Lots of vocabulary terms to learn, many of then new to the students.  Students now have all the background information needed to understand Newton’s three laws of motion.  We will begin learning about these next week!

Social Studies
We have started our Civil Rights unit.  Students should be studying their notes and expect a quiz some time next week.  We discussed the goals and strategies of this movement, as well as the presidents who were influential during this time period.  Students also used the computer to learn more about the Little Rock Nine.

Writing/English
In Mrs. Mitchell’s class, students published their informational pieces.  Students will then work on turning their informational piece into a speech that they will give to the class.  The students seem really excited about their speeches.  In English, we began our Verbs unit.  Students viewed a Schoolhouse Rocks video about action verbs.

In Mrs. Johnson’s class, students finished their persuasive essays and submitted them for a grade.    In English, we started the unit on verbs.  We learned about action verbs and auxiliary/helping verbs. We also continue to work on Daily Language Review each day to practice grammar skills.