Letort's Sixth Grade Blog

Reading
We worked on Lessons 23 and 24 over the past two weeks.  In lesson 23, students read a Chinese legend, The Dragon King.    While reading the selection, we discussed the author’s use of literary devices (symbolism, dialogue, tone, and irony) to enhance the meaning of the story.  In lesson 24, we read an expository nonfiction, Secrets of the Sphinx.   While reading this selection, students completed a K-W-L chart to aid their comprehension of the information presented in the text.  We also discussed how the author’s use of imagery helped set the tone and create a mood.

This week students also had the opportunity to present their book projects to the class.  Each student read a summary of their book and then presented the project they created.  It was entertaining listening to everyone’s presentations, and what a great opportunity for the students to practice their public speaking skills.

Math
In Mrs. Johnson’s pre-algebra class, students have been learning about powers and exponents.  We also talked about how to prime factor algebraic equations in order to find the greatest common factor.  We started learning about ratios and rates and how to use dimensional analysis to solve a problem.

In Mrs. Mitchell’s class, students have focused on finding the area and perimeter of parallelograms, triangles, and circles.  We also learned how to find the volume of prisms and how to calculate surface area.  A test is on the horizon.  Students should be studying the formulas to find area, perimeter, and volume.

Science
In the ecology unit, we discussed food webs and energy pyramids, focusing on how energy is passed from one organism to another.  We then discussed human impact on a community, and how even small changes in our day-to-day living can have a positive effect on helping to protect our environment.
Our last two topics of discussion were the water cycle and  carbon dioxide- oxygen cycle.  Students learned how water, carbon dioxide, and oxygen are continuously “recycled” in our world.  The unit test is scheduled for next week.  Encourage your child to study daily.

Social Studies
Our Mexico unit is over.  A fun end to this unit is the fiesta which takes place on June 3 from 1:15-2:15.  Students will be sampling Mexican cuisine, making a craft, and breaking the piñata.  Thank you to all the parents that have volunteered to donate items!  The fiesta would not be a success without your generosity.

During our final unit, students will be learning about Canada.  They are currently researching a province or territory.  With their group, they will make a map and a presentation using Google Docs about their province or territory.

Writing/English
In Mrs. Mitchell’s class, we have been continuing to learn about adjectives.  Students took their first quiz this past week on the first have of the chapter.  During the second half of the chapter, the focus will be on comparing with adjectives, using negatives correctly, and how to decide if the words is an adjective or adverb.

In Mrs. Johnson’s class, students were feverishly working on their biome research reports.  The reports were submitted today (Friday).  Before submitting them for a grade, students had the opportunity to read their report to a small group of peers.  It was interesting listening to all the facts students discovered in researching the various biomes.  (I look forward to reading all of them this weekend!)
Additionally, we continue to work on Daily Language Review each day to practice grammar skills.

Reading
In Lesson 19, students read a nonfiction article, Buildings In Disguise.  While reading, students made judgments about the information in the selection and supported these assertions with reliable evidence from the text.  We are now in Lesson 20, a review lesson, so we will spend time revisiting the focus skills and strategies presented over the last 4 weeks.  The Theme 4 test will be next week; encourage your child to spend time reviewing the vocabulary from Lessons 16-20.

Book clubs groups spent time working on their final projects.  Students were writing scripts and designing backdrops.  They seemed to thoroughly enjoy this project.  On Friday, we all met in the library and watched as each group performed their skit.  It was a good time for all!

Math
In both classes, we have been continuing with the geometry unit.  Students learned about different types of polygons, triangles, and quadrilaterals.  Then we discussed how to calculate the area and perimeter of triangles, quadrilaterals, and circles using formulas.   Students also learned how to create circle graphs using protractors.  In an effort to help students with all these concepts, each person is creating a geometry notebook, from which students should be studying daily. Please check each day to make sure your child is doing this.   The test is scheduled for next week.  It is a challenging one!

Science
On Monday, students presented their inventions at the Invention Convention.  It was a lot of fun to walk around and see all the unique ideas and creations.

Our next focus in this unit will be to learn about famous inventors and their inventions.  Rather than the teacher presenting the information to the students, each child will become an expert on one inventor, and they will “teach” their peers.  Research and presentation requirements were discussed this week; students were also provided with the grading rubric.  Please ask your child to share with you these forms so you are aware of what is being required of your child.   For this project, students were given the choice to complete the requirements independently or with a partner.  Please be aware that students will be given ample time to complete this assignment in class, as long as class time is being used appropriately.    Students need to be ready to present on Friday, April 23.

Social Studies
Now that we have learned about the geography of Mexico, we are going to learn about Mexico’s culture and customs. There is a new study guide that students will be completing and can eventually use to review for the test.  In May, to end our unit, we will have a Mexican fiesta.  Closer to the date of the party, you will receive information about how you can contribute or volunteer for this fun activity.   Students have also been introduced to conversational spanish.  They are being introduced to some basic spanish phrases.

Writing/English
In Mrs. Mitchell’s class we are close to ending our unit on verbs.  Next Friday, students will be tested on the information presented throughout this chapter.  Students will have a study guide to help them review the information.  You might notice that our DLRs have changed slightly.  I am alternating between our normal DLRs and our proofreading paragraphs.

In Mrs. Johnson’s class, we are continuing the English unit on modifiers.  The students learned about comparative and superlative adjectives.  We also discussed when to use more and most instead of the normal endings -er and -est.  Additionally, we continue to work on Daily Language Review each day to practice grammar skills.

Reading
In Lesson 18, students read a nonfiction article, The Kid Who Named Pluto.  While reading, students made judgments about the information in the selection, supporting these assertions with evidence from the text.  During this lesson, we also discussed pointers for successfully following multiple-step instructions.  This skill will greatly benefit students as they take the PSSAs scheduled to begin next week.

Book clubs are working on their final projects.  Each group needs to create a skit depicting a suspenseful event from the text that provides key information related to the plot.  Skits will be performed next week.

Math
In both classes, we started chapter 6 which focuses on geometry.  Students learned to covert measurements in both the customary and metric systems.  They also learned how to measure objects to the nearest fraction of an inch, nearest centimeter, and nearest millimeter.  Currently, we are learning various terms related to lines (i.e. parallel, perpendicular, intersecting).  Next week students will learn a plethora of terms related to polygons, triangles, quadrilaterals, and circles.  In an effort to help students with all the concepts that are covered in this unit, each person is creating a geometry notebook, from which they should be studying daily. Please check each day to make sure your child is doing this.   There will be a vocabulary quiz sometime next week.

Science
We have been discussing the steps involved in the invention process.  Students have selected a real-life problem and thought of several possible solutions.  Students are now ready to generate an invention to complete the project.  Project requirements were discussed this week; students were also provided with the grading rubric.  All projects are due Monday, April 12.  (No projects will be accepted late.)  On April 12, students will have the opportunity to unveil their creation at the Invention Convention.

Social Studies
Students have learned about the geography of Mexico.  The students did an awesome job on their map quiz.  A test will be given on this information on Monday.  Part of the test will be taken on Moodle.  We will then move on to learning about the culture of Mexico.

Writing/English
In Mrs. Mitchell’s class is working on an Alphabet poem.  The students chose a topic and need to come up with words that relate to that topic that begin with each letter of the alphabet.  In English, we are wrapping up verbs.  A test is on the horizon.  Students will have a study guide to help them review the concepts presented during this unit.

In Mrs. Johnson’s class, we started the next English unit on modifiers.  So far we have learned about adjectives, which modify nouns and pronouns.   Students also learned about articles and demonstratives.  Additionally, we continue to work on Daily Language Review each day to practice grammar skills.

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Important reminder:  School will be in session on April 5.

Reading
In Lesson 15, students used their acting skills to perform a reader’s theatre which was a legend.  This is always a fun activity for the students and for us as teachers.  During this lesson, we reviewed the skills that we learned over the past four lessons.  Students then took a theme test.  We then moved on to Lesson 16 where students will learn about point of view and how to generate questions to help them comprehend what they are reading.  This lesson will take two cycles instead of one.

Book clubs have started meeting again.  Students have been dialoguing with their group members about the assigned readings and sharing their responses to the questions.  Ask you child to share with you what their book is about and whether or not they are enjoying the mystery so far.

Math
In both classes, we finished Chapter 9 which involved ratios, probability, and proportions.  We learned how to write the probability ratio of favorable outcomes to possible outcomes, to make and test predictions, as well as how to solve word problems using a variety of strategies.  Chapter 11 is next.  Students will work on percents, discounts, rates, and sales tax.  All wonderful skills to help our avid shoppers

Science
We are coming to the end of the physics unit on gravity and motion.  Over the last two weeks student learned about Newton’s three laws of motion.  We investigated and discussed numerous ways these laws apply to our every day lives.  As a culminating activity to this unit, the students engaged in the Toys In Space Discovery Stations.  They worked with partners to play with toys and figure out how the toys relate to Newton’s laws and gravity.  Then we watched video clips of astronauts playing with the same toys in space to see how they worked in an environment with no gravity.  Students were intrigued by the way gravity (or no gravity) effected the movement of the toys.  It was a fun way to make the abstract concepts of gravity and Newton’s laws more concrete.

Social Studies
We are almost done using our resource Free at Last to learn about the civil rights movement.  Since the quiz on Moodle was such a success, students will now be given a test using Moodle on Friday, March 12.  The students seem excited about the opportunity to use a computer to take a test.  Use your notes to study.  We will then move on to learning about Mexico.

Writing/English
In Mrs. Mitchell’s class, we are currently working on a variety of poems.  Our first piece is an acrostic poem where students had to use the letters of their name to describe themselves.  Our next piece will be an alphabet poem.  In English, we are still focusing on verbs.  We learned how to identify direct objects, how to tell if a verb is transitive or intransitive, and being and linking verbs.

In Mrs. Johnson’s class, we finished the unit on verbs.  Students learned about how to make sure the verb and subject of a sentence are in agreement.  We also looked at some commonly confused verbs (lie/lay, sit/set, let/leave) and discussed strategies for determining which verb form is correct in a given sentence. Students completed the end-of-unit test today.   We also continue to work on Daily Language Review each day to practice grammar skills.  In writing, we started the informational unit.  Students completed the prewriting 4-square and then used this 4-square to complete an outline.  (Students will be required to create/complete an outline for their research report next marking period, so I felt it would be beneficial to introduce them to outlining during the informational writing unit.)  Next week students will be writing their first rough draft.

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Important reminder:  With the recent school cancellations, school will now be in session on March 19, April 1 & 5.

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.

Reading
In Lesson 12, students read a short story, The Long Bike Ride.  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 interpreting examples of figurative language found in the text.  In our paired selection, students read and interpreted the meaning of two poems, and we discussed the various poetic devices found in each.

Math
In both classes, we started chapter 8, which focuses on multiplication and division of fractions.  Students learned how solve for a fraction of a number, as well as how to multiply fractions.  Students also learned to estimate the product of 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 shared our immigration projects and found out some interesting things about each other.  It was evident from the students’ presentations that they learned a lot of new information about their families or famous immigrant.  Students also learned about the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. which was an excellent introduction to our Civil Rights unit.

Writing/English
In Mrs. Mitchell’s class, students are working on the rough draft for their informational writing.  Students have complete the paragraphs containing their main ideas and will then move on to writing the introduction and conclusion for their piece.  In English, we are done learning about nouns and are now reviewing the information we have learned.  The end of the unit test will take place on Tuesday.

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.

Reading
Students completed the midyear benchmark assessments this week.  We also started theme 3 in the Storytown series.  Throughout this theme, students will be read about how living things adapt to our ever-changing planet.  The first story is Life Under Ice,  and the focus skill is identifying and interpreting figurative language.

Students presented their Book Club Movie Posters this week.  They enjoyed looking at each others’ creative designs and learning about the different books that were read and discussed by other classmates.  New book club groups will begin soon.

Math
In both classes, students learned how to add fractions and mixed numbers as well as how to subtract with regrouping.  We reviewed how to find equivalent fractions and then used this idea to compare and order fractions.  We also did problem solving using the strategy of looking for a pattern.  Mrs. Johnson’s students took the mid-chapter quiz this week.  Next week, both classes will be ready for the chapter 7 test.

Science
We started the physics unit on gravity and motion.  During this unit, students will learn about Newton’s three laws of motion and how these laws explain the movement of all objects.  This week we learned about gravity and how it impacts our movement on Earth.  Students also learned the difference between weight and mass.

Social Studies
Students should be working on their Immigration project.  Projects are due Thursday, January 14th.  We completed our unit by discussing immigration today and the process that immigrants go through to become citizens of the United States.  In our next unit, students will learn about civil rights.

Writing/English
In Mrs. Mitchell’s class, students are in the beginning stages of an informational writing.  Students are brainstorming and will then move onto completing their prewriting hand.  In English, we are continuing to learn about nouns.  We discussed how to make singular nouns plural and possessive nouns.

In Mrs. Johnson’s class, students wrote the first rough draft of their persuasive essays and spent time working on revisions.  We also continue to work on Daily Language Review each day to practice grammar skills.

Reading
We are working on the last lesson in Theme 2.  Students have been engaged in a reader’s theater, which they thoroughly enjoyed performing.  We also spent time reviewing the focus skills for this theme: character traits and plot, and main idea and details.

Book clubs met for the last time this week.  Students dialogued with their group members about the assigned reading and shared their reactions to the end of the book.  As a culminating project, students are required to complete a movie poster related to their assigned book.

Math
In both classes, we started chapter 7, which focuses on addition and subtraction of fractions.  Students learned how to represent fractions and mixed numbers, as well as how to convert improper fractions into mixed numbers.  Students also learned to estimate fractions and mixed numbers.

Science
Students learned about tornadoes and hurricanes.  They also had the opportunity to watch some video footage of the mass destruction created by these severe weather systems.  We spent time comparing and contrasting tornadoes and hurricanes so students would be prepared for the essay portion of the weather test.  On Tuesday, we played “Weather Jeopardy” to review for the exam.  As a culmination activity to the weather unit, students watched the video Storm Chasers.

Social Studies
We finished our studies on immigrant children and their interesting home, work, and school lives.  We are now looking at immigration on a more personal level and will be creating a coat of arms that represents our families.  Over the winter break, students will be asked to research their family history or the history of a famous immigrant.  They will then use what they have found in an end of the unit project.

Writing/English
In Mrs. Mitchell’s class, students have been working hard on their persuasive pieces.  We have finished our rough drafts and are in the revising/editing phase.  We will publish the pieces this week.  Next, students will work an informational writing.  In English, we learned about plural and possessive nouns.

In Mrs. Johnson’s class, students have been learning about nouns.  They learned the difference between common and proper nouns, and how to form a possessive noun.  Students also learned the numerous rules for making a noun plural.   The last lesson in the unit focused on appositives; students learned how to incorporate appositives into sentences to create greater variety and complexity in their personal writing.  Students took the noun unit test on Thursday.  In writing, we continued working on our persuasive essays.  Students completed the prewriting 6-square.

Reading
We have moved on to lesson 9 where we will read an expository nonfiction text titled “Smokejumpers.” Students will be using main idea and detail charts to help them summarize the text.  Students will also be looking at the way an author uses cause and effect to organize their ideas.  Finally, we will review reference sources and their uses.

Book clubs are continuing to meet.  Students have been dialoguing with their group members about the assigned readings and sharing the roles that they had completed (i.e. artful artist, word wizard, connector).  Ask you child to share with you what their book is about and whether or not they are enjoying the story so far.

Math
In Mrs. Johnson’s math class, students learned to divide using decimals.  They also learned to calculate unit price in order to determine the better buy.  We did problem solving that involved using the strategies of logical reasoning and working backwards.  We are already half-way through the chapter.  Students will take the Chapter 5 test on Thursday, December 10.

In Mrs. MItchell’s math class, we just completed our midchapter quiz for Chapter 5. We are over half-way through the chapter.  This week, we will be working on problem solving, and then we will study for the test.  Students will take the Chapter 5 test on Thursday, December 10.

Science
We are quickly coming to the end of the meteorology unit.  Students have been learning how to read a weather map to collect data and make a forecast.  Next week we will be discussing severe weather systems, specifically hurricanes and tornadoes.  The unit test is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, December 15.  Please encourage your child to spend 10 minutes daily in preparation for this test; it is challenging because it covers so much content.

Social Studies
We are continuing to discuss immigration.  We are now looking at an immigrant’s new life in America.  We will be using excerpts from the book Immigrant Kids to discuss the life at home, at school, at work, and at play.

Writing/English
In Mrs. Mitchell’s class, we moving right along with our persuasive pieces.  We are in the drafting stage where students are turning their outlines into a rough draft.  There are a lot of creative and persuasive writers in this class!  In English, we began our second unit involving nouns.  Students learned how to identify nouns, as well as how to identify whether they are a common or a proper noun.

In Mrs. Johnson’s class, we finished the English unit on sentence structure, and next week we will start the unit on nouns.  We also continue to work on Daily Language Review each day to practice grammar skills. In writing, we started the persuasive writing unit.  Students selected a topic and brainstormed a list of supporting arguments and counter arguments.  Next week we will begin writing the rough draft.