The Sixth Sense

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.

Reading
We finished reading “S.O.R. Losers.”  Students were analyzing character traits and discussing how these traits impact the plot events and resolution of a story.  We have also been looking at vocabulary words that have different shades of meaning and discussing how to use context clues to determine the appropriate definition of a word.

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 write the prime factorization of a number, both in expanded notation and exponential form.  Students also learned to find the GCF of a pair of numbers by using prime factorization.  We also did problem solving in preparation for the chapter 3 test.  Students took the chapter 3 posttest and the chapter 5 pretest.  We will begin chapter 5 on Monday.

In Mrs. MItchell’s math class, we studied for the chapter 3 test, which was taken on Thursday.  We will begin chapter 5 on Monday.  In this chapter, we will continue to work on division.  Students will learn how to divide and find a decimal quotient.  We will not be using remainders anymore.

Science
This past week we were talking about clouds.  Students learned how clouds are formed, and in the Kids Discover magazine, we read about many different types of clouds and discussed what each one looks like as well as what type of weather each forecasts.  Students also learned about air masses and the three different frontal systems:  warm front, cold front, and stationary front.  We ended this week talking about how to read a weather map.

Social Studies
We are continuing to discuss immigration.  We learned about the journey to America and about how 9 out of 10 immigrants entered America using Ellis Island.  The students are currently working on plays which they will act out in front of the class.

Writing/English
In Mrs. Mitchell’s class, we are outlining our persuasive topics.  Students chose a topic that they felt strongly about to persuade a certain audience to think or do.  There are some interesting topics!  We will be working on adding supporting details to our writing by using an outline.  After that, we will begin our rough draft.  This is one of my favorite pieces because the students are so creative with their arguments.  Our first English test is on Monday.  Students have known about it for a week.  We completed a practice test in class to review the concepts in unit 1.  Use this to help you study with your child.

In Mrs. Johnson’s class, we are finishing up the English unit on sentence structure.  We learned about compound predicates, conjunctions, and compound sentences.  Next week we will have the unit test.  We also continue to work on Daily Language Review to practice grammar skills.

Reading

We are working on Lesson 4.  Lesson 4 focuses on text structure by recognizing characteristics of texts using chronological order.   The comprehension strategy involves using graphic organizers to help students understand and remember what they have read.  Our whole group reading selection is a biography about Wilma Rudolph.

Math

In Mrs. Mitchell’s class, we are half way through Chapter 2.  On Thursday, students completed their midchapter quiz.  This week, we will be estimating decimal products, as well as multiplying with decimals.  Our Chapter 2 test is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 21.

In Mrs. Johnson’s class, students learned to estimate products.  We also did problem solving where students had to decide whether or not an answer was reasonable based on the information presented in the problem.  One of our enrichment activities this week required students to use algebraic reasoning skills to determine the value of a variable; the game students played is on the website MathPlayground.  The Chapter 2 test is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Science

We started the meteorology unit.  Students have been learning about weather forecasts and their benefits.  Students also learned about the numerous instruments meteorologists use to gather weather data.

Social Studies

Students have completed their Freedmen’s Bureau pamphlet.  They look fabulous.  The students spent a lot of time working hard to produce an attractive and informative pamphlet.  We are now discussing Special Field Order 15.  There are only five lessons left in this unit.  In the coming weeks, students will be given a study guide to help prepare them for their first test in social studies.

Writing/English

In Mrs. Mitchell’s class, we have started writing our rough draft for our personal narratives.  We will continue working on the rough drafts by adding a strong lead to their piece.  In English, we will be learning about compound subjects and predicates.

In Mrs. Johnson’s class, students brainstormed a list of possible events they could write about for their personal narrative.  We also started filling in the prewriting four square.  In English, we learned about the four different types of sentences (declarative, imperative, interrogative, and exclamatory) and how to find the subject and predicate of a sentence.  We continue to work on Daily Language Review to practice grammar skills.

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.