The Sixth Sense

Reading
Our first two lessons in Theme 2 focused on plot and character.  Students have been analyzing the personality traits of the main character and discussing how these traits impact the plot of a story.  The stories we read in class were “Befiddled” and “S.O.R. Losers.”  We have also been looking at vocabulary words that have multiple meanings and discussing how to use context clues to determine the appropriate definition of a word.

Book clubs also met for the first time this week.  Students dialogued with their group members about the assigned reading and shared the role 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 and Mrs. Mitchell’s math classes, students learned to write and solve division expressions and equations.  We also talked about how to use the order of operations (“Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.) to solve challenging, multi-step equations.  In another lesson, students learned how estimate division equations using compatible numbers.  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.  Mrs. Johnson’s class did problem solving that involved creating a list or table to find the correct answer.  Some of Mrs. Johnson’s enrichment activities over the past two weeks included solving multi-step equations, “mystery numbers,” and “magic squares.”

Science
In our meteorology unit, students learned about humidity and relative humidity and about hygrometers, which are used to find the air’s humidity level.  We also talked about radar and how it is used to track storm systems.  In the Kids Discover magazine on weather, we read about different clues in nature that relate to weather forecasting.

Social Studies
Our Reconstruction unit is over.  We are now moving on to Immigration.  Students will learn why people immigrated, what they brought with them, what the voyage was like to America, as well as how they began their new lives in America.  We will be using the book Immigrant Kids to guide us through this unit.

Writing/English
In Mrs. Mitchell’s class, students completed their personal narratives.  Our next writing piece will involve persuasive writing.  In English, we discussed conjunctions and compound sentences.  We will be finishing our first English unit soon.

In Mrs. Johnson’s class, students spent time editing their rough draft and then wrote the final published copy.  Students submitted their personal narrative unit for the final grade.   In English, we learned about compound subjects.  We also continue to work on Daily Language Review to practice grammar skills.

Reading

Theme 1 has come to an end.  Theme 2 will begin Monday.  In this theme, students will read about people who use problem solving skills to face different challenges.  The comprehension skills will involve plot and characters, rereading to monitor comprehension, main idea and details, and summarizing texts.  Book Clubs will also begin on Monday.

Math

In both math classes, we are starting Chapter 3 which will focus on division.  Our first lessons teach the students about division expressions, division equations, and order of operations.  Please continue to look over your child’s homework each night to see if it is complete.

Science

In our meteorology unit, students learned about air pressure and how high and low pressure systems impact the weather.  Students also learned how to read a barometer and thermometer.  Next week, students will be collecting and recording air pressure and air temperature data.

Social Studies

We are nearing the end of our Reconstruction unit.  Students will be taking the test on this unit Monday, November 2.  An outline of the information that students will be responsible for has been handed out.  Students should begin studying this information each night for about 15 minutes.  Creating good study habits now will benefit your child’s education in the future.

Writing/English

In Mrs. Mitchell’s class, we are revising our rough drafts for our personal narrative and will be publishing them within the next two weeks.  In English, we are working on the last few lessons in our first unit.  The last few lessons involve conjunctions, compound sentences, and correcting fragments and run-ons.

In Mrs. Johnson’s class, students wrote a rough draft of their personal narrative, including a catchy introduction.  Then students worked on revising this first draft.  Next week we will write the second draft.  In English, we talked about simple subjects and simple predicates.  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.

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!

Monday, August 31 is our first day of school!  Don’t forget to bring the items mentioned in our survival pamphlet.  Both Mrs. Johnson and I are excited to meet all of you!  Enjoy your weekend and see you on Monday!

We are less than two weeks away from the start of school!  By now you should have received a “Survival Guide” from us.  With the “Survival Guide” is a parent survey.  Parent surveys can be given to your teacher during the first week of school!  Make sure to read everything carefully so that you are thoroughly prepared.  We look forward to seeing you the first day!

The Letort library is open on Wednesdays from 9-12 during the month of July.  If you need a book or magazine to read during your free time, Mrs. Ulmer is more than willing to help you out!  Again, don’t forget to log your reading minutes on your tracking sheet for the Reading Carnival!