Winter Break

Happy Holidays to all! Have a safe, restful and fun break!

This week has largely been spent catching up before student go off to break and forget everything they worked so hard to learn.

In Science, Students spent this week learning about the flowers and the bees.  Literally.  Specifically they are reading about pollination and dissecting flowers.

In math, students are retaking tests and finishing ChOWs as needed.  Make sure your student checks the source over break to see that he or she is caught up.

Language Arts:  We learned that Theme was the main idea or moral of a story or piece.  It is rarely explicitly stated and must be inferred by the reader.

Social Studies: Students finished their Egypt essays, bibliographies, and visual projects.

News of the week

Your student should be bringing in more WEP forms.  The permission slip your student received on Friday is due this Friday.

There are no Post-its due due this week.

Social Studies: We are finishing our Egypt Essays and starting to bring in materials for our visuals.

Science: Test Thursday

Math: Chow 12

Vocabulary

In Language Arts students are working on getting vocabulary words out of text they are reading.  Building vocabulary is a key skill.  I find the hardest part for students is admitting that they don't know what a word means.  They tend to blow through the reading and say "I didn't find any words that I didn't know."  Usually with some prodding, it becomes apparent that there are plenty of words students (and adults) can't easily define or fully understand.  This is also a chance to explore why English has so many words that mean similar things.

What is the difference between saying huge or saying colossal?  The words we choose to use while speaking and writing say more about us that the topics we're sharing.

Welcome back from Thanksgiving Break

Now that we've all had our fair share of food and family, it's back to work!

In Social Studies, students are continuing to work on Egypt research.  They are now begining to cite their sources with a bibliography.

Language Arts: students are getting back into reading after a long stint of writing.  Due this Friday is 4 character annotations (post-it notes) and 210 minutes of reading.

Science is finishing the roots and shoot lab by compiling their data and drawing scientific conclusions.

Mathematicians are working on ChOW 11 and finding way to find Least Common Multiples and Greatest Common Factors*.

*Edited 3 December: Thanks to T.S. for pointing out that I had multiple and factor backwards!

Week before conferences

STUFF TO KNOW ABOUT!

Your student will be leading you in a conference Monday-Wednesday next week (Thanksgiving week).  Please set up a 30 minute time slot with your student's homeroom teacher.  Your student will tell you about their classwork and reflect on what is going well and not so well.

WEP forms are due the 25th (the Tuesday of next week).  They go to the office.  There are many great program options for your student this year!

Last week we finished our second round of Amplify testing.  Not all student tests have been graded yet, but on average those that have have shown great progress!

In Math, the students are transitioning from studying ratios to percentages.  They have a ChOW to work on this week.

In Language Arts, the students are finishing their personal narrative final drafts.  Students have written several pieces in class and chose their favorite to publish as a final draft.  While they have time in class to do this, some students may have brought theirs home in order to type.

In Social Studies, students are working on Egypt research projects.  These include reading source material, taking notes, writing a report, and creating a visual presentation of some kind.

 In Science, student are performing an experiment on seed growth.  Independent variables include the type of seeds and the amount of light, while the students measure the dependent variable of how much the plants grow.

Science test tomorrow

Tomorrow, the students have an exam on the parts of cells.  These parts are called organelles.  The important things to know are what organelles all cells have and what the difference between a prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell are.  Eukaryotic cells can be multicellular (animals, plants, fungi) or single celled (protists and some fungi).  Prokaryotic cells are all single celled and are mostly bacteria.

Welcome back, Kurt

I let the blog slip a bit.  I spent Monday and Tuesday at a very informative and engaging conference on social thinking and ways to instruct social skills to students.  I look forward to improving students' self awareness of how their actions affect others.

Stuff to know!

On Friday, your middle school students have a Halloween Block Party.  This will be the second half of the day and activities your student can choose from include dancing, watching a movie, karaoke, and finishing school work (could be mandatory for some).

In math,
There is a Chow as usual, but also a practice homework sheet on rates and ratios.

Language Arts,
As usual, read 30 minutes and write a post-it annotation.  In class, your student is working on writing personal narratives, and sentence structure.  Ask them about subjects and predicates!

Science,
Cells!  They're little, but kinda a big deal!

Social Studies,
Students are continuing to take notes in their notebook about ancient civilizations and keep up on current events.

Source reports

Starting this week, your 6th grade student can expect to get a source report.  This is a sheet with the student's classes that he or she fills out with his or her grade, missing assignments, and a sentence or two about how to improve the grade (or keep it up).  In my homeroom they are due every Friday.

Teachers will not accept these as done unless a parent signs them!  Your student must show you that he or she looked at the grades and has reflected on them.  This prevents students from "hiding" their class performance for long periods of time until it is way too late to reasonably catch up.

helpful links:

https://ps.seattleschools.org/public/

http://www.seattleschools.org/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/1583136/File/Departmental%20Content/dots/source/tour_students.pdf?sessionid=c58bfd6daa0bcad42e209535b7eeebf4

http://www.seattleschools.org/modules/cms/pages.phtml?pageid=206407

Agile Mind Math curriculum

This year in math, most 6th grade students are using a curriculum called Agile Mind.  This is a Common Core aligned, web based program.  Students can be assigned assessments, homework, and further lessons on the web for use at home.

The obvious issue with this is computer access and how much each student has at school and at home.  Jon is working hard to try and get more computer time with his math classes so the students can practice using the program.

At home, it would be great if you and your student can practice logging onto the website.

seattle.agilemind.com

Your student has a number that is his/her username and password (email Jon or me for it).

If you log on successfully, there is no particular homework, but you can click around a bit and explore.  If you can't log on, email Jon or me so we can get it fixed before Jon starts assigning important assessments.

Language Arts confusion...

With the added workload and transitions on Middle School, it is understandable for some students to be a bit confused about assignments.  Adding to this confusion, with block schedule, we teachers don't see each student for Language Arts every day (we do get to see them much longer per day, which is great for projects).

For clarification the current Language Arts work plan is:

1. Read 30 minutes per night (every day of the week)

2. Write a post-it annotation for each day (7 per week, 8 for a bonus point)

3. Reading log.

These are due Friday, as that is the day that we see each class.

Additionally, We are currently starting some personal narrative prewriting strategies.  Please help your student find a picture to bring in by Wednesday that could help visualize an event in their life.

Back from Camp

Now that we are back from Camp, we can really start the work up!

Math:  Chow 4 is due Thursday (no school Friday, but Jon said he would still accept it Monday in a pinch).

Science:  Test on parts of the microscope Thursday

Social Studies:  The students are making timelines with their lives as the reference points.  They may need you help to find family events that happened in the time before they were born.

Language Arts:  Keep reading those books!  We are now doing Setting post-it annotations.  We will soon start personal narrative writing.

Curriculum night tonight!!!

Short day today out at 1:15

Today there is an early dismissal.  1:15pm (1315 for those on 24 hour time).

Many students are still missing camp forms.  Check your student's binder to make sure it's not him or her!

In Science, the students finished their lab identifying whether different materials were alive.

Math: ChOW 3 is due Friday.

Social Studies: Your student is working with a group making physical feature maps.  The greatest challenge of this classwork is not the map, but working with a group for many students.  Expect that your student will need to work in a group often at Salmon Bay.  Affirm this to your student at home.

Language Arts:  The students now have a repertoire of post-it annotations they can write about the books they are reading:  Retelling, Setting, Character, and personal response.  They are basically expected to do one per day, or about every 30 pages.  Ask your student what each post-it is about.

KL

Friday 19 September: Post-its

One more week down!  167 more days to go!

Today, I believe all 6th grade students finished their district Amplify test.  Congratulate your student on their hard work and flexibility.

Science test Monday!  This will cover the definitions of Life and Characteristics of life (challenge your student to tell you all 8).

Math - Chow 2 was due today.  Chow 3 will be handed out Monday.

Language Arts - Today the rules of Post-it Annotations were covered.  An annotation is a note about a book that the student writes on a post-it.  The format goes:

1. Type of Post-it (example: character, theme, personal response)
2. Original thought (example I think the character is brave...)
3  Evidence from text (example ...Because he is in a new situation and he charges ahead instead of running away).

Anything longer than 2 sentences is probably too long for a post-it.

All Camp forms are due Monday Sept 22.

A word (or a few) on the new district assessment

This week your Salmon Bay 6th grader is taking the new district assessment, Amplify.  This has replaced the much maligned MAP test this year.  This test is in English Language Arts and Math.

I've noticed many kids are feeling discouraged at the end of the test, because they see their scores.  no one wants to see 5 of 28 correct or 13 of 28 correct.  Even students who are not masters of fractions know that they got more wrong than right.   However, it's important to remind our students that this is a test of "end of 6th grade skills" as defines by the Common Core State Standards.  This means that student who got 10 out of 28 already can answer 10 questions from the bank of skills 6th graders are expected to know at the end of the year.

This is a departure from the MAP test, which adjusted its questions for the level of the student based on how many they got right and wrong.  The MAP then compared the students of the district to one another and eventually gave parents and teachers a percentile score.  I've noticed that parents whose kids were in the 90th percentile seemed to like MAP testing more than parents whose kids were in the 20th percentile.

District and state testing is federally mandated, and is not going anywhere.  I am not advocating that one type of test is better than another.  It's just important to remind students that these tests are just one little window into their academic performance and that they do not define our success or happiness in life.

The 3rd week of school at Salmon Bay

We are in the third week of school, and things are starting to get real.

All students are taking district assessments in English Language Arts and Math.  These tests are aligned to 6th grade Common Core Standards.  This is a change from last year's MAP testing.  Each test has questions that students are expected to know answers to at the end of 6th grade.  As we all know, the students are at the beginning of 6th grade, so no one is expected to have a perfect score.  If possible, reinforce this with your student!

In other news
Social Studies is working on Maps and Landforms

Math is working on order of operations (PEMDAS = parentheses, exponents, multiplcation/division, addition/substraction)

In science the students are learning the characteristics of life and will perform a lab experiment to observe some "mystery vials."

REMEMBER to sign and send your students camp forms back to their homeroom teacher.  Other forms can go to the office.

It begins again

Hello Salmon Bay parent and Students.

After a summer off, I will be restarting this blog as a way to list assignments and connect school to home.

To all my students who are now 7th graders, congratulations.  Unfortunately I don't know what your homework is, but carry on!

To new 6th graders as you begin to access this, keep up on your assignments and don't forget to ask for help!

Kurt

May 30th

Today the students watched one act plays made by other students.  They were quite impressive.

Math
Students still have ChOW 26.  This invloves making 5 "pattern trains", drawing the first 3 combinations, and creating a function to solve the perimeter of the patterns at any step.

Science

FLASH!  AH AAH!!!  Parents, be ready as your student may have questions about sex.

Language Arts

Students are working on short literary essays as a final writing/reading assessment for you year.

Social Studies

Greek and Roman Stuff.

A word (or 231) on functions

In math, the 6th grade students are beginning to work on algebraic functions.  These are hard for lots of students (including and especially 6th grade me).

There are two main reasons why:

1. Algebra requires computation, and computation is hard.  It requires lots of memorizing and instant recall, or tedious operations that can lead to mistakes and frustration.  This part is just practice practice practice.  I think as adults, we have computed so many times (bills, tips, budgets, gas mileage, etc.) that we forget how hard it was to learn and master.
2. Algebra is really a language of notation for thinking.  Learning languages is also hard.  Just like English is a language for communicating meaning, algebra is a language for communicating mathematic phenomena.  Equations and expressions are types of sentences and phrases, but with very specific meanings, that we are not fully used to in English.   f(n) = n +1 is just saying for every number input, a number one bigger is output.  f(2) = 3 and f(3) = 4.

At this time, students are probably not thinking of the myriad careers (science, engineering, medicine, business, teaching Special Education, accounting, making sure they have money in their bank account at the end of the month) that use functions every day.  But, children are not always known for their long term planning and experience, so let's all try to remind them of the importance of trying functions out.

Just a few weeks to go....

It is Monday again.  Hopefully all the students are well rested for the final push!

Students are practicing their performances for biography night this week.  Tomorrow (Tuesday the 20th) students will do a dress rehearsal in their performance room.  Students will need their costumes and props at school.  On Wednesday, the students will have another dress rehearsal, but with the moving to different performances and green room.  Finally, Wednesday night at  will be our final performance.  Parents and family are encouraged to see your students and others perform!

In other news

Math
Still working on Algebraic functions.  We need to create number expressiosn with n  that can be true to complete the function.

Science
Students are complimenting their understanding of Ecology with the story of The Lorax.

Language Arts

ALL BIOGRAPHY, ALL THE TIME.

Social Studies

Students are starting to learn about Greece and the story of the Trojan War.

Finishing strong with Binder organization.

Students in my study skills class (and others who might need this help) will be interested in this binder rubric.  They will be "tested" on Monday.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/18QUygviWPyseNJZ4vIsjJp5ZGV4wtFUVP3PecChrY5w/edit?usp=sharing

Those were some long weeks...

After a week of MSP, plays, weird schedule things, and whatever, it is time to get back to business.

THINGS THAT ARE CURRENTLY GOING ON

Katie/Ticely

We are in full Biography night speech memorizing mode.  That is the main work for Block.  This might be a good time to check the source and make sure to be caught up on any missing assignments.

Math

Chow 25 is now happening.  This chow is starting to explore the concept of functions.  You might remember these as those equations that look like f(n)=n+1...

Keep that late work coming.

Science

We are reading an ecology packet.  Many students have fallen behind on readings and current events.  Use the source to find out which.  Joel or I can provide you the materials to bring home.

Biography Night

Biography night (the big project we have been working on with the speech writing) is May 21st.

It is time to bring in props and costumes to make sure they are available for rehearsals and such.

WILD WAVES REMINDER

Wild waves field trip June 18th.  The field trip form (it was green and handed out on monday) is due tomorrow (May 9th).

[update] There is some discussion of making the deadline Wednesday.  This would be the LATEST possible time that the money and forms could be collected.

I realize it was a very short turn around, but I guess it's very hard to reserve these things.

reading MSP tomorrow!

Reading MSP tomorrow!  Make sure students are nourished.

Math MSP tomorrow!

Tomorrow, your 6th grade student will take the math MSP.  Obviously there isn't too much they can learn in one day, so....

1. Make sure they get lots of sleep.
2.  They should bring a snack and a silent activity for when they finish.
3.  Remind them (as we will) to read each question carefully and look at any possible choices for clues.

Otherwise
In science, we are working on thinking about reasons for the decline of a population of a species (ecology)

Katie and Ticely
We are still working on finishing and memorizing our speeches for Biography night.

We watched this talented dog in Study Skills today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39oGCTAJ9Vw

Monday...

Math

New Chow
The students are playing "trashketball" and charting data points for their shooting percentages.

Language Arts

Students continue to work on Biography projects.
They are also finishing up poetry writing

Science
Continued Keystone Species reading and questions.

In homeroom, grade reports were handed out with a letter for parents to sign.  Parents; make sure you see and sign this letter to be returned.

MSP Schedule

MSP is coming up.  This is the State Standardized test that is administered to all students grades 3-8.  Students' grades are not affected by their scores, but the state and district do look at the results of these tests as one way to see how a school is performing.

Please make sure your child is ready by getting lots of rest and eating nutritious foods.

Grade 6 - May 6(Math) - May 8(Reading)

Keystone Species

I forgot to mention that in science we are learning about Keystone Species.

The original work was done by a UW biologist, so UW PRIDE!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IWw8Ruz8Uo

Announcement!

Starting Monday, I will be doing binder checks.  This will involve asking students to show me items I know they should have in their binder.  Students who cannot locate the items in a timely manner will be put on binder probation.  This means I will be enforcing a standardized, binder organization system.  Some students have shown they cannot handle independent binder organization.

Katie and Ticely

Katie's students took MAP tests on Thursday, and Some of Ticely's students took them today.

Both classes continue to work on Biography notes, Character Profiles, and speeches.

Ticely's class had a special poetry assignment.  This consists of an assessment sheet that must be finished!

Jon

Chow

Skills to master: multiplying fractions and decimals and finding the area and perimeter of triangles.

Science

Students should have finished their Mt. St. Helens Questions.

Happy Friday!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa2nLEhUcZ0

Earth Day

Poetry night April 29th and 30th at 7pm (1900hr).  Students in Katie and Ticely's class who come and read a poem will receive extra credit.

Math

Chow 23

Ticely and Katie

• Biography project
• notes
• character profile
• speech (when done with the profile and notes)
• Writing a poem

Science

Mt St Helens questions were due today.  Today the students watched a video of the eruption.

Welcome back to the grind.

I hope everyone had a pleasant Spring Break.  It's time to get back to the routines of school.

Today in Study Skills, we went over our expectations since we were gone for a while.
1. Bring all materials and planner.
2. Complete priority work.
3. Create a professional working environment.
4 Follow Teacher directions

Math
We are on Chow 23

Ticely and Katie
Biography notes and character profile

Science

Mt. St. Helen's questions

Friday 11 April 2014

Have a great Spring Break.

Before you relax forever and ever, are the following things finished?

1. Argument Essay
2. Science Current Events
3. All current Math Chows

Students should also be starting to think about their biography project.  Right now that means having a historical figure and beginning to read and take notes on sources.

KL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta9K22D0o5Q

Thursday 10 April 2014

Today, 6th graders are working on the following:

Math

Chow 22

Math class work has consisted of finding the areas of triangle and measuring using a computer program.

Students have been working on mastery of adding, multiplying, and converting fractions

Katie's Class

Argument essay- this is the final.  Past work has been researching, graphic organizers, drafting, revising, and editting.
Hindu/Buddhism Power point- with group

Ticely's Class

Argument Essay- see above
Acient Maya webquest- in class

Science

Mt St. Helen's reading.

Today's video reward!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF9-sEbqDvU

I am starting a Blog to help students and parents keep track of assignments, access materials, and communicate.

I chose the title "I'll believe it when I see it," because this is my personal philosophy on learning and life.  All ideas must be supported by evidence and proven, whether a scientific theory or a kid telling me she finished her essay (she did).