With district and state testing over, this is a time of year when it is tough to be a teacher. Students (and staff) can sense the inevitable. This school year is coming to a close.
BUT WAIT! It's not over! Please remind your student of a few things at home
1. Bring all your materials! We teachers have almost all run out of pencils to give away! Students should still expect to be asked to do work. This brings me to...
2. Students should still expect to do work! We teachers still have meaningful tasks and objectives to meet. Students should still be trying their hardest to be focused learners in class. Remind them and ask them to provide specific examples of academic tasks they did everyday!
3. Make sure your student has snacks and lunch. As our middle schoolers grow and develop, some of them are reverting into hangry kindergarteners. While i know it is hard to work and think clearly when hungry, middles school is a time to build routines and schedule breaks and snacks productively. Help them out by providing meaningful snacks (students can't eat in Joel's room, it's gross and sciencey).
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
This week in 6th grade...
Students are deep into Smarter Balance State Testing. Almost all the students have finished the ELA test and are working on Math. Continue making sure your student is getting lots of sleep and is fueled with healthy snacks.
In math - All students are testing, unless opted out. Students who are opted out may work on other quiet things/work while testing.
Language Arts - Students are reading the book Seedfolks. This is a series of vignettes that are part of a larger story about an inner city garden. Students will have classwork (sheets and writing prompts) around character development.
Science - Students are continuing to study ecology and endangered species through making timelines about Wolf populations and humans. Current events on science news are still due every Tuesday!
Social Studies - Students are finishing final preparations on the Biography speeches they ahve written. This includes completing final drafts of speeches, learning them, and practicing performing them in front of others. Students should be practicing in front of others at home whenever possible. Biography night is May 13th.
In math - All students are testing, unless opted out. Students who are opted out may work on other quiet things/work while testing.
Language Arts - Students are reading the book Seedfolks. This is a series of vignettes that are part of a larger story about an inner city garden. Students will have classwork (sheets and writing prompts) around character development.
Science - Students are continuing to study ecology and endangered species through making timelines about Wolf populations and humans. Current events on science news are still due every Tuesday!
Social Studies - Students are finishing final preparations on the Biography speeches they ahve written. This includes completing final drafts of speeches, learning them, and practicing performing them in front of others. Students should be practicing in front of others at home whenever possible. Biography night is May 13th.
Monday, April 20, 2015
SBAC starting this week...
On Friday, 6th grade students will start taking the Smarter Balance Assessment in English Language Arts. They will take the test during their LA period with Jennifer for several days.
On May 4th, Students will begin taking the Math test. It will also take their math period for several days.
Other than that students will continue working on Biography project and current events in science.
Make sure your student is getting plenty of sleep and good nutrition.
On May 4th, Students will begin taking the Math test. It will also take their math period for several days.
Other than that students will continue working on Biography project and current events in science.
Make sure your student is getting plenty of sleep and good nutrition.
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Week before spring break
We have entered the 4th Quarter.
Some teachers may be trying to re-establish expectations for school behavior and work quality!
So far this week:
In Math:
Jon's class is working on the surface area of 3 dimensional objects (prisms). There is a packet (a student pointed out to me that it wasn't a CHOW, but a packet).
Kurt's class is doing IxL. The goal is to completely master and be fluent in addition and subtraction.
Both classes have been taking some time to practice SBAC protocols.
In Social Studies:
Students are researching, taking notes on, and writing speeches to perform as their historical figure.
in LA
Students are practicing the SBAC and continuing to read their short story packet for groups.
In Science:
The students were studying the effect of a disaster (mt St Helen's) on an ecosystem. They are now studying the effects of killing off and then re-introducing wolves to an ecosystem.
Some teachers may be trying to re-establish expectations for school behavior and work quality!
So far this week:
In Math:
Jon's class is working on the surface area of 3 dimensional objects (prisms). There is a packet (a student pointed out to me that it wasn't a CHOW, but a packet).
Kurt's class is doing IxL. The goal is to completely master and be fluent in addition and subtraction.
Both classes have been taking some time to practice SBAC protocols.
In Social Studies:
Students are researching, taking notes on, and writing speeches to perform as their historical figure.
in LA
Students are practicing the SBAC and continuing to read their short story packet for groups.
In Science:
The students were studying the effect of a disaster (mt St Helen's) on an ecosystem. They are now studying the effects of killing off and then re-introducing wolves to an ecosystem.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Yes, 6th grade does in fact have homework
Some 6th grade students seem to be confused about how to use their time at home. Salmon Bay does in fact have homework! There are ongoing projects that require students to follow through and work outside of class times.
In Math,
for Jon, students are working on graphing. They have a chow where they are designing a floor layout for a house.
for Kurt's Math class, I am now having students do Ixl online at home if possible. Right now I want them to finish section D-Properties. This is largely practicing fact families as number sentences. This supports our more difficult class work on equations and expressions.
In ELA,
Students are still working in Short Story Packet groups. This often involves reading the story at home and filling out a short sheet. This has to be done prior to class to participate in the group. Student are really focusing on finding claims about characters and plots in these short stories.
For Social Studies,
Students went to the library on Monday to find sources for their biography project. Students are expected to become experts on the famous person they have chosen. They will need to read their sources, write notes, and compose a speech that they will perform from memory. In the years I have taught Special Education, I have never seen a student who did not memorize a speech and perform it.
And in science,
Students are diving into ecology. This involves invasive species. food webs, and the effects of disasters on ecosystems. They are doing most of their work in class, but must finish it at home iuf they are not using their time wisely. They also still have current events to do on their own time ever week!
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Correction on short story groups
We are not meeting again until next Tuesday. Jennifer has a sub tomorrow.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Language Arts Short Story Groups
A new thing is happening in 6th grade language arts. We are doing short story clubs. Right now they are meeting on Tuesday and Thursday, but when WEP is over, they will meet on Tuesday and Friday.
Students are personally responsible to be prepared for these groups. They must read the passage ahead of time and fill out the assignment sheet they are given. This means the dreaded bane of every student: HOMEWORK!!! Students all have been given reading packets and sheets. They also have plenty of time between meetings and the passages were picked to be readable by all students. Any reason for not finishing is an excuse.
There is no time given in class to reading the story and preparing the sheet. Students will need to manage their time so they are prepared to share and don't let their group down.
Students are personally responsible to be prepared for these groups. They must read the passage ahead of time and fill out the assignment sheet they are given. This means the dreaded bane of every student: HOMEWORK!!! Students all have been given reading packets and sheets. They also have plenty of time between meetings and the passages were picked to be readable by all students. Any reason for not finishing is an excuse.
There is no time given in class to reading the story and preparing the sheet. Students will need to manage their time so they are prepared to share and don't let their group down.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Auction items
6th grade homerooms are putting together auction items. Unfortunately, we got some pretty late notice on this and they are due next Thursday!!! Ask your student what his or her homeroom's theme is.
Kurt's homeroom's basket theme is coffee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kurt's homeroom's basket theme is coffee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Need to Know
Stuff you should know:
There is a new WEP field Trip permission form going out for students who were going skiing. Other WEPs are moving forward as planned.
6th graders!
For Jon, Chow 19 is due friday.
Katie has a Mayan Ball Game compare/contrast due Wednesday.
In Language Arts we are working on "characterizations." These are internal/external traits.
It's a busy time for Joel! This week an invasive species poster is due. Also, every Tuesday starting today, Current Event reports are due (see my previous post about the subject).
This week, at various points, students are amplify testing.
There is a new WEP field Trip permission form going out for students who were going skiing. Other WEPs are moving forward as planned.
6th graders!
For Jon, Chow 19 is due friday.
Katie has a Mayan Ball Game compare/contrast due Wednesday.
In Language Arts we are working on "characterizations." These are internal/external traits.
It's a busy time for Joel! This week an invasive species poster is due. Also, every Tuesday starting today, Current Event reports are due (see my previous post about the subject).
This week, at various points, students are amplify testing.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Science Current Events
In 6th grade, at Salmon Bay, we are starting Science Current Events in Joel's Science class. These are recurring weekly reports on a science news article from the last year.
Historically, students have had some trouble with these. They require self motivation to find an article, read it independently, and write the short report (there is a format sheet students can use).
Unlike most of the 6th grade work, student will have very little class time to work on these. These are essentially homework or work to be done on the student's own time.
They are due on Tuesdays, and when students fall behind on them, it is very hard to catch up. There really isn't an excuse to hand them in late either. Joel already had them write each one in their planners (check your student's planner for this). Even if a student willfully didn't write it in their planner, they should assume it's due on every Tuesday. If a student knows he or she will be absent, they can work ahead. I had a student once who one weekend busted out 10 of them and then sat back for the rest of the quarter.
Here is a handy slide show:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Xev5Wq5tZxEGG4uDTUAdHHVtIPEkN5_itCrS9-b0yL0/edit?usp=sharing
Historically, students have had some trouble with these. They require self motivation to find an article, read it independently, and write the short report (there is a format sheet students can use).
Unlike most of the 6th grade work, student will have very little class time to work on these. These are essentially homework or work to be done on the student's own time.
They are due on Tuesdays, and when students fall behind on them, it is very hard to catch up. There really isn't an excuse to hand them in late either. Joel already had them write each one in their planners (check your student's planner for this). Even if a student willfully didn't write it in their planner, they should assume it's due on every Tuesday. If a student knows he or she will be absent, they can work ahead. I had a student once who one weekend busted out 10 of them and then sat back for the rest of the quarter.
Here is a handy slide show:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Xev5Wq5tZxEGG4uDTUAdHHVtIPEkN5_itCrS9-b0yL0/edit?usp=sharing
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
back from mid-winter mini break
Welcome back to school. We have a short be packed week!
WEP is happening for middle school students. Since there is not enough snow to ski and snowboard, those students are going to see the acclaimed film, Lincoln. Other WEP activities will their normally scheduled plans.
6th grade students are taking AMPLIFY testing Thursday the 19th and next week. This again consists of a computerized test that asks questions that align to 6th grade common core standards. Some students will take math on Thursday, others Monday. ELA will be on Tuesday and Wednesday.
WEP is happening for middle school students. Since there is not enough snow to ski and snowboard, those students are going to see the acclaimed film, Lincoln. Other WEP activities will their normally scheduled plans.
6th grade students are taking AMPLIFY testing Thursday the 19th and next week. This again consists of a computerized test that asks questions that align to 6th grade common core standards. Some students will take math on Thursday, others Monday. ELA will be on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Post Super Bowl
After much excitement and buzz, our beloved Seattle Seahawks have lost. While this is a major blow to the city, life goes on. In fact, since the 1st Superbowl, in 1967, a team has lost the super bowl 49 times (every time).
Back in school, we are in a new semester and classes have changes slightly. If you have any questions about your student's schedule or grades, consult your student's homeroom teacher.
In Jon's math class, students are finishing ChOW 17. It's about dividing fractions.
Kurt is now also teaching a math class for a few students. We are focusing on targeted skills. We will have a few different types of homework. I will keep the parents of those students posted via email.
In science, 6th graders have switched from basic biology to ecology. Their first reading is about the "miracle fish" the Nile Perch. There are questions in the text. If your student doesn't finish in class, Joel can provide them a copy or book to take home (but they need to ask for it!)
Social Studies. Students are making power points about ancient India or China. They are due Monday.
LA: Jennifer's students are working on persuasive essays. They have used graphic organizers to write their ideas, plan their paragraphs, and expand their ideas. The draft is due Tuesday Feb 10th. The final is due Feb 13th.
Monday, January 26, 2015
Stuff to know
6th grade science final exam Wednesday the 28th. Students can have a notecard with notes, but chances are anyone who makes a really good notecard knows the information pretty well.
There is no school Friday, so if WEP happens (snow doesn't look great) it will be on Thursday the 29th.
There is no school Friday, so if WEP happens (snow doesn't look great) it will be on Thursday the 29th.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
The best plans...
So today we had a science test. I know one was coming up, but didn't realize it was today. Fortunately our students can make corrections. Study up on snails.
On Jan 28th, there will be a Science Final. Students will be able to make a notecard with information on it. This is a good opportunity for students to show their study skills be working ahead to make sure their notecard is helpful.
Math-ChOW 15
LA- 3 annotations (2 theme, 1 other).
Social Studies- Buddhism reading packet. Students were also writing a short, mythological story.
One of the kids told me that wearing your PJs inside out and putting ice cubes in the toilet helps it snow, so everyone do that so we can have WEP!
On Jan 28th, there will be a Science Final. Students will be able to make a notecard with information on it. This is a good opportunity for students to show their study skills be working ahead to make sure their notecard is helpful.
Math-ChOW 15
LA- 3 annotations (2 theme, 1 other).
Social Studies- Buddhism reading packet. Students were also writing a short, mythological story.
One of the kids told me that wearing your PJs inside out and putting ice cubes in the toilet helps it snow, so everyone do that so we can have WEP!
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Week of Jan 12-16
WEP is cancelled this week (again). Hopefully we we get enough snow to have WEP next week!
Math-ChOW 14. Students have also been handed a practice test for adding and subtracting fractions, which means, at somepoint in the near future, we can expect one of those!
Science- This seems to be the time of year when students have many missing science assignments. Your student's source should guide them to any missing assignments they need to make up.
They are also Reading about and observing snails. Ask your student about "love darts."
Social Studies- On Wednesday we are having an MLK assembly. This includes a guest story teller about African-American perspectives from the American Revolution. This means Katie is doing a crash course on american revolution for background knowledge.
Language Arts- We are pushing forward with persuasive essays. This will guide our understanding of claim and reasons.
There are 5 post-it annotations due on Friday.
Math-ChOW 14. Students have also been handed a practice test for adding and subtracting fractions, which means, at somepoint in the near future, we can expect one of those!
Science- This seems to be the time of year when students have many missing science assignments. Your student's source should guide them to any missing assignments they need to make up.
They are also Reading about and observing snails. Ask your student about "love darts."
Social Studies- On Wednesday we are having an MLK assembly. This includes a guest story teller about African-American perspectives from the American Revolution. This means Katie is doing a crash course on american revolution for background knowledge.
Language Arts- We are pushing forward with persuasive essays. This will guide our understanding of claim and reasons.
There are 5 post-it annotations due on Friday.
Monday, January 5, 2015
Happy New Year
It's time to welcome students back to school. Returning for a break can be a big adjustment for many students. To adults, two weeks doesn't seem like like away from rules and work, but to students, two weeks of unstructured time can be a life altering event! Help your student return to their home/school routines, as we remind them of the expectations at school.
Math: Jon's students have a new Chow (13).
Science: Joel is planning on having a science exam Wednesday (Jan 7th)
Language Arts: In addition to reading at home, students are beginning a unit on persuasive essay. Specifically your student should be able to tell you the difference between claim and fact.
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