The schedule always tends to slide a bit, especially when we're ahead or behind in a particular subject. To the best of our planning here is what we have slated and when, for the month of October. If there are changes to due dates, test dates, etc. I will post to the blog! :)
2 - Science Test - Light
3 - Latin Test, god and goddess party 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
4 - Math test unit three, fractions and decimals
5 - Spelling/vocabulary/essay/ assembly
8 - History Test Greece and Rome
12 - Spelling/Vocabulary/Speech writing
15 - Final Exam Julius Caesar
16 - Science Test - Sound
17 - Latin Test, Math Test unit four/Speeches minutes 1 - 4
18 - 19 UEN Days, no school! :)
23 - History Test - Deserts
25 - Written Book Report Due
26 - Spelling/Vocabulary/Speech writing
31 - Speech Presentation Day speeches minutes 1 - 8
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
Progress Reports, The Constitution, and Birthdays!
Fridays just seem to fly by in the suite. Much of that is due to the fact that we have PE on Friday morning, and then with vocabulary and spelling tests, along with Julius Caesar, Math, and Debate....it literally flies by!
Scholars have progress reports in their hands as of yesterday's grades. Please sign ONE copy and return on Monday.
We are almost done with our study of the constitution and will begin writing bills next week. Please have your scholar explain to you over the weekend what the first four articles deal with, and as many of the sections that they can remember. They will be quizzed on articles and sections over the next few weeks. They need to be able to find their way around their pocket constitution quickly so they can use it for debate!
Happy Birthday to Chance and Lexie and thank you for the terrific treats we shared in class today!
Calendar for October will go up on Monday. Scholars know what to expect next week as we went over it in class before leaving today. Have a wonderful fall weekend! :)
Scholars have progress reports in their hands as of yesterday's grades. Please sign ONE copy and return on Monday.
We are almost done with our study of the constitution and will begin writing bills next week. Please have your scholar explain to you over the weekend what the first four articles deal with, and as many of the sections that they can remember. They will be quizzed on articles and sections over the next few weeks. They need to be able to find their way around their pocket constitution quickly so they can use it for debate!
Happy Birthday to Chance and Lexie and thank you for the terrific treats we shared in class today!
Calendar for October will go up on Monday. Scholars know what to expect next week as we went over it in class before leaving today. Have a wonderful fall weekend! :)
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
L.A.S.E.R......and the Student from Russia!
Today was almost as intense as yesterday in the suite! We had a surprise LASER light show (ask your scholar what those letters stand for) and we had a great time watching the lasers at work. We then had a couple minutes to ask Terenti questions about being Russian, and being a student of mine for many years. There were some interesting stories and then we got on with the work for the day. Being a professional photographer he shot a couple photos of the class before he left for the day. Enjoy them.
Scholars finished the first part of chapter three in math. This evening they were working on dividing fractions and tomorrow we will begin multiplying decimals! :)
We spent some time using an interactive of the Electromagnetic Spectrum today and scholars made their own spectrums to place in their science notebooks. We will be working more with this before we move into sound.
We are also brainstorming on ideas for our citizenship assembly in November. We would love to poll the entire school for some kind of election, but we have to come up with some type of subject that would span students from first to sixth grade......brainstorming!
Tomorrow we will dive back into Julius Caesar, and getting ready for our history test. We may move the test to Friday just so we have another day to prepare for it. We will see how that goes tomorrow.....
Scholars finished the first part of chapter three in math. This evening they were working on dividing fractions and tomorrow we will begin multiplying decimals! :)
We spent some time using an interactive of the Electromagnetic Spectrum today and scholars made their own spectrums to place in their science notebooks. We will be working more with this before we move into sound.
We are also brainstorming on ideas for our citizenship assembly in November. We would love to poll the entire school for some kind of election, but we have to come up with some type of subject that would span students from first to sixth grade......brainstorming!
Tomorrow we will dive back into Julius Caesar, and getting ready for our history test. We may move the test to Friday just so we have another day to prepare for it. We will see how that goes tomorrow.....
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| lasers on the walls |
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| very cool drawings |
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| Class of 2013 |
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| A bunch of goofs! |
Monday, September 24, 2012
Presentations, NWEA, and Fractions!
Today was an extremely busy day in the suite....we hardly had time to breathe between the class hero presentations, a new math unit, history, and the science NWEA. We are finally done with our tests which means Mrs. Goers can finalize the invitations for specific teams and get them out this week. I was hoping to have them out this weekend, but I have five different pans in the fire between school and home, and just didn't get to it! Thank you for your patience!
The presentations went fairly well. Most scholars met their three minute goal. Some fell quite short, but grades will filter in over the week as I take the time to look at every poster/timeline/written piece and then get the rubrics done. Overall I believe it went quite well for the first time! :)
We began a new math unit today and your scholar was supposed to teach you strategy three this evening, adding a string of numbers together. Scholars are getting faster and faster as the days move on and they will be pros at this by the end of the year! We are working with dividing fractions, and will be multiplying and dividing them tomorrow.
In history we are working on our Greece and Rome unit. We will have the test this week, but that does not mean we are done with this unit. It gets carried on to October as we finish The Odyssey and Julius Caesar. Today we read about Caesar in history. I love the way Core Knowledge ties subjects together. The scholars get to hear about these famous people in more than one subject.
Speaking of famous people, we filled the board this morning with people we have studied so far this year. The scholars needed to pick three of the people off the board that they think show or showed respect. They are writing a paragraph about each this evening. Tomorrow we will work on our conclusions. There is a big surprise tomorrow morning at 8:30 so we will get to writing around 9:30 tomorrow morning.
A past student is in town to visit. His name is Terenti Bittner, and he is Russian. I taught him 11 years ago, and he is currently 26 years old. He drove straight through from New York and is currently resting. He will be visiting our class tomorrow, and hopefully have a couple minutes to talk to the students as he is a professional photographer. The scholars will enjoy hearing his story.
The presentations went fairly well. Most scholars met their three minute goal. Some fell quite short, but grades will filter in over the week as I take the time to look at every poster/timeline/written piece and then get the rubrics done. Overall I believe it went quite well for the first time! :)
We began a new math unit today and your scholar was supposed to teach you strategy three this evening, adding a string of numbers together. Scholars are getting faster and faster as the days move on and they will be pros at this by the end of the year! We are working with dividing fractions, and will be multiplying and dividing them tomorrow.
In history we are working on our Greece and Rome unit. We will have the test this week, but that does not mean we are done with this unit. It gets carried on to October as we finish The Odyssey and Julius Caesar. Today we read about Caesar in history. I love the way Core Knowledge ties subjects together. The scholars get to hear about these famous people in more than one subject.
Speaking of famous people, we filled the board this morning with people we have studied so far this year. The scholars needed to pick three of the people off the board that they think show or showed respect. They are writing a paragraph about each this evening. Tomorrow we will work on our conclusions. There is a big surprise tomorrow morning at 8:30 so we will get to writing around 9:30 tomorrow morning.
A past student is in town to visit. His name is Terenti Bittner, and he is Russian. I taught him 11 years ago, and he is currently 26 years old. He drove straight through from New York and is currently resting. He will be visiting our class tomorrow, and hopefully have a couple minutes to talk to the students as he is a professional photographer. The scholars will enjoy hearing his story.
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| Hello Susan B Anthony! |
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| A movie about Roy and Dale Rogers....coming SOON! |
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| A timeline about Jackie Joyner Kersee |
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| A Timeline about Robert E. Lee |
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| A wanted poster for George Washington Carver |
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Oh Happy Day!
This pedagogue is happy to announce that the class average for the Chapter Two Singapore Test was a whopping 86% with only two scores below an 80%!!!! I knew these scholars could perform at this level...they just needed a little bit of prompting and pushing. They will continue to improve as the year goes on. I have no doubt!
Scholars should be finished and prepared for their Hero presentations on Monday Morning. They have had a month to work on their hero biographies and we are all super excited to see what they have created as their way to present. We spent quite a bit of time in class discussing their options (in the center keeper of their Language Arts folders) and they came up with some very creative ideas. If your scholar is presenting on Monday and you would like to observe, please feel free to find your way into our family room and make yourself comfortable. I have 20 to get through, and the entire class SHOULD take about 1.5 hours. We will be moving right along...if you join us, I will be sure to put your scholar next. I would like to begin presentations by 8:45.
I will be working on invitations to the Math Counts Team and the Novel Writing Team this weekend. If your scholar gets invitations to both, please realize that there is a serious time commitment involved. Math Counts Team will be working together on individual and team problems two recesses a week, and one day after school which has yet to be decided, depending on the team. Then once we return from Thanksgiving break they will be also working together for an hour both Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, hopefully during character time.
The Novel Team has to be responsible enough to meet together every morning Monday - Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 to watch their lesson, work in their workbooks, and then do the homework assignments. They will also have to be responsible enough to collect the spelling/vocabulary/ and Latin that they will miss each morning from the class secretary. Once the Math Counts Team has competed in February, the Novel Team may have to meet during lunch recesses to get their chapters written and meet the date for editing in May. Students who are not well organized and able to catch up when they are sick, or "life" interferes would not handle this program well. They need to be able to know where their books are, and keep track of all their writing, all the time! :)
I don't expect students to jump and answer right away once they get an invitation. Please discuss it as a family, taking into account Grandiloquent Guardians Forensics Team, and whether or not your student is serious about debate. The competitive team will be traveling to tournaments and working on their speeches, which will also require time. I ask that families consider together which activities the scholar would most enjoy. Also, please note, that if your scholar is failing any of the basic subjects, he/she may NOT take part in tournaments, competitions, etc. We work with first things first.
The Greek party is going to be upon us soon as we head into the first week of October. Each scholar has chosen a Greek god or goddess and will be responsible for designing a costume and contributing to our Greek meal. Moms and Dads who wish to help out with the day (Oct 3, 1:00) please contact Mrs. Tracy. I am sure she would love some help. We are doing this as a joint effort with Mrs. Hartman's sixth grade so there will be parents helping from that class also.
Scholars will have to give at least five facts about their god/goddess and the rest of the class will be guessing who he/she is representing. We will have a small competition to see who knows the most about the Greeks! We will then enjoy Greek foods that families have contributed. It is bound to be one of the scholars' favorite learning experiences!
Scholars should be finished and prepared for their Hero presentations on Monday Morning. They have had a month to work on their hero biographies and we are all super excited to see what they have created as their way to present. We spent quite a bit of time in class discussing their options (in the center keeper of their Language Arts folders) and they came up with some very creative ideas. If your scholar is presenting on Monday and you would like to observe, please feel free to find your way into our family room and make yourself comfortable. I have 20 to get through, and the entire class SHOULD take about 1.5 hours. We will be moving right along...if you join us, I will be sure to put your scholar next. I would like to begin presentations by 8:45.
I will be working on invitations to the Math Counts Team and the Novel Writing Team this weekend. If your scholar gets invitations to both, please realize that there is a serious time commitment involved. Math Counts Team will be working together on individual and team problems two recesses a week, and one day after school which has yet to be decided, depending on the team. Then once we return from Thanksgiving break they will be also working together for an hour both Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, hopefully during character time.
The Novel Team has to be responsible enough to meet together every morning Monday - Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 to watch their lesson, work in their workbooks, and then do the homework assignments. They will also have to be responsible enough to collect the spelling/vocabulary/ and Latin that they will miss each morning from the class secretary. Once the Math Counts Team has competed in February, the Novel Team may have to meet during lunch recesses to get their chapters written and meet the date for editing in May. Students who are not well organized and able to catch up when they are sick, or "life" interferes would not handle this program well. They need to be able to know where their books are, and keep track of all their writing, all the time! :)
I don't expect students to jump and answer right away once they get an invitation. Please discuss it as a family, taking into account Grandiloquent Guardians Forensics Team, and whether or not your student is serious about debate. The competitive team will be traveling to tournaments and working on their speeches, which will also require time. I ask that families consider together which activities the scholar would most enjoy. Also, please note, that if your scholar is failing any of the basic subjects, he/she may NOT take part in tournaments, competitions, etc. We work with first things first.
The Greek party is going to be upon us soon as we head into the first week of October. Each scholar has chosen a Greek god or goddess and will be responsible for designing a costume and contributing to our Greek meal. Moms and Dads who wish to help out with the day (Oct 3, 1:00) please contact Mrs. Tracy. I am sure she would love some help. We are doing this as a joint effort with Mrs. Hartman's sixth grade so there will be parents helping from that class also.
Scholars will have to give at least five facts about their god/goddess and the rest of the class will be guessing who he/she is representing. We will have a small competition to see who knows the most about the Greeks! We will then enjoy Greek foods that families have contributed. It is bound to be one of the scholars' favorite learning experiences!
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Biographies....Respecting Guidance and Abraham Lincoln......
Today was a crazy day in the suite. We had plenty of work to cover, and as usual, never enough time to complete it all. Scholars were working on editing essays, writing paragraphs, math for the math test tomorrow, and history all in a couple hours. We then moved forward to the Odyssey where the scholars are designing their Achilles Shields to display in the hallway.
After working on those we headed into character time where we discussed the way students of this particular age can show respect to parents and other authorities. During our discussion we came to the conclusion that if you trust those elders to guide you, you won't question their motives. That then led us to an activity where scholars had to lead other scholars through a minefield. The scholar being led was blindfolded. We only had one casualty! :)
Into the afternoon speech and debate was visited by none other than Abraham Lincoln himself. He came to share with the scholars why he lost the congress seat to Douglas and how he won the election for President, and of course, to debate the issue of slavery. Scholars had the opportunity to try their hand at Lincoln-Douglas Debate.
It was a rather full day, and of course will be a full day tomorrow also. Essays are due at 8 a.m. and spelling and vocabulary tests will take place at that time. Scholars have PE and then math before we have our debate class at 11:30. It will be a busy day and go quite quickly!
After working on those we headed into character time where we discussed the way students of this particular age can show respect to parents and other authorities. During our discussion we came to the conclusion that if you trust those elders to guide you, you won't question their motives. That then led us to an activity where scholars had to lead other scholars through a minefield. The scholar being led was blindfolded. We only had one casualty! :)
Into the afternoon speech and debate was visited by none other than Abraham Lincoln himself. He came to share with the scholars why he lost the congress seat to Douglas and how he won the election for President, and of course, to debate the issue of slavery. Scholars had the opportunity to try their hand at Lincoln-Douglas Debate.
It was a rather full day, and of course will be a full day tomorrow also. Essays are due at 8 a.m. and spelling and vocabulary tests will take place at that time. Scholars have PE and then math before we have our debate class at 11:30. It will be a busy day and go quite quickly!
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| getting the birthday girl ready to go |
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| the mine field begins |
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| heading across the gym mine field |
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| Welcome Mr. President! |
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| Hearing his side of the story |
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| Debating Khylee's contention |
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| Debating McKenna's Contention |
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Lasers, Bill Nye, and Caesar's Blood!
Julius Caesar has finally been assassinated, and now the best part of the play begins! As the struggle for power deranges the minds of the conspirators, we will see how the human condition goes from bad to worse as supposed "friends" all vie for the throne. We're just getting to the "juicy" part!
Tomorrow scholars will edit essays written by their suite mates. They will earn a grade based on how many details they find in their fellow scholars' writing that needs adjustment. They will be finishing up their own essays by changing out vocabulary, bringing up the scholarship of the writing, and preparing to write their final draft tomorrow evening. I am sure I will see much improvement this week.
In math we are finishing up chapter two on negative numbers and absolute value. The last homework assignment went home tonight and if the scholars do as well tomorrow as they did today, I am confident that we can test the chapter on Friday and start chapter three by Monday. This of course is in a perfect world....we'll see what tomorrow brings!
In science we watched Bill Nye talk about light and color and the differences between them. We then played with lasers in class (well I did at least :)) and watched how the laser beam was broken and scattered with prisms and facets. Ask your scholar what l-a-s-e-r represents. We also read another chapter of Odysseus today and worked on memorizing the city states on our history maps.
Much to do...so little time....everyday we hear the same chant "It's 3:00 already!"
Moving ahead, full steam.....
Tomorrow scholars will edit essays written by their suite mates. They will earn a grade based on how many details they find in their fellow scholars' writing that needs adjustment. They will be finishing up their own essays by changing out vocabulary, bringing up the scholarship of the writing, and preparing to write their final draft tomorrow evening. I am sure I will see much improvement this week.
In math we are finishing up chapter two on negative numbers and absolute value. The last homework assignment went home tonight and if the scholars do as well tomorrow as they did today, I am confident that we can test the chapter on Friday and start chapter three by Monday. This of course is in a perfect world....we'll see what tomorrow brings!
In science we watched Bill Nye talk about light and color and the differences between them. We then played with lasers in class (well I did at least :)) and watched how the laser beam was broken and scattered with prisms and facets. Ask your scholar what l-a-s-e-r represents. We also read another chapter of Odysseus today and worked on memorizing the city states on our history maps.
Much to do...so little time....everyday we hear the same chant "It's 3:00 already!"
Moving ahead, full steam.....
Monday, September 17, 2012
Divide White LIght and Then Make White Light!
The highlight of our day today was not the Latin Test, or the Language Use NWEA, but of course SCIENCE! :)
We discovered the differences between color and light, and learned a bit about photons. We will continue in our learning this week as we investigate some more refraction, reflection, and the electromagnetic spectrum. Ask your scholar to explain how we broke light up and then put it back together....
Nonetheless, we did study math today, as well as English, History, and took an NWEA. Scholars that did not perform well on the Math Assessment are needing to correct their math test this evening. We began the next chapter, and will continue with Absolute Value and Integers all week. Some students will need to work through a re-teach packet this week for chapter one while they also work on chapter two. Those same students will take another test for Chapter One later this week, or early next week. If they perform better they will have the opportunity to change out their grades.
There is a change in the schedule for next February! Our class coffeehouse will be February first. The location is to be announced. We will travel to Mrs. Cavanaugh's Chocolate Factory the Wednesday before and so the scholars have chocolate for families. :) Please change your calendars and include the Math Counts Competition that will take place at Weber State on the 9th of February. The team will be meeting at 8 a.m. at Weber State therefore we do not want to have our coffeehouse the night before.
Enjoy the photos from today!
We discovered the differences between color and light, and learned a bit about photons. We will continue in our learning this week as we investigate some more refraction, reflection, and the electromagnetic spectrum. Ask your scholar to explain how we broke light up and then put it back together....
Nonetheless, we did study math today, as well as English, History, and took an NWEA. Scholars that did not perform well on the Math Assessment are needing to correct their math test this evening. We began the next chapter, and will continue with Absolute Value and Integers all week. Some students will need to work through a re-teach packet this week for chapter one while they also work on chapter two. Those same students will take another test for Chapter One later this week, or early next week. If they perform better they will have the opportunity to change out their grades.
There is a change in the schedule for next February! Our class coffeehouse will be February first. The location is to be announced. We will travel to Mrs. Cavanaugh's Chocolate Factory the Wednesday before and so the scholars have chocolate for families. :) Please change your calendars and include the Math Counts Competition that will take place at Weber State on the 9th of February. The team will be meeting at 8 a.m. at Weber State therefore we do not want to have our coffeehouse the night before.
Enjoy the photos from today!
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| Breaking apart white light |
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| Coloring the visible light spectrum |
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| ROYGBIV |
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| Using a cup of water to break up light |
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| waiting patiently for directions |
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| lights off and cutting light sticks |
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| writing on the floor with white light |
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| someone's name.... |
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| a left over coffee filter |
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Photos on Monday! :)
Please remember our scholars will have their photos taken on Monday. These are uniform photos that will be used for the yearbook. We also have our Language NWEA at 8:30 a.m. Please be certain that your scholar has a healthy breakfast and is wide awake on Monday.
Friday was a hectic kind of day as we took our first Math Assessment, Spelling Test, Vocabulary Test, and had our first essays due. We spent some time with Julius, Brutus, and Portia (ask your scholars what she did to prove her love to Brutus) and enjoyed our PE class.
This coming week your scholars should be working on their projects that are due on the 24th. They should be done reading their biographies by now, and most have chosen what they are planning on producing for the project. Please note that if your scholar is dressing up, or acting anything out, that they need three minutes of material to share with the class about their particular hero. Please have them practice their presentation at home before coming on Monday. I am anxious to see what they are preparing. They sound intriguing so far.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Friday was a hectic kind of day as we took our first Math Assessment, Spelling Test, Vocabulary Test, and had our first essays due. We spent some time with Julius, Brutus, and Portia (ask your scholars what she did to prove her love to Brutus) and enjoyed our PE class.
This coming week your scholars should be working on their projects that are due on the 24th. They should be done reading their biographies by now, and most have chosen what they are planning on producing for the project. Please note that if your scholar is dressing up, or acting anything out, that they need three minutes of material to share with the class about their particular hero. Please have them practice their presentation at home before coming on Monday. I am anxious to see what they are preparing. They sound intriguing so far.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Winding Down the Week
Today was especially busy knowing that we have vocabulary, spelling, and math tests tomorrow along with our first essay being due. Scholars spent time revising essays, editing for each other, and reviewing banned words so as to be prepared for writing their final drafts tonight. Hopefully by now they are all tucked in their beds fast asleep and those beautiful first essays of the year are packed in their backpacks!
With our tests for tomorrow, and PE, we won't have too much time for Julius Caesar, but we WILL be reading the play, and of course acting out various parts for entertainment! The scholars have worked really hard this week. I hope they all have a terrific weekend!
With our tests for tomorrow, and PE, we won't have too much time for Julius Caesar, but we WILL be reading the play, and of course acting out various parts for entertainment! The scholars have worked really hard this week. I hope they all have a terrific weekend!
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| Math review with the Isaac/McKenna team :) |
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| Democrats working on their symbol |
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| Republicans working on their symbol |
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Republicans and Democrats!
The scholars began focusing yesterday on the upcoming election for President. We are using our character time to investigate the character qualities of the candidates and form our own Democratic and Republican parties in class. Yesterday we began investigating the two main parties, studied some history behind them, and then discussed how we can RESPECT those party candidates even when we disagree with their view points. We then assigned the students to random groups (across all of 6th grade) and split them between the parties. The groups are in the process of designing their symbol, for the GFA Democrats and the GFA Republicans. They can not use the donkey and the elephant. Thursday they will put together their symbolism, explain to the entire group why they chose it, and begin putting together their platform.
They will then respectfully present speeches in their groups in order to nominate their candidate. At that point in time we will begin debates of the parties, and end the unit with our own mock election.
Please remember NWEA for Math is today, have your scholar eat a healthy breakfast! :)
Thank you!
They will then respectfully present speeches in their groups in order to nominate their candidate. At that point in time we will begin debates of the parties, and end the unit with our own mock election.
Please remember NWEA for Math is today, have your scholar eat a healthy breakfast! :)
Thank you!
Monday, September 10, 2012
NWEA and SPAR!
There are ways to get out excess energy after a day of really focusing.....in our suite we call it SPAR! This afternoon we had 20 minutes after our material was finished and we had a short spar session on the resolution: Animals should not be used for experimentation, testing, and research. Not every scholar got to speak, but we had some great points and it made for an interesting end to our day.
Previously, however we started the day with our new list of vocabulary/spelling words, and then right into our Reading NWEA test. Three scholars will have to make up the test due to issues with computers, and missing the day. Nonetheless we got it done for the most part!
In English this morning we talked about the basics of an Essay and what I will be expecting to see each week in your scholar's writing. We then put up our first topic, sedulity, and covered the white board with ideas and adjectives of people who were sedulous, and therefore practiced sedulity. The scholars copied the entire thing into their notebooks and were given time to pick three of those traits to write about tonight. They are putting together three paragraphs, which is the middle, or heart of their essay, the "cream" of the cookie. Tomorrow we will look at them again since a really good essay needs "simmer" time. We will then write a conclusion tomorrow night, and on Wednesday night write an introduction. On Thursday we will "dress it up" with strong adjectives, adverbs, and vocabulary words. Scholars will write it out on loose leaf paper Thursday night, in their finest cursive, and then hand it in on Friday. This will be our routine through the end of October when they will have the opportunity to perform the steps each night on their own, without as much guidance. By the end of the year your scholar will be writing a full blown essay in 25 minutes without any help! :)
In Math we continued to review our first unit, and I am moving the math test slated for tomorrow to Friday after PE. We will review again tomorrow, but with the NWEA tests going on, I don't want to tax their testing abilities. Therefore the math test will be moved to September 14th.
I took a quick photo this morning of the scholars as we got ready for our NWEA Reading Test. They were the first class in the school to get to use the new computer lab! :)
Previously, however we started the day with our new list of vocabulary/spelling words, and then right into our Reading NWEA test. Three scholars will have to make up the test due to issues with computers, and missing the day. Nonetheless we got it done for the most part!
In English this morning we talked about the basics of an Essay and what I will be expecting to see each week in your scholar's writing. We then put up our first topic, sedulity, and covered the white board with ideas and adjectives of people who were sedulous, and therefore practiced sedulity. The scholars copied the entire thing into their notebooks and were given time to pick three of those traits to write about tonight. They are putting together three paragraphs, which is the middle, or heart of their essay, the "cream" of the cookie. Tomorrow we will look at them again since a really good essay needs "simmer" time. We will then write a conclusion tomorrow night, and on Wednesday night write an introduction. On Thursday we will "dress it up" with strong adjectives, adverbs, and vocabulary words. Scholars will write it out on loose leaf paper Thursday night, in their finest cursive, and then hand it in on Friday. This will be our routine through the end of October when they will have the opportunity to perform the steps each night on their own, without as much guidance. By the end of the year your scholar will be writing a full blown essay in 25 minutes without any help! :)
In Math we continued to review our first unit, and I am moving the math test slated for tomorrow to Friday after PE. We will review again tomorrow, but with the NWEA tests going on, I don't want to tax their testing abilities. Therefore the math test will be moved to September 14th.
I took a quick photo this morning of the scholars as we got ready for our NWEA Reading Test. They were the first class in the school to get to use the new computer lab! :)
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| Ready to go in the new lab! |
Friday, September 7, 2012
R-E-S-P-E-C-T.....Tell You What It Means To Me!
The highlight of our day today was certainly not our Spelling and Vocabulary test, but our RESPECT assembly that took place at 10:15 this morning. The scholars prepared verses to a song during Character class and we sang it out for the military to show our respect and appreciation to them. We then presented them with a very generous gift basket. Thank you to all of you who contributed wonderful items to bless the men today!
We barely had time for read-a-loud and Speech and Debate before our day was over. We have begun our study of the constitution and quickly went over the three branches of government before beginning article one. We will be looking at the constitution in detail, and your scholar will be quizzed on the articles in the near future. We will also be preparing and studying for the mock election we will run in the 6th grade for President! The other item we tackled today, once again, was problem solving study strategies. Your scholar wrote in his/her planner what they need to do in order to complete homework if they forgot it at school. They are to copy all of the phone numbers and strategies out of their planners and keep it somewhere at home just in case the planner gets left behind at school. They have the tools for success, I expect them to use them! :)
Please note that if your scholar has not brought in dividers for his/her binder, that they will need them next week. We need to take some time and do some filing, and I am thinking that we will do it Monday either before or after our NWEA. Please send them with a set of dividers if they don't have them yet, so that they can separate their subjects. Thank you!
NWEA Reading Test will be administered Monday morning at 8:30. Please be sure your scholar has a good breakfast, protein based, so he/she can think. We will spend about an hour on this test.
If you have not read over the disclosure and sent it in with your scholar, please do so this next week. We need to get all your signed copies filed and put away. Thank you!
Enjoy your weekend, and remind your scholar "We engage in what we must, so that we can engage in our passions." If they are behind in anything, or if they did not perform well on their pop quiz this week, then they need to be studying this weekend. Next week will be heavy with content. They will not have time to go back and study past material.
We barely had time for read-a-loud and Speech and Debate before our day was over. We have begun our study of the constitution and quickly went over the three branches of government before beginning article one. We will be looking at the constitution in detail, and your scholar will be quizzed on the articles in the near future. We will also be preparing and studying for the mock election we will run in the 6th grade for President! The other item we tackled today, once again, was problem solving study strategies. Your scholar wrote in his/her planner what they need to do in order to complete homework if they forgot it at school. They are to copy all of the phone numbers and strategies out of their planners and keep it somewhere at home just in case the planner gets left behind at school. They have the tools for success, I expect them to use them! :)
Please note that if your scholar has not brought in dividers for his/her binder, that they will need them next week. We need to take some time and do some filing, and I am thinking that we will do it Monday either before or after our NWEA. Please send them with a set of dividers if they don't have them yet, so that they can separate their subjects. Thank you!
NWEA Reading Test will be administered Monday morning at 8:30. Please be sure your scholar has a good breakfast, protein based, so he/she can think. We will spend about an hour on this test.
If you have not read over the disclosure and sent it in with your scholar, please do so this next week. We need to get all your signed copies filed and put away. Thank you!
Enjoy your weekend, and remind your scholar "We engage in what we must, so that we can engage in our passions." If they are behind in anything, or if they did not perform well on their pop quiz this week, then they need to be studying this weekend. Next week will be heavy with content. They will not have time to go back and study past material.
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| choir participants! |
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| ready to go! |
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| starting with the pledge |
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| Our Servicemen |
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| Singing to them |
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| The lovely gift basket |
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| The "boy" choir! |
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| The baritones.... |
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| Lovely voices |
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| We respect Police Officers |
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| And Firemen.... |
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| and medical personnel! |
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Caesar, Odysseus, and the Military!
Much of our morning was spent reviewing for our Vocab and Spelling test tomorrow, and reviewing proper MLA writing procedures. All scholars got their paragraphs back that they wrote on power, and we discussed what needed to be fixed as far as format and proper writing in the literary present. We should all be on the same page now.
We also spent time working with GCF and LCM once again. Tomorrow the scholars will take a quick quiz on it, along with squares and cubes. We are moving right along in Singapore.
This afternoon found us finishing up our song of tribute and respect for the military. Tomorrow your scholars will be presenting the military personnel from Hill Air Force Base with a song and a care package basket that they have put together. Thank you to all the parents that contributed to making it so special. The assembly will begin at 10:15 and if you are available, please come and join us! :)
We also spent time working on our Odyssey projects this afternoon. The scholars worked in their lit circles groups to design a new cover for the front of the novel. They are putting together great pieces of art. Enjoy their work!
We also spent time working with GCF and LCM once again. Tomorrow the scholars will take a quick quiz on it, along with squares and cubes. We are moving right along in Singapore.
This afternoon found us finishing up our song of tribute and respect for the military. Tomorrow your scholars will be presenting the military personnel from Hill Air Force Base with a song and a care package basket that they have put together. Thank you to all the parents that contributed to making it so special. The assembly will begin at 10:15 and if you are available, please come and join us! :)
We also spent time working on our Odyssey projects this afternoon. The scholars worked in their lit circles groups to design a new cover for the front of the novel. They are putting together great pieces of art. Enjoy their work!
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| Fancy art work! |
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| I believe this group thinks theirs is the best! |
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| Still finishing up their shield |
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| Complete with a mermaid! |
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
YYYUUUMMMM!!! Radiation Cooking ROCKS!
The highlight of today was definitely the solar oven cooking of our s'mores. The scholars constructed their ovens between 11:00 and 11:30 when the temperature outside was rising. We placed the ovens about 11:30 when it was getting close to 80 degrees. By 2:00 the angle of incidence had been just perfect to cook our s'mores with a high radiant air temperature of 88 degrees. Scholars enjoyed eating the chocolate and marshmallow mush between graham crackers, and then wrote out their experiment sheets.
Tomorrow is the last day to put together our basket for the Military Respect Event on Friday. If you have something to add to the basket, please feel free to send it in with your scholar. So far we have a coffee mug, a container of cookies, and a rolled thank you note! :)
We attacked GCF and LCM in math today and most scholars are now confident that they understand the concepts and can work the calculations. We moved onto perfect squares and tomorrow will visit perfect cubes. We will then take everything from the unit and begin applying it to the real world. We are hoping to be ready for our test by next Tuesday. If not we will put it off a day or two. I will update the blog if that happens.
We also finished Act I of Julius Caesar and have explored the hunger for power, and the human ego. We will continue looking at the conspiracy tomorrow as students discover the fine line between friendship and betrayal.
There is a Latin test tomorrow on the first five stems. Scholars should be very comfortable with them since most of them had them last year.
Today's photos include an art class photo. ....enjoy!
Tomorrow is the last day to put together our basket for the Military Respect Event on Friday. If you have something to add to the basket, please feel free to send it in with your scholar. So far we have a coffee mug, a container of cookies, and a rolled thank you note! :)
We attacked GCF and LCM in math today and most scholars are now confident that they understand the concepts and can work the calculations. We moved onto perfect squares and tomorrow will visit perfect cubes. We will then take everything from the unit and begin applying it to the real world. We are hoping to be ready for our test by next Tuesday. If not we will put it off a day or two. I will update the blog if that happens.
We also finished Act I of Julius Caesar and have explored the hunger for power, and the human ego. We will continue looking at the conspiracy tomorrow as students discover the fine line between friendship and betrayal.
There is a Latin test tomorrow on the first five stems. Scholars should be very comfortable with them since most of them had them last year.
Today's photos include an art class photo. ....enjoy!
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| Art Class! |
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| ready to cook! |
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| all lined up to catch some rays! |
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| cooking right along...this is Jonah's! |
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| Another perfect cooking experiment! |
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| Blissfully Chocolatey Students |
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| Otis agrees that it's yummy! |
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| Jess did not miss one drop of chocolate! |
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| Ian savored every bite! |
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| Kooper wanted to make another! |
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| Isaac may have worn more than he ate! |
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| Jonah was serious! |
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| The ladies ate like "ladies |
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| Perfect dessert |
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| Thumbs up to this experiment! |
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