Friday, August 30, 2013

A Busy Week

Routines are now established, classes are in full gear - its a great week to be a 6th grader!

FAITH FAMILIES -
Students are sitting with mixed age levels and different teachers during many chapel services this year.  We will be worship leaders for the younger students and have a chance to do special activities with our faith families throughout the year.  What a great example of being the "body of Christ!"

ENGLISH - We are learning how identifying prepositions can help us find subjects and simple predicates (verbs). 

LITERATURE - This week we explored types of non-fiction: narrative, autobiography and how they can have many of the same elements of fiction (a plot!) in a folktale  We even had a chance to try writing from a different narrator's point of view.

SOCIAL STUDIES - Maps, maps and more maps!  Did you know when the latitude coordinate number is on the left of the map, it does NOT mean west?  Think:  I am measuring north of WHAT line of latitude?  How many degrees?  S.S. is a lively class with much partner work as we learn through exploration.

T-MATH - We are focusing on L1-1 and 1-2 only for our first "chapter" as we also review basic operations, especially long division.  Place value will also be part of our first test.  The new text has a web resource about which I will send information home on Tuesday.  I will need your help to explore what's available to students as I have not had time to get on the "student" part of the website in depth.

Field Trip Reminder:  
Our field trip to Weldon Spring/bowling is scheduled for Friday, September 20.  We will be needing chaperones/drivers for the day.  Remember you will need a current driver background check on file in the office.  See Mrs. Schmidt for the form.  If you are available to help let me know how many students you can drive in seatbelts and if you would like to bowl with us!

Book Orders
 If you like to order books through Scholastic, be sure to check the link to the side.  Our class code is GV2FP.  I have not changed the parent welcome page yet - but you can still place an order.  Please complete orders by next Friday.  If you prefer to send a check in, also have the orders in by Friday.  I will place orders on Saturday. 

FUN WITH KINDERGARTEN

On Monday, 6th graders joined Miss Limback's Kindergarten class on a letter hunt.  We helped our Kindergarten friends  find their A,B,C's  in nature and the playground.  Check out some of our photos:




























Friday, August 23, 2013

Fun in Bible Study

It's been a great week in 6R.  Students now have a full week under their belts and a sense of how classes and transitions go.  We jumped right into Religion class at the beginning - Genesis - to see our great and loving Creator who had a plan for our salvation right from the start.  For a complete overview of Religion- Unit 1, see the tab above.

Some other units of study to begin the year:  
S.S.  -  Mapping skills
Lit.   - Fiction vs. NonFiction
Math - properties, basic operations, word problems  
English - Sentence parts and prepositions
Science- Earth science
Art - Line and Space


Spelling

Student have individualized spelling lists

They choose their words from those missed on a pretest, day to day writing, and a challenge list.

Students read a partner his/her spelling words and record answers on a Google Doc.

Then they trade and give the test to their partner


Moms in Prayer
This group of moms prayers for your children regularly and is always open for new faces.  They meet on Wednesdays from 8:00-8:45 in the church chapel.  Each week they pray together for school concerns, upcoming events, and each child individually. If you are interested in more information or becoming our class Prayer Parent, please contact Sheryl Nea at:    fruitnveggiefamily@gmail.com


Thanks to...
...Kim G. and Jill W. for volunteering as our room parents.  We look forward to fun celebrations with the class.

...ALL OF YOU  for attending our Back to School Night.  I am eager to partner with you throughout the year in your child's learning.  


Homeroom Cleaning


Does he do windows too?

Friday, August 16, 2013

A New Year!



Welcome to 6th Grade

School supplies are purchased, alarm clocks are set, desks are back in classrooms, it must be time for Back-to-School! I am so excited to have your children as my students this year. Our school theme gives a wonderful focus for our year:       

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

We are children of God! This year through our theme, we will explore God's ultimate plan for us is to join Him in heaven, our home prepared for us by his Son Jesus, our Savior.  In this life on earth we walk in faith according to God's plan.  I pray this school year gives you a renewed opportunity to grow in your faith: as a parent, as a student, and as a family.

I am eager to partner with you in both educating and nurturing your child this year. I encourage families to talk about lessons we learn, especially memory verses and Religion lessons. I look forward to seeing you in worship at Zion or hearing about your worship experiences at your home church as our class grows together in our faith walk. Together - student, family, and school – we can build each other in the Body of Christ! Please do not hesitate to contact me with your questions or insights throughout the year.

What's New in Grade 6?

One of our big goals in 6th grade is for students to become more independent in their learning. This news blog will update you on current happenings, but in 6th grade I no longer publish spelling words, memory assignments, or tests in the parent news.  These are things your child will be tracking in their assignment book.  If an individual student needs more organizational help, I will work one-on-one with that student.  I plan to publish this blog weekly on Fridays.

PTL Back to School Night

Mark your calendar: The PTL Back to School Night is Tuesday, August 21 at 6:30 p.m. This is an "adult only" information night.  Mr. Braddy and I will be combining parents in the 6R classroom to share further information about the unique aspects of 6th grade.  I look forward to seeing you! See the Banner email for the session times.


English Discussion Groups:


Working together to explore good communication skills

Body language is a form of communication

Listening, speaking and viewing are all involved

I have an idea!


Using good eye contact too!



 Cooperative thinkers!