Week 3 Drama time!

We survived a HOT week!  I am thoroughly enjoying this class and our amazing discussions!  We had some great insights into the creation account this week and the kids demonstrated really thought provoking questions. Howamazing that God had a plan all along for our salvation!

Here are a few other highlight

In Literature on Monday, students had the opportunity to act scenes from our short story, "Dragon, Dragon."  Students analyzed character trait with 2 truths and a lie, then had to work through dialogue and staging ideas as they made the scenes come to lift.  It was a great way to see the rising action of a story come to a climax and - as all good folktales - heroes win and all live happily ever after!

On Wednesday, we met our faith families, mixed groups of students from grades 1-8 who will sit together at weekly chapel and join in bonding and prayer time quarterly.  Even the big kids enjoy when their younger chapel buddies spy them on the playground and sneak a hug or a high five! 

A special highlight in Social Studies was an introduction to thematic maps with National Geographic Mapmaker  that layers different purposed maps to analyze geographic patterns.  We just had a quick taste of this fun tool and will use it for several investigations this year. 

Enjoy the long weekend!  Mrs. R.

 

 

Donation request:  postage stamps       

We will start a pen pal project with seniors at Breeze Park Care Center.

Week 2 Into the Groove! (8/25)

Thank you so much for attending our parent information meeting Thursday night.  Students now have over a full week under their belts and a sense of how classes and transitions go.  We are getting better at routines and organization with fewer reminders. Students are learning how to think first of others (pushing in chairs, clearing the table for "company," waiting to be acknowledged before asking the teacher a question, and letting others go first - tough one!!). 

Here are a few of our units...

Religion - Prayer: Praise, Apology, Thanks, and Help petitions. along with: What is the Bible? 

G and T Math - Try - Discuss, Connect Routine -  supporting our thinking.  As we finish the diagnostic we are reviewing the basics (place value, subtraction across a zero, regrouping, multi-digit multiplication using decimals)

        **We will jump to unit 2 to start with Decimal Numbers/Operations then will return to Unit 1 for more Geometry fun with Area and Perimeter

Social Studies - 5 Themes of Geography, Map tools, Latitude and Longitude 

Literature: Plotline, predication, and the genre of a short story

Art: a study of line

 

A tidbit from our class bloggers, Kaitlyn and Maggie: This week in 6R we got to start The Flush, make goal books, and vote on our class animal names. 

We will work toward our bloggers writing full articles for our blog. 

 

Important News:

• No School Friday 8/30 and Mon. 9/2  Happy Labor Day Weekend
• Want to volunteer in the library? Please sign up here!
• Save the Dates: Trivia Night- Sept 20
• Trunk or Treat - Oct. 11 

 

Book orders Scholastic book order forms came home on Friday.  This is a great way to see what books are new for this grade level, but I also caution parents, now that students are in middle school - young adult reads may need a bit more discernment to deep appropriate.  Scholastic does not necessarily share the Christian values you hold.  If you wish to order, we earn FREE BOOKS. 

And if you place an order of $25 or more and you can pick a FREE $5 book (use code READS at checkout).

 

Family Order Due Date: 09/07/2024

 

Shop Our Class Page: https://orders.scholastic.com/GV2FP

 

Shop Flyers: https://clubs.scholastic.com/all-flyers

 

    Here are a few resources on selecting appropriate books for your child:

                  What parents need to know: Middle Grade vs. Young Adult Books 

                   Key Differences between Middle Grades vs Young Adult (author p.o.v.) 

                   Common Sense Media   Great site for parents to get reviews on books, movies, 

                  T.V. shows, music and video games.  3 free reviews per month.  

                   Also check out Focus on the Family's Plugged In.

 

Our class photographer, Hayden, had a lot of fun getting candids this week!

Working on Line Art

Our short story we will dramatize

Groups collaborating on scenes and characters

Ms. D's group working on a theme poster at study hall

Exploring the 5 themes of Geography

Meet Sir Paws!

Class job: gardener!

 

 

 

Week 1 A New year! (8/16)

 

I'm so excited to have your child in my class! 

We were learning a lot of procedures and routines this week, but we've also had some great discussions about being the body of Christ, following Him as the WAY to whom we seek TRUTH and in whom we have eternal LIFE. 

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.

 

What's Happening in Grade 6? 

Lots and lots of "here's how we do things" this week: how to organize a binder, how to use a planner, how to switch classes and travel efficiently, class jobs. and  looking out for each other.  The students have been good listeners and getting right into the routine.  One of my biggest joys was to have Mrs. Jennings pull me aside and brag on these kids -being enthusiastic, respectful,  and attentive in her PE class.  Makes this teacher proud already!

 One of my big goals this year is for students to become more independent in their learning. This news blog will update you on current happenings, but in 6th grade I do not publish upcoming assignments or tests.  These are things your child will be tracking in their assignment planner.  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. (In reality, it may be Saturday some weeks pending my own kids' schedules!)  I will email you when the blog is updated.   

Note the tabs of information on the blog.  If you are viewing from a phone, use the drop down arrow to read about Religion, Web links, Field trips, etc.

 

News and Reminders:

1. Water Bottles: Students should bring a water bottle.  Please be sure the lid clicks closed.  If you wish to donate a case for those who forget, please sign up here: water donations

2. Gym - MON/THURS  (so sorry I mixed that up!!)

3. Band/Strings - Tues/Thurs

3.  Chapel offerings will support Lutheran Bible Translators - more info to come

4. STUCO (student council) meeting Tues   3:00-3:45 (see article below)

 5.  The PTL Back to School Night is Thursday, August 22 at 6:30 p.m. This is an "adult only" information night.  Join the 2 sixth grade teachers together in my  classroom to hear further information about the unique aspects of 6th grade.  I look forward to seeing you again!

There will be three sessions available to attend so you can get to all of your children's teachers. 6:30, 7:00 or 7:30 p.m.

 

6.  See your Zion email!  News about lots of upcoming events, including Trivia Night! 

 

A Peek into our room...

Organizing school supplies

First rainy recess

Reviewing reading strategies by decoding Wingdings

Context clues and images helped!

A few of us showing off favorite AR books

Student Council 

The STUCO interest meeting will be held on Tuesday, 8/20 from 3:00-3:30 in Mr. Weinhold’s room. If your child is interested in joining Student Council, they should plan on attending. If they are unable to be at the meeting, please have your child email Mrs. Donner and Mr. Weinhold to let them know they would like to join. Students who do not contact these teachers may lose the opportunity to join Student Council for the 24-25 school year. Thanks!

 Mrs. Donner

More info: Student council is organized in project based committees.  Students may join a committee that is not during their sports season.  They do things like Red Ribbon Week, Thanksgiving Food Drive, Early Childhood chapel, and Jr. High Dances. It's a great leadership learning opportunity!