Week 6: Weather, Magnetismm, and Walkathon coming!

From the class blogger Kayla and Grace N
Monday we had a fire drill, Tuesday was just a normal a day, Wednesday we had a magnetism lab, we played with magnets, Thursday we had a play in social studies, we acted like we were weather people and reporters, Friday we got to use pastels for art with our glue fish. What a fun week!

From Mrs. R. - Our continuing unit in Religion is looking at the structure of the Bible.  This week we covered Penteteuch and God's covenant promises, History books and God's continued faithfulness, and Poetry/Wisdom - reflecting the emotions God created in us and His words of guidance.   We discovered some pretty unusual proverbs today too!

We did a news cast in social studies!

Costumes reflected the climate zone and our personalities!

Field reporter

Anchorman

Man on the street

Ice fishing! 

Blue hair??? 

We did a magnetism lab on Wednesday

We discovered the magnetic field

Patterns appeared in iron filings

T-Math moving decimals as we multiply and divide by 10, 100, 1000

We don't need calculators - it's mental math!!

G-Math analyzing word problems to match the expression that will solve it

Yes - it's Algebra!!

We are doing our glue fishes

Our art projects

Thanks for the wonderful donations!  Our jokes are compiled and we will be sending them off!

 Parent Technology Night

We were blessed with a wonderful speaker last night at our PTL gathering.  The biggest take-aways I had as a parent from Lee Crockett's information are 1) to be Informed (know what my kids are accessing and doing online).  2 ) be Interested (talk about their favorite sites, their conversations with friends in texts, play games with them) and 3) that devices stay In View.  Remember the old days when the family phone had a cord to the wall in the kitchen?  The family TV was in the living room?  Everyone could observe, listen in, be aware, and most importantly discuss what was happening in our lives. Our parents shared their morals and a faithful world view with us.  With limits on usage for both kids and adults, devices can be used in responsible and respectful ways.  I'll share other tips in the future as I reflect more on the information we learned.  Thank you PTL and all involved in making this a fun and informative night!


Walkathon this Friday!!
Students will remember - but just so you know, Friday is a dress down day for our Walkathon.  Students may wear athletic bottoms (appropriate length on shorts please) and Bobcat Spirit shirts. The walkathon will occur in the afternoon.

   *wear sunscreen
    *may bring hat, sunglasses, water bottle, lanyard for mileage card
    *Lunch in classroom - no peanut butter please!  (Hot lunch still available)

Students, keep gathering pledges and consider a self pledge!  You may wish to ask some of those Zion friends who no longer have kids here to sponsor you as well.  If you need a new or additional pledge sheet, see me on Monday.

Week 5: Midquarter

From the class bloggers, Avery W. and Grace K.

This week we collected a lot of gum.  Why, because we are giving it to Friends of Kids with Cancer.  We also collected some jokes for the kids.  In social studies this week we drew a map, and a set of directions came with the map.   After we did all the directions that were required, we got to customize them and make them our own.  The word of the week this week was robust.  It means strong and healthy; strongly formed or built.  Finally, we had Friday off! YAY!!!  What a great, short week!

 Other news:

Midquarter Today

We have been busy with tests and quizzes!  Today marked the midpoint of the 1st quarter.  It is a good opportunity for you and your child to check grades on Sycamore and reflect on your child's progress.  When Friday papers come home, encourage your child to pick the work they are most proud of and share with you why.  Also look for something which they might set a goal:  reading directions more carefully, studying vocabulary, asking questions in class, neater handwriting, taking an A.R. test.  Every child grows at a different pace and we can celebrate the learning that takes place each day!  Please don't hesitate to contact teachers with questions you may have.


Reminders:

**Students can be gathering pledges for the WALKATHON coming on Fri. Sept. 29

**Gum Drive ends on Monday.  Thank you for all your generous contributions.  We're having fun wriring jokes to go with the packages to give the kids a smile.


ON SYCAMORE:  Parent Technology Night is Thursday, Sept. 21- Hope to see you there!!
Bobcat Shuffle - early registration by Sept. 22
Box Tops Contest - send in by Sept. 29

Getting Silly in Science

Analyzing our AR novels with the plotline

 Kids have been singing in the halls, in the aisles, in the Science room - Can't wait for the official debut of their Joyful Noise song.   You will love the joyous praise to our AWESOME GOD!

We had fun sharing about a favorite book

We had to identify the main conflict, highlight the rising action - but don't give away the Climax!!

Recess fun!

Emily S. from Ms. Preusser's class got some great shots

The Weekly Blog: Week 4

From class blogger, Jace B.

This week was a fun one, we took 3 different tests!  We read 2 different stories, the 1st one was a folk tale called "The reason why monkeys live in trees", it was a very funny story.  The 2nd book was called "The case of the monkeys that fell from the trees".  It was a non-fiction article.  That is all for The Weekly Blog, and Bye-Bye!

From Mrs. R.

In addition to Literature...

G Math - reviewed PEMDAS and began decimal operations.  We used stations on Thursday:
               1)  http://www.aaamath.com/for basic place value and decimal drills - a very low tech but
                    practical website with reteaching and instant feedback!!  Click the Sixth Grade Tab and
                    scroll for decimals
                2)  Mrs. R's small group work:  decimal word problems w/ markerboards
                3)  small group reviewed the lesson and began homework together
I was impressed by how well the groups stayed on task!!  Our first test is Thursday!

T Math - spent a lot of time with PEMDAS and logged into  xtramath.org  for facts practice individualized to each student.  (G Math will start this next week).  You received a parent letter with the option to login from home. (not required, but a great resource!!)  The more that facts can become an automatic habit, the easier math gets when we get more complicated problems.  Our first test is Monday over 1.1 -1.2 , Place Value (p.380) and basic operations.

2nd Steps - recognizing situations where we can be allies      Proverbs 17:17:
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

Typing.com - In computer lab this week we started a typing tutorial, learning about proper posture to head off aches and pains as well as the importance of fingering.  A report came home with their first lesson data.  We will make some time each week to do typing practice, but once again - a lot can be accomplished on their own too!

Click on Ms. Preusser's link to the right to find about about Science labs and guest speaker!!

Walkathon, Friday, Sept. 29
Our first JH Walkathon was held after Hurricane Katrina in 2009.  Now our students are joining efforts for two great causes.  75% of our donations will go to Lutheran schools affected by Hurricane Harvey and 25% will go towards fleece blankets for the organization we are sponsoring with our gum drive and chapel offerings, Friends of Kids with Cancer.  Kids learned about our walkathon at the kickoff assembly this morning.  We "cancel" classes for that Friday afternoon and set the kids loose to run and walk for the cause.  Students may begin raising pledges and are encouraged to self-pledge as well.  No money is due until after the walk.  

Gum Drive continues-
 Students may continue to bring in gum until Monday, Sept. 18.  We are compiling jokes to attach to the packs of gum to bring a smile to a child's face and let them know Zion is praying for them.
 

Discussing situations where we could be an ALLY to a classmate

We join the classes in the Family Life Center for a different setting

Group discussion is very focused

Teachers reinforce active listening skills and how to show respect for different ideas

The Typing Challenge!!

Who's that helping out at homeroom?  Thanks, mom, for teaching your son how to vacuum!

CHAOS IS BACK!
Junior high students, please join the Demien family on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am in Mr. Braddy’s classroom for a little CHAOS.  You will be Challenged!  Hear a message via word, music or video.  Act.  Find out what you can Offer.  Look at how you might Serve. 
Challenge, Hear, Act, Offer, Serve – CHAOS!
Join us this Sunday for an old new challenge, or is it a new old challenge?  Enjoy some snacks and fellowship.
CHAOS – Christ Heals All Our Sins – What an Awesome God!

The Luther documentary created for the 500 Anniversary of the REFORMATION air on PBS on September 12.
It is very good and interesting. Watch it to learn about Luther and the Reformation of the Church.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WANT MORE?  Zion's Adult Bible study is beginning the first part of our study Sunday 9:30-10:15 a.m.