Week 30 Report Cards; Best Choice in April

Achievement test week went well!  It did not take long to adjust to the online format and the students enjoyed an easier week from the daily grind.

We took time between Literature units to focus on Disability Awareness.  Inspired by our study of Helen Keller, students simulated being blind, deaf, and having learning disabilities.  Our focus was to gain an appreciation for our abilities and be on the look out for how to be a friend and a witness of God's love to someone who may have different abilities.  Mrs. Laurie Preusser (Ms. P's mom) talked to our classes about her job working with children learning to talk after they first receive hearing aids or cochlear implants.  The kids were pretty amazed at what these young children go through!

3rd Quarter report cards came home Friday.  Be sure to talk with your child about setting goals for the final quarter of sixth grade.  Goals can be a simple as using the assignment book regularly or neater handwriting.  Other goals may target an area where the student wishes to seek out assistance or get more involved in oral discussion in class.  English class started Research Reports and Science has begun a study of cells.  In Religion, we are beginning our study of the Passion of our Lord.  Lots of learning yet in 6th grade!!

Best Choice in April

After Easter, we  welcome an educator from Best Choice to lead our Religion classes.  Through this program, students will be involved in active discussions about setting goals, healthy relationships, puberty, and making God-pleasing decisions. The Best Choice program is designed to encourage children to make lifelong commitments to building relationships, making informed choices, choosing abstinence before marriage, and avoiding risky behaviors.

 Ms. Preusser and I will participate in the classes and continue follow up discussions.  A permission slip is came home FRIDAY to sign and return for your child to participate.  To help you prepare for discussions with your child at home, here are the topics Best Choice has used in the past.  A detailed outline came home with the permission slip.  I will update you daily with our discussions.  Classes start Monday, April 9 (first day back from Easter break).  I pray that you use these as opportunities to open the dialogue with your child and share your values with them.  Research shows parents are still the number one influence on their teens!  Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Monday: Goals, Risky Behaviors, and Decision Making

Tuesday:  Respect, Friendships, and Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships, Refusal Skills
Thursday: Male/Female Puberty 
Friday: Media Influence, Emotional Consequences, Boundaries, and Avoidance Techniques 

Using "Misunderstood Minds" from PBS to see what ADD looks like

Can you read the colors of the words?  The delay shows how frustrating a processing disorder can be

The other kids keep talking and I can't hear the teacher!!  (ADD simulation)

What about a physical disability?

We learn to adapt and find creative solutions!

Using a mirror to simulate a visual processing disorder

This guide does not look terribly helpful to our blind person

Where's the butter???

I thought I remembered where the sink was

 We learned that phrases like "over there" and "in front of you" were not specific enough

Just a few obstacles

Our guides discovered they needed to lead people by the hand, not just their voice

Sometimes we have to be there to pick each other up!