6th Grade Newsletter: Week of January 22, 2008

 

I hope everyone had a nice long weekend!  It was great to sleep in an extra day! 

Here’s what’s on deck for this week:

 

Important Dates

Ø     Friday, January 25th: Spelling test, Social Studies vocabulary test, Science project due.  This is a busy day, so please help your student plan this week accordingly. 

Ø     Sunday, January 27th:  Catholic Schools Week begins.  Students who wear their uniform to Mass (Sat. or Sun.) will receive a free dress pass.  Open House at the school from 9:00-2:00.  Please bring your family and drop by!

Ø     Monday, January 28th – Thursday, January 31st:  Non-uniform days for Catholic Schools Week.  Uniform must be worn on Friday (2/1) due to Mass.

Ø     Tuesday, January 29th: Power Point Presentation due (see literature update)

 

Subject Update

Computer Lab: For the next 2 weeks, every class will be visiting the computer lab for 20 minutes each day to practice our typing skills.  Students are being encouraged to work on improving their accuracy first, their speed afterwards.  On another computer related note, the Power Point presentations for the Westing Game will be due next Tuesday, January 29th.  The students have had 6 class periods to date to work on these.  They will get 45 minutes this Friday, but no other class time.  Please check with your student to see how he/she is progressing.  Students can go to study hall or work on the project at home if needed.  They should be close to being done at this point. 

 

 

Language Arts: The students will get their test back on Wednesday or Thursday and we will be going over it.  Later in the week, we will start focusing on introduction and conclusion strategies in writing.  The spelling workbook will be due on Thursday this week, with the test on Friday. 

 

Literature: Every other week we will be receiving the Seattle Times for use during literature.  Today I introduced the students to ‘newspaper research,’ which is essentially different reading activities that we will be doing with the paper.  Reading, navigating, and using the paper are all skills that are outlined in the Essential Academic Learning Requirements (state standards) for 6th grade. 

 

The first few times, we will be focusing on basic skills around the layout of the newspaper and how to find certain information.  The students will be reading appropriate current events articles and doing activities around these.  I had a long conversation with the students today about the fact that the newspaper sometimes contains articles or advertisements that are not appropriate for 6th graders.  Since we are a Catholic school and there are times that the paper expresses views that are not in-line with what the Church teaches, we will be steering clear of these topics and ads.  I further explained to them that I will direct them to the pages and sections that I want them to focus on and that they should not be going to other places.  I will be previewing the paper before the students, but as you know I may not be able to catch every detail.  That is why I ask the students that if they do come across something to move along and not call someone else’s attention to it and to always stay on the pages I’ve indicated.  At times, they will be allowed to bring the paper home.  I’ve told them that you (parents) can decide if they can scan the entire paper. 

 

 

Math: The 5th/6th grade Math Olympiad team begins practice on February 7. This is great activity for those that enjoy math and want a challenge. Students need to sign up by February 1.  If you have any questions feel free to email me, Mary Riley, at maryr@saintbrendan.org

 

The sixth grade math class will be working on dividing decimals this week.

 

Religion:  We will be finishing up Chapter 4 this week.  The students will be receiving a study guide for the chapter probably on Thursday.  I’m planning on giving the test next Tuesday. 

 

Science: This week we will be concluding our study of Darwin and his voyage on the HMS Beagle through the film “The Galapagos” focusing upon the unique creatures and landscapes found there. The Darwin Journey Project summarizing this voyage is due on Friday.

 

Social Studies: This week the sixth graders are going to take a break from working on their group project because I will be out of town from Wednesday through Friday on an Accreditation Team visit for Holy Family School in Lacey.  In the mean time, they will be working with lesson two and three from chapter five.  They will learn a little about the ancient Indian religions of Hinduism and Buddhism. 

The chapter five vocabulary quiz will be this Friday.  Students were handed back their vocabulary assignment this morning to use as they study for the quiz.

 

Have a good week everyone!

Pam Schwartz J