Wow, we are almost down to single digits in our Christmas countdown. This year is flying by!
Math: Last week students worked hard at adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers. This week we are starting an art project that incorporates fractions and flowers. Students will be using their knowledge of fractions and mixed numbers to create a masterpiece!
Writing: Wow, our Greek expository books are finished and they look great! Our next genre of writing that we look at will be persuasive writing. We have started a class catalogue in which students use persuasive word choice to sell products. Writing is keeping us busy!
Spelling: Word Work is going smoothly; however, since December is a crazy month full of assemblies and Sing Around the Tree, we will not have formal spelling tests until after we return from Christmas break. Until then we will be spending more time on our weekly vocabulary words.
Reading: Students have been busy visualizing and describing with their senses what they see as they read text. When we use the word visualize we usually think of our eyes. Students visualize their text using their eyes, hears, nose, taste, touch, and their emotions. One of our favorite activities was "reading" a wordless picture book and decribing what we visualize from the pictures.
Social Studies: Students learned how the Greeks organized their city-states. They should be able to tell you how the town was set up and the Greek words for different parts of the 'polis'.
Science: Wednesday will be their final microorganism test. Thanks to Mrs. Andersen and her student teacher for all the time they put into the unit. It was full of fun experiences and new knowledge!
Remember: For part of our Christmas party the students will be putting together gift baskets to give to those in need. If you have the opportunity bring in a small treat for gift for our baskets.
Thanks for all you do for us and your children! We are so blessed to be the teachers of these students!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
December Already!
Parents, we are so sorry that we have been slacking on our blog and will do better at completing our weekly posts. The students have been very busy learning.
Reading: As our questioning comprehension unit came to an end the students were able to ask many questions while reading, label what type of question it was, know where to find the answers, and what questions would be good to use in a discussion. We read "Henry's Freedom Box" and discussed all the questions we had while reading and after the story was over. This week we started learning more about visualizing while reading. We will be using our five senses to dive deeper into our stories.
Students are finishing up their second guided reading group books. They use metacognition while reading to keep track of their thinking on post-it notes. We use these notes for our group discussions and to write about our reading at the end of the books.
Science: The students continue to learn about microorganisms. This week they are reviewing the vocabulary words for their end of unit test. This will be next Wednesday. Science is hard in sixth grade but very doable for all students. They are expected to be studying for their tests.
Social Studies: It was fun to learn about Greek mythology. Man, those Greeks were crazy! We discussed how the Greeks made up mythology to explain things that were happening. We will be learning more about the Greek culture and their way of living.
Math: Students have been busy working with fractions. We enjoyed making Chex mix using improper fractions and mixed numbers. Here is the recipe. Have your student show you how to change the improper fractions to mixed numbers, the mixed numbers to improper fractions, and how to put a fraction in simplest form.
Chex Mix
24/2 cups Chex cereal
2 2/3 cups pretzels
2 8/12 cups cheese crackers
16/4 Tbs. melted butter
8/8 package ranch dressing mix
6/9 cup grated parmesan cheese
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix. Microwave for 1 minute, then stir. Repeat until evenly coated. Spread on a cookie sheet to cool. Enoy!
Writing: Students have been working hard to publish their Greek expository texts. We are currently working on publishing expository books, complete with a table of contents, glossary, and index, using students' finished texts. These are looking great and we can't wait for you to see them at SEPs!
Reading: As our questioning comprehension unit came to an end the students were able to ask many questions while reading, label what type of question it was, know where to find the answers, and what questions would be good to use in a discussion. We read "Henry's Freedom Box" and discussed all the questions we had while reading and after the story was over. This week we started learning more about visualizing while reading. We will be using our five senses to dive deeper into our stories.
Students are finishing up their second guided reading group books. They use metacognition while reading to keep track of their thinking on post-it notes. We use these notes for our group discussions and to write about our reading at the end of the books.
Science: The students continue to learn about microorganisms. This week they are reviewing the vocabulary words for their end of unit test. This will be next Wednesday. Science is hard in sixth grade but very doable for all students. They are expected to be studying for their tests.
Social Studies: It was fun to learn about Greek mythology. Man, those Greeks were crazy! We discussed how the Greeks made up mythology to explain things that were happening. We will be learning more about the Greek culture and their way of living.
Math: Students have been busy working with fractions. We enjoyed making Chex mix using improper fractions and mixed numbers. Here is the recipe. Have your student show you how to change the improper fractions to mixed numbers, the mixed numbers to improper fractions, and how to put a fraction in simplest form.
Chex Mix
24/2 cups Chex cereal
2 2/3 cups pretzels
2 8/12 cups cheese crackers
16/4 Tbs. melted butter
8/8 package ranch dressing mix
6/9 cup grated parmesan cheese
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix. Microwave for 1 minute, then stir. Repeat until evenly coated. Spread on a cookie sheet to cool. Enoy!
Writing: Students have been working hard to publish their Greek expository texts. We are currently working on publishing expository books, complete with a table of contents, glossary, and index, using students' finished texts. These are looking great and we can't wait for you to see them at SEPs!
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