Sixth graders learn about probability

In math we did several activities dealing with probability.  We discussed the formula that is used. We will follow up with this lesson tomorrow.

In language we were allowed to work on our argumentative piece we started yesterday.  They are due tomorrow, and will be considered late if not turned in by noon.

In spelling, the Evan Moor group wrote their words rainbow style.  The Wordskills’ group started  a review lesson..

Have a great evening

Today in sixth grade: working with decimals and percentages, and argumentative writing

In math today we turned percentages into decimals and turned decimals into percentages.  Many didn’t turn in his/her graph homework from last week. 

In language and spelling, we again looked at expository writing, specifically argumentative writing (writing that argues for a point of view). Students began working on a piece arguing for or against leaving sixth grade elementary school or moving the grade into junior high.  Have your young writer share his or her reasons for the case they are building. 

The Evan Moor group did get their spelling lists today.  They received 2.  One for home and the other for school.

Have a great Monday!

Friday in sixth grade; graphing, handwriting, testing, and adjective acrostics

In math we graphed our favorite colors, snack, and movie genre. We then chose one to make a pie graph out of. In order to do that we had to figure the percentage for each. Please remind your child to bring his/her assignment on Monday.

In spelling we took our tests.

Our handwriting assignment was copying an Emily Dickinson poem.

In language we wrote adjective acrostics for book characters. Each child chose his/her own character. 

 

Have a great weekend!

From percents to pulchritudinous: What a day in sixth grade!

In math we continued to work on percentages and fractions. We also worked with circle graphs. Concerning circle graphs, your child has an assignment due on Monday. In case he/she didn’t get home with the directions, here they are:

1. Find a circle graph in a newspaper, magazine, or on the internet. 
2. Glue the graph onto a piece of paper.
3. On the same paper write 5 questions that can be answered by reading the graph. 
4. On a different piece of paper write the answers to the 5 questions.

In spelling the Wordskills group played Sparkle today, and the Evan Moor group did a paper assignment (P. 25).

In language we worked in groups and played “I Can Beat That Word.” We took a list of adjectives, and each group used a thesaurus to find a better, more exciting word. We then voted on the best for each word and the groups were awarded points. We will finish this tomorrow. One word we learned today was “pulchritudinous.”

Book orders are due tomorrow! Have a great Thursday!

From percentages to prepositional poetry

Here's an example of the kind of prepositional poetry the class worked on today.

In math we worked more with percentages and fractions. It seemed to help children see the connection between the last few lessons. We turned fractions into percentages and percentages into fractions.

In spelling the Wordskills group did their word sorts today. The other group played Sparkle.

In language we wrote preposition poems. Each line had to begin with a preposition. Only the first and last lines could begin with another part of speech, but didn’t have to.

Have a great Wednesday!

Fractions, decimals and percentages

We started chapter 7 in math today.  We made a list of fractions, decimals, and percentages that were equal.  We will add to these as we go along.  We also took another timed test.  I have several that are now on division, rather than multiplication.  I have also put out another extra credit opportunity.  It will not be accepted after Friday.

In language we worked with prepositions, while reviewing nouns and adjectives, as well.

In spelling the Wordskills group did a couple of practice pages, and the Evan Moor group was divided into two groups and then wrote their words on index cards before sorting them.  They had to agree as a group on how to sort them, then explain and defend their reasoning.

Computer lab day turns teacher into poet

For math we went to the computer lab today. I have tried to put into verse what it is like to be a computer monitor all day long.

Not in the classroom,

But the lab instead.

Teacher feels

So very brain-dead.

All day long,

“Math first, next, reading.”

I said it so much

My lips are bleeding.

Though it is good

To practice those skills,

It seems to rust

My poor brain’s wheels.

Tomorrow’s a new day

With a lesson in sight.

I won’t feel so worn-out

Come Tuesday night!

In language we revealed our cupcakes. I read the ads, and the class guessed which cupcake was being described.

In spelling, we went over our words and each group had an assignment. I will put them on Spelling City as soon as I finish the blog.

Just a reminder, our book orders are due this Friday. You  can order online.

Have a marvelous Monday!

Full day of learning for sixth graders

We took our test over chapter 6 in math today.  I also added a vocabulary section, and they were allowed to use their folders/spirals.  If they have been adding the vocabulary words each day that we have written on the board as they should have, then they will do very well in this section. 

In spelling we took our tests.

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

A little extra time makes math assignment easier

In math we finished chapter 6 and every class commented on how easy today’s assignment was!  I told them the reason it seemed easy is because we had spent a little extra time on it, and they understood it!  I told them they could study using the practice test on page 359 in their texts.  I will put the answers below so that they can check their work.

In spelling each group played Sparkle and illustrated half of the words on their individual lists.  The odd illustrated the odd-numbered, and the even illustrated the even numbers.

In language the groups finished their "lost cupcake" ads. 

And for some good news!  We received a Bobcat Grant and will be receiving individual dry erase boards and a set of boards that have different math skills already on them, such as a place value chart to be filled in.  Thank you, Ms. Massey!

Have a great Thursday evening!

Answers to page 359-Chapter 6 test practice

Write each ration as a fraction in simplest form.

1.        12 red blocks out of 20 blocks

a.       3/5

2.        24 potato chips out of 144 chips

a.       1/6

3.        65 rotten apples out of 520 apples

a.       1/8

4.        The world record for the fastest typing speed is 212 words per minute.  How many words per second is this?  Round to the nearest tenth. 

a.       3.5 words

Write each rate as a unit rate.

5.        $2 for 36 erasers

a.       18 erasers

$1

6.        180 pages in 90 minutes

a.       2 pages

1 min

7.        Candace buys 12 cans of orange juice for $6.  At this rate, how much would she pay for 48 cans of orange juice?

a.       $20

b.      $22

c.       $24

d.      $30

Correct answer is c.

Determine if the quantities in each pair of ratios or rates are proportional.  Explain your reasoning and express each proportional relationship as a proportion.

8.        32 pencils for $8; 16 pencils for $4

Answer:  Yes; Since the unit rates are the same, the rates are equivalent.

9.        72 out of 90 students have siblings; 362 out of 450 students have siblings

Answer:  No, they are not because the fractions are not the same.

10.    524 calories for 4 servings; 786 calories for 6 servings

Answer:  Yes, since the unit rates are the same they are proportional.

11.    X=8

12.   P=40

13.   N=2

14.   A=28

15.   100

16.   $9

17.   J) 3x + 2

18.   The chart should have the hours and the days as the categories.  And it should start with 2 hours and 1 day. 

19.   H = 2d

20.   24

Today: patterning, word skills, adjectives ... and cupcakes!

Students wrote ads today describing cupcakes

In math today we did some independent work that was much like the ones we worked together yesterday.  We also worked with patterning.  Our assignment to turn in tomorrow is pages 104 and 106.  We did all but 2 of 104 in class, so there shouldn’t be a whole lot of work tonight, as there are only 12 on page 106.

In spelling the Word Skills group read the story that goes along with this week’s words and answered questions.  The Evan Moor group did a crossword and some editing practice.

In language we used our describing words (adjectives) to write a lost cupcake ad.  Each group designed a cupcake, then wrote the ad.  We will see how well they were written when people get to guess which ad goes with which cupcake tomorrow.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Breaking down word problems

In math we reviewed what we have covered in chapter 6 so far.  We worked several word problems, discussing the steps in solving them.  Word problems have always been a pain to many.  But when the problem is broken down, it seems easier.  Your child’s assignment is the mid-chapter quiz on page 340 of the text.

In spelling everyone received their lists.  Both lists are on spellingcity.com.  The Evan-Moore group (formally known as the text group) was given 2 copies so that one may be kept at home.

In language we filled in a story that was missing all of its adjectives.  I can’t wait to read these! 

Have a great day!

Classes begin new 9-weeks grading period

In math today I picked up yesterday’s assignment.  And even though it was a short assignment, I had several who didn’t turn it in.  We have discussed how it is a new 9 weeks and we need to get off on the right foot.  Today’s assignment was WB 102.  They seemed to almost enjoy this, as it made more sense to them.

In spelling we took our tests.

In language we continued with yesterday’s.  Some were able to type their stories today.  Others will be allowed to Tuesday of next week.

Have a great 3-day weekend!

Math learning: more than one way to explain our reasoning

In math we checked over our work and discovered there is more than one way to explain our reasoning.  The children are having trouble realizing that when they explain something in words, they just need to explain it as they would say it.  Our assignment was a page titled “Dr. Fractionstein.”  It is a page to practice dividing fractions.  Some are still forgetting to invert the second fraction.  They also need to remember not to do any reducing until after they have inverted the second fraction. 

In spelling the Wordskills group first acted out the words then did pages in the workbook.  The other group had to unscramble their words.

Popcorn day is tomorrow

In language we started a list of different parts of speech.  This is the first step to a lesson similar to “Mad Libs.”  We will finish this tomorrow.

In spelling some of the students may have a lower grade than he/she would like on their report cards.  Since we have 2 different groups now, I know these will improve, as I feel each student is working on the list that is the best fit for him/her. 

Tomorrow is Popcorn Day, so please send your 50 cents if your child is not prepaid.

Have a great Thursday!

Work continues on ratios and proportions

In math we worked more with ratios and proportions.  This is giving us a bit of trouble so we are doing some extra practice with it.  Please make sure that your child brings his/her homework back tomorrow so that we may go over it again.

Mrs. Troyer did a lesson with the class during our spelling and language block.

Book orders are coming home tomorrow.  Our code to order online is J34XP.  These are due January 27^th.

Have a great Wednesday evening with your family!

Clearing up some math confusion

Today in math we cleared up some confusion about yesterday’s assignments.  Some tried to tell me that they didn’t understand it.  But when I told them it was something we have already done, they remembered that they did know how to do it.  We are working on proportions and will continue to do so tomorrow.

In language we worked with adjectives.  We took them from our “Snowball Sentences.”  The children then chose 10 and wrote them in a manner that showed what each adjective meant. For example, we wrote the word "big" in big print, the word "dark" in dark type, the word "bouncing" in letters that seemed to bounce, and so forth.

In spelling we wrote our words alphabetically.

Have a great Tuesday!

I was a home sick -- and grading tests -- today.  But I should be back tomorrow.  Tell my Jewels I missed them.

Mrs. Jacobs

Math problems can create headaches for parents, too -- so feel free to call

I forgot to welcome our new student, Lena, in yesterday’s blog. We are glad to have her!

In math we took another day to go over the ratio tables. These are a little difficult, and when you combine a word problem with them, they create headaches for all! We checked yesterday’s and assigned Skills workbook page 49 for Monday. There are only 5 problems on this page. Feel free to call if you need help. If I weren’t teaching this stuff, I would be lost. I remember when I taught 3rd grade and my own children would come home with 6^th grade math homework I had to call in some life lines. But I have survived 6^th grade as a parent three times now.

During language and spelling today we wrote our new year’s resolutions and read silently.

Tonight I am on my way to Science Museum Oklahoma, where I work part time as a science instructor.  I'll be doing hands-on science workshops on the scientific method.

Have a great weekend!

Fraction operations, ratios and rates, and an aha! moment

In math today we put our fraction operations to the test and learned about ratios and rates.  If your child didn’t finish, he/she has to finish wb 97-98.

In spelling and language we discussed persuasive/argumentative writing.  We discussed some things that the children thought should be done, and how they would argue their points.  It was an aha moment during our read-aloud when there was a perfect example of such writing and how each side has valid points that can be made.

I hope everyone has a great Thursday!

Blog has 1,000 visitors

We just passed 1,000 visitors to this blog, which only began this fall.  That's lots of folk from the Broadmoore family, and even lots of visitors from around the world.  Thanks for your support!

It was great to be back and to see everyone’s smiling faces! 

I love January

And seeing children

In their new shoes, clothes and bling.

It makes my face smile

And my heart sing.

In math we took a chapter 5 review quiz.  I wanted to make sure that we all remember how to work with fractions.  We also added “absolute value” to our spiral.  We are going to be adding several vocabulary words, along with examples.

In spelling we did a language arts review over complete/incomplete sentences and sentence types. 

In language we wrote Snowball Sentences.  We start with one word then add one on each line, using words that begin with the same sound.  (alliteration)

Have a great Wednesday evening!