Students prepare to write pro-and-con piece

In spelling we took turns on spellingcity.com at the Smart Board.

In language we did a prewriting lesson on expository writing by making a pros and cons list of a given subject. The subject we chose was whether or not 6th grade should be moved to middle school or stay at the elementary schools.

In science we started chapter 9 and went over some of the facts we learned in chapter 8. Chapter 9 is about fresh water.

Students practice editing, take science test

In spelling we worked with editing and using correct words in sentences. The sentences used the word pairs that sounded similar.

In science we took our test over chapter 8.

We had a fire drill.

Students learn by doing in sixth grade

In spelling we did lessons on spellingcity.com.

In language we continued discussing expository writing using a Smart Board interactive lesson.

In science we did an activity where we pretended we were water molecules.  We started at different stations in the room, chose a card, and followed the instructions.  An example of a card:  “A plant transpires me and I evaporate.  Go to cloud.”  The purpose of this was to show that the water cycle is more than evaporating from the ocean into the air to the clouds and back as precipitation.  Just like humans, water molecules have unique stories. 

Science test is Wednesday

We took our pretest in spelling today.  We corrected them in a new way today.  We wrote the ones we missed rainbow style.  Ask your child about this activity.

Due to the long Rise ‘n Shine, we didn’t get to start our writing today, but will start back with expository writing tomorrow.

In science we did the end of chapter 8 review, and checked it, as we have a test on Wednesday.  We also played “I Have, Who Has….” 

Have a great Monday evening with your family!

Students do well on spelling test; parents urged to donate for needed classroom supplies

Our classroom needs a number of school and art supplies, and these
are not provided by the district.  We would really appreciate your
help in buying some of these supplies or sending a small cash
donation that we could use toward the purchase of what we need.

In spelling we took our test, and they did very well!  We only had 10 words, but many were very difficult words. 

In language the students had to tell me what expository writing is and show/give examples.

In science we went to the computer lab.

Notes came home today about a “Classroom Shower.”  We are in need of a few supplies, and appreciate any help you can give.  If you would rather send a monetary donation, I would be happy to purchase the supplies.  Let me know if you need any ideas about our areas of greatest need.

Thank you, in advance!

Students look at dangers of cyber-bullying

We had a lesson with Mrs. Troyer today during language over “cyber-bullying.”  Children were encouraged to let parents know if they receive any texts/emails that are not appropriate.

In science we corrected our vocabulary quiz and reviewed chapter 8 with a game.

Young authors continue to work with expository writing

In writing today we improved our last expository writing activity and gave our directions to someone to see if he/she could make the same picture the author had, using his/her directions.

Remember that our spelling words are online at spellingcity.com to practice.  There is a new game on there and I played it to see what it was like.  I think your child will enjoy it.

In science we made more vocabulary cards and had a quiz over them to see which ones we needed to study.  We also were to read pages 264-271 and answer #1-5 on page 271.

Class adds science terms to spelling list

Since we only have 4 days this week we have a short spelling list, as well.  We went through our current science chapter, each person chose 2 words he/she thought would make good spelling words, and we voted on them.  Our current list is:

                condensation

                evaporation

                precipitation

                eutrophication

                vapor

                iceberg

                atmosphere

                water

                hemisphere

                oxygen

This week we will continue to work on expository writing.

In science we read section 3 of chapter 8.  We also played a review game using “I Have….Who Has” cards I made for this chapter.  If your child has not finished his/her vocabulary cards, he/she needs to get those done.  They will help your child with the vocabulary on our chapter test.

No school Monday as we remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Students have a busy day of learning and review

Sixth graders had a busy day today.  Here's what they did:

• In language arts, we made singular nouns into plural nouns.
• In science, they took index cards and put words from our science studies on one side and the definition of that word on the other side to make flash cards.  We'll use these words to study.

Sixth graders enjoy hands-on experiences in writing and science

In writer’s workshop I gave each student another person’s directions from yesterday, along with the shapes.  Each student then tried to make the same shape by following the written directions.  When checked, if they were right that author of that one was done.  If not quite the same, then the author took his/her note card and tried to make directions more clear.

In spelling we did a practice page over definitions and finding the correctly spelled words.

In science we did and “egg”speriment today.  We wanted to find out if freshwater or saltwater was more buoyant.  After we did that observation, we then wanted to find out if the amount of salt added to water made a difference.  Ask your child about this activity.  It was enjoyed by all!

Class begins expository writing

In writer’s workshop today, we did an expository writing practice lesson. Each  person chose between 5 and 10 geometrical shapes, made one big shape using them, and then wrote directions for another person to follow so that he/she may make the same big shape. Each student had to draw his/her finished shape so that when we trade tomorrow, we can check.

In science we did an observation that simulated the percentages of where water on Earth is stored. We also discussed Monday’s lesson.

I have extended book orders for one more day, as I was sent coupons from Scholastic. If your child spends $5, he/she gets to choose another book for free (up to $5).

Class takes first spelling pretest of 2013

We started spelling for the first time this year.   We took our spelling pretest, and then corrected those missed.

We also finished our lexicon page that we began last week.  Since this was the first page, it took a little longer than it will once we have done a few.

In science we read section 2 of chapter 8.  We also added a drawing to our notebook. 

Book orders are due tomorrow!

Students begin work on lexicons

Today we started our lexicons in writing. We will build individual lexicons so that at the end of the year each student will have his/her own and it will be filled with many words, some unfamiliar.

Remind your child to type his/her friend story so he/she may turn it in on Monday. It may be handwritten.

In science we went to computer lab and each student took his/her STAR math test.

Have a great weekend!

Writers do peer conferences with stories

In writer’s workshop, we continued working on our stories and then shared with a peer.  We held peer conferences.  When your child is done with his/her story, he/she may type them to turn in.  If you do not have a printer at home, you may email stories to me and I will print here.

In science we watched a great NASA video about the water cycle.  We also reviewed lesson 1 of chapter 8.

Tomorrow is Popcorn Day.  If your child didn’t pay for the year, and wants popcorn, please send 50 cents with him/her tomorrow.

Teacher works with writing conferences during writer's workshop

In writing today we went further with the assignment we started yesterday.  I enjoyed conferencing individual writers over their stories.  When I conference, I read what a child has written, then ask questions.  That makes them think about things that they could add to their stories.  This doesn’t mean they erase and rewrite, but add, just as authors do on their stories/pieces.  Writing is a process.  Our saying is, “When you think you’re done, you’ve only just begun!”

In science we started chapter 8.  This is about water, and I don’t know why, but water is so fun!  Of course, during bus duty today, I would have preferred a little less precipitation!  Your child had 5 questions to answer on page 254 of his/her text.

Book orders went home yesterday.  To order online go to Scholastic.com.  Our online code is J34XP.  Tuesday is the due date.

New year starts with new project in writer's workshop

It was great to be back and see everyone’s smiling face today! Every single student was here, and that always makes for a great day!

In writing we did a prewrite activity. We also discussed how it is easiest to write about something that truly happened to us. Today’s activity was to think of people they remembered meeting for the very first time. They made a list. Then they wrote a sentence about each meeting. From there they will choose which one to write their story about. Tomorrow, directions, rules, and genre choices for the Oklahoma Writing Project will come home with your child.

In science we did another lab, this time using a full can, rather than an empty can of soda, as we did in December.

I hope everyone had a Happy New Year!