Thursday, December 17, 2009

Paws Team Update

We are preparing for a couple of rewards as Winter Break rapidly approaches. There will be an auction that will take place on Monday, 12-21-09. The students will have the ability to bid (using the cub cash they have accumulated) on various movie posters, Wal-Mart gift cards, and various other items. A list of items, available for auction, was sent home yesterday for a parent/guardian to sign. I have also attached a copy of the list. Students must bring back the Auction Sheet signed by Monday or they will not be able to bid on any items at the auction. The students may only bid on the items that are initialed. On Tuesday, 12-22-09 there will be a movie day the last block of the day.



Have a great and safe Winter Break!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Paws Team Update

In Social Studies, we are preparing to take our test over Ancient India-Chapter 6 from our book. Students will need to complete the study guide—blue classes got their study guide today and gold classes will get their study guide tomorrow. Please ask to see the assignments we are working on and have your student explain what they are learning and studying in class each day. The test/folder over Ancient India will be taken/due for blue classes on Wednesday (12-16) and for gold classes on Thursday (12-17).

Chapter 6 Folder--Ancient India—100 points
1. Chapter 6 Section 1 (Part 1) (20 points)
2. Chapter 6 Section 1 (Part 2) (20 points)
3. Chapter 6 Section 2 (20 points)
4. Chapter 6 Section 3 (20 points)
5. Chapter 6 Study Guide (10 points)
6. Chapter 6 Jeopardy (10 points) (will be completed in class on Friday and Monday)

*Ancient India Mini-Books (were made today for blue classes and tomorrow for gold classes)

Students may use their mini-books during the test. Their mini-books must include:
1. Glossary – define the ten words from the bottom of the Ancient Study Guide (Pages 1 and 2)
2. At least one page devoted to Hinduism (Page 3)
3. At least one page devoted to Buddhism (Page 4)
4. The rest of the mini-book they may write any information they choose to help them on the test.

If you would like a copy of the answers to the study guide to assist your student in preparing for the test, please e-mail me your request on Monday or Tuesday.

In Communication Arts, the students did a great job on their Martin Luther King, Jr. essays, "From Fear to Understanding". The essays that have been turned in so far have been very interesting and show promise of being selected as winners. Spelling Test 5 will be given Thursday, Dec. 10 (Blue) and Dec. 11 (Gold) over these words: arctic, atmosphere, balmy, boggy, boulder, gorge, molten, oasis, outcropping, resource, ridge, slate, sleet, slush, stratified, sulphur, undertow, unidentified, visible, and volcanic.

In Science, the students just completed their final geology unit test. Scores should be posted to STI by next Wednesday if not sooner. We will begin our unit on matter next class period. The students will be learning about atoms and their relationship in the world in which we live.

In Mathematics, students just finished testing over Chapter 4. We will begin our work over Chapter 5, soon. Students will have homework each time they have class.

We still have a few students that have not passed the multiplication test, so keep reviewing. We are also about to have a contest between the PAWS Team and PRIDE Team with multiplication. The team with the best percentage will have free seating at lunch for a week! Have a great weekend!

In Reading Exploratory, please make sure that your student is reading 100 minutes per week, writing three complete summaries, and having you sign the Reading Log. Please have students proofread and edit their summaries if it is not their best work. There will be a reading log due every Friday.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Paws Team Update

Mid-quarter grades will be handed to students tomorrow, Friday. They will need to be signed and returned by Wednesday (12-9).

In Social Studies, we are beginning our study of Ancient India-Chapter 6 from our book. Students will have homework each time they have social studies class. Please ask to see the assignments we are working on and have your student explain what they are learning and studying in class each day. The test/folder over Ancient India will be taken/due for blue classes on Wednesday (12-16) and for gold classes on Thursday (12-17).

Congratulations to our Geography Bee Paws Team winners:
Kevin Driver
Brayden Jones
Alyssa Presley
Jimmy Gove
Kyle Brown
They will be competing against other 6th, 7th, and 8th grade team winners in the school wide Geography Bee on December 16 to crown a school wide champion. Good luck contestants!

In Communication Arts, the students should have their Martin Luther King, Jr. essay, "From Fear to Understanding" turned in no later than Friday, Dec. 4th. The essays will be picked up at the school for judging on Tuesday, Dec. 8th. The essays that have been turned in so far have been very interesting and show promise of being selected as winners. Spelling Test 5 will be given Thursday, Dec. 10 (Blue) and Dec. 11 (Gold) over these words: arctic, atmosphere, balmy, boggy, boulder, gorge, molten, oasis, outcropping, resource, ridge, slate, sleet, slush, stratified, sulphur, undertow, unidentified, visible, and volcanic.

In Math, next week will be the chapter 4 test. This is a very difficult chapter, so we have spent this week reviewing the chapter. Pages 202-204 have great review questions and vocabulary to study. (The test will NOT include lesson 9.) Students will also have three quizzes from chapter 4 that would be great study guides.

We still have a few students that have not passed the multiplication test, so keep reviewing. We are also about to have a contest between the PAWS Team and PRIDE Team with multiplication. The team with the best percentage will have free seating at lunch for a week! Have a great weekend!

In Science, the students are learning about the tools used to locate and measure earthquakes. The unit test will take place next week on Wednesday or Thursday. The test will cover information about minerals, earthquakes, and the rock cycle. Our unit review will take place on Monday and Tuesday. All late work will be due at that time. Please check STI to determine what work your child may be missing.

In Reading Exploratory, please make sure that your student is reading 100 minutes per week, writing three complete summaries, and having you sign the Reading Log (attached). Please have students proofread and edit their summaries if it is not their best work. There will be a reading log due every Friday.