Working Through it all.....

We had a busy day....the students are plugging along with their assessments! I can see that some of them are lacking in effort....I know it is that time of the year. I have encouraged the students to make every effort to keep the efforts high, even though it is the last couple weeks of school. The end of the year assessments need to be a focus for proving what the students know and what they have learned.

HOMEWORK....
There will be no homework assignments for the remainder of the school year.....Unless a student had unfinished work or make-up work.

Parent Thought....Please remind your child to have good effort in the coming days....

REMINDER:
No school on Friday due to observation of Memorial Day!

Pre-Post Tests!

I have done a great deal of pre-and post testing this school year in order to determine learning needs for individual students. I am so glad for this because it has helped me to determine learning needs and moving each student to their next learning level! The students have, over time, started to see the reasons and the rewards for doing this. Some of their achievement has grown TREMENDOUSLY this school year.

Each student has kept a goal/data folder to record learning and assessment data. These folders (YELLOW) will be coming home next week. Be looking for them and have a conversation with your child about the achievement they have experienced this year.....We focus on growth!!

HOMEWORK:

NONE!

Parent Thought....Ask your child how they "Feel" they did on their end of the year assessment in Language Arts Assessments

Masks come Alive!

It has been a busy last couple of weeks! the students completed a unit on symbolism. The focus was on knowing yourselves and your strengths! Each student created a mask that was the shape of their faces. It was great to see the students working in partnerships to complete the masks. Then, the students were able to decorate their masks based on some symbols, paint colors, etc. that represented them!

We had a lot of fun! They are such a creative group!!

HOMEWORK: For Tuesday May 25, 2010
Language Arts:

• Complete vocabulary Crossword puzzle
• Study Unit Vocabulary and Spelling words

Math: None

Who is counting?

The students have officially starting counting down the days to the end of the school year. I had not heard them talk about it before today! I would think that the warm weather has helped to put the in "Summer Mode"! I am certainly not ready for the to head off to the Junior High, I know that they are ready, but I am really going to miss them! They make the days enjoyable, such a fun mix of personalities! I am so thankful!

This is a review week. We will be review both Language Arts and Math Material. There will be assessments everyday starting on Wednesday and continuing through Tuesday of next week. This will be the completion of the Language Arts and Math Units for the last grading period.

UPCOMING:
Next Week:
Tuesday - Privilege time in the afternoon
Wednesday- Talent Show
Thursday- Last Day & Field Day activities

HOMEWORK:
Language Art:

• Study Spelling Review List
• Complete Vocabulary Matching Sheet (Due Tomorrow)

Seminar (Health)

• Work on Drug Research Activity

Math:

• None

Parent Thought:

Ask your child ways that they can stay focused during this assessment week....Come up with a plan of action for this......good nights rest, personal best, staying focused, remembering respect....etc.

Choir....

Today we had the opportunity to enjoy a choir concert put on my the 7th and 8th grade students. The class was REALLY well behaved and they were a good audience. I was also very proud of their group work in math today! we are getting there with equations!

HOMEWORK:
Language Arts:
Study spelling if needed
Study vocabulary
Finish Re-reading the story

Math-None

Parent Thought- Ask your child what they learned today about a Comprehension Tool Box???

When I grow up....I want to be....

Career Research! It has been so interesting to work with the students on this project! I have learned a great deal and feel that they have as well! More to come on this.....

Homework:
Language Arts:
Re-Read story pg. 730-737 (the rest on Thursday night)
Study Vocabulary and spelling (if you did pass the pre-test)

Math- None

Parent Thought:
Ask your child what they have learned about the responsibilities for the career they are researching???

Symbolism

Today we learned about The Aztecs. We did this in the form of a news story. On Wednesday the students will be creating their own "News" worthy bits of information from the story. The goal of this activity is to engage the students in their comprehension of the story.

PAINTING!!! Today the students planned what symbolizes them. We worked through understanding their passions, their goals and other items that represents them. The symbolism masks turned out GREAT!! What a talented group of students!!

Ask your child what they painted and why????

HOMEWORK:
Language Arts:
Finish vocabulary sheet- Due Wed.
Study spelling and vocabulary words

Math: No written homework assignment

Read for 30+ minutes.....as always :)

We are getting there!!

Math....The students are making way with the introduction to equations. I am proud of their hard work!! It is not easy, but that is how learning is sometimes....It is good to be challenged!

Parent Thought: Note: I will out of the classroom but in the building for training tomorrow...I have reminded the students that the expectations are still high and our core values have not changed....Personal best is expected!

HOMEWORK:
Language Arts: Study spelling if needed
Study/practice vocabulary words
Finish re-reading the story for the week

Math: None

As always ....Read for enjoyment for 30 + minutes!

Aching Algebra....

The theme for this week in math is EFFORT and Patience!!
We are working on equations and while they are not easy, I have reminded the students that effort can take you far!! Many of them started of with this mentality and attitude that they were unable to do them....They are able to do them, I know they can, it just takes patience and effort!!!

HOMEWORK:
Language Arts:
-Study spelling if you did not pass the pretest

Math:
-Complete the 2 problems from the board

Parent Thought:
Ask your child what career they are researching and what information they are discovering,.....

Plaster, Fun, and a little Mess!!

The class had a fun time making their symbolism masks....PHOTOS will be coming in a few days!!!

HOMEWORK:

• Language Arts:
  Vocabulary Application sheet
• Math:
• None

Parent thought: Ask your child about their art experience today!! We had a good time and they did an awesome job!!

A week in Disguise..?

This week along with the typical curriculum we are studying symbolism. Today, we looked at and tried on some masks...the students enjoyed this. We discussed that while on the outside we can disguise ourselves, who we are on the inside does not change. We will be continuing this theme this week.

Tomorrow....Is our mask art project. I sent home a note regarding this on Friday. As a reminder your child will need:

• old set of clothes
• small towel
• headband and hair tie
• Face wash if they use a specific kind, I will have some on hand

Please feel free to email or call me if you have questions....

HOMEWORK:

Language Arts:

• Study Spelling words
• Vocabulary Sheet (Due Wed.)

Math:

• Math Journal Pg. 348 students were instructed to take home their Student Reference Book and their math template.

Parent Thought:

Ask your child if they tried on any masks today??? How did they look???

OTHER ITEMS:

There is a flyer coming home for IUSB reading program, you might take a look...

Your child has been offered flyers on other camps this summer....YMCA, Science Camp....Etc.

Equations, Equations.....

We are working on algebra...For some this is a good thing, for others, it is a challenge! We are working through it and all students are growing as learners...That is the Goal!!

HOMEWORK:
Language Arts:

• Study for Spelling Test
• Complete Grammar pg. 107

Math:

• Studylink 9.2 #1-3 (a-d on each problem only)

PLAY OUTSIDE TONIGHT!!!

Visit to the Junior High

I must admit, I have been nervous about the end of the year and the fact that my group of 27 awesome sixth graders are leaving our building and take the junior high journey....They just seem so young yet. HOWEVER, I felt much better today after physically seeing them in the Junior High building, and seeing the teachers that are looking forward to their arrival. They will be fine, and it is my hope that they will take their experiences from the Intermediate building with them....They will be fine, but I will miss them!!


They took a tour of where their classes will be, and had some question/answer time with the principal. They will also be able to come in to the school in August to find out their schedule and practice their lockers. It is important that they take this opportunity!!

HOMEWORK:

• L/A - Study spelling words....No pre-test this week, the assessment will be on Friday.
• math studylink - 9.1

Camp Recap....

Busy, to say the least! It was a packed day at camp yesterday and today for our group activity day here at school! The students experienced some valuable learning opportunities. I personally enjoyed the survival in the woods activity, archery and team dynamics building!

It is so enjoyable to see the students in a different atmosphere, I had a great time and while they were tired out, they seemed to have fun as well. We apologize for the late bus, the bus broke down on the way to get us Monday evening. Luckily, it was a quick fix and we were only 30 minuted behind schedule. Sorry for any inconvenience this might have caused.

UPCOMING: Tomorrow (Wednesday May 5) the students will be walking over to Jimtown Junior High for a tour and a question/answer session. Please talk with your child tonight and have them be prepared to ask some questions. I had them write some today, I will pass them along, then they can be addressed without the student asking in front of everyone. I will offer this opportunity tomorrow as well.

HOMEWORK:
As always students are encouraged to read at least 30 minutes each night....It helps with writing, reading, comprehension, vocabulary ......

HAVE A GREAT EVENING!