SMS 6th Grade Team Lopez Newsletter
GENERAL REMINDERS/HIGHLIGHTS:
· Friday, November 8: Signed Progress Report cover sheets due to Core teachers
· Friday, November 8: Shuksan Spirit Day! This Friday, wearing red, white, and blue will also count toward your class’s totals!
· Monday, November 11: No School today in observation of Veteran’s Day.
· Wednesday, November 13: Cougar Pride Breakfast. If your student is being recognized, you will receive an invitation from the main office.
· Early releases this month: Wednesday, November 6 (3:00), Wednesday, November 13 (3:00), Wednesday, November 20 (12:15), and Wednesday November 27 (12:15).
· No School Thursday, November 28 or Friday, November 29.
· PTSA: Please join our PTSA. You DO NOT need to commit to any volunteering or extra time to be a member of our PTSA. $10.00 for an individual, $18.00 for a family. Contact our front office for details.
· Stamps: Please check your child’s planner every night. A blue stamp means they met expectations for completed work or student success attributes in class. A red stamp means they did not meet expectations. If there is no stamp, it means the teacher did not stamp planners in class that day. You should have seen stamps for all classes this week.
· Late Night Open Swim: The Arne Hanna Aquatic Center is hosting an open swim for middle-schoolers! Friday nights from 8:00pm – 10:00pm a safe and supervised setting for your child to spend their Friday evening with friends. FREE!
Fridays in November: 8th, 15th, 22nd and December: 6th, 13th.
· Art Club: Art club takes place every Wednesday from 8:00AM – 9:00AM. Students can still join! Sign up in the front office.
· Social Action Club: Wednesday at 8:00 am and Thursday after school in Mrs. Strow’s room!
· Sports: Floor Exercise & Dance: November 7th – January 17th
This is a “pre-winter” sport. Deadline for paperwork is November 1. See the front office for paperwork. Must purchase an ASB card ($10) to participate.
Athletic fees are based on student’s meal status:
Full Pay Lunch - $50 athletic fee
Reduced Pay Lunch - $35 athletic fee
Free Lunch - $20 athletic fee
MATH: (Mr. Finlay)
Mr. Finlay: [email protected]
Content Overview: The big picture this week focuses on the properties of fractions. We are starting a new unit—Parts of Numbers—and we’re investigating how fractions relate as part of a whole, as compared in amount to each other, and how they could be equivalent to other fractions.
Learning Targets:
- I can compare fractions to the benchmarks of 0, ½ and 1.
- I can compare the relative size of fractions using the greater than, less than or equal to signs.
- I can find equivalent fractions.
- I can continue to track my own progress through the Parts of Numbers unit using the color-coded unit cover sheet (to be assigned).
- I can convert mixed numbers to improper fractions and vice-versa.
- I can practice and memorize all multiplication facts and division facts 1-12 (see website http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-6 for helpful drills).
-
Talking Points:
One important function of students’ academic planners is to strengthen school-home awareness and communication. Ask to see your student’s planner every weeknight. Please initial the space for parent signature so I can know you’ve checked the planner. Thank you.
We are beginning two new “flavors” for our Daily Math Review: Finding Area and Perimeter (of a 4-sided shape), and Finding Lowest Common Multiple.
LANGUAGE ARTS and SOCIAL STUDIES:
Mrs. Strow: [email protected]
Ms. Jurgensen: [email protected]
This week in Ms. Jurgensen’s Core:
Language Arts:
Students have been very busy in Language Arts! Students were given their first Weekly Task in addition to their reading log this week. See the homework section below for more information. To help support students’ success, homework is now due on Tuesdays of each week.
We will be continuing to work toward writing personal narratives this week by reading mentor texts and identifying the elements of a personal narrative within those texts. We will also be completing more Vocabulary Crosswords this week and reviewing new vocabulary words we learned in the first two lessons. Last week, we started our first Quick Write Prompts and will continue with those this week.
Learning Targets:
-I can identify episodes within a story.
-I can respond to a quick write prompt.
-I can read 30 minutes at home each day and record my thoughts on my weekly Reading Log each evening.
Talking Points:
-Ask to see your student's weekly Reading Log and talk to them about the episodes that are occurring within the plot of the chapter book they are reading.
HOMEWORK
-WEEKLY READING TASKS STARTING THIS WEEK! Check the back of your student’s reading log for this week’s writing task.
-At home reading: In 6th grade students are expected to read 30 minutes, five nights per week and record their reading time on their Reading Log. Please be sure to verify your student's reading time and sign off on their weekly reading total. Weekly Reading Logs are now due every Tuesday. Unsigned homework will not be accepted.
Social Studies:
Map Skill Focus of the Week: Picturing the World
Content Objectives: This week we will be wrapping up our study of culture and getting ready to move on to our last chapter in Geography, “Natural Resources.” Following our study of natural resources, we will begin our units on Ancient Civilizations!
Talking Points:
-Ask your student about the four basic needs of humans: water, clothing, food, and shelter.
-Ask your student about what makes cultures different from one another.
SCIENCE:
Mr. Robinson: [email protected]
Content Overview: We are continuing our study of populations and ecosystems with the mini-ecosystems in the classroom.
This week we are focusing on feeding interactions in the Mono Lake ecosystem, and unique lake found in California.
Learning Targets:
· I can record scientific observations of milkweed bugs, and other organisms.
I can explain the difference between a “food chain” and “food web.”
· I can explain and identify the food web in the Mono Lake ecosystem.
Talking Points:
· Ask what is happening in the Milkweed Bug habitats and mini-ecosystems in our classroom.
· Ask about the Mono Lake ecosystem, and some of the organisms that live there.
READING: (Ms. Strommer) [email protected]
6th GRADE RESOURCE TEACHER:
Ms. Bartz: [email protected]
ELECTIVE COURSES:
Ms. Larson: [email protected]
Content Overview
Students have a work day Monday to complete their CHAMPS PowerPoint reformatting assignment and/or make up any other missing or not-at-standard work. Wednesday students will be introduced to their next PowerPoint project on a topic of their choice. Friday will be a planning day on their project.
Learning Targets
· I can use class time to make up work and revise work to standard.
· I can create an innovative and interactive product using PowerPoint.
Mrs. Heywood: [email protected]
6th Grade Art:
We’re finishing the still life drawings in charcoal- they look stunning so far! Developing drawing skills will help students with their 3-D drawings for their clay project. The clay project will focus on the folk art from Oaxaca, Mexico, known for its vibrant colors and intricate patterns.
Learning Targets:
* I can use different drawing techniques, including contour lines.
* I can include highlights and a range of middle values in my drawing.
* I can use a variety of clay hand-building techniques.
* I can apply my knowledge of Oaxaca, Mexico to my artwork.
Physical Education: [email protected]
Mrs. Diaz: [email protected]
ORCHESTRA:
Mr. Stanage: [email protected]
Reading Support
GENERAL REMINDERS/HIGHLIGHTS:
· Friday, November 8: Signed Progress Report cover sheets due to Core teachers
· Friday, November 8: Shuksan Spirit Day! This Friday, wearing red, white, and blue will also count toward your class’s totals!
· Monday, November 11: No School today in observation of Veteran’s Day.
· Wednesday, November 13: Cougar Pride Breakfast. If your student is being recognized, you will receive an invitation from the main office.
· Early releases this month: Wednesday, November 6 (3:00), Wednesday, November 13 (3:00), Wednesday, November 20 (12:15), and Wednesday November 27 (12:15).
· No School Thursday, November 28 or Friday, November 29.
· PTSA: Please join our PTSA. You DO NOT need to commit to any volunteering or extra time to be a member of our PTSA. $10.00 for an individual, $18.00 for a family. Contact our front office for details.
· Stamps: Please check your child’s planner every night. A blue stamp means they met expectations for completed work or student success attributes in class. A red stamp means they did not meet expectations. If there is no stamp, it means the teacher did not stamp planners in class that day. You should have seen stamps for all classes this week.
· Late Night Open Swim: The Arne Hanna Aquatic Center is hosting an open swim for middle-schoolers! Friday nights from 8:00pm – 10:00pm a safe and supervised setting for your child to spend their Friday evening with friends. FREE!
Fridays in November: 8th, 15th, 22nd and December: 6th, 13th.
· Art Club: Art club takes place every Wednesday from 8:00AM – 9:00AM. Students can still join! Sign up in the front office.
· Social Action Club: Wednesday at 8:00 am and Thursday after school in Mrs. Strow’s room!
· Sports: Floor Exercise & Dance: November 7th – January 17th
This is a “pre-winter” sport. Deadline for paperwork is November 1. See the front office for paperwork. Must purchase an ASB card ($10) to participate.
Athletic fees are based on student’s meal status:
Full Pay Lunch - $50 athletic fee
Reduced Pay Lunch - $35 athletic fee
Free Lunch - $20 athletic fee
MATH: (Mr. Finlay)
Mr. Finlay: [email protected]
Content Overview: The big picture this week focuses on the properties of fractions. We are starting a new unit—Parts of Numbers—and we’re investigating how fractions relate as part of a whole, as compared in amount to each other, and how they could be equivalent to other fractions.
Learning Targets:
- I can compare fractions to the benchmarks of 0, ½ and 1.
- I can compare the relative size of fractions using the greater than, less than or equal to signs.
- I can find equivalent fractions.
- I can continue to track my own progress through the Parts of Numbers unit using the color-coded unit cover sheet (to be assigned).
- I can convert mixed numbers to improper fractions and vice-versa.
- I can practice and memorize all multiplication facts and division facts 1-12 (see website http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-6 for helpful drills).
-
Talking Points:
One important function of students’ academic planners is to strengthen school-home awareness and communication. Ask to see your student’s planner every weeknight. Please initial the space for parent signature so I can know you’ve checked the planner. Thank you.
We are beginning two new “flavors” for our Daily Math Review: Finding Area and Perimeter (of a 4-sided shape), and Finding Lowest Common Multiple.
LANGUAGE ARTS and SOCIAL STUDIES:
Mrs. Strow: [email protected]
Ms. Jurgensen: [email protected]
This week in Ms. Jurgensen’s Core:
Language Arts:
Students have been very busy in Language Arts! Students were given their first Weekly Task in addition to their reading log this week. See the homework section below for more information. To help support students’ success, homework is now due on Tuesdays of each week.
We will be continuing to work toward writing personal narratives this week by reading mentor texts and identifying the elements of a personal narrative within those texts. We will also be completing more Vocabulary Crosswords this week and reviewing new vocabulary words we learned in the first two lessons. Last week, we started our first Quick Write Prompts and will continue with those this week.
Learning Targets:
-I can identify episodes within a story.
-I can respond to a quick write prompt.
-I can read 30 minutes at home each day and record my thoughts on my weekly Reading Log each evening.
Talking Points:
-Ask to see your student's weekly Reading Log and talk to them about the episodes that are occurring within the plot of the chapter book they are reading.
HOMEWORK
-WEEKLY READING TASKS STARTING THIS WEEK! Check the back of your student’s reading log for this week’s writing task.
-At home reading: In 6th grade students are expected to read 30 minutes, five nights per week and record their reading time on their Reading Log. Please be sure to verify your student's reading time and sign off on their weekly reading total. Weekly Reading Logs are now due every Tuesday. Unsigned homework will not be accepted.
Social Studies:
Map Skill Focus of the Week: Picturing the World
Content Objectives: This week we will be wrapping up our study of culture and getting ready to move on to our last chapter in Geography, “Natural Resources.” Following our study of natural resources, we will begin our units on Ancient Civilizations!
Talking Points:
-Ask your student about the four basic needs of humans: water, clothing, food, and shelter.
-Ask your student about what makes cultures different from one another.
SCIENCE:
Mr. Robinson: [email protected]
Content Overview: We are continuing our study of populations and ecosystems with the mini-ecosystems in the classroom.
This week we are focusing on feeding interactions in the Mono Lake ecosystem, and unique lake found in California.
Learning Targets:
· I can record scientific observations of milkweed bugs, and other organisms.
I can explain the difference between a “food chain” and “food web.”
· I can explain and identify the food web in the Mono Lake ecosystem.
Talking Points:
· Ask what is happening in the Milkweed Bug habitats and mini-ecosystems in our classroom.
· Ask about the Mono Lake ecosystem, and some of the organisms that live there.
READING: (Ms. Strommer) [email protected]
6th GRADE RESOURCE TEACHER:
Ms. Bartz: [email protected]
ELECTIVE COURSES:
Ms. Larson: [email protected]
Content Overview
Students have a work day Monday to complete their CHAMPS PowerPoint reformatting assignment and/or make up any other missing or not-at-standard work. Wednesday students will be introduced to their next PowerPoint project on a topic of their choice. Friday will be a planning day on their project.
Learning Targets
· I can use class time to make up work and revise work to standard.
· I can create an innovative and interactive product using PowerPoint.
Mrs. Heywood: [email protected]
6th Grade Art:
We’re finishing the still life drawings in charcoal- they look stunning so far! Developing drawing skills will help students with their 3-D drawings for their clay project. The clay project will focus on the folk art from Oaxaca, Mexico, known for its vibrant colors and intricate patterns.
Learning Targets:
* I can use different drawing techniques, including contour lines.
* I can include highlights and a range of middle values in my drawing.
* I can use a variety of clay hand-building techniques.
* I can apply my knowledge of Oaxaca, Mexico to my artwork.
Physical Education: [email protected]
Mrs. Diaz: [email protected]
ORCHESTRA:
Mr. Stanage: [email protected]
Reading Support