Sunshine, Science, and Soc. Studies

Students enjoyed the sunny weather today as they measured the distances between the planets in our solar system. They were surprised that they had to walk so far between each planet. They also competed in a banana joust. The battles got messy. Ask Conner T. about how messy. In the end, Alli's lance probably survived the best because she thought out of the box and had a plantain banana. Kids did a great job today of learning while having some fun.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Homework:

Planner signed: 4/1
Read 30 minutes

Language Arts: No homework assignment given. Be sure to work on your castle, costume for the Renaissance Faire, and missing assignments from all classes. On Monday, we will continue to finish the Leonardo DaVinci questions and Mona Lisa pictures.


Soc. Studies: Make sure that you have a costume for our Renaissance/Fantasy Faire. Talk to me soon if you can't find anything. Make sure that your castle is labeled with your NAME, COLOR, CLASS (K-O), CLASS #, and DATE.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Students enjoyed playing a probability game using toilet paper mice. This is a fun family game for all ages.

Homework:

Read 30 minutes.

Planner signed due 3/31.

Science/Astronomy

Today we watched a documentary on Apollo 11 and talked about gravity in our solar system.
Homework: Due tomorrow March 31st. Table with how much you would weigh on each planet. Also, 2 graphs -- one about the distance of the planets from the sun and one comparing the size of the planets. For distances use the astronomical units -- it's the easiest. If you're having trouble with these, do the best you can and we'll talk about it in class tomorrow.
Kindness log is also due.


Reading: Read "Lost Temple of the Aztecs" silently, Comp WS 214+215 will be done in class tomorrow and due before working on group project.

Soc. Studies: Bring a banana for our jousting tournament.

Math- Finish Worksheet 11-4 Surface Area of a cylinder

Language Arts: No homework assignment given today. However, students were reminded to spend extra time working on their castles, costumes, book reports, missing assignments, etc, from other classes.

March 29, 2011

Homework:

Planner signed due March 30

Read 30 minutes

Soc. Studies: Spell/Vocab. words Part II TEST on Thursday! If you would like to participate in a joust, you will need to bring a banana on Thursday. This will be your lance. (I forgot to tell some of the classes about the banana joust.)

Your castle should be finished and ready to display on April 5, 2011. Remember that I will not accept castles after April 5. If you are planning to be gone, talk to me about bringing your castle in early. If you are sick, have someone bring it to the school. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS!

Do you have your costume planned for our Renaissance/Fantasy Faire? Be creative! Find other uses for things you have around the house. Some bathrobes/nightgowns can work great for a basic costume. Dress up your costume with a hat, jewelry, belts, scarves, etc. I've had students make shiny jewelry out of tinfoil or Christmas wrapping paper. If you can't find ANYTHING, talk to me soon! Make sure that you obey the school dress code.

Language Arts: We learned more about Leonardo DaVinci today. No homework assignment given. Students are encouraged to work extra on their Renaissance Faire costume, castle, book report, or missing assignments.

Reading: Vocabulary WS 213+222 due 3/31, flash cards made for studying. Group projects are still being done in class. Spelling WS 219+220 due Monday before the Spelling/Vocabulary test.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Homework:

Read 30 minutes
Planner signed due: 3/29

Reading:
Spelling words were given for a spelling test next Monday. The worksheet given today will be due to correct/turn in next Monday before the test. Students are working on their group alliteration/tongue twister page after finishing assignments. Book reports are due this Friday:)

Science - I sincerely apologize for not being at school so we could have presentations on your experiments. I have continued to be sick since last Friday. I haven't been this sick in years! I will be taking Tuesday off to continue to heal and regain my strength. I am impressed with the projects I have seen through e-mail. I look forward to presentations, which will begin next Monday, April 4. Mrs. Boehme

Language Arts: DOL Sentences #1-2 Due: 3/29 (Most students finished this in class.) "Banish Boring Sentences" Wkst. Due: 3/29. "Grammar Cop" Wkst. Due: 3/29.

March 28, 2011

Homework:

Planner signed due March 29

Read 30 minutes

Social Studies: Many of you have finished your castles. Way to Go! Please, don't bring them to school until April 5.

Start planning your costume for our Renaissance/Fantasy Faire April 7 (next week). Don't wait until the night before.

Remember that if you are absent from social studies for any reason (sick, tutoring, etc.) that YOU are responsible for checking with me during a recess or after school to make up your work. I am NOT accepting LATE work. When you are absent, you have ONE day to make up the work. If you are absent two days, you have two days to make up your work, etc. Being absent DOES NOT excuse you from the assignment! Once a zero grade is entered into Skyward, it will not be changed. Check your grades often!

March 25, 2011

Planner and RC card signed

Read 30 minutes

You have several projects and an experiment that you can work on this weekend. See previous posts.

GO BYU!!!!!

Homework:

Planner signed due: March 25

Read 30 minutes

Soc. Studies: Study the soc. studies spell/vocab. words 15-28. Test next Thursday.

Language Arts: Tomorrow is the last day to make up missed writing time on the writing test essay "An Interesting Place To Visit." The makeup sessions are before school starting at 8:05, during morning recess, or after school.

March 23, 2011

Homework:

Planner signed due March 24

Read 30 minutes

Soc. Studies: Study your soc. studies spell/vocab. words for the TEST tomorrow!

Reading: It's been "story time" this week. Tomorrow, 3/24, the individual idiom/homophone book page is due, colored. Also, the alliteration/tongue twister sentence should be done with plenty of ideas for drawing detailed pictures that go with your letter/sentence.

Language Arts:DOL Sentences #9-10 Due: 3/24. The last day to make up missed time on the essay test "Visiting An Interesting Place" is this Friday, March 25. Our last class time to work on the essay is tomorrow, March 24.

March 22, 2011

Homework:

Planner signed due March 23

Read 30 minutes

Social Studies: Creative Story "Become a King" due tomorrow. Use 3-5 of your vocabulary words in your story and underline them. Make sure that you have well written paragraphs. Remember to indent. Do not skip lines. Write neatly in cursive. All of your sentences should begin with a capital letter. Use correct punctuation. Be creative and add details to your short story.

Vocabulary Words: barbarians, chivalry, fief, heraldry, heresy, keep, knights, manor, monarch, monastery, oubliette, siege, medieval Europe, feudalism, peasant, commerce, bard, accolade, tournament, tapestry, famine, plague, guild, pilgrimage, undermining, portcullis, crusade, trebuchet (Students have a paper with all of the words and definitions. There will be a vocabulary/spelling test Thursday on #'s 1-14.

Continue to work on your castle. Make sure that you label all the parts of your castle. Due April 5, 2011.

Begin thinking about your costume for the Renaissance Faire. If you can't find anything at all, talk to me SOON.

Science: ***LAST REMINDER*** Science Food Spoilage experiment project is due Monday, March 28. See FOOD SPOILAGE EXPERIMENT post for all the details.

Language Arts: No assignment given today. We spent the class time working on the writing test "An Interesting Place To Visit." If you were absent, be sure to make up the missed class time. The last makeup time for the writing test is this Friday afternoon, March 25.

Renaissance/Fantasy Faire Costume Ideas

Homework:

Planner signed due March 22

Read 30 minutes

Social Studies: Today we rocked out a bit and learned about Charlemagne. Ask your child who he was. RENAISSANCE/FANTASY FAIRE APRIL 7, 2011. Students were shown a few simple costume ideas today. Please don't spend a lot of money for costumes. We're covering the Middle Ages through the Renaissance. There were many, many different types of fashions. Most kids can easily dress up like a peasant or serf. They may also add a little gypsy, pirate, Robin Hood, Shakespeare, and fantasy elements to their costumes. I have made many costumes with towels, sheets, curtains, old fabric, table cloths, etc. A simple costume would be a hoodie, old towel cut with a place for a head, and some type of belt. Both boys and girls can wear this type of costume. Many girls have a peasant type of blouse. Match a blouse with a skirt, apron, hat, scarves, etc. and they're good to go. Boys can wear a T-shirt with the sleeves cut out, a turtle neck sweater, long shorts, and long socks or tights. These are ONLY suggestions.

We will need A LOT of parent help! If you would like to help with our Faire, contact Heather Carlson at 801-254-7543.

Language Arts: DOL Sentences #7-8 Due: 3/22. This is the final week to work on your writing test in class. We will be working on them this Tuesday and Thursday. If you have been absent during a time when we worked on the test, or if you are absent on Tuesday or Thursday, you will need to make prior arrangements to do makeup work on the test either after school, or this Friday, March 25. Final writing test scores will be recorded on March 28.

Congratulations Honor Roll Students

Congratulations to these students for making the Second Term Honor Roll!

Homework:

RC/Planner signed: due March 21, 2011

Read 30 minutes

Social Studies: Work on your castle. Don't wait until the last minute! Castles are due April 5, 2011. NO EXCEPTIONS!

Science - You absolutely must start on the Food Spoilage Experiment today! You have to watch food go bad for at least 7 days, then do your paper, PowerPoint or poster. See blog post titled "Food Spoilage." Due Monday, March 28.

Language Arts:No assignment is due for Monday. We will continue working on the writing test next week. However, this would be a good time to work extra hard on your Book Report, Castle, or other projects/assignments.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Homework:

Planner signed due March 18
Read 30 minutes

Soc. Studies: Work on your Coat of Arms or the Illuminated Letter tonight if you have not yet finished these projects.

Language Arts:No assignment given today. We will continue working on our writing test "Visiting An Interesting Place" next week. This is a great opportunity to work more on your castle, March book report, or missing assignments.

March 16, 2011

Homework:

Planner signed due March 17, 2011

Read 30 minutes

Soc. Studies: Work on your castle. You should have your castle built by this weekend to be on schedule. We have been working on several art projects for the Middle Ages. The first art project (coat of arms-shield) should be turned in by Friday. The illuminated letter should be turned in by Monday. The knight should be turned in no later than next Thursday.

Language Arts: No assignment for homework tonight. We're still working on the writing test. This would be a GREAT opportunity to put some extra time on finishing your castles. I've seen a few of them already, and they are amazing! I can't wait to see the rest of them. If your castle is done, perhaps you could work on your March book report.

Jump-A-Thon Tomorrow

Have you been able to raise the $5 needed in order to attend the Jump-a-thon?


Homework:

Planner signed due March 16

Read 30 minutes

Soc. Studies: In order to be on schedule, your castle should be built by this weekend. Double check to make sure that you have all of the required elements. Once you have the required elements, have fun embellishing your castle. When your castle is finished, keep it at home until April 5. I will not have room to store your castles until then. Upcoming Event: Renaissance/Fantasy Faire: April 7. We'll talk about it tomorrow in class.

Language Arts: DOL Sentences #3-6 Due: 3/16 (Most students were able to finish this in class).

Parent Note About Class Changes

The following note was sent home with the students March 14, 2011.

March 14, 2011


Dear Parents,

Thank you for attending Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences last week. It was a pleasure to talk with you about your student's growth, achievements, and area of improvement. We truly value your thoughtful comments, concerns, and ideas. Your input is greatly appreciated.

As a result of a few of your concerns, we have some exciting news! We have decided to make some new classroom assignments. This was not an impromptu decision, as we have been analyzing this for quite some time. However, after reviewing some of the feedback that was provided during our conferences, and after discussing this with Mr. Griffith, we have decided to move forward with this plan.

Students will still have a homeroom class to report to in the morning for attendance, lunch count, and announcements. Afterward, they will be dismissed to go to their first class. Once students are in their first class, they will rotate throughout the day with their newly assigned class. Students will regroup with their homeroom class for C.A.M.P.(Computers, Art, Music, and PE). They will also be with their homeroom class all day on Fridays.

As a Sixth Grade Team, we decided to redistribute the students into different classes for the following reasons:
1. To alleviate some persistent bullying issues.
2. To move students one step closer to a middle school experience where classes change each term. This year they have two different classes. Next year, they will have six or seven.
3. To provide additional opportunities for students to make new friends.
4. To enhance learning by providing opportunities for students to learn and discuss with students besides their homeroom class.
5. To provide opportunities for students to assume different leadership roles within the classes.
6. To allow students additional opportunities to practice their social skills of listening, patience, cooperation, sportsmanship, etc.
7. To spark a new energy for learning during the last term of their sixth grade year.

We believe that the changes we have made are in the best interest of the students, and that this will be a positive learning experience for all. Please continue to check the blog at elkmeadowssixthgrade.blogspot.com. We thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Sixth Grade Teachers: Mrs. Bailey, Mrs. Boehme, Mrs. Coombs, Ms. King, Mrs. Packard, and Mrs. Vigil

Mr. Howard Griffith-Principal

Homework:

Planner signed due March 15

Read 30 minutes

Soc. Studies: Work on your castle. Students have the option of typing some labels for tomorrow's art project. They will need the following labels:
Helmet, Visor, Gorget,Shoulder Piece, Cuirass, Brassard, Tasset, Gauntlet, Coat of Mail, Cuisse, Elbow Piece, Greave, Sabaton

Science - We will be looking at pond water under microscopes. If you have a pond in your yard, please bring some water from it tomorrow, March 15.

If you haven't started your Food Spoilage Experiment, see the post titled "Food Spoilage." You need to start today.

Language Arts: DOL Sentences #1-2 Due: 3/15 (Most students were able to finish this is class.) We are continuing to work on the writing test "Visiting An Interesting Place" in class.

Enjoy the Long, Semi-Sunny Weekend!

Homework:

Planner/RC signed due: March 14

Read 30 minutes

Soc. Studies: Work on your castle. Make sure that you identify and label all of the required parts of your castle. (Check Feb. 28 on the blog for the requirements.)

Language Arts: "A Day In Ancient Pompeii" Essay final grade is Monday, March 14. Most students have at least a 4.2 (70% = C). However, if they want an A or a B, they will need to keep working on it at home over the weekend. Next week we will continue working on the writing test.

Lacrosse Day In Sixth Grade

March 9, 2011











Homework:

Planner signed due: March 10
Read 30 minutes


Language Arts: Mrs. Packard decided to take a little break from her writing today and introduce students to the world of Lacrosse.

Did you know that Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the world?

Did you know that participation in Lacrosse has increased over 500% in the last ten years?

Did you know we have a fantastic Lacrosse organization here in South Jordan?

Well, we do! Students were able to learn a little about the sport and have fun participating in some fun relay races.

Two coaches from Bingham High School, Shaun Judd and Scott White, provided our instruction.

Who knows? Maybe one day we'll see some of our sixth graders playing on Lacrosse teams throughout our valley!

"A Day In Ancient Pompeii" Essay final grade is Monday, March 14. Most students have at least a 4.2 (70% = C). However, if they want an A or a B, they will need to keep working on it at home for homework. Those students who do not have a 4.2 are working on it during Writing Lab. In class, we are working on a writing test.

Social Studies: The castle due date has been extended to April 5. The ideas that have been shared so far sound terrific! You have an extra week, BUT don't wait until the last minute.

Monk Day: A Day of Service to the School

The "monks" at "The Elk Meadows Monastery" provided two hours of "community service" by assisting teachers, cleaning, working with younger students, organizing, making learning games for younger students, and completing many other service projects throughout the school today. Many teachers commented on how much they appreciated the help provided by the sixth grade "monks." In addition to learning more about the Middle Ages, "monks" were provided opportunities to think about things they are thankful for in their lives. One such activity was by going on a meditative walk. We are proud of their work!

Reading: Comp WS 177+178 due and "The Challenge" comp test tomorrow.

Language Arts: The majority of the students have a score of 4.2 (70% = C) or higher on the "A Day In Ancient Pompeii" Essay. I still have about 30 or so that I will continue to work with in Writing Lab. The final grade on the essay will be recorded on Monday, March 14. If students want to raise their essay grade to a B or a C, they have until Monday.