Final Day in Computer Lab

Today was our final day in the Computer Lab to work on the "Places Everyone" assignment.  This assignment sent kids all over the world to record absolute locations.  I also required the kids to list the continent on which each site is located.

This assignment is due Thursday, September 26 at the beginning of class. We will not be going back to the computer lab, so unfinished work will need to be completed at home tonight.  We have dedicated three class periods to this assignment.

Below is the link to the Sixth Grade Homework page.  This assignment can be found in my "Documents" under the heading "Places Everyone".

http://lowellmiddleschool.weebly.com/6th.html


Thanks,
Cathy

Missing Work?

Several kids are still missing an assignment that was due on September 19.  When you check Infinite Campus, it will be easy to tell if your child has turned in the assignment; there will be a grade of 18 to 20.  The assignment was worth 20 points.

If you see an "M", that means the assignment is missing. It is important that your child complete this assignment and turn it in as soon as possible.  We corrected it in class, going over the answers on screen, so everyone has been exposed to the correct answers.  If your child needs to make up this assignment, you are free to print a copy by going to my "Documents" sections and printing the worksheet entitled :
  Absolute Relative Location from SS book". 

This is the link to the LMS Homework Page, just in case.


http://lowellmiddleschool.weebly.com/6th.html

Thanks,
Cathy

Link to "Places Everyone"

The assignment we will be working on the next three days is entitled "Places Everyone"; I"m not sure I included that in the previous post.  I have added that assignment to my "Documents", so if you want to take a look at it, feel free.

The documents are listed in alphabetical order, so you will need to look for "Places Everyone" with the added dated of today, September 23, 2013.

Thanks,
Cathy


The link:  http://www.lowellschools.com/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=14736&

Absolute Location

Greetings,

For the next three days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) we will be working with absolute location, which is expressed using latitude and longitude coordinates.  It's a fun activity which allows the kids to "travel" to specific sites around the world and visit many via Google Earth.

We will be in the computer lab to complete this assignment, and I am encouraging the kids to look at every site where pictures are available.  Today, I heard lots of talk about the Colosseum in  Rome and the pyramid at Chichen Itza.  I also told the kids they could find their house, and I may have them record that pair of coordinates, too.

An additional part of the assignment is the requirement that the continent on which each site is located be recorded, too.  When we took a pretest over Continents, Oceans, and Seas, I was surprised to learn that only 41% of the kids could correctly identify all seven continents.  So, this is a great way to learn about continents.

This is NOT homework.  It will become homework on Wednesday if the assignment is not complete :)  I can't see why anyone would not have it completed, but.......   So, the due date is Thursday, September 26, at the beginning of class.


Thanks,
Cathy

Lots of Missing Homework :(

There were several kids who did not complete the assignment given yesterday, which is too bad, because it was a relatively easy assignment.  We did correct the assignment in class today, and grades will be posted by  noon tomorrow.  If your child received a "M", or Missing, grade, they will be with me Friday during lunch.  The assignment is not difficult, but it does take a few minutes to complete.  It is a "self-contained" assignment, no extra books were needed, unless one needed to look up the names of the continents.

I am usually at school by 7:20 every morning, and kids are welcome to come down and ask me questions about work.  They may also come during Academic Focus or lunch; I'm almost always in my room during lunch.  I actually invited a student to come to my room this morning before school to complete the assignment, but my invitation was not accepted.

Please remind your child that they are responsible to complete assignments.  There is not a "recess time" at the Middle School, so work not completed during class is automatically HOMEWORK.  Coming to my class before school, during Academic Focus, and/or lunch is the only time there is "extra time" during the day.  I am here, take advantage of me :)

Thanks,
Cathy

Link to "Absolute & Relative Location" Assignment

Below is a link (I hope) to today's assignment, just in case your child didn't complete it, but left it at school :) The assignment is due Thursday, September 19.

If the link doesn't work, check in my "Documents" file on the LMS Homework Page.  It was loaded today, but the school year date is still 2011-2012.  Look for the words Absolute Location.

Thanks,
Cathy



http://www.lowellschools.com/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=14736&fileitem=5243&catfilter=ALL

Possible Homework!

Today, we did an Map Activity finding absolute and relative location.  It is a self-contained assignment, no book required, and many kids finished before the end of class.  Those who did not finish need to bring it home and complete the assignment.  This assignment is due Thursday, September 19.



Thanks,
Cathy

Grading Information and Assignment Due Tuesday

Along with letter grades for academic classes, your child will also receive a numerical rating for "Employ-ability" skills.  I talked about this with each class last Friday, September 13.  I'm attaching that information to this posting.


Our first assignment is due Tuesday, September 17. This assignment is pages 1,2,3, and 4 in the "Getting to Know Your Atlas" workbook.  We have been working on these four pages since September 11, and that is more than enough time to get the work completed.  However, those who struggle to work during "work time" are finding themselves "behind".  I had kids come in during lunch, their choice, to complete the assignment, and that offer stands for tomorrow, too.  I can not allow an atlas to be taken home because I have NO extra copies; if someone forgets to bring an atlas back, I won't have enough for everyone in class.

Thanks,
Cathy

Work Habits

• Comes to class on time and prepared to work
• Works independently
• Completes assignments on time
• Follows directions
• Listens and participates in class discussions

Social Habits

·        Respects School Rules

·        Respects School Property

·        Thoughtful of others

·        Demonstrates Self control

·        Cooperates with teacher and group

Scoring

1        Student consistently demonstrates without reminders

2        Student consistently demonstrates with some reminders

3        Student needs frequent reminders

4        Student rarely demonstrates

Pretests!

Greetings,

Today the kids took a pretest on Oceans, Seas, and Continents.  This is a PRETEST, and although it will be corrected, and the score will be recorded, this is not an assignment that will be put in the grade book.  I explained to the kids that a pretest is basically for my information, providing a starting point for instruction.  It seemed to help lower the anxiety level!

There will be a pretest on Tuesday and Wednesday, too.  Sixth Grade Social Studies has three SMART Goals, one per trimester, so I want the "starting point" information as soon as possible.

We also started working in the atlas today.  We didn't get far, but that is okay.  It will continue to move along in the atlas for the next few day.

Thanks,
Cathy

Welcome Back!

Well, the first week of school is under our belts!!  The kids seem to be getting the hang of lockers, locating classrooms, and getting to lunch on time :)

This week I assigned three "easy" assignments, but the assignments will be graded.  These will be graded mainly for completion and having the work turned in on time.  There was PLENTY of time to complete assignments in class.

Next week we will be taking pretest; the scores are NOT recorded as grades, but provide me with information.  We will also begin working with the atlas and the textbook.  I told the kids I would not be assigning individual textbooks this year.  We will have books available in the classroom, and if needed, I will have books that can be checked out for homework completion.

Have a great weekend.  Go PINK ARROWS!

Cathy