It's Been a While!

Greetings,

We have been so busy that I haven't taken the time to post anything in a few days, so here is an up-date:

We spent last Thursday and Friday in the computer lab finding the absolute location of many different places around the world.  I allowed the students to work alone, or with a partner, and the assignment was due today, October 1, 2012.  Happily, almost everyone was done, and my hat is off to those students who were absent on Thursday and COMPLETED the entire assignment on Friday!!  :-)  Great job!

Today, October 1, we corrected the assignment.  Those grades will be posted on either Tuesday (10/2) or Thursday (10/4).  I have had a few kids ask if they could do the assignment over, and my answer was "No".  This is my rationale:

1.  The kids were given two days to find the location of 20 different landmarks.
2.  They could work with a partner.
3.  I told them what web-sites to use to for an easy way to complete the assignment.
4.  I don't currently have an alternative assignment. ( I can create one, but it will take a few days, and it would have to be done as homework.)

Sometimes it is more about the process; did I, as a student, follow directions?  Did I ask for help if I didn't understand something? Did I take the assignment seriously?  The work that is in the grade book now is all "Daily Work", we have not done enough for a quiz.  Grades will continue to fluctuate for a while, but when kids settle into the routine, when they see the importance of being serious about a task, grades will continue to improve.

Thanks,
Cathy

Social Studies Books

Today we received our Social Studies books!  They are old, and some are in pretty rough condition.  However, they are still school properity and need to be treated with care.  We will be working from the book this week each day.

I told the kids I would start posting a "Mystery Word" or "Mystery Question". which will be  posted ramdomly.  Today, the Mystery word is "longitude".  Be sure to tell me the word before class.

Grades!!

Today I posted the first grades of the year!  Please don't be worried if your child does not have an "A", there is plenty of time for grades to improve. 

Tomorrow, we will be correcting pages 7 and 8  from the atlas booklet.  Time was given today for the kids to work on the assignment, and I strongly recommended that those kids who were not done come to the room tomorrow during lunch to complete the assignment. 

This work is not difficult, but it does require the kids to read CAREFULLY and FOLLOW DIRECTIONS.  These are skills that are still developing is many Sixth Graders, and this is the perfect time to get those skills perfected.  Working in an atlas is all about reading informational text, understanding what has been read, and applying the skills.  Many kids want to rush through the work and miss important cues.  I am convinced, however, that everyone will be successful in no time!

Thanks,
Cathy

Friday!

We continued to work with the atlas today.  I have asked that all kids be done with pages 1-4 by class time on Monday; they have had three or four days to completed these pages, and we have done sections together in class.  I told the 5th and 6th hour kids if they weren't done by the end of class they could come to my room on Monday during their lunch to finish the assignment.  I told them they won't be in trouble; they are just getting a little extra time.

Have a good weekend,
Cathy

Atlas Work

Greetings,

We are currently learning the "ins and outs" of an atlas.  Being able to use an atlas is being able to read informational text and apply what has been read.  Many students are doing a great job with these assignments, and are able to "work ahead".  However, some students are finding it difficult to use class time wisely, which can prove problematic.  I only have one classroom set of atlases, so I can't allow students to take an atlas home.  I did this last year, and not every atlas was returned, so they need to stay in the classroom. 

Beginning next Monday, I will be asking students to return to my class during lunch if they need to completed work that was not completed during class time.  I usually make sure that I don't give an assignment that is too big to complete in class, but it does require the kids to work diligently. I know this is just the beginning of the year, and the transition to a Middle School setting may be a little difficult for some kids, so I've been cutting them a little slack.

  But.......starting Monday, I will expect everyone to use their time to their advantage and complete in-class work.

Thanks,
Cathy

Homework

The two pictures of  "The Places I've Been" is due on Friday.

Weclome to Sixth Grade Social Studies!

It was nice to meet you at the Sixth Grade Smart Start on Monday!  I can promise you that I won't remember your name when I see you again on September 4th, so please don't feel bad. 

Don't worry about getting lost, feeling confused, or not being able to open your locker; we will be there to help you.  The first week is "Pink Arrow Week", so there will be different activities happening that won't normally be part of our day.

If possible, please have the following supplies:
One 2-pocket folder with prongs to hold paper; this is called a "Paper Portfolio" on the package
One "personal" pencil sharpener
One box of 12 color pencils
One black or blue sharpie


All Sixth graders will have lunch after 4th hour, from 11:07-11:37, but lunch time is not indicated on your schedule.

This is going to be a great year!

Mrs. Wood