We continue this short week with wrapping up our Rocks Unit.  Thank you for all the supplies we have collected so far to make our “edible rocks”.We can still use a few items for each class.  Please check with your child to see what else is needed for their class.  I am out of the classroom on Thursday for a Science meeting, but we will do this either Wednesday or Friday after our TEST.

Social Studies will be pushed aside this week to wrap up  our Rocks Unit.  We will return to Ancient China next week and begin wrapping it up with a small research project on Chinese Inventions that have influenced our society today.  Students will then be presenting these to the class.  They may use Power Point, visual displays, props (depending on invention researched) to aid in their presentation.

This week in class I tentatively have planned:

MONDAY – NO SCHOOL – PRESIDENT’S DAY

TUESDAY – Read/Discuss Chapter 3 Lesson 4 – pages 96 – 101 – Metamorphic Rocks – Complete Rock Trifold page for Metamorphic Rocks – ROCK TRIFOLDS WILL BE DUE THURSDAY

WEDNESDAY – Smart Notebook notes on Metamorphic Rocks – Review Sedimentary/Igneous rocks – Possibly begin “edible Rock” preparations.

THURSDAY – Rock test Review – TEST TOMORROW – Rock Trifold Due TODAY

FRIDAY – ROCK UNIT TEST

Kleenex and hand sanitizer are running low, if any parents could help to supply our room with a box or two of Kleenex and some Germ X, I would greatly appreciate it.  It really does help keep kids healthy and cold symptoms down.

This week we are continuing our study of Rocks.  We will be discussing the specifics about Sedimentary and Igneous rocks.  Students will be working on a Rock Brochure.  Each day we talk about a specific Rock, students will be working on a page dedicated to that rock.  A handout was given to them last week (February 6th or 7th) about what the brochure is to include.  Some class time will be given to work on this, but if students are absent, or do not complete in class, they are responsible for it being turned in on time. 

In Social Studies, we are continuing our study in Ancient China.  We will be talking about the Legacy of China on Thursday.  Students will be starting a research project on a Chinese Invention that they will design a brochure and give a class presentation about.  This invention/brochure will be completed as a final project, instead of a test. 

REMEMBER, THERE IS NO SCHOOL FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH OR MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20TH

Tentative plans for this week in class:

MONDAY – Igneous Rocks – Read pages 82 – 87 with a shoulder partner, work with partner to complete RSG 3.2 A.. When finished, begin work on Title Page, Rock Cycle page, and Igneous Rock page of Rock Trifold brochure.  Students were given instructions on requirements last week on this.

TUESDAY – Review Igneous Rocks – Smart Notebook notes – Possible “Meltdown” Mini Lab with Igneous rocks (Smores)

WEDNESDAY – Sedimentary Rocks – Read pages 89 – 95 in class. Complete Sedimentary Rock page of Rock Trifold brochure.

THURSDAY – Legacy of China – Read Chapter 8 Lesson 4 – Assign Reteach Activity worksheet.

FRIDAY – NO SCHOOL – TEACHER TECHNOLOGY WORK DAY

REMINDER OF NO SCHOOL MONDAY FEBRUARY 20TH AS WELL

HAVE A GOOD 4 DAY WEEKEND

As most of you know by now, midterm grade cards went home on Tuesday.  We are still having a lot of students not turning work in on time, and then having to be reminded several times to turn it in at all.  Reminder, if a student is absent, it is there responsibility to go to each teacher to get any work missed for that day.  They then have two (2) days Per day absent, to make up the work and return it.  With all the absent students in classes lately, we are often have difficulty reminding students about getting their work.

Off task and excessive talking behaviors have began to escalate again for some students, and this is not the time to be getting squirrely.  I know the weather has kids all messed up and they are wanting to be outside, we as teachers, want to be as well.  Colder weather is lurking, I don’t want to admit it, but I can not see us having this mild winter forever, I am just waiting for the flakes to fall. 

The last class party is going to be held on Tuesday, February 14th at 3:00 in most classrooms.  Be sure to check with your child for a note of things that may be requested or needed for this last party.

This week, we have been studying Rocks and how they are classified.  Students took a “trip” through the rock cycle and were asked to draw a cartoon based on their “adventure”. 

In Social Studies, we are just getting started in China and will be exploring their four major philosophies of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism.  We are only looking at them in regards to how they shaped the society.

Tentative plans for the week of February 6 – 10:

MONDAY – Journey through the Rock Cycle – Fill out journey details, begin drawing detailed cartoon with color and “thought bubbles”

TUESDAY – Finish Rock Cycle Cartoons – Assign Reinforcing Key Concepts worksheet to review chapter 3, section 1

WEDNESDAY - Collect Rock Cycle Cartoon, Check Reinforcing Key Concepts worksheet, Classifying Rocks Mini lab

THURSDAY – Begin talking about 4 Philosophies of China – Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism

FRIDAY – Finish discussion of 4 Philosophies of China – Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism

We are at Midterm for the 3rd quarter.. yes folks, and parents I said Half way through the 3rd quarter.  In fact, in a faculty meeting yesterday we were told we have completed 105 days of school.  That being said, we have about 72 left to complete, not counting any breaks or snow days we have coming.  I have said this so much this year, but WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?!!  There is so much to cover, I am afraid we will not get to some of the more “fun” units if there is such a thing in 6th graders minds.

In Science we will be beginning our unit on Rocks.  There are some really fun things happening here.  I will be asking for help with this unit as we get to “eat” our way through some rocks in class.  I will be sending a note home asking for a few donations for each class to make the different types of “rocks” that we talk about in class.  Students will also be making a comic strip of the rock cycle.  I enjoy this unit, why not, we get to EAT!!!

In Social Studies, we have started Ancient China.  The focus on this unit will be of course the social structure, the Silk Road, and the inventions that have contributed to our society even today.  Students will be making a “travel brochure” as a final project for this.  More detail will be coming home a little later.  Students will also be doing a class presentation on an invention they have researched.

This week in Mr. Hayes’ class:

MONDAY – Eastern/Southern Asia Map

TUESDAY – Ancient China Video – Finish Map from yesterday

WEDNESDAY -  Rocks Pre-Test – Alpha Boxes

THURSDAY – Section 3.1 – Explore Activity (minilab) Compare/Contrast Rocks & Minerals – Read pgs 75-80 SN slides/notes

FRIDAY – Review / finish Rock Cycle from yesterday – Rock Cycle Lab (beginning cartoon strip)

We wrapped up Ancient India last week, and will be starting Ancient China next week.  For China, we will be focusing on the religion that helped to create the Ancient World of China, and also their government system, social structure, and most importantly, the inventions that have influenced our culture, even today. 

We also wrapped up our Minerals unit this week in science and will be testing on Friday, January 27th.  Study guides went home last week, and then again on Monday this week.  We have talked extensively about the 5 characteristics and 7  properties of minerals, their uses and our everyday life.  Students have also worked on Reading Study Guides (RSG’s) that have this information on them as well and should have them in their Science binders.  Our next unit will be Rocks.

What to expect the week of January 23 – 27, 2012

MONDAY – Read / Discuss Chapter 2 Section 3 – pages 60-66.  Assign RSG 2.3B and pass out 2nds study guide

TUESDAY – Mineral Mania “lab” – Go to library and look up answers to mineral questions on computers

WEDNESDAY – Finish Mineral Mania lab in library – pass out Vocabulary Review – All due Thursday

THURSDAY -  Check Mineral Mania and Vocab review worksheets – go over study guides for test tomorrow

FRIDAY – Science test – Minerals – Study Group at 7:30 AM  – Mr. Hayes out of class, but in building

Our 3rd quarter progress notes will be coming home on February 7th, yes, folks, that means we are under 20 weeks of school left already.  Where has the year gone?  So much to teach, so little time.  With that being said, that also means that MAP test is just around the corner as well. 

Students were given a Study Guide for the Ancient India unit on Thursday last week.  They were also given classtime to complete that study guide and study with a partner.  The test will be this Friday.  I will have study group, although what the real focus of the test is the similarities and differences between Hinduism and Buddhism, as well as the importance of the Caste System in that culture.  We have talked EXTENSIVELY about this in class.  Students have the textbook and handouts from class to study from.  This is not going to be a difficult test if students have paid attention in class, and completed their homework/reading assignments.

We are still trying to get back into the swing of things with classroom behavior, especially and most importantly the classroom chatter and lack of students having assigned work completed.  I can not stress to students enough the importance of turning work in on time and with effort.  For those interesed in playing sports/extra curricular activites in the Fall, now is not the time to be missing assignments or slacking of on best effort.  Grades count NOW for playing sports NEXT FALL. 

In the next few weeks, I will be posting important dates for school events on on my blog. 

Tentative plans for the week of January 16 – 20th:

MONDAY - No school for students – Teacher workday - 

TUESDAY - Read / Discuss Chapter 2 Section 2 of Science Textbook Earth’s Surface – Assign RSG 2.2 - DUE WEDNESDAY 

WEDNESDAY – check/collect RSG 2.2 – Begin Mineral Identification Lab

THURSDAY – finish Mineral Identification Lab – Review/study for Ancient India Test – TEST IS TOMORROW

FRIDAY – Ancient India Test

It was very difficult to come back, but we managed to do it for three days.  The weekend is here, and next week we go back at it full stride with a full week.

We studied Ancient India this week and got into their social class/caste system, comparing it the the United States Social class system.  We then talked some about Hinduism and Buddhism.  This will continue next week and then more into Ancient China.

For Science, we will be starting Minerals next week, learning the characteristics and differences between them and rocks.

Week of Jan. 4-6

WEDNESDAY – Indus Valley Civilization – Read/Highlight in class – Assign questions 1-6 – DUE THURSDAY

THURSDAY - Check / Collect Indus Valley Civilization. Read / Discuss India Cast System – Compare it with US Social Class

FRIDAY -  Review Caste System from yesterday – Read/Discuss Legend of Buddha and Basic Belief in Buddhism – Assign questions 1-5 Due MONDAY with shoulder partner.

This week we are wrapping up our Ancient Egypt ABC books.  Monday, students have time to work on them in class, but books will have to be finished outside of class and turned in THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15TH.  Students will have had this assignment for a full two weeks before it was to be turned in and three days were given to work in class on this project.

For Science, we are wrapping up our Fossils unit on Friday with a Test.  Students were given a study guide last week for this test and opportunity to work on that study guide as well… I also asked them to write that date in their agenda…

Tentative plans for this week:

MONDAY – Class time to work on Ancient Egypt ABC book – last opportunity IN class to do this.  Due Thursday December 15th

TUESDAY – Begin watching Ice Age to compare prehistoric animal (sloth, saber-tooth, whooly mammoth) to modern “relative”

WEDNESDAY – Finish watching Ice Age – Discuss similiarities and differences of animals from movie to similiar modern animals

THURSDAY – Review for Science Fossils Test tomorrow – Study guide given last week

FRIDAY – Fossils test

In Science, we are currently working on a Fossils Unit.  Today we are discussing the difference between Relative and Absolute Age.  To help students with this concept, we did a card activity in class where they had to sort cards according to certain guidelines. 

I am looking to test over Fossils on the 15th/16th of December.  Study guides should be going home on Tuesday the 6th or Wednesday the 7th. 

In Social Studies we are wrapping up our Ancient Egypt Unit by doing an ABC book.  Scoring rubrics were passed out telling students EXACTLY WHAT IS EXPECTED.  Students were allowed to pick a group of four, then they divided the alphabet up among themselves.  This project will be due on December 15th. 

This week we are tentatively doing the following in Science/Social Studies:

MONDAY – Relative vs Absolute Age Activity with worksheet – Notes in Science Journals.

TUESDAY – Geologic Time Scales – SmartNotebook  Lesson – Book Discussion

WEDNESDAY - Wrap up / Review Relative, Absolute, and Geologic Age/Time – Pass out Study Guides

THURSDAY – Begin watching “Prince of Egypt” – continue working on ABC books on own time.

FRIDAY – Finish watching “Prince of Egypt” work on ABC books if time permits.

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday

With the Christmas Break RAPIDLY approaching, I ask again, WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?!  When we leave for the long holiday break, our school year will be HALF over.  That’s right, we will only have 18 actual weeks of school left when we return on January 4th.  So much to teach, and yet, so little time.

Mr. Greenhaw has rejoined our classroom, but has been roaming around shadowing teachers in the building getting all kinds of different perspectives of the school environment.  He did get to be my substitute on Tuesday though.  The students thought that was pretty cool.

We are still focusing on Fossils for Science and will be having a test before Christmas Break.  I am thinking around the 14th of December.  Students appear to like this unit as we have been able to make our own fossils from cast/molds.  We talked about Relative vs. Absolute Age this week as well.  Again, so much Science, and so little time yet to teach.

In Social Studies we are wrapping up Ancient Egypt.  Students this week learned about Queen Hatshepsut, the First Egyptian Female Paraoh.  The girls thought this was pretty cool, but the guys didn’t say much at all.  They also learned of Ramses II, and his 66 year reign as Pharaoh, the longest of the time.  They found this was important because of the stability in government and peace it brought the civilization of Egypt.

Tentative plans for this week in class:

MONDAY – Review Chapter 4 Lesson 1 “Fossils” View SmartNotebook slids 1-5, Take notes on Original Remain / Rock Fossils in Science Journals.  Assign Reading Study Guide (RSG) 4.1B

TUESDAY – Go over/collect RSG 4.1 B – “Make a Fossil” Lab – Students will “create” their own fossil with a dixie cup, clay, shell, and plaster of paris. Read Chapter 4 lesson 2 “Relative vs. Absolute Time”

WEDNESDAY – “Discover” fossils created yesterday. Discuss Chapter 4 Lesson 2 students were to read yesterday.

THURSDAY – Read/Discuss pages 173 – 17 “The New Kingdom” and 188 – 193 “Nubia and the Land of the Kush”  Assign “Egyptian Trade Routes – Due tomorrow

FRIDAY – Check / Collect “Egyptian Trade Routes” Discuss Ancient Egypt “ABC Books” go to library for research.  ABC book will be due DEC 15th.