As we continue to move closer to becoming 7th graders, we are feeling the temptation to say the year is done. We know that there are 180 days each school year to help move each student forward in their education / learning process and although it may sound like a significant amount of time, it really is relatively short. This being said, we will continue to work every day as if it were the beginning of school year. With many exciting and fun end of year activities planned, this can sometimes feel like a challenge but I am sure we are up to it.
End of Level Testing begins this week, please make sure your students gets enough rest, has a good breakfast and lunch, and comes to school EVERY day. These test are a way to assess students in the same manner as all other 6th graders in the state. These test are just one way we assess students progress, but they are not our class final exams. There will be a final exam in LA and Math--I have attempted to build our finals into other work that we are already doing in class.
Our routine in LA will remain the same with Writers Notebook (AKA Homework Journal), spelling and vocab. Instead of administering a LA final exam, I will be grading the Me to We 5 paragraph paper as part of their writing portfolio but also as the LA cumulative final (2 grades will be entered). I will be looking for their ability to independently apply the concepts taught this year such as: use of evidence, sentence types, paper structure, ability to organize and convey ideas, revision steps, final drafts as well as the ability to start and complete a project independently.
Wilbert homeroom math homework will remain the same--2 hrs 30 minutes of ALEKS each week. I can only ask that you remind your student of the importance of practice, if indeed they want to get stronger in their math skills. A math final exam will be given on May 21 and May 22.
Thanks for all you do to help us be the best 6th graders (almost 7th graders) that we can be!
Upcoming Events / Due Dates:
April 23-24 Language Arts End of Level Testing
April 25 Permission Slips for Field Trip
April 27 Field Trip to Water Treatment Plant
May 1 Literature Exhibit Due
May 2-3 Science End of Level Testing
May 4 1st Draft Me to We 5 paragraph paper (LA Final)
May 7-8 Math End of Level Testing
May 11 2nd Draft Me to We 5P paper (LA Final)
May 16-17 Compile Me to We presentation board in class
May 17 Final Draft Me to We 5P paper (LA Final)
May 18 Field Day
May21-22 Present Me to We projects in class
May 23 Etiquette Training
May 24 Awards assembly 8:30 - 9:30
Etiquette Lunch @ Mimi's
Jr. High Transition Day
May 25 Last Day of School
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don't know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!
I cannot believe that there are only 30 days of school left!! We are so close to becoming the 7th graders that we were hoping to become and that is sooooo exciting (and a little scary). This has been a remarkable year.
Back in November, our book report was a letter written to an author about a book that had an impact on our lives. The students worked and struggled and worked some more and finally prepared their final drafts to be submitted in January. It was with relief and a sigh of satisfaction that we put the manila envelope in the mail and sent it off for judging. Over 68,000 letters were entered with 955 letters coming from all over the state of Utah. Only 95 of the letters from Utah made it through Rounds 1 and 2 moving onto Round 3. We just received notification from the Letters About Literature organization that 9 of the 95 were from OUR school, from OUR 6th grade! I am just so proud of our students-they are amazing. We will be presenting the authors of the Round 3 letters with an award from Letters About Literature at the awards assembly on May 24, 2012. Congrats to all who worked so hard.
I just want to share a few of the upcoming events and due dates:
Monday, April 16 -- Garcia HR 2nd draft of 5 paragraph paper
Wilbert HR Final draft of 5 paragraph paper
Garcia / Wilbert Me to We project proposals
Tuesday, April 17 -- Bullying Assembly with Layton Police
Wednesday, April 18 -- Garcia HR Final draft 5 paragraph paper
Monday / Tuesday April 23-24 End of Level Testing (CRT)
Wednesday, April 25 -- Final day for field trip permission forms
Friday, April 27 -- Field trip to Water Treatment Plant
Monday, April 30 -- Literature Exhibit
There will be more information coming for May ................
Back in November, our book report was a letter written to an author about a book that had an impact on our lives. The students worked and struggled and worked some more and finally prepared their final drafts to be submitted in January. It was with relief and a sigh of satisfaction that we put the manila envelope in the mail and sent it off for judging. Over 68,000 letters were entered with 955 letters coming from all over the state of Utah. Only 95 of the letters from Utah made it through Rounds 1 and 2 moving onto Round 3. We just received notification from the Letters About Literature organization that 9 of the 95 were from OUR school, from OUR 6th grade! I am just so proud of our students-they are amazing. We will be presenting the authors of the Round 3 letters with an award from Letters About Literature at the awards assembly on May 24, 2012. Congrats to all who worked so hard.
I just want to share a few of the upcoming events and due dates:
Monday, April 16 -- Garcia HR 2nd draft of 5 paragraph paper
Wilbert HR Final draft of 5 paragraph paper
Garcia / Wilbert Me to We project proposals
Tuesday, April 17 -- Bullying Assembly with Layton Police
Wednesday, April 18 -- Garcia HR Final draft 5 paragraph paper
Monday / Tuesday April 23-24 End of Level Testing (CRT)
Wednesday, April 25 -- Final day for field trip permission forms
Friday, April 27 -- Field trip to Water Treatment Plant
Monday, April 30 -- Literature Exhibit
There will be more information coming for May ................
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Biography Openhouse March 21 5:30-6:30
I can't believe that we are already into March...less than 90 days and we are officially 7th graders...WOW! Speaking of which, PTC to be held on Mar26-29 will be focusing on needs for 7th grade. Please make sure you schedule a time, or let us know if you will be unable to attend so that we can touch bases another time or way.
Biography Open house is extra credit, I hope everyone can attend because it is an awesome event.
Please see below for March and April Due Dates:
MARCH DUE DATES
Mar. 2 - Who am I riddle & Time line - Biography Project
Mar. 9 - Childhood story & letter to mom - Biography Project
Mar. 15 - Report Card & Secret box, photographs/cover page- Biography Project
Mar. 16 - No school Professional Development day
Mar. 9 - Childhood story & letter to mom - Biography Project
Mar. 15 - Report Card & Secret box, photographs/cover page- Biography Project
Mar. 16 - No school Professional Development day
Mar. 19 - Compile Scrapbook in class - Biography Project
Mar. 20 - Completed Biography Project due
Mar. 20&21 - Dress Rehearsal and present Biographies in class
Mar. 21 - Biography open house 5:30-6:30 pm (50 points extra credit)
Mar. 23 - 25 paragraph paper rough draft - Topic: Most Important Contribution Mar. 23 ART AUCTION
Mar. 27 - March book report due
Mar. 26-29 - Parent Teacher Conferences - early out week
Mar. 30 - No school
Mar. 20 - Completed Biography Project due
Mar. 20&21 - Dress Rehearsal and present Biographies in class
Mar. 21 - Biography open house 5:30-6:30 pm (50 points extra credit)
Mar. 23 - 25 paragraph paper rough draft - Topic: Most Important Contribution Mar. 23 ART AUCTION
Mar. 27 - March book report due
Mar. 26-29 - Parent Teacher Conferences - early out week
Mar. 30 - No school
MARCH BOOK REPORT--
Any book / Any book report -Students have the opportunity to be as creative and they want--Anything goes. A large portion of this report is having students create their own grading rubric-I want them to really think about what is the difference between just getting it done and an excellent project. An example of an autonomous learner is a student that can evaluate their own work.
APRIL DUE DATES-
APRIL DUE DATES-
Apr. 2-6 Spring Break
Apr. 9 Final Draft of Most Important Contribution (5 paragraph paper)
Apr.27 - Central Davis Sewer Field Trip
April 30 - April Book Report due
Apr. 9 Final Draft of Most Important Contribution (5 paragraph paper)
Apr.27 - Central Davis Sewer Field Trip
April 30 - April Book Report due
Country Reports :
February 17: Cassidy W. / Logan L. / Garrett F.
February 24: Addison B./ Matt M. / Oscar A.
March 2: Garrett H. / Estefania C. / Spencer B.
March 9 : Phaidra / Sean M. / Corrine C.
March 23: Jade B. / Abby S. / Angela M.
April 13 : Abish N. / Chris C. / Collin M.
April 20: Christian W. / Ben A. / Matt W.
April 27 : Kendalyn M.
Friday, February 10, 2012
" If something is important to you, you will find a way. If it is not, you will find an excuse." Unknown
Parents,
I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with you and your student at parent teacher conference. I am thrilled about the wonderful goals my students have made, and am excited to see the progress they will make by the end of the year as we review and set new goals.
As you can see by the following due dates there is still much to do this school year!!!! I hope this helps you to help your student plan ahead for the upcoming weeks.
I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with you and your student at parent teacher conference. I am thrilled about the wonderful goals my students have made, and am excited to see the progress they will make by the end of the year as we review and set new goals.
As you can see by the following due dates there is still much to do this school year!!!! I hope this helps you to help your student plan ahead for the upcoming weeks.
Have a great weekend!
Mrs. W
FEBRUARY DUE DATES
Feb. 15 - Science Fair project and 5 paragraph paper about project due
Feb. 16-20 - Science Fair presentations in class
Feb. 20 - No school - Pres. Day
Feb. 22 - Set up for Science Fair 3:30- 5:00 p.m. MANDATORY—there will be NO set up the morning of the fair. If you do not get your boards set up today they will be turned away in the morning. Our science fair is getting bigger and bigger every year and with hundreds of projects we need to have them set up the night before.
Feb 23 - Science Fair (judging begins at 8:00 a.m.)
Feb. 24 - Term 2 ends
Feb. 27 - Book Report/Biography profile due (purple paper-does not need to be typed)
Feb. 16-20 - Science Fair presentations in class
Feb. 20 - No school - Pres. Day
Feb. 22 - Set up for Science Fair 3:30- 5:00 p.m. MANDATORY—there will be NO set up the morning of the fair. If you do not get your boards set up today they will be turned away in the morning. Our science fair is getting bigger and bigger every year and with hundreds of projects we need to have them set up the night before.
Feb 23 - Science Fair (judging begins at 8:00 a.m.)
Feb. 24 - Term 2 ends
Feb. 27 - Book Report/Biography profile due (purple paper-does not need to be typed)
Please see future due dates (March and April) that are listed at the bottom of this post.
Weekly Due Dates:Mondays – Typically we have a weekly math quiz (Mrs. Wilbert’s math class) Math goals are due.
Weekly Due Dates:Mondays – Typically we have a weekly math quiz (Mrs. Wilbert’s math class) Math goals are due.
Tuesdays - Homework Journal/Writers Notebook
Weekly Spelling Test & Vocabulary worksheet/notebook check etc. Garcia homeroom Social Studies Test
Fridays – Garcia Homeroom Math Quiz/test
Language Arts:
Penmanship Quote due Tuesday Feb. 7th " If something is important to you, you will find a way. If it is not, you will find an excuse." Unknown
In language arts we are still finishing up our Multi-Sensory grammar and are now learning argumentative writing which will help students on their up-coming Science Fair essay and "The Most Important Contribution" paper we will be writing as part of our biography project after Science Fair.
Spelling & Vocabulary: Spelling / Vocabulary - worksheet, definitions and sentences for the root Ped / Pod meaning birth or origin are due Tue., Feb.14th. Students are responsible to complete the worksheets and make sure the words, definitions and sentences are written in the 2nd section of their LA binder. New roots & words, are given out each Tuesday.
February Book Report:Students will be reading a biography about a famous person from a revolution. The book report will be a profile sketch on this famous person. This is the purple paper that was handed out at the beginning of the month. Due on February 27
We will continue working on percents / ratios / rates this week.
Can't help your student figure it out??? Remember to check out the math text book online by going to www.go.hrw.com, clicking on middle school math, and then choosing the Course 1 2007. I really believe this is a great tool for students to utilize with their homework. Please encourage them to watch the math lessons video and the interactive practices. Additionally, if they need help please encourage them to schedule a recess or after school session with me.
Remember that math homework is 30 minutes of ALEKS each night (total 2 hrs 30 min a week) Most students who are consistently doing all of their homework are very close to passing off the 6th grade section and preparing for the algebra readiness class.
Social Studies:
This week we will be learning about Rome unit #17.
Students have a password and username for www.studiesweekly.com . Here students can reread or finish reading the weekly paper on line at home so they are prepared for the quiz on Tuesdays.
Country Reports :
Weekly Spelling Test & Vocabulary worksheet/notebook check etc. Garcia homeroom Social Studies Test
Fridays – Garcia Homeroom Math Quiz/test
Language Arts:
As a reminder, the homework journal is a responsibility credit which means it must be complete to receive any credit. (5 entries in reading log, 5 1-1/2 page journal writing entries and penmanship written 5x)
Penmanship Quote due Tuesday Feb. 7th " If something is important to you, you will find a way. If it is not, you will find an excuse." Unknown
In language arts we are still finishing up our Multi-Sensory grammar and are now learning argumentative writing which will help students on their up-coming Science Fair essay and "The Most Important Contribution" paper we will be writing as part of our biography project after Science Fair.
Spelling & Vocabulary: Spelling / Vocabulary - worksheet, definitions and sentences for the root Ped / Pod meaning birth or origin are due Tue., Feb.14th. Students are responsible to complete the worksheets and make sure the words, definitions and sentences are written in the 2nd section of their LA binder. New roots & words, are given out each Tuesday.
February Book Report:Students will be reading a biography about a famous person from a revolution. The book report will be a profile sketch on this famous person. This is the purple paper that was handed out at the beginning of the month. Due on February 27
Math:
We will continue working on percents / ratios / rates this week.
Can't help your student figure it out??? Remember to check out the math text book online by going to www.go.hrw.com, clicking on middle school math, and then choosing the Course 1 2007. I really believe this is a great tool for students to utilize with their homework. Please encourage them to watch the math lessons video and the interactive practices. Additionally, if they need help please encourage them to schedule a recess or after school session with me.
Remember that math homework is 30 minutes of ALEKS each night (total 2 hrs 30 min a week) Most students who are consistently doing all of their homework are very close to passing off the 6th grade section and preparing for the algebra readiness class.
Social Studies:
This week we will be learning about Rome unit #17.
Students have a password and username for www.studiesweekly.com . Here students can reread or finish reading the weekly paper on line at home so they are prepared for the quiz on Tuesdays.
Country Reports :
February 17: Cassidy W. / Logan L. / Garrett F.
February 24: Addison B./ Matt M. / Oscar A.
March 2: Garrett H. / Estefania C. / Spencer B.
March 9 : Phaidra / Sean M. / Corrine C.
March 23: Jade B. / Abby S. / Angela M.
April 13 : Abish N. / Chris C. / Collin M.
April 20: Christian W. / Ben A. / Matt W.
April 27 : Kendalyn M.
MARCH DUE DATES
Mar. 2 - Who am I riddle & Time line - Biography Project
Mar. 9 - Childhood story & letter to mom - Biography Project
Mar. 15 - Report Card & Secret box, photographs/cover page- Biography Project
Mar. 16 - No school Professional Development dayMar. 19 - Compile Scrapbook in class - Biography Project
Mar. 20 - Completed Biography Project due
Mar. 20&21 - Dress Rehearsal and present Biographies in class
Mar. 21 - Biography open house 5:00-5:30 pm (50 points extra credit)
Mar. 23 - 25 paragraph paper rough draft - Topic: Most Important Contribution Mar. 23 ART AUCTION
Mar. 27 - March book report due
Mar. 26-29 - Parent Teacher Conferences - early out week
Mar. 30 - No school
APRIL DUE DATES
Mar. 9 - Childhood story & letter to mom - Biography Project
Mar. 15 - Report Card & Secret box, photographs/cover page- Biography Project
Mar. 16 - No school Professional Development dayMar. 19 - Compile Scrapbook in class - Biography Project
Mar. 20 - Completed Biography Project due
Mar. 20&21 - Dress Rehearsal and present Biographies in class
Mar. 21 - Biography open house 5:00-5:30 pm (50 points extra credit)
Mar. 23 - 25 paragraph paper rough draft - Topic: Most Important Contribution Mar. 23 ART AUCTION
Mar. 27 - March book report due
Mar. 26-29 - Parent Teacher Conferences - early out week
Mar. 30 - No school
APRIL DUE DATES
Apr. 2-6 Spring Break
Apr. 9 Final Draft of Most Important Contribution (5 paragraph paper)
Apr.27 - Central Davis Sewer Field Trip
April 30 - April Book Report due
Apr. 9 Final Draft of Most Important Contribution (5 paragraph paper)
Apr.27 - Central Davis Sewer Field Trip
April 30 - April Book Report due
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
"Between the great things we cannot do, and the small things we will not do, the danger comes when we choose to do nothing."
I can hardly believe that we are almost to Christmas Break! This year is going by soooooo quickly and I am having a wonderful time this is indeed one of the best groups of 6th graders that I have had the privledge to work with. I am planning on relaxing over the holiday and hope you are too, therfore I will not be posting again until we return in January.
Hope your break is a wonderful one!
Mrs. Wilbert
December Calendar and due dates:
Dec 19th – Any donations to the “Christmas Sock” project are due. THANK YOU...THANK YOU...THANK YOU for all your generosity.
Dec 20th -- Homework Journal
Dec 20th -- Homework Journal
Dec 20th - #1-"Found poem", #2 Venn diagram compare/contrast assignments on The Christmas Carol due. Of course, these assignments may be turned in early if desired.
Dec. 21st - (this date has changed) November/December Book Report- see additional instructions below.
Dec. 22nd - Jan 4th - Winter Break!
Dec. 22nd - Jan 4th - Winter Break!
Jan 5th Extra Credit Homework Journal/ Writers Notebook
Jan 10th Regular Homework Journal (5x reading, 5x writing, 5x penmanship)
Weekly Due Dates:
Tuesdays - Homework Journal / Writers Notebook
Tuesdays – Weekly Spelling Test Next Spelling Test 1/18
Friday – Typically we have a weekly math quiz
Language Arts:
As a reminder, the homework journal is a responsibility credit which means it must be complete to receive any credit. (5 entries in reading log, 5 1-1/2 page journal writing entries and penmanship written 5x)
Penmanship Quote due Tuesday Dec. 20th - "Between the great things we cannot do, and the small things we will not do, the danger comes when we choose to do nothing."
As a reminder, the homework journal is a responsibility credit which means it must be complete to receive any credit. (5 entries in reading log, 5 1-1/2 page journal writing entries and penmanship written 5x)
Penmanship Quote due Tuesday Dec. 20th - "Between the great things we cannot do, and the small things we will not do, the danger comes when we choose to do nothing."
The Christmas Carol: This coming week we will read and view Staves III, IV and V to finish up our study of The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Students are responsible for taking the assigned novel study notes and writing a "found poem" about the changes that take place in the main character Ebenezer Scrooge. Students are working on a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting the book with the George C. Scott movie. These are all due before they go on Winter break. Extra credit is available for comparing the movie we watch to another version.
November/December Book Report:
I have instructed the students about the November/December Book report, and have given them an instruction sheet. I will give them the entry form when they turn in the letter. I decided that I will not require drafts for this letter, but if they would like me to read it before we mail it in they can turn it into me on Dec 6th or Dec 13th, only after at least 2 other adults have proof read it. Due date is Dec. 20th.
See previous blogs for further information on the Nov. /Dec. book report.
January Book Report:
The January book report will be due January 31st. The assignment will be to read the novel "The Great Brain" and write in a character journal. I will issue them a copy of the book to each of the students and explain the assignment on Wednesday Dec. 21th. This will give students the winter break plus 4 weeks after their return to read and complete the character journal. I think your students will really love reading this book and making the character journal!
Math:
We are working on factorizations and will begin to work with fraction problems. Students need to be completing 2 ½ hours on aleks each week. We are seeing enormous gains, but only in those students who are logging the suggested time. We will only get better at math by practicing J
Social Studies:
We studied Unit #13 this week and will took the test on 12/13. Next Social Studies Test 1/10. If students were absent or were unable to take the quiz they need to do so at home or schedule a recess to do so. Students have a password and username for www.studiesweekly.com . Here students can reread or finish reading the weekly paper on line at home so they are prepared for the quiz. Studies Weekly also has a nifty "speed read" button that students can use to increase their words per minute.(It looks like a lightning bolt)
Country Reports:
Remember Country Reports…Everyone has their due date written in their planner. Please be aware of when your turn is coming!!
Have a wonderful week and a terrific holiday,
Mrs. Wilbert
November/December Book Report:
I have instructed the students about the November/December Book report, and have given them an instruction sheet. I will give them the entry form when they turn in the letter. I decided that I will not require drafts for this letter, but if they would like me to read it before we mail it in they can turn it into me on Dec 6th or Dec 13th, only after at least 2 other adults have proof read it. Due date is Dec. 20th.
See previous blogs for further information on the Nov. /Dec. book report.
January Book Report:
The January book report will be due January 31st. The assignment will be to read the novel "The Great Brain" and write in a character journal. I will issue them a copy of the book to each of the students and explain the assignment on Wednesday Dec. 21th. This will give students the winter break plus 4 weeks after their return to read and complete the character journal. I think your students will really love reading this book and making the character journal!
Math:
We are working on factorizations and will begin to work with fraction problems. Students need to be completing 2 ½ hours on aleks each week. We are seeing enormous gains, but only in those students who are logging the suggested time. We will only get better at math by practicing J
Social Studies:
We studied Unit #13 this week and will took the test on 12/13. Next Social Studies Test 1/10. If students were absent or were unable to take the quiz they need to do so at home or schedule a recess to do so. Students have a password and username for www.studiesweekly.com . Here students can reread or finish reading the weekly paper on line at home so they are prepared for the quiz. Studies Weekly also has a nifty "speed read" button that students can use to increase their words per minute.(It looks like a lightning bolt)
Country Reports:
Remember Country Reports…Everyone has their due date written in their planner. Please be aware of when your turn is coming!!
Have a wonderful week and a terrific holiday,
Mrs. Wilbert
Monday, November 21, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!!
December calendar and due dates:Dec. 21th -(this date has changed) November/December Book Report- see additional instructions below.
Dec. 22nd - Jan 4th - Winter Break
Weekly Due Dates:
Tuesdays - Homework Journal / Writers Notebook
Tuesdays – Weekly Spelling Test
Fri – Typically we have a weekly math quiz (Mrs. Wilbert’s math class)
Parents,
It has come to my attention that blog post are not posting. I apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused and will make certain that I double check to make sure that every thing does post publicly. Since this coming week is very short I will not be making a blog post next week. I have tried to include all the information needed in this blog post, until after we come back from Thanksgiving break. My sincere wishes are that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
BrainWise:
We will continue with "Fact vs Opinion". As we separate fact from opinion and identify what our choices are we can make better decisions, thus we create less problems.
Language Arts:
As a reminder, the homework journal is a responsibility credit which means it must be complete to receive any credit Beginning 2nd trimester we will increase our writing to 1 and 1/2 pages. We will be giving time in class to write IF students bring their writers notebook. To obtain credit students must have (5 entries in reading log, 5 (five) 1-1/2 page journal writing entries and penmanship written 5x)
Penmanship Quote due Tuesday Nov. 22nd - Personal Favorite quote --
I have decided that for the week of Thanksgiving break I will require the students to fill out their reading log and make one 1 1/2 page entry titled "What I am Thankful for..."
Spelling:
We will not have a spelling test on November 29th.
We are using the website www.spellingcity.com to post spelling words each week. Students should also have written a copy of the words in their planner. This website allows students to practice their spelling words through interactive computer technology games. Please have them take a practice test at home and quiz them on the words they miss. Our next spelling test will be Week 6 words on Tues. Nov. 22th. Week 7 words will not be taken until December 6, 2011.
November/December Book Report:
I have instructed the students about the November/December Book report, and have given them an instruction sheet and entry form. If they lose the entry form they will be responsible to go to the website and print out another one. I decided that I will not require drafts for this letter, but if they would like me to read it before we mail it in they can turn it into me on Dec 6th or Dec 13th, only after at least 2 other adults have proof read it.
For this book report we are having our 6th grade students enter the "Letters about Literature Contest" This is an exciting opportunity for students to select a fiction or nonfiction book, a short story, poem, essay or speech (sorry, no song lyrics) that they have read and about which they have strong feelings (think text to self connection). They are to explore those feelings and why they reacted the way they did during or after reading the author’s work. They will then write a letter to the author about how they felt about the book. I have attached the web address and some of this site's information below as a reference. State winners receive a $50 Target gift card and National winners get even bigger prizes!
Math:
We are finishing our introduction to decimals and will begin working with fractions when we return from Thanksgiving break. Our students have been doing amazing on ALEKS. Please know that your student is expected to complete 2 1/2 hours on ALEKS in a week for homework. The growth has been terrific we have students who have increased their "pie" by 45%. Please know that the greatest improvement is with students who spend the most time.
Remember to check out the math text book online by going to www.go.hrw.com, clicking on middle school math, and then choosing the Course 1 2007 if you absent and need to know what we learned that day in class.
Social Studies:
We will finish up our study of Greece Unit #11 this week and begin Unit 12 for the week of 12/2.
Students have a password and username for www.studiesweekly.com Here students can reread or finish reading the weekly paper on line at home so they are prepared for the quiz. Studies Weekly also has a nifty "speed read" button that students can use to increase their words per minute.(It looks like a lightning bolt)
Country Reports:
We are now full swing into our Country Reports. Please check with your student about what date their report is due. Additionally, please, please make sure your student is following all the instructions given on the Country Report rubric, including the amount of notes they should be using (approx. one 3x5 card)to give the report.....these reports should only be about 10 minutes long....some are taking up to 45-60 min.+. If a student has truly studied their country they will only need a few notes to refer to as they share the facts that are on the rubric with their classmates.
Our focus is for your student to become an expert on their country, we are not looking for just a retelling of facts, but want your student to really immerse themselves into their chosen country. This is one assignment that will make it possible for your student to create an extraordinary product. All scores for country reports will be entered 3rd trimester.
Thanks for all you do to help us be great 6th graders.
Mrs. Wilbert
http://lettersaboutliterature.org/how_to_enter
Letters about Literature Contest
To our young readers:
Books have wings. You can’t see them, but they are there just the same. On books’ wings, readers can soar to new places where they meet intriguing characters and experience exciting adventures. But a book’s wings can also help a reader rise above difficult situations — like peer pressure, bullying or prejudice, or to cope with disappointment and loss.
Have you ever felt the power and lift of literature? Has one book — or perhaps one author — inspired you to change your view of yourself or your world? If so, we encourage you to enter this year’s Letters About Literature writing competition. All you have to do is write a personal letter to an author, explaining how his or her work affected you.
HOW TO ENTER
Before you can enter, you have to write the letter. And before you can write the letter, you've got to think about how YOU responded to the book.
First, reflect and connect!
Select a fiction or nonfiction book, a short story, poem, essay or speech (sorry, no song lyrics) you have read and about which you have strong feelings. Explore those feelings and why you reacted the way you did during or after reading the author’s work. Consider one or more of these questions when writing your letter:
Did the characters, conflict or setting mirror your life in some way?
What strengths or flaws do you share with a character or characters in the book?
What did the book show you about your world that you never noticed before?
What surprised you about yourself while you were reading this book?
Why was this work meaningful to you?
As you were reading, what did you remember about yourself or something you experienced in the past?
How did the book's characters or theme help you to understand that past experience?
Your letter need not -- and in fact, should not -- answer every one of the questions above. The questions are just prewriting prompts to get you to start reflecting (or thinking) about your reader's response to the book.
Second, write a personal letter (not a fan letter or a book report!)
Express yourself! A letter is less formal than an essay or research paper. Write honestly and in your own voice, as if you were having a conversation with the author. Those are the best letters to read and the most fun to write! Keep in mind these two tips:
• Correspond, don’t compliment! Your entry should inform rather than flatter the author.
• Do not summarize the book’s plot! The author wrote the book and already knows what happened. What the author doesn’t know is how the book affected you.
Third, prepare your letter for submission. 6th grade is a Level 1 entry.
• Entries for Level 1 should be no less than 100 words and no more than 400 words.*
Please refer to the Contest Entry Guidelines in Rules #4 of the Official Rules found at www.loc.gov/letters for complete information on how to prepare your letter.
HOW WILL THE LAL JUDGES ASSESS YOUR LETTER?
All entries will be judged on the following criteria:
• Exposition (the writer’s use of language skills, organization and grammar).
• Content (the writer’s achievement in addressing the contest theme).
• Writer’s Voice (the writer’s style and originality of expression).
Each criteria will be scored on a scale of zero (0) to five (5), where five (5) is excellent and zero (0) is not fulfilling the judging criteria.
STATE AND NATIONAL AWARDS
LAL awards prizes on both the state and national levels. Each state center has its own panel of judges who select the top essayists in the state. State Winners will receive a $50 Target Gift Cards and additional prizes, and then advance to the National Level Judging.
On each competition level, a panel of national judges for the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress will select six (6) National Winners (2 per Level of Competition) and twelve (12) National Honorable Mention Winners (4 per Level of Competition). The National Winners will receive a $500 Target GiftCard, plus each will secure a $10,000 LAL Reading Promotion Grant in his/her name for a community or school library so that others can experience personal relationships with authors and the stories they tell. The National Honorable Mention Winners will each receive a $100 Target GiftCard, plus each will secure a $1,000 LAL Reading Promotion Grant in their name for his or her community or school library. The community or school library selected for the National Winners and National Honorable Mention Winners is at the Sponsor’s sole discretion. Refer to the National Level Judging in the Official Rules for more details.
Dec. 22nd - Jan 4th - Winter Break
Weekly Due Dates:
Tuesdays - Homework Journal / Writers Notebook
Tuesdays – Weekly Spelling Test
Fri – Typically we have a weekly math quiz (Mrs. Wilbert’s math class)
Parents,
It has come to my attention that blog post are not posting. I apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused and will make certain that I double check to make sure that every thing does post publicly. Since this coming week is very short I will not be making a blog post next week. I have tried to include all the information needed in this blog post, until after we come back from Thanksgiving break. My sincere wishes are that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
BrainWise:
We will continue with "Fact vs Opinion". As we separate fact from opinion and identify what our choices are we can make better decisions, thus we create less problems.
Language Arts:
As a reminder, the homework journal is a responsibility credit which means it must be complete to receive any credit Beginning 2nd trimester we will increase our writing to 1 and 1/2 pages. We will be giving time in class to write IF students bring their writers notebook. To obtain credit students must have (5 entries in reading log, 5 (five) 1-1/2 page journal writing entries and penmanship written 5x)
Penmanship Quote due Tuesday Nov. 22nd - Personal Favorite quote --
I have decided that for the week of Thanksgiving break I will require the students to fill out their reading log and make one 1 1/2 page entry titled "What I am Thankful for..."
Spelling:
We will not have a spelling test on November 29th.
We are using the website www.spellingcity.com to post spelling words each week. Students should also have written a copy of the words in their planner. This website allows students to practice their spelling words through interactive computer technology games. Please have them take a practice test at home and quiz them on the words they miss. Our next spelling test will be Week 6 words on Tues. Nov. 22th. Week 7 words will not be taken until December 6, 2011.
November/December Book Report:
I have instructed the students about the November/December Book report, and have given them an instruction sheet and entry form. If they lose the entry form they will be responsible to go to the website and print out another one. I decided that I will not require drafts for this letter, but if they would like me to read it before we mail it in they can turn it into me on Dec 6th or Dec 13th, only after at least 2 other adults have proof read it.
For this book report we are having our 6th grade students enter the "Letters about Literature Contest" This is an exciting opportunity for students to select a fiction or nonfiction book, a short story, poem, essay or speech (sorry, no song lyrics) that they have read and about which they have strong feelings (think text to self connection). They are to explore those feelings and why they reacted the way they did during or after reading the author’s work. They will then write a letter to the author about how they felt about the book. I have attached the web address and some of this site's information below as a reference. State winners receive a $50 Target gift card and National winners get even bigger prizes!
Math:
We are finishing our introduction to decimals and will begin working with fractions when we return from Thanksgiving break. Our students have been doing amazing on ALEKS. Please know that your student is expected to complete 2 1/2 hours on ALEKS in a week for homework. The growth has been terrific we have students who have increased their "pie" by 45%. Please know that the greatest improvement is with students who spend the most time.
Remember to check out the math text book online by going to www.go.hrw.com, clicking on middle school math, and then choosing the Course 1 2007 if you absent and need to know what we learned that day in class.
Social Studies:
We will finish up our study of Greece Unit #11 this week and begin Unit 12 for the week of 12/2.
Students have a password and username for www.studiesweekly.com Here students can reread or finish reading the weekly paper on line at home so they are prepared for the quiz. Studies Weekly also has a nifty "speed read" button that students can use to increase their words per minute.(It looks like a lightning bolt)
Country Reports:
We are now full swing into our Country Reports. Please check with your student about what date their report is due. Additionally, please, please make sure your student is following all the instructions given on the Country Report rubric, including the amount of notes they should be using (approx. one 3x5 card)to give the report.....these reports should only be about 10 minutes long....some are taking up to 45-60 min.+. If a student has truly studied their country they will only need a few notes to refer to as they share the facts that are on the rubric with their classmates.
Our focus is for your student to become an expert on their country, we are not looking for just a retelling of facts, but want your student to really immerse themselves into their chosen country. This is one assignment that will make it possible for your student to create an extraordinary product. All scores for country reports will be entered 3rd trimester.
Thanks for all you do to help us be great 6th graders.
Mrs. Wilbert
http://lettersaboutliterature.org/how_to_enter
Letters about Literature Contest
To our young readers:
Books have wings. You can’t see them, but they are there just the same. On books’ wings, readers can soar to new places where they meet intriguing characters and experience exciting adventures. But a book’s wings can also help a reader rise above difficult situations — like peer pressure, bullying or prejudice, or to cope with disappointment and loss.
Have you ever felt the power and lift of literature? Has one book — or perhaps one author — inspired you to change your view of yourself or your world? If so, we encourage you to enter this year’s Letters About Literature writing competition. All you have to do is write a personal letter to an author, explaining how his or her work affected you.
HOW TO ENTER
Before you can enter, you have to write the letter. And before you can write the letter, you've got to think about how YOU responded to the book.
First, reflect and connect!
Select a fiction or nonfiction book, a short story, poem, essay or speech (sorry, no song lyrics) you have read and about which you have strong feelings. Explore those feelings and why you reacted the way you did during or after reading the author’s work. Consider one or more of these questions when writing your letter:
Did the characters, conflict or setting mirror your life in some way?
What strengths or flaws do you share with a character or characters in the book?
What did the book show you about your world that you never noticed before?
What surprised you about yourself while you were reading this book?
Why was this work meaningful to you?
As you were reading, what did you remember about yourself or something you experienced in the past?
How did the book's characters or theme help you to understand that past experience?
Your letter need not -- and in fact, should not -- answer every one of the questions above. The questions are just prewriting prompts to get you to start reflecting (or thinking) about your reader's response to the book.
Second, write a personal letter (not a fan letter or a book report!)
Express yourself! A letter is less formal than an essay or research paper. Write honestly and in your own voice, as if you were having a conversation with the author. Those are the best letters to read and the most fun to write! Keep in mind these two tips:
• Correspond, don’t compliment! Your entry should inform rather than flatter the author.
• Do not summarize the book’s plot! The author wrote the book and already knows what happened. What the author doesn’t know is how the book affected you.
Third, prepare your letter for submission. 6th grade is a Level 1 entry.
• Entries for Level 1 should be no less than 100 words and no more than 400 words.*
Please refer to the Contest Entry Guidelines in Rules #4 of the Official Rules found at www.loc.gov/letters for complete information on how to prepare your letter.
HOW WILL THE LAL JUDGES ASSESS YOUR LETTER?
All entries will be judged on the following criteria:
• Exposition (the writer’s use of language skills, organization and grammar).
• Content (the writer’s achievement in addressing the contest theme).
• Writer’s Voice (the writer’s style and originality of expression).
Each criteria will be scored on a scale of zero (0) to five (5), where five (5) is excellent and zero (0) is not fulfilling the judging criteria.
STATE AND NATIONAL AWARDS
LAL awards prizes on both the state and national levels. Each state center has its own panel of judges who select the top essayists in the state. State Winners will receive a $50 Target Gift Cards and additional prizes, and then advance to the National Level Judging.
On each competition level, a panel of national judges for the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress will select six (6) National Winners (2 per Level of Competition) and twelve (12) National Honorable Mention Winners (4 per Level of Competition). The National Winners will receive a $500 Target GiftCard, plus each will secure a $10,000 LAL Reading Promotion Grant in his/her name for a community or school library so that others can experience personal relationships with authors and the stories they tell. The National Honorable Mention Winners will each receive a $100 Target GiftCard, plus each will secure a $1,000 LAL Reading Promotion Grant in their name for his or her community or school library. The community or school library selected for the National Winners and National Honorable Mention Winners is at the Sponsor’s sole discretion. Refer to the National Level Judging in the Official Rules for more details.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
"You can swim in the Sea of Knowledge all day and still come out dry. Most people do."
October Due Dates:
Tuesdays - Homework Journal / Writers Notebook
Tuesdays – Weekly Spelling Test
Tuesdays - Homework Journal / Writers Notebook
Tuesdays – Weekly Spelling Test
GARCIA HOMEROOM
Wednesday – October 12th Welcome Home Milo Party – Part1: Final Exam
Wednesday – October 12th Welcome Home Milo Party – Part1: Final Exam
Thursday – October 13th – The Phantom Tollbooth - Part2: Final Exam
Friday - October 14th - Literary Outline on The Phantom Tollbooth
WI:BERT HOMEROOM
Thursday – October 13th Welcome Home Milo Party – Part1: Final Exam
Friday – October 14th – The Phantom Tollbooth - Part2: Final Exam
Friday - October 14th - Literary Outline on The Phantom TollboothFriday October 28th – Country Reports begin (check your date)
Oct. 24-28 – Pride Week (dress-up days)
Sat. Oct. 29th K-6 Fall Carnival 5-8 pm
Monday - October 31th – October Book Report due (Non-fiction outline)
“Greetings!” “Salutations!” “Welcome!” “ Good Afternoon!” “Hello!”,
(Synonyms from the King’s advisors in The Phantom Tollbooth)
I am often in awe of the amazing students that are in our classrooms. They are sharp as a tack! Ask your student what kind of figurative language "sharp as a tack" is.
BrainWise: Ask Questions
We did not work on BrainWise last week due to the short days of PTC so…. we will continue to practice the skills we have learned so far and learn about asking questions. Asking questions help us determine if something is a fact or an opinion. It has been great to hear our students using the BrainWise ideas and language to problem solve in the classroom and among themselves.
Language Arts:
As a reminder, the homework journal is a responsibility credit which means it must be complete to receive any credit (5 entries in reading log, 5 journal writing entries and penmanship written 5x)
Penmanship Quote due Tuesday 10-4-2011
"You can swim all day in the Sea of Knowledge and still come out dry. Most people do." - Canby
October Book Report: October’s book report will be a non-fiction outline on an article from National Geographic Magazine for students. We will be working on this in class the week of October 17 and minus any typing of a final draft, students should be able to finish this in class
Novel Study: The Phantom Tollbooth by: Norton Juster
Our study with this wonderfully imaginative book will focus on figurative language, theme and finding our favorite sentences and identifying if they are simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex sentences.
Welcome Home Milo Party – Part 1: Final Exam Thurs. Oct. 13th
(Character dress-up and explanation)
As part of their final exam students will choose a character out of the book, (excluding Milo and a Lethargarian) dress up like the character, and choose at least 3 proofs from the book to create the costume. They will present their chosen character, using the “voice” of the character, in class pn Wed or Thurs. depending on homeroom. Costume proof must be labeled and include the page # as evidence. For example: If I choose the Miner as my character, one of my costume props might be a plastic number (refrigerator magnet). I would have it labeled as a “Stone” and include the quote from pg.180 “He scooped up a great handful of stones and poured them into Milo’s arms. They included all the numbers from one to nine, and even an assortment of zeros.” This is not intended to be a huge production, be creative, we do not intend anyone to rent or purchase anything for this project.
Part 2: Final Exam Fri. Oct. 14th
This will be a traditional exam that will focus on figurative language, theme and sentence types.
Spelling: We are using the website www.spellingcity.com to post spelling words each week. This wonderful website allows students to practice their spelling words through interactive computer technology games. If you want to see how they are doing, have them take a practice test. We will be taking a spelling test in class every Tuesday.
Oct. 24-28 – Pride Week (dress-up days)
Sat. Oct. 29th K-6 Fall Carnival 5-8 pm
Monday - October 31th – October Book Report due (Non-fiction outline)
“Greetings!” “Salutations!” “Welcome!” “ Good Afternoon!” “Hello!”,
(Synonyms from the King’s advisors in The Phantom Tollbooth)
I am often in awe of the amazing students that are in our classrooms. They are sharp as a tack! Ask your student what kind of figurative language "sharp as a tack" is.
BrainWise: Ask Questions
We did not work on BrainWise last week due to the short days of PTC so…. we will continue to practice the skills we have learned so far and learn about asking questions. Asking questions help us determine if something is a fact or an opinion. It has been great to hear our students using the BrainWise ideas and language to problem solve in the classroom and among themselves.
Language Arts:
As a reminder, the homework journal is a responsibility credit which means it must be complete to receive any credit (5 entries in reading log, 5 journal writing entries and penmanship written 5x)
Penmanship Quote due Tuesday 10-4-2011
"You can swim all day in the Sea of Knowledge and still come out dry. Most people do." - Canby
October Book Report: October’s book report will be a non-fiction outline on an article from National Geographic Magazine for students. We will be working on this in class the week of October 17 and minus any typing of a final draft, students should be able to finish this in class
Novel Study: The Phantom Tollbooth by: Norton Juster
Our study with this wonderfully imaginative book will focus on figurative language, theme and finding our favorite sentences and identifying if they are simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex sentences.
Welcome Home Milo Party – Part 1: Final Exam Thurs. Oct. 13th
(Character dress-up and explanation)
As part of their final exam students will choose a character out of the book, (excluding Milo and a Lethargarian) dress up like the character, and choose at least 3 proofs from the book to create the costume. They will present their chosen character, using the “voice” of the character, in class pn Wed or Thurs. depending on homeroom. Costume proof must be labeled and include the page # as evidence. For example: If I choose the Miner as my character, one of my costume props might be a plastic number (refrigerator magnet). I would have it labeled as a “Stone” and include the quote from pg.180 “He scooped up a great handful of stones and poured them into Milo’s arms. They included all the numbers from one to nine, and even an assortment of zeros.” This is not intended to be a huge production, be creative, we do not intend anyone to rent or purchase anything for this project.
Part 2: Final Exam Fri. Oct. 14th
This will be a traditional exam that will focus on figurative language, theme and sentence types.
Spelling: We are using the website www.spellingcity.com to post spelling words each week. This wonderful website allows students to practice their spelling words through interactive computer technology games. If you want to see how they are doing, have them take a practice test. We will be taking a spelling test in class every Tuesday.
Mythology Unit:
Upon the completion of The Phantom Tollbooth, students will begin their study and writing about a chosen god or goddess. We will also be learning to summarize through our reading of the children’s version of the Iliad and Odyssey. The 6th grade program coming up on November 10th . We will have a mythology theme and students will be an expert on, and dress up like their chosen god or goddess. It will be a marvelous evening!
Math: We will continue working on algebra using tables and real world problems. For those of you who purchased ALEKS passwords they should be here soon. Anyone still interested in purchasing on will have one final opportunity on Nov 1. We have 1/2 of Wilbert Homeroom with an ALEKS account and for those students, time logged on ALEKS will take the place of paper/pencil homework.
Remember to check out the math text book online by going to www.go.hrw.com, clicking on middle school math, and then choosing the Course 1 2007. I really believe this is a great tool for students to utilize with their homework. Please encourage them to watch the math lessons video and the interactive practices. I showed my students how to use the algebra tiles found in the Lab section of Chapter 2. The algebra tiles are a great way to work out problems and practice algebra! We will continue to work on algebra this week including word problems.
Social Studies:
We are just beginning the series of Studies Weekly papers that will teach us many exciting things about World History. My Social Studies students have a password and username for www.studiesweekly.com Students can reread or finish reading the weekly paper on line at home so they are prepared for the quiz. Studies Weekly also has a nifty "speed read" button that students can use to increase their words per minute.(It looks like a lightning bolt)
Country Reports:
Country Reports begin Oct 28th and continue with 3 reports every Friday through April. Our focus is for your student to become an expert on their country, we are not looking for just a retelling of facts, but want your student to really immerse themselves into their chosen country. This is one assignment that will make it possible for your student to create an extraordinary product. Please ask your student about their country and due date.
It was good to meet and talk to all of you at Parent Teacher Conferences. Being able to focus on one student at a time confirmed in me the fact that we have a remarkable group of 6th graders this year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Wilbert
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