End of Level Testing Begins This Week!!

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

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 ................

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. 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

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-

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

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.

" 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.

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)

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.                                                                                                

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:

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 6^th 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

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