Today in 6A & 6B

RELIGION: Our first test of the year! (if you're not counting STAR testing...) Unit 1, Session 1. This is what students can expect our weekly tests to look like. They should be graded and posted by the end of the week.

ENGLISH: Picking up where we left off yesterday, we revisited our rough drafts and worked on Revising our work. Students learned that revision is expected to be a slow and meticulous process, and differs from Editing/Proofreading. Students read their compositions several times, each time looking for a different Key Trait of Good Writing. For homework students are expected to write a new "clean draft" and use the editing checklist on p.17 to mark up this new draft.

LITERATURE: Continuing with "Crash" today, students saw how Crash responded to the disappointment of not having his parents see him play football. Additionally, students reflected on Crash's reaction to Penn Webb's parents cheering him on. Students made predictions on what they think will happen next in the story.

STAR Testing (Math) in 6A

SOCIAL STUDIES: Today students were issued their first assignment through Google Classroom, "Who is Otzi the Iceman?" This is an excellent opportunity for students to witness both and archaeological excavation as well as gain insight into life from thousands of years ago. THIS IS NOT HOMEWORK. Students are encouraged to spend no more than 30 minutes continuing their search and will be given ~15 minutes in class before we discuss the findings together tomorrow.

MATH (8:00 class) WS 1-2 also Accelerated Math   (9:00 class) pg 26 21-32

Today in 6A & 6B

ENGLISH: we began our Grammar week this week as we look at the writing process, today with pre-writing and drafting. Students are asked to product their initial draft of their writing piece (min 1/2 page-max full page. Hand written in the composition books).

LITERATURE: We continued with "Crash" today as we read chapters 12-17. Here students identified some of the motives of the main character's angst, particularly the young man's home life and the like-mindedness of his new friend Mike Deluca. The bullying tactics of the two boys are on full display at this point too, while Crash's sister shows sympathy and understanding for Penn Webb.

Spanish: Itinerant taught.

RELIGION: Today was chapter review day. Tomorrow first thing we will have our first quiz which will be open book.

SOCIAL STUDIES: On pages 18-23 of the text we learned how early man is now evolved and has begun migrating all over the world. We learned what factors influenced this movement and how moving toward a place has affected the culture of these Homo sapiens as well as begun to provide for the geography of place to affect the genetic differences of peoples (red hair vs brown hair, blue eyes vs brown eyes, etc.). Homework for this evening is on Page 23 of the text, questions 1-5.

MATH  (8:00 class) pg 20 1-21  (9:00 class) pg 19-20 1-55

SCIENCE  Students are to finish their Worksheets

Today in 6A!

A big thank you to all parents who came to last night's Back To School Night. Mr. Gray and Mr. VanRuyven feel like it was a great success and that we (teachers, students and parents) are all on the best footing to have a great year!

ENGLISH: Students signed up for the Google Classroom account that is open for our 6th grade. All students in 6th grade will have access to this site and it will be a one stop shop for all subjects' assignment issuance and submission. Please still check this blog for daily assigned homework. Assignments will be listed here as well.

RELIGION: Continuing our examination of the construction of the Bible, students explored the details of how this "library" is constructed. They cracked open a few Bibles and hunted for details and then created illuminated texts from a scripture verse of their choosing.

Dr. O'Bannion came to class today to discuss the finer points of our discipline policy and procedures. Your children were engaged, attentive and asked great questions.

AR READING/MATH: Students acquired new books, completed some homework and made progress toward their STAR goals for this year. Some students are concerned that their summer reading hasn't been counted in their totals as of yet. I promise to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible.

Today in 6A & 6B

ENGLISH: After yesterday's mix-up, Mr. VanRuyven has re-tooled our vocabulary structure that will focus more strongly on word association as a front-loaded activity. Students engaged in the iWords section of Unit 1 learning multiple definitions for their key words as well as making associations to examples in their own lives. We reinforced this with some of the in-app games that are available.

PE

LITERATURE: We continued our reading of "Crash" through chapters 6-12 (pages 21-40), exploring the themes of new friends, soulmates, like-minded individuals and how other people's opinions can shape our own actions.

RELIGION: Continuing with our look at St Jerome, the structure of the Bible, inspiration from the Holy Spirit and how interpretations/translations of the Bible get approved through the Magisterium.

SOCIAL STUDIES: Chapter 1, Session 2 (p.12-15) - Early Man evolves, becomes nomadic and develops tools and harnesses fire. Students were assigned questions 1-5 on page 15 for homework.

MATH (8:00 class) pg 13 1-17 all  (9:00 class) Worksheet 1-2 & 1-3

SCIENCE  read pgs 13-17  Questions 1-4 worked on in class if they did not finish than it is homework

Today in 6A & 6B

ENGLISH: Continuing with our lessons on Sadlier, we came across an issue with the assigned time zones for our region. This has now been resolved and shouldn't pose any additional issues moving forward. However, this hiccup has inspired me to change how this class will be assessed in the future. While all materials will be sourced from this site, our structured biweekly planned strategy for Vocabulary is greatly improved.

MUSIC and SPANISH: our itinerant teachers came to visit for this and all future classes.

RELIGION: We were introduced to St Jerome, the patron saint of librarians, and learned how the Bible is actually a library in itself. Additionally, students learned how the many books were chosen and interpreted through divine inspiration.

SOCIAL STUDIES: Applying what we learned yesterday about archaeologists and archaeology, we performed a rudimentary analysis of some modern artifacts (read: trash). From this evidence students inferred possible identities for who left it behind. They also explored what information this evidence does NOT provide.

MATH (8:00 class) Homework is page 7  14-25 maybe some accelerated math
            (9:00 class) Homework pg 15 1-28 all

***6B finish your All about Me triangle and ADD a picture
           

Today in 6A!

ENGLISH: Set up students with their Sadlier accounts. Good news parents! Vocabulary texts are now fully online. Please ask you children to show you te new website and all the cool tools we have at our disposal for vocabulary development. We will be exploring them all week.

LITERATURE: Today we began our first book of the year, "Crash." Students read the first 20 pages (5 chapters) and made some predictions about where they think this story is going. They also analyzed the nature of certain characters which helped them understand their actions.

STAR Testing: Students performed their first STAR reading tests today.

SOCIAL STUDIES: We began our journey into prehistory today helping to understand the work that archaeologists do to interpret evidence to create the historical narrative. Students read pages 2-11 and were assigned questions 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 for homework. Students work will be checked for completion on Wednesday.

Today in 6A & 6B

ENGLISH: Discussed our song of the day (Turn Turn Turn by The Byrds) and continued working on our RESPECT posters.

Finished the Digital Citizenship lessons where students learned to be safe online.

SOCIAL STUDIES: Textbook scavenger hunt and introduced tomorrow's "Autobiographical Maps" assignment.

RELIGION: Met our 3rd grade Mass buddies for this year.

MATH  Homework (8:00 class) pg 7 1-12   (9:00 class) pg 6 1-29

Today in 6A!

ENGLISH: In light of our song of the day (SOTD) we discussed what the word RESPECT means to us and worked to create a common definition. Students began to create Acrostic poems on poster board that will hang in our classroom for the duration of the year.

RELIGION: Students explores "My Favorite Mistake" and examined the learning that followed that mistake.

SOCIAL STUDIES: Using a braile alphabet, students decoded secret messages. They then created their own ciphers that allow them to also create encrypted messages.

Students received their Chromebooks today. If your child has not acquired a case/cover/bag with strap for their Chromebook OR had the necessary signatures completed, then they likely were not issued their computer. These students will be able to pick up their Chromebooks as soon as these two requirements are met.

Students explored Scams and Schemes originating from the internet and worked to recognize ways in which scammers might try to take advantage of them, as part of the Online Safety lessons required for all our students.

Students are reminded to locate their Recorders and Music books for their first Music classes beginning next Wednesday (9/5). Any missing materials need to come to the teachers' attention before Wednesday.

Today in 6A!

It was an absolute pleasure to meet all of the new sixth grade students, and some of their parents as we embark on a brand new year here at SSJ school!

Today we:

-Took care of some housekeeping items - overview of our weekly schedule, division of Math/English cohorts, review of SSJ discipline policy, morning prayer and Song of the Day.
-Students were sent home with several items that need to be signed and returned promptly.
-Got to know each other and I am confident in saying that I know (most of) everyone's names, as well as spirit animals and interesting summertime activities.
-Unpacked our supplies.

FYI - Tomorrow students will be issued their Chromebooks as long as they have their carrying case with them and their Acceptable Use form signed.

REMINDER...

Sixth Grade’s Annual Greek Museum Festival

  

This Thursday, June 7^th, the Sixth Grade Class will be displaying their ancient Greek projects in Colman Hall for viewing.

Donned in “chitons” the students would be honored by your presence and happy to share their discoveries and Greek snacks with you.

If you are available, please feel free to wander into our museum from 1:00 to 2:30pm.

Arete!

TODAY IN 6A:

• ENGLISH/SOCIAL STUDIES: students came prepared to finish their Museum Project Boards
• ANCIENT GREEK ARCHITECTURE
• ACROPOLIS COMPETITION
• BRIEF MEETING WITH BOTH CLASSES: reviewing requirements and timelines

6A HOMEWORK:

• ENGLISH: create an artistic cover (hand-drawn or computer graphics) for  your Greek Myth. THINK "Book Cover" and be creative!!

 

Be sure to include the title (God's Rule the Classroom: the Tale of _________, the god of ______) and your name on the cover. 

• SOCIAL STUDIES: work on creating your Visual Aid for Museum Project (check rubric and assignment details from last month's handout)

TODAY IN 6A:

• WEEKLY MASS: with Fr. Ryan
• ENGLISH: students submitted their 5 Paragraph Essay (Greek Project) and printed copy of Religion Exit Project
• SOCIAL STUDIES: students took Ch.13 Test 
• MATH
• CLEAN & ORGANIZE: all book covers off, desks cleaned out, and unwanted papers recycled 
• ART
• NOON DISMISSAL

6A HOMEWORK:

• RELIGION: finish & send to (tcopeland@ssjschool.org) your Religion Exit Presentation---your choice of Google Sides, Prezi, or Video/Movie Maker)
• SOCIAL STUDIES: bring (color if possible) printed out pictures for Greek Museum Board, Border, and any other needed supplies to create tri-fold 

TODAY IN 6A:

• TECHNOLOGY: all students submitted their Chromebooks & chargers (anything broken or not returned will become a charge owed)
• ENGLISH: students used 5 Paragraph Essay Outlines to complete 1st Draft in class 
• MATH
• PE
• LITERATURE: class finished reading I Am Malala

• SCIENCE
• SOCIAL STUDIES

6A HOMEWORK:

• RELIGION: hard-copy of Religion Exit Project (remember the samples & instruction sheet)
• ENGLISH: FINAL 5 Paragraph Essay (Greek Museum Project Essay---12pt font, Times New Roman, Proper Heading)

OVER THE WEEKEND:

• RELIGION: complete your Religion Exit Presentation (your choice of Google Slides, Prezi, or Movie). Get creative! This is all about Unique You. 

• SOCIAL STUDIES: print out a minimum of 4 illustrations & WRITE (in your own words) a typed caption to go with each picture, BORDER, and any other decorative items for your display board 

Tomorrow is T for Turn-It-Around Day!

(aka. FREE DRESS if clothing is worn inside out or backwards)

TODAY IN 6A:

• ENGLISH: students submitted their Greek Myths; time given to fill in 5 W's on Greek Museum Project
• MATH
• AR READING AWARDS ASSEMBLY
• MUSIC
• SPANISH
• SCIENCE
• SSJ FAMILIES--S for Send-Off Gathering (Saying goodbye to our 8th graders)
• SOCIAL STUDIES: Greek Studies continue...

6A HOMEWORK:

• RELIGION: finish draft of written Religion Exit Project
• SOCIAL STUDIES: finish STEPS Outline for Greek Museum Project

MUST RETURN CHROMEBOOK CHARGER TOMORROW!!

TODAY IN 6A & 6B

• ENGLISH: revise Greek Myths--due (printed out) tomorrow
• MATH (8:00 class) worked on accelerated math (9:00 class) area of parallelograms and triangles
• PE
• LITERATURE: read I Am Malala 
• RELIGION: Introduction to Religion Exit Project
• FAMILY LETTERS: students wrote good-bye letters to their 8th Grade Family Leaders
• SOCIAL STUDIES: last day to collect research for Greek Museum Project
• SCIENCE took notes for review for tomorrows Test

6A & 6B HOMEWORK: 

• ENGLISH: have parent edit your Greek Myth; fix necessary edits; print final copy & have parent/mentor/older sibling/tutor sign it at the top to show it was edited 
• RELIGION: begin working on the written part of the project---written part due Friday
• MATH (8:00 class) Ac Math  (9:00 class) Pg 410-411 1-23
• SCIENCE Chp 8 Test Tomorrow

TODAY IN 6A:

• ENGLISH: myth revisions---1. NTSMBWTSW, 2. switch out dull verbs, 3. 2 Dialogue Replacements 
• MATH
• PE
• 8th Grade Physics Arcade
• LITERATURE: class read I AM MALALA (up to p.96)
• SOCIAL STUDIES: students given time to access previously found sites and cut & paste research onto doc for Greek Museum Project
• 4th Grade Science Fair
• SCIENCE

6A HOMEWORK: 

• ENGLISH: study for U.13 Spelling Test; finish & print 2nd/Revised Draft of Greek Myth
• RELIGION: S.23 Study Guide (last one of the year)
• SOCIAL STUDIES: read Ch.13, L.4 and do CYP and online quiz--submit to Google Classroom

TODAY IN 6A & 6B

• ENGLISH: students completed & corrected a Punctuation Dialogue handout; some students shared the written introduction (revealing Setting, Characters, and Conflict) of their Greek myths; rest of class was devoted to working on tonight's HW---completed rough drafts
• MATH   review for Test
• MUSIC 
• SPANISH
• RELIGION: class read p.251 "Gospel of Life: A Letter to the Church"; 
• O for OUTSTANDING DAY!!! (students received prizes for being Outstanding)
• SOCIAL STUDIES: class read Ch.13, L.3 together

6A & 6B HOMEWORK:

• ENGLISH: FINISH rough draft of Greek Myth (aka. Gods Rule the Classroom)
• SOCIAL STUDIES: read Ch.13, L.3 and do CYP/mwa online quiz (submit to Google Classroom)
• MATH (8:00 class) Chp 6 Test  (9:00 class) Chp 7 Test

TODAY IN 6A & 6B

• ENGLISH: students submitted 5x each and Myth Story Planning Grid; lesson and practice in Writing Dialogue; student took notes on techniques for starting a story and began their myths
• MATH (8:00 class) reviewed percent problems Test on thursday (9:00 class) reviewed circle graphs Test Thursday
• PE
• RELIGION: pp.135-137 "Caring for the Earth"; students conferenced to discuss "normal" ways we abuse natural resources 
• LITERATURE
• THE RENAISSANCE FAIR 
• SOCIAL STUDIES: Ch.13, L.1-2, Ch.15, L.1 Quizzes; time to work on Myths or Polis items
• SCIENCE worked on review page 260

6A & 6B HOMEWORK:

• N for "No Homework" Day.  -__- (no comment)

TODAY IN 6A:

• STUDENT COUNCIL INSTALLATIONS
• ENGLISH: U.13 Spelling Pretest + 5x
• LITERATURE: students created & discussed Venn Diagram comparing The Taliban to The Nazis; class read from pp.62-78 in I Am Malala
• SPANISH

• SOCIAL STUDIES: students were broken into their Greek city-states, given Polis Identities, and worked to create a chant; Ch.15, L.1 Quiz
• SCIENCE

6A HOMEWORK:

• ENGLISH: complete "Story Planning Grid" WITH SIGNIFICANT DETAIL for your God's Rule the Classroom Greek Myth
• SOCIAL STUDIES: read Ch.13, L.2 The Rise of the City-States and do p.368, CYP and mwa-5132 (submit to GC)