Today in 6A!
ENGLISH: Students wrote their Chapter 3 Grammar and Unit 10 Vocabulary test. Next week will be Unit 11 Vocabulary. We are nearing the end of our grammar and vocabulary lessons (Unit 15) which means our students will be strictly applying what they have learned with more and longer writing pieces in trimester 3.
RELIGION: Our first week of Family Life came to a close with our quiz today.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Students explored Confucius' teachings and early life. We understand him in contrast to the "Legalist" perspective where the rule of law needed to be strict, absolute, and severe in punishment. Confucius believed that the answer to this approach was love and Filial Piety. Honoring our elders and their wishes will lead to harmony and the example shown by our elders will determine how well we are doing to create this moral and just society. I know I have taken a similar approach in my parenting style, and I shared some examples with the students. Homework, to be taken up on Tuesday, is on page 310 #1-5.
Friday, February 8, 2019
Thursday, February 7, 2019
Today in 6A & 6B
RELIGION: Today's review of our first chapter in "Family Life" was fruitful in that we reviewed several terms for our test tomorrow. This first quiz will be open book, however, moving forward they will not be. Our review sessions will be comprehensive and students will be exposed to the same questions/line of questioning that is on the test.
ENGLISH: In our review session for tomorrow's test, students spet time quizzing each other on vocabulary terms and practicing the grammar skills necessary to do well on this test. While the elements of this test are largely review from 5th grade and earlier this school year, the concepts build on each other rather quickly. Without a firm understanding of the earliest parts of Chapter 3, students will struggle with putting them together in sections 3.4 and 3.5. Below is the suggested review for students to study.
LITERATURE: Our read from pages 146-172 included some of the most eventful and difficult passages yet. Billy accepted the bet from the Pritchard boys and went to live up to it. In doing so we heard the use of language to describe a "female dog" and I presented it as such. Additionally, the accidental death of one of the Pritchard boys was difficult for some of our class to process. This book is fictional and we likely won't be watching the movie, however the moment does add value to the story and later events. Much credit to the class members that emote so strongly and express their reactions to this moment.
SOCIAL STUDIES: After taking up the homework from Tuesday, we examined the family dynamics of Ancient China. Some of the details are very similar to what certain cultures do today; Many family members, extended family, living in a single household. There is a lot of value in this way of life and ironically, much of Western society is returning to this way of life. It is important for our young students to bear witness to this way of life and not judge it, but rather seek to understand it. Homework is on page 304 #1-7
MATH (8:00 class) Ws 4-9 Chp Test next Tuesday (9:00 class) pg 280 1-29
RELIGION: Today's review of our first chapter in "Family Life" was fruitful in that we reviewed several terms for our test tomorrow. This first quiz will be open book, however, moving forward they will not be. Our review sessions will be comprehensive and students will be exposed to the same questions/line of questioning that is on the test.
ENGLISH: In our review session for tomorrow's test, students spet time quizzing each other on vocabulary terms and practicing the grammar skills necessary to do well on this test. While the elements of this test are largely review from 5th grade and earlier this school year, the concepts build on each other rather quickly. Without a firm understanding of the earliest parts of Chapter 3, students will struggle with putting them together in sections 3.4 and 3.5. Below is the suggested review for students to study.
LITERATURE: Our read from pages 146-172 included some of the most eventful and difficult passages yet. Billy accepted the bet from the Pritchard boys and went to live up to it. In doing so we heard the use of language to describe a "female dog" and I presented it as such. Additionally, the accidental death of one of the Pritchard boys was difficult for some of our class to process. This book is fictional and we likely won't be watching the movie, however the moment does add value to the story and later events. Much credit to the class members that emote so strongly and express their reactions to this moment.
SOCIAL STUDIES: After taking up the homework from Tuesday, we examined the family dynamics of Ancient China. Some of the details are very similar to what certain cultures do today; Many family members, extended family, living in a single household. There is a lot of value in this way of life and ironically, much of Western society is returning to this way of life. It is important for our young students to bear witness to this way of life and not judge it, but rather seek to understand it. Homework is on page 304 #1-7
MATH (8:00 class) Ws 4-9 Chp Test next Tuesday (9:00 class) pg 280 1-29
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Today in 6A & 6B
ENGLISH: Students participated in a fun creative story-telling activity today. In an evolution from, last week's writing composition, students were assigned groups, given a theme, and then asked to take notes while a song played. They then gathered in their groups to coordinate a cohesive story-line that follows their theme and how they interpreted the music. The students then presented their story to the class, as a group in a 2-3 minute presentation.
RELIGION: Students were sent home with a hand-out today to ask their parents what their views toward certain vocations are. This is the only assigned homework for tonight.
SOCIAL STUDIES: On Google Classroom, students were issued a translated version of The Art Of War by Sun Tzu. With this, students are asked to identify 3 of the principles that they find meaningful and to translate them into prescriptions for better personal habits. After they have all three completed, students will write a 1/2 page reflection on how these principles relate to their daily lives, or, how they might put these principles into action. If this was not completed in class, it is homework.
MATH ( 8:00 class) pg 229 1-27 (9:00 class) Accelerated Math
ENGLISH: Students participated in a fun creative story-telling activity today. In an evolution from, last week's writing composition, students were assigned groups, given a theme, and then asked to take notes while a song played. They then gathered in their groups to coordinate a cohesive story-line that follows their theme and how they interpreted the music. The students then presented their story to the class, as a group in a 2-3 minute presentation.
RELIGION: Students were sent home with a hand-out today to ask their parents what their views toward certain vocations are. This is the only assigned homework for tonight.
SOCIAL STUDIES: On Google Classroom, students were issued a translated version of The Art Of War by Sun Tzu. With this, students are asked to identify 3 of the principles that they find meaningful and to translate them into prescriptions for better personal habits. After they have all three completed, students will write a 1/2 page reflection on how these principles relate to their daily lives, or, how they might put these principles into action. If this was not completed in class, it is homework.
MATH ( 8:00 class) pg 229 1-27 (9:00 class) Accelerated Math
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Today in 6A & 6B
ENGLISH: With an examination of simple, compound and complex sentences as well as the ways in which we can combine sentences, we finished our grammar lessons for the week. These are some pretty abstract concepts but are largely review for our students. Nothing we learned this week is a new concept, but they are still rather confusing. Our ability to edit other people's work and review our own is greatly improved by mastery of these skills.
LITERATURE: At this point in our read, we witness a scary event as Little Ann falls through the ice of the river and Billy needs to save her. The language used in this section drives home a nervous and pressured tone. After successfully saving her life, Billy sees himself accepting a bet from the Pritchard boys, who are always up to no good. What happens next will have to wait for Thursday.
RELIGION: Our Family Life curriculum steers us toward understanding how diversity in society is not only a good thing but a way for us to be stronger together. Particularly in today's political climate, it is essential that we acknowledge and celebrate our differences and how we add to each other's lives.
SOCIAL STUDIES: We examined how the Shang Dynasty fell and the Zhou Dynasty took its place. How corruption was the ultimate downfall of the Shang and the Mandate of Heaven allowed the Zhou to rule in relative peace to their predecessors. Homework is on page 291 #1-8
MATH (8:00 class) WS 4-8 (9:00 class) pg 273 1-57 Chp 5 Test Tomorrow
ENGLISH: With an examination of simple, compound and complex sentences as well as the ways in which we can combine sentences, we finished our grammar lessons for the week. These are some pretty abstract concepts but are largely review for our students. Nothing we learned this week is a new concept, but they are still rather confusing. Our ability to edit other people's work and review our own is greatly improved by mastery of these skills.
LITERATURE: At this point in our read, we witness a scary event as Little Ann falls through the ice of the river and Billy needs to save her. The language used in this section drives home a nervous and pressured tone. After successfully saving her life, Billy sees himself accepting a bet from the Pritchard boys, who are always up to no good. What happens next will have to wait for Thursday.
RELIGION: Our Family Life curriculum steers us toward understanding how diversity in society is not only a good thing but a way for us to be stronger together. Particularly in today's political climate, it is essential that we acknowledge and celebrate our differences and how we add to each other's lives.
SOCIAL STUDIES: We examined how the Shang Dynasty fell and the Zhou Dynasty took its place. How corruption was the ultimate downfall of the Shang and the Mandate of Heaven allowed the Zhou to rule in relative peace to their predecessors. Homework is on page 291 #1-8
MATH (8:00 class) WS 4-8 (9:00 class) pg 273 1-57 Chp 5 Test Tomorrow
Monday, February 4, 2019
Today in 6A 7 6B
ENGLISH: This week's grammar lesson is largely review, not only of concepts from previous years, but also of some we have visited this year. That said, inviting students to make use of sentence variety, different kinds of sentences and clauses, helps for them to build on their foundation and understand the "Why" behind the way certain authors we like write the way they do. It helps to give us a road map in our own writing. There will be a test this Friday for Grammar and Vocabulary.
GUEST SPEAKER: Remi's mom, Anh, came to class today to share some knowledge regarding Lunar New Year, which starts tomorrow. In Asian cultures, there are many traditions and superstitions that surround this time of year and what that necessarily means for the weeks and months to come. This was a wonderful expression of culture that helped all of us gain some perspective. Thank you for sharing and for the crisp $1 bills!
LITERATURE: Picking up where we left off last week, Billy and his dogs have chased, or "treed," their first coon. We picked up as Billy was leaving the live raccoon up in the tree under the watchful eye of his scarecrow. In returning to the tree next day, and wearing his hands down from all the axe-wielding, Billy finally gets his first coon, and labels himself and his dogs as true coon hunters. Billy spends the season hunting, skinning, and trading his furs and makes some good money that he donates to his father.
RELIGION: We took our first lesson of our Family Life curriculum today. This will be several weeks of study in this stand-alone unit, but will be helpful for students moving forward.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Our lesson began with a look at China's first dynasties, or families of rule and how that lesson built on previous concepts from last lesson as well as previous units of study. We drew a few comparisons to life in Huntington Beach, largely in explanation of the importance of irrigation canals to deal with flooding.
Our next S.S. test will most-likely be on Tuesday, February 19 and will cover 8 lessons (compared to the last test that covered only 3 lessons), which will require students to study days in advance and will count toward Trimester 3 grades.
MATH (8:00 class) pgs 223-224 1-44 (9:00 class) pgs 270-272 1-48 Test Wed
*** students should be 70% to Goal in Accelerated Math Feb 22nd ends the Trimester
SCIENCE Chp 5 Test Tomorrow
ENGLISH: This week's grammar lesson is largely review, not only of concepts from previous years, but also of some we have visited this year. That said, inviting students to make use of sentence variety, different kinds of sentences and clauses, helps for them to build on their foundation and understand the "Why" behind the way certain authors we like write the way they do. It helps to give us a road map in our own writing. There will be a test this Friday for Grammar and Vocabulary.
GUEST SPEAKER: Remi's mom, Anh, came to class today to share some knowledge regarding Lunar New Year, which starts tomorrow. In Asian cultures, there are many traditions and superstitions that surround this time of year and what that necessarily means for the weeks and months to come. This was a wonderful expression of culture that helped all of us gain some perspective. Thank you for sharing and for the crisp $1 bills!
LITERATURE: Picking up where we left off last week, Billy and his dogs have chased, or "treed," their first coon. We picked up as Billy was leaving the live raccoon up in the tree under the watchful eye of his scarecrow. In returning to the tree next day, and wearing his hands down from all the axe-wielding, Billy finally gets his first coon, and labels himself and his dogs as true coon hunters. Billy spends the season hunting, skinning, and trading his furs and makes some good money that he donates to his father.
RELIGION: We took our first lesson of our Family Life curriculum today. This will be several weeks of study in this stand-alone unit, but will be helpful for students moving forward.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Our lesson began with a look at China's first dynasties, or families of rule and how that lesson built on previous concepts from last lesson as well as previous units of study. We drew a few comparisons to life in Huntington Beach, largely in explanation of the importance of irrigation canals to deal with flooding.
Our next S.S. test will most-likely be on Tuesday, February 19 and will cover 8 lessons (compared to the last test that covered only 3 lessons), which will require students to study days in advance and will count toward Trimester 3 grades.
MATH (8:00 class) pgs 223-224 1-44 (9:00 class) pgs 270-272 1-48 Test Wed
*** students should be 70% to Goal in Accelerated Math Feb 22nd ends the Trimester
SCIENCE Chp 5 Test Tomorrow
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Today in 6A & 6B
ENGLISH: Students completed the second half of yesterday's activity. After listening to a few short classical pieces, students wrote out how the music made them feel; perhaps it was an emotion, a story, a character, a scene, etc. Today students took those notes and crafted them into meaningful and coherent compositions. This work was due at the end of class and all students should have their work submitted. If absent, students may work on this over the weekend.
LITERATURE: After today's reading we see Billy has trained his two pups and is ready to take them for their first hunt. The description of the hunt is thorough and what happens after the hounds "treed" their prey shows the type of character that Billy is. Students have been tabbing pages in order to return to pieces of information as we go along.
RELIGION: Students had a short open-book quiz todday on Chapter 3.
SOCIAL STUDIES: We continued with our paper kites today and most everyone is either at the decorating phase or beyond. This is good. We may be able to spend some AR time in the coming days to finish these off and take them for a glide, however there will not be any more Social Studies periods dedicated to this project. This is a graded assignment, graded largely for completion, but also for students' time management skills, ability to follow instructions, listen, share resources, and problem solve.
MATH Accelerated math
***Many thanks to all of the students and parents who brought cards and gifts today for teacher appreciation day. We certainly feel appreciated and return the kindness.***
ENGLISH: Students completed the second half of yesterday's activity. After listening to a few short classical pieces, students wrote out how the music made them feel; perhaps it was an emotion, a story, a character, a scene, etc. Today students took those notes and crafted them into meaningful and coherent compositions. This work was due at the end of class and all students should have their work submitted. If absent, students may work on this over the weekend.
LITERATURE: After today's reading we see Billy has trained his two pups and is ready to take them for their first hunt. The description of the hunt is thorough and what happens after the hounds "treed" their prey shows the type of character that Billy is. Students have been tabbing pages in order to return to pieces of information as we go along.
RELIGION: Students had a short open-book quiz todday on Chapter 3.
SOCIAL STUDIES: We continued with our paper kites today and most everyone is either at the decorating phase or beyond. This is good. We may be able to spend some AR time in the coming days to finish these off and take them for a glide, however there will not be any more Social Studies periods dedicated to this project. This is a graded assignment, graded largely for completion, but also for students' time management skills, ability to follow instructions, listen, share resources, and problem solve.
MATH Accelerated math
***Many thanks to all of the students and parents who brought cards and gifts today for teacher appreciation day. We certainly feel appreciated and return the kindness.***
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Today in 6A &6B
ENGLISH: After some flash cards our students began their Unit 10 Composition: Writing What They Feel... To Music! I presented the students with 3 different classical songs and the students free-wrte what the music triggered in them. For some this was a direct emotion explanation while for others it inspired stories and adventure. All is good. Tomorrow, students will take what they wrote and compose it into a coherent piece (for each of the three songs).
RELIGION: Students finished the chapter on Genesis understanding that God has given us free will. That he loves us and wants us to love him, but allows us to choose to love him. We examined "Stewardship" and what it means to be a steward of the earth in some capacity.
SOCIAL STUDIES: We started our Kite-building project today and what beautiful chaos it was. I believe that by the end of this exercise the students will be happy with their work and will look forward to a moment when they can fly their kites.
***There is no homework issued this evening. Students are expected to make themselves available to parents to help them with any tasks around the house. Our kids should show a little initiative in making this happen***
ENGLISH: After some flash cards our students began their Unit 10 Composition: Writing What They Feel... To Music! I presented the students with 3 different classical songs and the students free-wrte what the music triggered in them. For some this was a direct emotion explanation while for others it inspired stories and adventure. All is good. Tomorrow, students will take what they wrote and compose it into a coherent piece (for each of the three songs).
RELIGION: Students finished the chapter on Genesis understanding that God has given us free will. That he loves us and wants us to love him, but allows us to choose to love him. We examined "Stewardship" and what it means to be a steward of the earth in some capacity.
SOCIAL STUDIES: We started our Kite-building project today and what beautiful chaos it was. I believe that by the end of this exercise the students will be happy with their work and will look forward to a moment when they can fly their kites.
***There is no homework issued this evening. Students are expected to make themselves available to parents to help them with any tasks around the house. Our kids should show a little initiative in making this happen***
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Today in 6A & 6B
ENGLISH: In a shortened period, our students completed three exercises on their Sadlier websites; Vocabulary in Context, Passage-based Reading, and Improving Sentences. Our students have come a long way in their understanding of why certain sentences and turns of phrase are correct/incorrect and can better explain these phenomena.
LITERATURE: In this segment, Billy returns home from town, a distance of about 30 miles in the hills of Ozark country. He's experienced a lot in town and is very happy with life on the farm. Now that he has his dogs, its time to train them to hunt. Billy needs to get himself a raccoon though and his efforts prove trying.
CYBER SPEAKER: In lieu of Social Studies, our students took part in a guest speaker who talked about cyber safety and what risks are there for our young people online. I grew up as the internet was finding itself and I am lucky that social media never existed. Children today are under much more scrutiny regarding their "public profiles" than any generation that's come before them. If you too would like to hear a similar talk that is geared toward parents, please join us tomorrow night. You children have all been sent home with a flyer and the details.
MATH (8:00 class) pg 215 13-24 (9:00 class) pg 267 1-15
ENGLISH: In a shortened period, our students completed three exercises on their Sadlier websites; Vocabulary in Context, Passage-based Reading, and Improving Sentences. Our students have come a long way in their understanding of why certain sentences and turns of phrase are correct/incorrect and can better explain these phenomena.
LITERATURE: In this segment, Billy returns home from town, a distance of about 30 miles in the hills of Ozark country. He's experienced a lot in town and is very happy with life on the farm. Now that he has his dogs, its time to train them to hunt. Billy needs to get himself a raccoon though and his efforts prove trying.
CYBER SPEAKER: In lieu of Social Studies, our students took part in a guest speaker who talked about cyber safety and what risks are there for our young people online. I grew up as the internet was finding itself and I am lucky that social media never existed. Children today are under much more scrutiny regarding their "public profiles" than any generation that's come before them. If you too would like to hear a similar talk that is geared toward parents, please join us tomorrow night. You children have all been sent home with a flyer and the details.
MATH (8:00 class) pg 215 13-24 (9:00 class) pg 267 1-15
Monday, January 28, 2019
Today in 6A & 6B
I'd like to begin by thanking all families, current and prospective, for attending yesterday's open house event. I believe we did this school, and particularly the 6th grade, a service by showing all that we have been up to. Thank you!
ENGLISH: Having written a test on Friday for Unit 9 words, today started our Unit 10 Vocabulary. WE spent our time defining our 20 new words and crafting associations that will help us to understand that word's meaning.
LITERATURE: In reading the next 25 pages of "Where the Red Fern Grows" we finally see Billy save up his money and purchase the two coon hounds that he had wished, prayed and dreamed of.
RELIGION: This week's chapter examines the creations story. As a primer I asked students what the most beautiful thing they have ever seen is. God created the earth and all creation as an expression of love and so that he could also be loved (through free will).
SOCIAL STUDIES: Our China Unit/Chapter starts today. This will be a much longer section of information for a test that needs to be written in the same amount of time. This means that students will need to adjust their study methods and patterns to account for the sheer magnitude of the information presented to them. It will be a few weeks before we have our next test but students should be taking strong notes and answering the homework questions in thorough depth so that they can have the best information available to them come test time.
MATH (8:00 class) Ws 4-5 and re learning 4-6 (9:00 class) pg 261 1-37
SCIENCE pg 159 1-4
I'd like to begin by thanking all families, current and prospective, for attending yesterday's open house event. I believe we did this school, and particularly the 6th grade, a service by showing all that we have been up to. Thank you!
ENGLISH: Having written a test on Friday for Unit 9 words, today started our Unit 10 Vocabulary. WE spent our time defining our 20 new words and crafting associations that will help us to understand that word's meaning.
LITERATURE: In reading the next 25 pages of "Where the Red Fern Grows" we finally see Billy save up his money and purchase the two coon hounds that he had wished, prayed and dreamed of.
RELIGION: This week's chapter examines the creations story. As a primer I asked students what the most beautiful thing they have ever seen is. God created the earth and all creation as an expression of love and so that he could also be loved (through free will).
SOCIAL STUDIES: Our China Unit/Chapter starts today. This will be a much longer section of information for a test that needs to be written in the same amount of time. This means that students will need to adjust their study methods and patterns to account for the sheer magnitude of the information presented to them. It will be a few weeks before we have our next test but students should be taking strong notes and answering the homework questions in thorough depth so that they can have the best information available to them come test time.
MATH (8:00 class) Ws 4-5 and re learning 4-6 (9:00 class) pg 261 1-37
SCIENCE pg 159 1-4
Friday, January 25, 2019
Today in 6A!
ENGLISH: Students wrote their unit 9/chapter 2 test today.
RELIGION: Students continued our work from yesterday and created bookmarks that identify how we are Christ-like in the world around us. These are laminated and on the students' desks.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Students wrote their Buddhism chapter test today. Next week we begin learning about Ancient China.
Sunday is our Open House. If you know of any prospective new students for our school please extend a warm invitation to join us after 9:30 AM mass on Sunday so that they may see all of the wonderful things that our community has to offer.
Have a wonderful weekend!
ENGLISH: Students wrote their unit 9/chapter 2 test today.
RELIGION: Students continued our work from yesterday and created bookmarks that identify how we are Christ-like in the world around us. These are laminated and on the students' desks.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Students wrote their Buddhism chapter test today. Next week we begin learning about Ancient China.
Sunday is our Open House. If you know of any prospective new students for our school please extend a warm invitation to join us after 9:30 AM mass on Sunday so that they may see all of the wonderful things that our community has to offer.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Today in 6A & 6B
RELIGION: Continuing our work from yesterday, students thoughtfully crafted pictograms from a selected Psalm. Later in the day, we practiced some of our hymns for mass with the bishop tomorrow. All parents are invited to attend mass with Bishop Vann tomorrow at 8:15 AM.
ENGLISH: Today was our review session for our English chapter/Unit test tomorrow for Grammar and Vocabulary. Students have known since the start of last week that this test would be tomorrow and have been encouraged to study a bit each night. Students are encouraged to complete sections A, B, and C of the Chapter Review in their text, as well as the exercises we completed as a class for 2.1-2.5.
LITERATURE: We started our newest read today; "Where the Red Fern Grows." In addition to this new book starting today, students were introduced to the assessment method for this class read. Each student will write an essay that focuses on one of four themes that the book explores. After the book is finished, students will have 1 week to craft their essays, so preparation for this along the way is a must. Students are encouraged to use sticky notes to mark significant pages for quotes and ideas. This alters our previous reading strategies by turning their passive reading into more of a fact-finding mission. This strategy is helpful for all students as they can focus their energy and improve understanding of a new, or raw, text.
SOCIAL STUDIES: In our review session students spent time quizzing each other and revisiting information from the past week for tomorrow's test. Yes, that's 2 tests on the same day, a Friday. I am confident that all students who have prepared for this test will do well. The areas I have directed students to focus on are in the Chapter Review section (p.238-9) C&CT #1-3, AAS #1-5, TY #1-6. Vocabulary is listed on p.217 with definitions for those terms (in BLUE) written throughout the text. Finally, I invite students to review their homework, mostly #1-3 on p.222, p.227, and p.235.
MATH (8:00 class) pg 215 1-11 (9:00 class) Accelerated Math
RELIGION: Continuing our work from yesterday, students thoughtfully crafted pictograms from a selected Psalm. Later in the day, we practiced some of our hymns for mass with the bishop tomorrow. All parents are invited to attend mass with Bishop Vann tomorrow at 8:15 AM.
ENGLISH: Today was our review session for our English chapter/Unit test tomorrow for Grammar and Vocabulary. Students have known since the start of last week that this test would be tomorrow and have been encouraged to study a bit each night. Students are encouraged to complete sections A, B, and C of the Chapter Review in their text, as well as the exercises we completed as a class for 2.1-2.5.
LITERATURE: We started our newest read today; "Where the Red Fern Grows." In addition to this new book starting today, students were introduced to the assessment method for this class read. Each student will write an essay that focuses on one of four themes that the book explores. After the book is finished, students will have 1 week to craft their essays, so preparation for this along the way is a must. Students are encouraged to use sticky notes to mark significant pages for quotes and ideas. This alters our previous reading strategies by turning their passive reading into more of a fact-finding mission. This strategy is helpful for all students as they can focus their energy and improve understanding of a new, or raw, text.
SOCIAL STUDIES: In our review session students spent time quizzing each other and revisiting information from the past week for tomorrow's test. Yes, that's 2 tests on the same day, a Friday. I am confident that all students who have prepared for this test will do well. The areas I have directed students to focus on are in the Chapter Review section (p.238-9) C&CT #1-3, AAS #1-5, TY #1-6. Vocabulary is listed on p.217 with definitions for those terms (in BLUE) written throughout the text. Finally, I invite students to review their homework, mostly #1-3 on p.222, p.227, and p.235.
MATH (8:00 class) pg 215 1-11 (9:00 class) Accelerated Math
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Today in 6A & 6B
ENGLISH: Finishing off our Grammar unit today with the use of Precise Words and applying Sensory Details, students now have all the information they will need for Friday's test. I have assigned two exercises for homework with the intention of students revisiting all of their English work (lessons and vocabulary).
RELIGION: Today students chose a Psalm to depict and wrote pictograms to decode.
SOCIAL STUDIES: In the second part of our exploration of the Four Noble Truths and the 8-fold path, students were presented with moral dilemmas to apply these guidelines to and determine how to respond. Each scenario required students to examine the steps of the 8-fold path and choose a "right" way to act. This was a graded assignment where I used students' reasoning and understanding of the 8-fold path in addition to their collaboration and seriousness in working together.
MATH (8:00 class) Ws 4-4 (9:00 class) WS 5-6 & 5-7
SCIENCE pg 154 1-5
ENGLISH: Finishing off our Grammar unit today with the use of Precise Words and applying Sensory Details, students now have all the information they will need for Friday's test. I have assigned two exercises for homework with the intention of students revisiting all of their English work (lessons and vocabulary).
RELIGION: Today students chose a Psalm to depict and wrote pictograms to decode.
SOCIAL STUDIES: In the second part of our exploration of the Four Noble Truths and the 8-fold path, students were presented with moral dilemmas to apply these guidelines to and determine how to respond. Each scenario required students to examine the steps of the 8-fold path and choose a "right" way to act. This was a graded assignment where I used students' reasoning and understanding of the 8-fold path in addition to their collaboration and seriousness in working together.
MATH (8:00 class) Ws 4-4 (9:00 class) WS 5-6 & 5-7
SCIENCE pg 154 1-5
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Today in 6A & 6B
ENGLISH: Starting our grammar week off quickly we examined 2 sections of Chapter 2; Correcting Sentence Fragments, Correcting Run-on Sentences, and Eliminating Extra Words. These three lessons are key to having our students become stronger peer editors and writers. There were 2 exercises that were issued as homework so that students may best prepare for Friday's test.
LITERATURE: Dr. O paid a visit to our class today as she read one of her favorite books that describes the issues young black children experienced in the days of segregation and civil rights. This was a very special class as yesterday was Martin Luther King Jr. Day and our students do not normally review civil rights issues.
RELIGION: Our students are doing a swell job of getting our room ready for Catholic Schools Week.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Students examined the Eight-fold Path in a bit more detail today. Here they listed practical examples of how each of the 8 paths could be followed in their own daily lives.
****English and Social Studies will each have tests this coming Friday. Students should be studying every night to best prepare****
MATH (8:00 class) accelerated math (9:00 class) pg 257 1-28
SCIENCE Finish Part 2 of the Packets
ENGLISH: Starting our grammar week off quickly we examined 2 sections of Chapter 2; Correcting Sentence Fragments, Correcting Run-on Sentences, and Eliminating Extra Words. These three lessons are key to having our students become stronger peer editors and writers. There were 2 exercises that were issued as homework so that students may best prepare for Friday's test.
LITERATURE: Dr. O paid a visit to our class today as she read one of her favorite books that describes the issues young black children experienced in the days of segregation and civil rights. This was a very special class as yesterday was Martin Luther King Jr. Day and our students do not normally review civil rights issues.
RELIGION: Our students are doing a swell job of getting our room ready for Catholic Schools Week.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Students examined the Eight-fold Path in a bit more detail today. Here they listed practical examples of how each of the 8 paths could be followed in their own daily lives.
****English and Social Studies will each have tests this coming Friday. Students should be studying every night to best prepare****
MATH (8:00 class) accelerated math (9:00 class) pg 257 1-28
SCIENCE Finish Part 2 of the Packets
Friday, January 18, 2019
Today in 6A!
ENGLISH: Students put their finishing touches on their Unit 9 composition employing figurative writing. My hat is off to Aly Bravata who wrote a stellar piece which just had to be (with her permission) read to the class. The objective of this assignment was not to go on a journey or to tell a story, but to be as descriptive as possible while employing the many literary devices as possible. Aly has done this with masterful precision. Truly fine work. While I have yet to read the entire 6th grade's work, I am truly proud of this particular piece and our students should be as well.
For next week we will be turning to Grammar chapter 2, if your student is interested in reading ahead. We will have our regularly scheduled test that morning.
RELIGION: Students wrote their Chapter 2 quiz in a open-book format.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Students explored the third and final section of the Buddhism chapter. Here we learned about the spread of Buddhism and, despite its lasting influence, its gradual decline. Students learned of the two major schools of Buddhism (Big raft and Little raft) and should be able to best describe the key differences between these two schools. Students will have this chapter test also on Friday of next week so it is essential that students begin their studying over the weekend. I recommend students read each night for 20 minutes in order to be familiar with the content. For homework students are assigned questions 1-5 on page 235.
ENGLISH: Students put their finishing touches on their Unit 9 composition employing figurative writing. My hat is off to Aly Bravata who wrote a stellar piece which just had to be (with her permission) read to the class. The objective of this assignment was not to go on a journey or to tell a story, but to be as descriptive as possible while employing the many literary devices as possible. Aly has done this with masterful precision. Truly fine work. While I have yet to read the entire 6th grade's work, I am truly proud of this particular piece and our students should be as well.
For next week we will be turning to Grammar chapter 2, if your student is interested in reading ahead. We will have our regularly scheduled test that morning.
RELIGION: Students wrote their Chapter 2 quiz in a open-book format.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Students explored the third and final section of the Buddhism chapter. Here we learned about the spread of Buddhism and, despite its lasting influence, its gradual decline. Students learned of the two major schools of Buddhism (Big raft and Little raft) and should be able to best describe the key differences between these two schools. Students will have this chapter test also on Friday of next week so it is essential that students begin their studying over the weekend. I recommend students read each night for 20 minutes in order to be familiar with the content. For homework students are assigned questions 1-5 on page 235.
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Today in 6A & 6B
RELIGION: Today's review class also saw students opening their Bibles in order to locate and examine some selected passages. To incentivise these kids I offered a hard candy as reward for the first two groups completed. This was helpful in turning their focus from "getting it done" to "getting it done well and on time."
ENGLISH: After reviewing our flash cards, students were given the remainder of class to complete their drafts of their unit 9 composition which employs figurative language. They will return tomorrow for some peer reviewing and editing, in order to submit by the end of class. If your student does not ask for you to read their work, please ask them for it. I would love all students to have a family member and/or friend to edit their work for them.
LITERATURE: Today was extra special as we welcomed Joe Quy Nguyen to our class. Joe is Martin Vu's great-uncle, was born in Vietnam, and lived there during the war. During his 40 minute talk, he gave our students some valuable first-hand accounts of what life was like for him in 1967-68 in Vietnam as we reflect on the characters from The Wednesday Wars.
Deepest thanks to Joe for agreeing to be with us today!
SOCIAL STUDIES: We continued our exploration into our Buddhism unit as we examined some of the core Buddhist beliefs while reviewing what we learned yesterday. For homework, students are assigned questions 1-7 on page 227.
MATH (8:00 class) pg 210 13-31 (9:00 class) pg 247-248 1-60
SCIENCE pg 151 1-4
RELIGION: Today's review class also saw students opening their Bibles in order to locate and examine some selected passages. To incentivise these kids I offered a hard candy as reward for the first two groups completed. This was helpful in turning their focus from "getting it done" to "getting it done well and on time."
ENGLISH: After reviewing our flash cards, students were given the remainder of class to complete their drafts of their unit 9 composition which employs figurative language. They will return tomorrow for some peer reviewing and editing, in order to submit by the end of class. If your student does not ask for you to read their work, please ask them for it. I would love all students to have a family member and/or friend to edit their work for them.
LITERATURE: Today was extra special as we welcomed Joe Quy Nguyen to our class. Joe is Martin Vu's great-uncle, was born in Vietnam, and lived there during the war. During his 40 minute talk, he gave our students some valuable first-hand accounts of what life was like for him in 1967-68 in Vietnam as we reflect on the characters from The Wednesday Wars.
SOCIAL STUDIES: We continued our exploration into our Buddhism unit as we examined some of the core Buddhist beliefs while reviewing what we learned yesterday. For homework, students are assigned questions 1-7 on page 227.
MATH (8:00 class) pg 210 13-31 (9:00 class) pg 247-248 1-60
SCIENCE pg 151 1-4
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Today in 6A & 6B
ENGLISH: After reviewing our flash cards, students were issued their Unit 9 writing composition in which they are asked to describe the contents of either their desk or their backpack using figurative language. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to practice being descriptive and employing the many different literary devices used to make up figurative language. This composition will be due after class on Friday and I encourage all students to reach out to friends and family to help with peer editing of their work.
RELIGION: Today was very much a review from some information we explored in our previous book, where we explored how the Bible is constructed and organized. We looked at the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls and interpreted their significance to Christianity.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Moving right along from yesterday's Hinduism Chapter test, today we began our chapter on Buddhism. Buddhism has its roots in Hinduism and we explored some of the similarities and differences between the two belief systems. Tomorrow we will look deeper into specific Buddhist ideology and reflect on how that compares to what we learned about Hinduism. Students are assigned questions 1-5 on page 222 for homework.
MATH (8:00 class) pg 209 1-12 (9:00 class) pg 254 11-23
ENGLISH: After reviewing our flash cards, students were issued their Unit 9 writing composition in which they are asked to describe the contents of either their desk or their backpack using figurative language. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to practice being descriptive and employing the many different literary devices used to make up figurative language. This composition will be due after class on Friday and I encourage all students to reach out to friends and family to help with peer editing of their work.
RELIGION: Today was very much a review from some information we explored in our previous book, where we explored how the Bible is constructed and organized. We looked at the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls and interpreted their significance to Christianity.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Moving right along from yesterday's Hinduism Chapter test, today we began our chapter on Buddhism. Buddhism has its roots in Hinduism and we explored some of the similarities and differences between the two belief systems. Tomorrow we will look deeper into specific Buddhist ideology and reflect on how that compares to what we learned about Hinduism. Students are assigned questions 1-5 on page 222 for homework.
MATH (8:00 class) pg 209 1-12 (9:00 class) pg 254 11-23
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Today in 6A & 6B
ENGLISH: We started our New word list yesterday, so today we began with Flash cards, as we will each day. Additionally, on the Sadlier website we completed the Vocabulary in Context, Passage-based Reading, and Improving Sentences assignments.
During our Literature period, students in 6A completed their STAR math testing for today, the results of which will be made available shortly.
RELIGION: Today we began chapter 2 of our new book, exploring the meaning of some selected Bible excerpts and discerning the difference between a list of facts and the expression of Love between a parent and child (as witnessed in several student writing examples).
SOCIAL STUDIES: Students wrote their Hinduism chapter test today. This was an exceptionally short chapter that students opted to test independently from the Buddhism chapter, which is also exceptionally short, and follows tomorrow.
MATH (8:00 class) pg 205 1-28 quiz Tomorrow (9:00 class) WS 5-3 & 5-4
SCIENCE Pg 148 Questions 1-3
ENGLISH: We started our New word list yesterday, so today we began with Flash cards, as we will each day. Additionally, on the Sadlier website we completed the Vocabulary in Context, Passage-based Reading, and Improving Sentences assignments.
During our Literature period, students in 6A completed their STAR math testing for today, the results of which will be made available shortly.
RELIGION: Today we began chapter 2 of our new book, exploring the meaning of some selected Bible excerpts and discerning the difference between a list of facts and the expression of Love between a parent and child (as witnessed in several student writing examples).
SOCIAL STUDIES: Students wrote their Hinduism chapter test today. This was an exceptionally short chapter that students opted to test independently from the Buddhism chapter, which is also exceptionally short, and follows tomorrow.
MATH (8:00 class) pg 205 1-28 quiz Tomorrow (9:00 class) WS 5-3 & 5-4
SCIENCE Pg 148 Questions 1-3
Monday, January 14, 2019
Today in 6A & 6B
ENGLISH: As the start of another vocabulary week, we made our iWords word lists, complete with definitions and associations.
LITERATURE: Students continued working on their Wednesday Wars calendars.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Today was our review period for the Hinduism chapter. This was a particularly short chapter and the test will reflect that brevity. Students are directed to review their notes, the homework for all three sections and the chapter review in order to best prepare for tomorrow's test.
MATH (8:00 class) worksheet 4-3 Quiz this week (9:00 class) pg 243 1-49 Quiz this week
***NOTE: Students will also be writing their STAR math test tomorrow in 6A***
ENGLISH: As the start of another vocabulary week, we made our iWords word lists, complete with definitions and associations.
LITERATURE: Students continued working on their Wednesday Wars calendars.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Today was our review period for the Hinduism chapter. This was a particularly short chapter and the test will reflect that brevity. Students are directed to review their notes, the homework for all three sections and the chapter review in order to best prepare for tomorrow's test.
MATH (8:00 class) worksheet 4-3 Quiz this week (9:00 class) pg 243 1-49 Quiz this week
***NOTE: Students will also be writing their STAR math test tomorrow in 6A***
Friday, January 11, 2019
Today in 6A!
ENGLISH: Students wrote their Unit 8 Vocabulary/Chapter 12 Grammar test today.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Students are reminded that their "Hinduism Pen Pals" assignment is due by the start of Monday and should be worked on at home. Monday's class will be a review period for our Hinduism test on Tuesday.
LITERATURE: Students are doing excellent work creating their calendars for The Wednesday Wars. Since 10 images are needed for the final submission, students should spend some time over the weekend working on their art. They will have class time all through next week to continue their work.
ENGLISH: Students wrote their Unit 8 Vocabulary/Chapter 12 Grammar test today.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Students are reminded that their "Hinduism Pen Pals" assignment is due by the start of Monday and should be worked on at home. Monday's class will be a review period for our Hinduism test on Tuesday.
LITERATURE: Students are doing excellent work creating their calendars for The Wednesday Wars. Since 10 images are needed for the final submission, students should spend some time over the weekend working on their art. They will have class time all through next week to continue their work.
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Today in 6A 7 6B
ENGLISH: Our review session for tomorrow's test went well. We started with Flash Cards and then it was an open period to work on the review. Below is an image of the exhaustive list students may use to prepare for this test. Many of the exercises listed are ones we did together in class. Students should pay special attention to proofreading for capitalization and spelling. As usual, there are sections on antonyms and synonyms, and one more section regarding spelling.
LITERATURE: Students continued their work on their Wednesday Wars Calendars.
RELIGION: Students wrote an open-book quiz for the very first chapter of our new books, Christ Our Life.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Students were issued an assignment that is to be completed in pairs. As described on our Google Classroom page, students will ask three research style questions for their partner to answer. Each group partner will answer their partner's 3 questions in a 2-5 sentence response. Together these pairings will submit their work in a single document on the google classroom page. Google Docs functions so that students may access their shared documents remotely and independently. THIS IS NOT TONIGHT"S HOMEWORK. I would much rather students prepare for their English test and so this assignment will be due at the start of Monday.
MATH (8:00 class) pg 199 1-23 odds only (9:00 class) pg 238 1-28
+++Both classes Should be 45%-50% to Goal in Accelerated Math
SCIENCE Worksheet packet
ENGLISH: Our review session for tomorrow's test went well. We started with Flash Cards and then it was an open period to work on the review. Below is an image of the exhaustive list students may use to prepare for this test. Many of the exercises listed are ones we did together in class. Students should pay special attention to proofreading for capitalization and spelling. As usual, there are sections on antonyms and synonyms, and one more section regarding spelling.
LITERATURE: Students continued their work on their Wednesday Wars Calendars.
RELIGION: Students wrote an open-book quiz for the very first chapter of our new books, Christ Our Life.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Students were issued an assignment that is to be completed in pairs. As described on our Google Classroom page, students will ask three research style questions for their partner to answer. Each group partner will answer their partner's 3 questions in a 2-5 sentence response. Together these pairings will submit their work in a single document on the google classroom page. Google Docs functions so that students may access their shared documents remotely and independently. THIS IS NOT TONIGHT"S HOMEWORK. I would much rather students prepare for their English test and so this assignment will be due at the start of Monday.
MATH (8:00 class) pg 199 1-23 odds only (9:00 class) pg 238 1-28
+++Both classes Should be 45%-50% to Goal in Accelerated Math
SCIENCE Worksheet packet
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