Thursday, December 19, 2013

Math: Chambers/Luhmann

Luhmann: Today in math students introduced Chapter 5... Ratios! This will be continued after break. Homework: none :)

Chambers: Today in math students worked on graphing points on a coordinate plane to make a holiday picture. We will begin ratios after break.  Homework: none :)

Mrs. Schuiteman - English

Today we:
*went to the library for a checkout time
*continued watching "A Christmas Carol" & comparing our visuals of the ghosts
No HW

Tomorrow we will be doing a craft for Mexico Day & finish watching the movie while we create!! :)
No HW - although it would be great to read over break!!  :)

Have a safe, wonderful holiday season!!  Merry Christmas!  Happy New Year!!
Have a fabulous break & we will see you in 2014!!

Social Studies

Thursday: Learning about Mexico continues!!

No homework (unless you did not turn in your Maya DBQ)

FRIDAY: MEXICO DAY!!  Thanks for all the donations we will have a blast celebrating Mexico's culture. 

No homework (unless you did not turn in your Maya DBQ)

Have a wonderful holiday break with your family and friends!!  I'll see you next year:)


Science- Lillmars 12/19

Today in Science, the students...

1) turned in their family albums

2) did a poker chip activity to review sex-linked traits

HW: None! :)

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

MATH 7 - Luhmann

Today we discussed the rules to use when dealing with positive and negative numbers.  The kids had work time and they will have more work time tomorrow.

Math: Chambers/Luhmann

Today in math we finished our quiz from yesterday over area formulas.  With the remaining time students read or worked on coordinate plane pictures. Homework: none :)

Mrs. Schuiteman - English

So sorry for the lacking of blogging this week, I am been home with my son. 
We continue to work on "A Christmas Carol".... discussing classic literature, reading the play version aloud to each other, now watching the movie.  We are comparing our visualizations from the play to the characters in the movie.  We will also discuss things like theme, author's purpose, & character development later in the week.
No HW..... play out in the snow & read from a good book!! :)

Social Studies

12/18
Still learning about Mexico:)

No homework (Unless you did not turn in your DBQ last week)

Science- Lillmars 12/18

Today in Science, the students...

1) finished up the available work time for their family albums. We even did a self check and a partner check that should be turned in tomorrow with the album.

2) watched a genetics video.

HW: Albums are DUE tomorrow

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Dobb 12/17

Resource ELA:

We continued watching "A Christmas Carol".  We compared and contrasted the classic play and the movie, in addition to extending our list of themes (lessons learned) from the story.

HW:  Read 20 minutes


Resource Math:

We calculated the unit rate of the parts of an object, using division steps and pictures.

HW:  Using the problem solving sheet, students should add up that grand total for the price of the snowman.  

Resource Guided Studies:

It's test taking tuesday!  Many students needed time to continue problem solving through their math assessments.  Many needed to remember to show work when doing so to receive credit for their thinking.

We also started a list of activities that students have found helpful for studying in the past.  Topping the list was playing a game.  For example, answering a question and getting to take a b-ball shot or answering a questions and getting to move a certain number of spaces.

HW:  Productivity Checklist

Best wishes to all the MP3 students in their concert tonight!  :)  

Math: Chambers/Luhmann

Today in math we had our first day of the quiz on the formulas to calculate the area of rectangles, parallelograms, triangles, and trapezoids. Students were allowed to use a calculator and had the formulas available for them. Tomorrow we will finish up the quiz and spend the remaining time working on plotting points on a coordinate plane.
Homework: Any last minute review/practice with the area formulas that you need to do? We want you to be successful!

Social Studies

12/17
Today we skimmed p. 195-198 and took filled in notes about Mexico's revolutionary leaders and watched a 20 min. Mexico video.

No homework

Science - Spotts

Science today...

- We took a colorblindness test
- we did a mini-lesson on colorblindness
- we worked on our Family Album - DUE THURSDAY!

English-Hickok

Today we started watching the original movie of, A Christmas Carol.  Theme, setting, and characterization are some of the skills that the kids will be practicing these next two days.

Mexico Day

A big GRACIAS to everyone that brought items in for Mexico Day!!  We will enjoy them on Friday:)

Lepo 1st hour

Here is the link I would like you to read:
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/article/20131217/NEWS/131219292

Homeless donation drive end TOMORROW!! 

Science- Lillmars 12/17

Today in Science, the students...

1) completed a "sex-linked traits" mini-lesson

2) continued working on their family albums

HW: Albums DUE Thursday!

Monday, December 16, 2013

Math: Chambers/Luhmann

Today in math we reviewed for our quiz tomorrow covering 4.1-4.4. Students were given practice problems that are similar to the quiz to practice tonight. Students can use a calculator on the quiz tomorrow and the formulas will be posted in the room.
Homework: Practice/Review for the quiz tomorrow!

MATH 7 - Luhmann

Today we finished our notes on rational numbers.  The kids then got the rest go the hour to work on the assignment.  The homework is to finish the worksheet. (just the problems in the bubbles)

BONUS
#8      terminating
#19    The bar should be over both the 6 and the 3
#23     -39/125
#27     -12   81/200
#34a   -.55
#34b   -11/20
#38      =
#44      math quiz

Mexico Day!!

Each year the day before Christmas break we enjoy celebrating Mexico’s culture in the 6th grade wing.  This year we would like to have kids do a craft, try foods, and gain more knowledge about Mexico by celebrating Mexico Day December 20.  Students will have a normal class schedule but instead of having a subject that day they will participate in an enrichment activity about Mexico’s culture.

Would you like to help by bringing in supplies?  If you would be willing to donate the following, please have your child let me know.  We would need them by next week Tues. (12/17)

- 100 corn tortillas
- 4 gallons of whole milk

Social Studies 12/16

Today in class we researched travel information about Mexico.

Here is the link you need:
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/mexico-guide/#close-modal

No homework

English-Hickok

Today we will continue reading the play, A Christmas Carol.  Each student has a part and they sounded fantastic on Friday.

No homework

Science- Lillmars 12/16

Today in Science, the students...

1) completed another "I can..." journal

2) worked through a quick switch blood type actvitiy

3) continued working on their family album

HW: Albums DUE Thursday

Science - Spotts

Science today... 12/16

- We practiced some Punnett Squares with Blood Types
- We worked on our Family Albums (due Thursday!)

Friday, December 13, 2013

MATH - Chambers/Luhmann

Quiz on area on Tuesday.  Please be prepared.  You can Google any of the shapes to get practice worksheets to help you study.
Mr. Luhmann's class needs to finish their shape design for homework.

MATH 7 - Luhmann

Today we moved onto rational numbers.  We play war with some cards and took a few notes.

MEXICO DAY SUPPLIES:)

Each year the day before Christmas break we enjoy celebrating Mexico’s culture in the 6th grade wing.  This year we would like to have kids do a craft, try foods, and gain more knowledge about Mexico by celebrating Mexico Day December 20.  Students will have a normal class schedule but instead of having a subject that day they will participate in an enrichment activity about Mexico’s culture.

Would you like to help by bringing in supplies?  If you would be willing to donate the following, please have your child let me know.  We would need them by next week Weds. (12/18)
- 200 styrofoam cups
- 100 corn tortillas
- 4 gallons of whole milk

Social Studies

Friday:

CNN student news
Read about the geography of Mexico.

DBQ were due today, no homework!!

Mrs. Schuiteman - English

Today we:
*went over what we found on our practice database search
*discussed what a classic story is
*started reading "A Christmas Carol"
No HW!  Enjoy the snow & family this weekend!!

English-Hickok`

Today we finished our "Miss Houser" letters and we started practicing parts for,  A Christmas Carol.

No homework

Science - Spotts

Science today...
- First Genetics Quiz
- Worked on Family Album - due Tuesday
- Have a lovely weekend!

Science- Lillmars 12/13

Today in Science, the students...

1) took their first genetics quiz

2) continued working on their family albums

HW: Let's try to have the albums ready to turn in next Tuesday! Plan on a little more class time Monday.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Math: Chambers/Luhmann

Luhmann: today in math we learned how to plot points on a coordinate plane and then calculate the area of the shape we created. Students had work time. Homework: finish up the Coordinate plane worksheet.

Chambers: today in a th we reviewed the 2 concepts from yesterday and the spent the remaining time working on the worksheets for practice. Homework: finish up the two worksheets and if you have some you are stuck on...come with questions tomorrow!

Mexico Day 12/20

Each year the day before Christmas break we enjoy celebrating Mexico’s culture in the 6th grade wing.  This year we would like to have kids do a craft, try foods, and gain more knowledge about Mexico by celebrating Mexico Day December 20.  Students will have a normal class schedule but instead of having a subject that day they will participate in an enrichment activity about Mexico’s culture.

Would you like to help by bringing in supplies?  If you would be willing to donate the following, please have your child let me know.  We would need them by next week Weds. (12/18)
- 200 styrofoam cups
- 100 corn tortillas
- 4 gallons of whole milk
 

Social Studies

Thursday
We worked on finishing our Maya DBQ (due tomorrow).

We also worked on mapping Mexico geographic features and summaries information from maps in the desk atlas.

HW: DBQ due FRIDAY!!

Mexico Map from National Geographic:
Click here to see an interactive Mexico map from National Geographic

Science - Spotts

Science today...
- Blood Type Mini-lesson
- Work on Family Album
- Genetics Quiz tomorrow! Do a bit of reviewing.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Math: Chambers/Luhmann

Luhmann: Today in math we learned how to calculate the area of a composite figure. Students divided larger shapes into smaller shapes and then calculated the area of those smaller shapes.

Homework: Skills Review and 4.3 Practice Extension worksheet

Chambers: Due to the fact that Mrs. Chambers will be gone on Thursday for a meeting, students went through 2 lessons today. 1. Composite figures (same as Mr. Luhmann's class) and 2. Plotting points and calculating the area of the shape that is created. Tomorrow will be a work day on the two assignments.
Homework: Skills Review and students can work for 10 minutes on the composite figures worksheet if they want to. Tomorrow will be a workday for both and all will be checked on Friday. If students have questions, they may ask me in class on Friday.

Mrs. Schuiteman - English

Today we:
*created Kind Words Wednesday cards
*assigned parts for our upcoming reading of "A Christmas Carol"
*practiced using databases
No HW

Tomorrow (Thursday) we will:
*share book recommendations
*go to the library to check out books
*finish up our practice using databases
No HW

MATH 7 - Luhmann

Today in math we discussed the multiplying and dividing homework for Monday.  The kids had a chance to pick up a chapter review that we will go over tomorrow.  Tomorrow we will have our first quistessment point.  (the kids know what this is!)  The homework is to study the notes and homework for the chapter.

English- Hickok

Today the kids got into groups and discussed their "facts" they researched on their practice topic.   Together they evaluated the best databases, research techniques, and ways to organize their notes.  They also did a quick personal bio of themselves that will be shared with Miss Houser, our student teacher that will start in January.

HW-  Go play in the snow and read a good book...not at the same time though. :)

Science- Lillmars 12/11

Today in Science, the students...

1) completed a "blood type" mini-lesson

2) began drawing their fictitious family (based on their genetic traits) in their family album

HW: Review! Genetics quiz #1 is Friday!

Monday, December 9, 2013

Math: Chambers/Luhmann

Today in math we learned how to calculate the area of a trapezoid. Students spent the rest of the hour practicing using the formula to solve the area problems. Homework: trapezoid worksheet and a skills review sheet.
To find the are of a trapezoid:
1) add the two bases together
2) multiply by the height
3) divide by 2

Or    1/2 (base 1 + base 2) x height

Social Studies

Monday
Today we typed (or hand wrote) our Mayan DBQ essays.  Some students had time to peer edit.
Final ESSAY Due Friday

Please remember tomorrow we do not have school so staff and students are able to attend the funeral service for Mr. Hoppe at 1:30.  Please have a safe and peaceful day tomorrow. 

MATH 7- Luhmann

MATH 7 - Today we finished up the notes on multiplying positive and negative numbers.  The rules for dividing are the same. Yea!  The homework is to finish the worksheets for multiplying and dividing integers.  We have a quiz/test/assessment scheduled for Thursday of this week.

BONUS:
Multiplying
#37    (-36)
#42    38
#44    1792, (-7168)
#48    (-25)

Dividing
#21    undefined
#29    (-8)
#31    65
#34    (-10)

Mrs. Schuiteman - English

Today we:
*reviewed plagiarism
*discussed keeping track of sources
*were introduced to databases briefly - more to come Wed.
~No HW aside from reading for practice!~

Science - Spotts

Science today...
- Start with a journal today
- Discuss twins in a mini-lesson'
- Work on Family Album

No Homework. Remember no school tomorrow so teachers and high school students can attend the funeral services for Mr. Hoppe.

Science- Lillmars 12/9

Today in Science, the students...

1) completed a mini-lesson about identical and fraternal twins

2) began flipping a coin to figure out the traits of the children in their family albums

No homework-- but expect a genetics quiz at the end of the week!

Friday, December 6, 2013

Math:Chambers/Luhmann

For math today we reviewed the formula for finding the area of a triangle. Then students had work time to practice calculating the area of a variety of triangles. Homework: worksheet on triangles. Students CAN use a calculator on the area problems as long as they write down the math they are doing.
Next week will be area of trapezoid sand composite figures.

If your child is struggling...have them go see his/her math teacher :) We want to help.

MATH - Chambers/Luhmann

MATH 7 - Today we reviewed subtracting positive and negative integers and took notes on multiplying positive and negative integers.  There is no homework for tonight.  We plan on having a test over chapter 1 on Thursday off next week.

Science - Spotts

Science today...
- Punnett Sqaure mini-lesson
- Family Album

No Homework, but an important letter coming home today from Mr. Tebo.

Social Studies

Friday
CNN Student News
Worked on outline for DBQ
Shared creations from yesterday (Lepo)

HW: Work on outline for Monday

Science- Lillmars 12/6

Today in Science, the students...

1) did a cut and paste chromosome karyotype activity

2) continued working on the "mom and dad" of their family album

No homework!

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Math: Chambers/Luhmann

Today in math we finished our area of triangles activity. With the remaining time we practiced how to solve area of triangle problems. Homework: Skills Review sheet

Social Studies

Thursday
Today we continued working on our Mayan DBQ - ask your child what we did in class today!!

No homework (unless Doc A, B, C, D are not done)

English-Hickok

Today the kids worked on identifying the key parts of an essay, which is practice for their future research essay writing.  They also went to the library to return, renew or check out books.

I am at a conference today, but the kids are in good hands with Mr. Barr.

No homework

Mrs. Schuiteman - English

Today we:
*shared recommendations & headed to library for checkout
*reviewed over the parts of an essay(from the activity yesterday)
*discussed plagiarism & how to avoid it
~No HW!~

Science - Spotts

Science today...
- Finish up the Gregor Mendel Reading and response
- Work on Family Album dad and mom
- no HW

Science- Lillmars 12/5

Today in Science, the students...

1) completed a Punnett Square mini-lesson

2) continued working on their family albums

No homework!

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Math-Chambers/Luhmann

Today in math students corrected their area of a parallelogram worksheet. We then did an activity to investigate how to find the area of a triangle. Homework: Skills Review sheet

Social Studies

Wednesday
Today we continued working on our Maya documents preparing for the DBQ writing we will start later this week.

HW: Make sure Doc B, C, and D are done for tomorrow (many students finished in class).

Science- Lillmars 12/4

Today in Science, the students...

1) completed a mini-lesson about chromosomes

2) started pulling traits for the fictitious dad and mom in their "family album"

No homework!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Mrs. Schuiteman - English

Today we:
*did brain teaser Tuesday
*wrote an on demand essay as a pre-test to our informational/essay writing unit
No HW, aside from some at home reading! :)

Math-Chambers/Luhmann

Today in math we learned how to calculate the area of a parallelogram. Students learned that to calculate the area of a parallologram they need to multiply Base x Height. They are allowed to use a calculator for the math calculations as long as they write down the math that they are doing.
Homework: Finish up the 4.1 Area of Parallelogram worksheet


MATH 7 - Today the kids went through their first assignment and corrected it in class.  We ended the hour with some notes about adding integers.  No homework tonight.

Science- Lillmars 12/3

Today in Science, the students...

1) reflected in their "I Can..." journals about Gregor Mendel and genes

2) watched a video about Genetics

No homework!

English-Hickok

Today the kids got a new seating chart and we discussed topic choices for our upcoming "on demand" writing assignment.  They also had a little time to do some research for this upcoming topic.

Progress reports were sent home yesterday, so please ask about it if they haven't shared it with you yet.

'~~  Please note:  The reports your student received today will show how they are doing in the area of each standard assessed in Trimester 1.  Grades are also updated online.  Due to the need to report a final grade, we did end up averaging how students did on standards into a final grade.  All writing standards were worth 45%, all reading standards worth 45%, and all language standards worth 10%.  However, we did discuss with the students and encourage them to not just focus on a final grade, but really look at their marks for each standard to get a good picture of what they understand well & where they could use improvement!!~
No homework

Social Studies

Tuesday

Today we worked on the Maya DBQ - ask your child about it.

HW: Document A must be done by Tomorrow!!


Science - Spotts

Science today...
- Meet Gregor Mendel
- Mendel Reading and Response (did not finish so due on Friday!)


Monday, December 2, 2013

Math-Chambers/Luhmann

Today in math we investigated how to find the area of a parallelogram. Tomorrow we will continue on with this discussion and practice solving area problems with parallelograms. Homework: Skills Review

Reminder: Retake over 3.3-3.4 is tomorrow at lunch. Students got a review sheet the day before break with the answers provided.


MATH 7 - We discussed the new class and what the future may look like.  We started taking notes on integers and on absolute value.  No homework tonight.

Social Studies

Welcome Back!!

We reviewed the Maya, watched a powerpoint created by Maya:), went over Maya test, and started the Maya DBQ!

No homework:)

Mrs. Schuiteman - English

Hello Trimester 2!!!
Today we:
*finished up Christmas cards for Troops
*cleaned out folders
*previewed trimester 2
*received progress reports from Trimester 1
~~  Please note:  The reports your student received today will show how they are doing in the area of each standard assessed in Trimester 1.  Grades are also updated online.  Due to the need to report a final grade, we did end up averaging how students did on standards into a final grade.  All writing standards were worth 45%, all reading standards worth 45%, and all language standards worth 10%.  However, we did discuss with the students and encourage them to not just focus on final grade, but really look at their marks for each standard to get a good picture of what they understand well & where they could use improvement!!~

Science - Spotts

Science today...
- Happy New Trimester!
- We watched a Genetics Video to kick things off
- We completed a Mini-Lesson to go with the video.

Science- Lillmars 12/2

Today in Science, the students...

1) learned about the "father of genetics" (Gregor Mendel) with a little role play

2) read an article about Mendel using the iPads

No homework