STEM Activity Donations

Season’s Greetings STEM Challenge

In December, 6^th grade scholars will be completing a holiday themed STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) challenge.  Here are some possible supplies that we would like to have donated in order to make the challenge a success.  Please help us out with whatever donations you can.  Thank you.

Paperclips

Mini marshmallows

Uncooked spaghetti noodles

Straws

Tape

Yarn

Marbles

Aluminum foil

Paper/Styrofoam cups

Empty paper towel/toilet paper tubes

Math - The Opposite of a Number's Opposite

Today we learned how to find the opposite of a number and the opposite of the opposite of a number.  Below you will find pictures of our lesson in case you need help with the Exit ticket for tonight's homework.

Science Fair Papers

Today your child will bring home the two packets below.  They do not have to use the Science Fair Notebook packet, but the MUST have a Science Fair notebook turned in with their project.  They can use this packet for their notebook or use it as a guide.  The second packet that they will bring home today should look familiar.  This is their own copy of the Science Experiment Project.  They need to use this or handwrite out their own copy.  Their notes must be handwritten, not typed.  Please remember to take pictures of your experiment as you are conducting them.  You will use those for your notebook and boards.

Writing Checklist

Below you will see your scholar's "Checklist for Editing Writing."  This is the checklist that they need to use from now on when they are turning in a writing for class.  Please go through this with your child so that you are both aware of how they will be graded from this point forward.  Thank you!

Homework Week of October 13th and Conferences

1. ELA Packet (parent signature)
2. AR Reading Log (parent initial)
3. Math Fluency Page
4. Study for Tests on Friday
5. Finish Passion Project (Due Friday)
6. Finish Character Project (Due Thursday)

*Don't forget your conference this week and stop by our book fair.  It will be open daily until 3:00.

Module 2, Lesson 3 Group Work and Videos

*On Monday, we will have a quiz on Module 2, Lessons 1 & 2.  Please come prepared!

Below you will see the products of our group work from Module 2, Lesson 2.  Scholars had to work in table groups to complete problems and create a poster.  They then met with another group that had the same problem.  Each group explained how they arrived at their answers.  Next the groups presented the opposite group's poster.  It was a great learning experience for all of the scholars!  Below are links to videos going over Module 2, Lesson 2.

Here is a link to a video on Module 2, Lesson 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhuUCHxa7DE&list=PL-8MdyErqRQG8qM0MTbY_Feq8-OxKT3Qi&index=22

Here is another video on Module 2, Lesson 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7XBkNf2TyE&list=PL-8MdyErqRQG8qM0MTbY_Feq8-OxKT3Qi&index=19

Agendas and Typing Club

Please make sure you are checking your scholar's agenda every night.  We update this in class daily.  They also need to have a parent signature each week showing me that you have checked their agendas.  Thank you!

Typing Club is continuing every day Monday - Friday in Room 21 starting at 8:30 am with Mrs. Fosberg.  I am very proud to say that 13 of my scholars are signed up and building their keyboarding skills already!  Please turn in your green permission slip and join in the fun!

Math

We started Module 2 today in Math!  We are working with Number Systems and currently we are dividing with fractions.  All scholars have been assigned the Lessons on Learn Zillion that go with the standard we are on.  In addition please watch the videos that are linked below to help you better understand the concept.

*Remember your homework tonight is Problem Set #1 and 2 and the Exit Ticket for Lesson 1.  There are 4 problems total and you need to show your model!

This is a link for Module 2 Lesson 1, the same lesson we did in class today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxHhDPw3uww

This is a link for a Learn Zillion video on the same standard.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzlCX9X8Ff0

You should also go onto Front Row and start your section on Number Systems.

Here are pictures of our lesson today to help the parents if needed.

FUN COMMUNITY ACTIVITY

Please join the Colton Public Library, CJUSD's Community Cabinet, and schools from throughout the district for our Rockin' & Reading Festival at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26 at Fleming Park at the corner of La Cadena and F Streets. This free event will include a scholastic book fair, literacy resources and activities, library and educational information, entertainment, food and a family movie at dusk.  Bring the family and celebrate literacy with our community.

Typing Club!

6th Grade will be having a before school typing club starting on September 30th. Permission slips went home today. It is not mandatory that they attend every day, however it will help your scholar the more they attend.  Please bring the permission slips back ASAP!

Science Fair Projects

I am sure that yesterday most of you had your scholars coming home talking about the science experiment that Mrs. Sitko demonstrated for them.  I posted pictures in my 180 Day Project.  Below are three examples of finished projects for our Science Fair.  The school has already purchased the project boards for every scholar.  All of the scholars were able to view them yesterday as well.  All of the GATE scholars will see three more science experiments from start to finish before they turn in their own.  All upper grade students MUST COMPLETE AN INDIVIDUAL Science Fair project.  If scholars want to enter a group project, they may, however it will not be graded.

The Theme of a Story

Please help your child find the THEME of the story after they finish reading.  Ask them to tell you what the moral, lesson, or message of the story was. This is also called the THEME.  We worked on this at the beginning of the year and briefly reviewed today.  Below is a new anchor chart that we created today.

This is one that we created at the beginning of the year:

Book Orders

Book order forms were sent home today.  This is an inexpensive way to build your child's library.  You may order online with using our class code: DV6L4.  You may also fill out the order form and send a check payable to Scholastic Book Club.  All orders are due by the beginning of school on Friday, September 12, 2014.

Please donate Kleenex!

We are looking for tissue/Kleenex donations.  We are on our last box.  The school district does not provide tissues anymore due to budget cuts.  I am in hopes that every scholar will donate 1 box of tissue.  This will hopefully take us through to the end of the year.  Please bring in boxes as soon as possible.  Thank you!

Empty Shoe Boxes, Lexia

We are collecting empty shoe boxes!  We will be using empty shoe boxes for a project in the near future.  We are trying to collect enough for each scholar.  Please donate as many empty shoe boxes as you can.  THANKS!

Lexia is a reading intervention program that we offer here at Lewis.  PLEASE have your child log on daily to complete the lessons.  This will help them improve in Language Arts.  Aim for 20-30 minutes a day at home. THANK YOU!

Turn In Your SES Tutoring Forms!

SES Free Tutoring Forms were sent home today with your child.  Please fill out the forms and return them as soon as possible.  There is no cost to the tutoring and it can help your scholar have a better understanding of the Common Core.  Once the spots for tutoring are gone, there will be no more chances! All scholars returning their papers will this week will receive extra tickets!

Genius Hour

For those of you that are new to my classroom, I wanted to help you understand Genius Hour.  Your child will do four Passion Projects this year, one per quarter. The video below will help you understand the process your scholar is going through. This is a graded project and will be weighed into your scholar's grade.

AR Testing

Please help your scholar with their AR reading log by providing a quiet place for them to read each evening or have them read to you every night. Every scholar was supposed to quiz on their AR book last Friday, unfortunately a few scholars did not make their goals. The grade the scholars earn on their AR test averages directly into their reading grade.


Their next AR test is September 5th.

STEM Conference for Girls!

Below is a link for an upcoming STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) conference for girls.  This is a great opportunity for our 6th grade girls to learn about STEM and meet inspiring women in these fields.  This is the link to sign up according to the e-mail I received this week.  There is a small fee to attend the conference.

www.upperhandtocollege.com

Progress Reports

Bi-weekly progress reports went home today. Please go over the progress report with your child, sign the paper, and have your scholar bring it back to school on Monday.  If the progress report is not returned on Monday, your scholar will have to clip down.  This is an essential part of our (parent-teacher) communication.  This will help to ensure that there are no surprises come report card time.